Collecting: Confederate money

Q: I have two $100 bills issued by the Confederate States of America, in sequence No. 106641 and No. 106642. They are in perfect condition and dated Feb. 17, 1864. I would like to contact someone to find out their value. — Marie, Palacios, Texas

A: According to the Standard Catalogue of World Paper Money: General Issues, 1368-1960, edited by George S. Cuhaj and published by KP Books, two $100 bills were issued by the Confederate States of America on Feb. 17, 1864. The smaller bill is worth in the $30 to $110 range, depending on condition, and the large specimen, $45-$150.

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Q: I have a 12-piece setting of Pope-Gosser china in a pattern that is white with gold trim. All the pieces are in excellent condition and probably at least 100 years old. I have searched the books in my local library, but can’t find out anything about the company. Can you help me? — Mary Jane, Indiana

A: I was able to find out a little about the company in Lehner’s Encyclopedia of U.S. Marks on Pottery, Porcelain & Clay by Lois Lehner (Collector Books, $24.95). If you love china, this book should be in your personal library.

According to Lehner, the Pope-Gosser Company was founded by Charles F. Gosser and Bentley Pope in Coshocton, Ohio, in 1902. The company was reorganized in 1932 and continued making fine china until 1958. Lehner points out that the earlier pieces are of much higher quality than what followed.

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Q: My granddad contributed to several WPA guides that were published during the 1930s and ‘40s. He would like to find the one issued about Texas and has been unable to find a copy. Can you help us? — Sarah, Jasper, Texas

A: The WPA Guide to Texas was originally published in 1940 by Hastings House. An original edition is fairly difficult to find. I did locate a reprint from 1986 at abe.com for $50. If you’re unfamiliar with abe.com, it is a wonderful Internet source for book searches.