Antique toy stove bridges generations
Dear Collector,
My mother was born in 1888. I believe this toy stove was hers. What is the value?
Your cast iron and tin toy (manufactured circa 1900 by Grey Iron Casting of Mount Joy, PA, who also made “Blue Bird” stoves) is in excellent condition, as are its accessories which include a skillet, platter and pot with bail handle. While not tremendously valuable – around $125 – your durable family heirloom is a thread through history for present and future generations.
Dear Collector,
Enclosed find a photo of a 1909 “Woman’s Home Companion” in fair condition. Could you please tell me if there is any value?
When there are holes in its cover, a magazine is not in fair condition. I’d rate it as poor, with an estimated value of less than $5.
Dear Collector,
I have a vase that belonged to my mother that has on the bottom a letter “N” surrounded by a “C.” I hope you can give me some information.
Your heirloom appears to have been made in New Orleans sometime before WWII by Newcomb Pottery.
Dear Collector,
Are any of these six coins worth more than their face value?
Excluding the 1964 Taylorville County Fair souvenir piece, which is not technically currency; the best bet is your 1922 Peace Dollar which may have a potential of nearly $50.
Dear Collector,
When I was a child, my parents bought me this Joe DiMaggio “Little Johnny Strikeout” album. I would like to know what it is worth.
Issued in 1949 by Capitol (catalog #DBS-3051), this two-record set in a bifold sleeve is valuable only when the cover is perfect. Considering the large number of albums which have survived, and the noticeable damage to yours, suggested value is less than $10.
Dear Collector,
I have a 1944 “The Birds of America” by James John Audubon. Does it have any value?
This is the fourth edition of a work published by McMillan in 1937. Not a rare book; the average for the last three offered on eBay, the Internet auction site, was about $23.
Dear Collector,
Do you recognize the manufacturer of this dinnerware? My husband’s grandfather may have bought it in the 1930s.
Dating from the first quarter of the 20th century, your porcelain set marked with a shield containing the initials “PBM” (Porcelain Manufactory Burgau) came from a town in the German state of Thuringia.
Dear Collector,
What is the value of this 1899 $2 silver certificate in perfect condition?
A collector of paper money (notaphilist) would probably grade your bill as very good to fine, and would put its value at less than $100.
Dear Collector,
I have several “Kid Carrots” comic books dated September, 1953. Can you tell me their value?
Appearing in only this issue, Carrots, a rabbit prone to misfortunes, was created by cartoonist Gene Hazelton. Published by St. John, your copies could be worth as much as $40 each.