Antique or Junque from Creators Syndicate

Dorothy Thorpe's Crystal Glass Continues to Sparkle for 07/10/2009

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: The pictured crystal glass is from a set of eight that was given to me by my best friend. It originally belonged to her mother. Each glass stands about 3 inches tall and has a sterling silver band. Made by artist and designer Dorothy Thorpe, all the pieces had silver foil labels with the letter "T." I have decided to pass along the glassware to my godson and his wife. He is my frie ...

Updated: Fri Jul 10, 2009

The Winnings are in the Table, Not the Cards for 07/17/2009

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I would like to learn more about the pictured antique card table. Still in excellent condition, it is mahogany and stands around 29 inches tall. When the top is opened, it can be swiveled to form a card table. Underneath the top, there is space for storing cards.

How old is it and what is it worth?

A: Your card table was made around 1920. The mahogany, carved scrolls, pedestal ...

Updated: Fri Jul 17, 2009

Oak Desk Proves to be a Profitable Study Area for 07/24/2009

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: The pictured oak desk belonged to my great-grandfather and was inherited by my grandmother. She can remember the desk when she was a toddler around 1917. When her family moved from the Dakotas to Michigan, the desk also made the journey. Prior to my grandmother's death, she gave the desk to my son. It has never been refinished but, except for being dusty, is still in excellent condition.

...

Updated: Fri Jul 24, 2009

A Matte-Glaze Pottery Vase Stands the Test of Time for 07/31/2009

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I bought this pottery vase and was told Muncie Pottery made it. Standing 12 inches tall, the vase is decorated with a matte rose glaze with a green drip and is in mint condition. Marked on the bottom are the number "1" and the letter "B." I paid $155 for it.

Could you tell me when it was made and whether that is a fair price?

A: Muncie Pottery was located in ...

Updated: Fri Jul 31, 2009

Profitable Octagonal Table has the Legs to Stand on its Own for 08/07/2009

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: Enclosed you will find a photograph of an octagonal table, which was given to my wife by her mother. We were wondering if you could tell us anything about it. The table is 26 inches tall and 30 inches wide. Marked on the bottom are several numbers. We have seen many hexagonal tables but never octagonal ones.

We would appreciate any information you can give us.

A: You have a col ...

Updated: Fri Aug 07, 2009

Mahogany Table Sews a Profitable Piece of Clothing for 08/14/2009

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: According to my mother, the pictured mahogany sewing table belonged to my great-great-grandmother. It has the original glass knobs and finish. We think it was made around 1825 to 1830.

Anything you can tell me about our table will be appreciated.

A: Your sewing table is also called a worktable. The mahogany wood, turned legs terminating in knob feet and glass handles are repres ...

Updated: Fri Aug 14, 2009

Balloon Back Victorian Chair Could Have Inflated Price for 08/21/2009

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I just bought the chair seen in this photo in Plymouth, Mass., about a month ago. It is in good condition, and I didn't need to strip it or re-upholster the seat right away. It is a handsome piece, made of walnut, and has an acanthus leaf on each side of the top rail. I think it was made about 1880. Am I right?

Could you confirm the time it was made and also how much it is worth?

...

Updated: Fri Aug 21, 2009

Glassware Set Picks up a Small Value for 08/28/2009

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: This is a photo of my tall glassware set. Each glass is decorated with gold designs and signed "Georges Briard." There are eight glasses in the set, and they are in mint condition.

I found them in my house and would like to know their history.

A: Georges Briard, successful artist, designer and businessman, designed your glasses in the mid-1900s. He immigrated to Chica ...

Updated: Fri Aug 28, 2009

Plaster Figures Hold onto Value for 09/04/2009

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: The two pictured figures belonged to my husband's mother in the early 1950s. They stand about 7 inches tall and are in mint condition. The words "C.1942 — Metro Art Pottery" are marked on the back of each figure.

What can you tell me about our figures?

A: Metropolitan Art Novelty Pottery Co. in New York City made your painted plaster figures. "C.1942" ...

Updated: Fri Sep 04, 2009

Table Set Stacks up an Impressive Profit for 09/11/2009

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: This is a photo of small birch tables that stack. I was told they were designed by Alvar Aalto and are collectible.

What can you tell me about Aalto and the history of my tables?

A: You have nice examples of Aalto's stackable tables with "L-shaped legs." Alvar Aalto, an architect and furniture designer, was born in 1898 in Finland and died in 1976. He was a leader of ...

Updated: Fri Sep 11, 2009

HAMS Bowl Brings Home the Bacon for 09/18/2009

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I was wondering if you could shed any light on the bowl in this photo. It was handed down to me from my mother; however, I do not know how long it has been in our family or where she got it. The shallow bowl is approximately 5 inches in diameter. It appears to be bronze that is decorated with silver scrolls and the image of a cat. In an elongated diamond, marked on the back are the letters & ...

Updated: Fri Sep 18, 2009

Art Nouveau Lamp with Nautilus Shell Shades Surfaced in 1927 for 09/25/2009

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: Enclosed is a photo of an electric lamp with nautilus shell shades. Standing 23 inches tall, it has a metal female figure with a wood base. Although it was purchased in 1927, I don't know if it was new at that time. It is in excellent condition.

What can you tell me about its age and value?

A: You have an Art Nouveau lamp that was made around 1900. The metal is spelter, which i ...

Updated: Fri Sep 25, 2009

Star Wars Movie Viewer Shines with Collectors for 10/02/2009

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: In 1977, when I was 8 years old, I was given a Star Wars movie viewer for Christmas. Made by Kenner, the movie is titled "May the Force Be with You." It still works and is in excellent condition.

Does my viewer have any value?

A: Vintage Star Wars toys are extremely collectible. Kenner Products was founded in Cincinnati in 1947.The company made a plethora of toys, inc ...

Updated: Fri Oct 02, 2009

Gaudy Ironstone Cheese Dish is a Keeper for 10/09/2009

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: The pictured antique covered cheese dish has been in my family for years. No one in the family knows for sure how old it is or if it has any value. It is unmarked and in mint condition.

Any information you can provide will be appreciated.

A: Judging from your photo, you have a Gaudy Ironstone cheese keeper that was made in the mid- to late-1800s. Made in England, most examples ...

Updated: Fri Oct 09, 2009

Vintage China Set Made in America for 10/16/2009

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: This pictured platter is part of my china set. The set includes 74 pieces and is in mint condition. Each piece is marked: "Wardell — Federal Shape —Syracuse China-Made in America." I think the set may have been made in the mid-1920s.

Please give me an estimated value.

A: Syracuse China Co. made your dinnerware. They have produced translucent fine china in ...

Updated: Fri Oct 16, 2009

Nursery Rhyme Figurines Not Just For Kids for 10/23/2009

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: This is a photo of my porcelain figurine. There are a total of nine, all in perfect condition, and each represents a nursery rhyme. Each figurine has the title, a number and a red sticker with the name "Lefton" on its bottom. The pictured figurine is "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary," and the number is "1107."

I hope you can determine the value, if any, of my ...

Updated: Fri Oct 23, 2009

Mythical Water Deities Serve as Inspiration for Dragonware for 10/30/2009

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Q: I have enclosed a photo of my inherited teapot. It is part of a set that includes a creamer, sugar bowl with lid, six cups and saucers. Each piece is decorated with a black dragon against a background that shades from white to black; the designs are raised from the surface. The only marking I can find is "Made in Japan." All I know about my set is that my uncle bought it overseas f ...

Updated: Fri Oct 30, 2009

1908 Wedding Gift is a Valued Heirloom for 11/06/2009

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Q: I am enclosing a photo of a hand-painted porcelain vase that my parents received for their wedding in 1908. On one side is a night scene, while a female and a male lion are on the other side. Standing about 10 inches tall, the dragon handles and top are embellished with gold. There is a signature included with the night scene. The words "J.P.L. France" are marked in green on the bo ...

Updated: Fri Nov 06, 2009

Earthenware Set Serves as a Treasured Family Heirloom for 11/13/2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Q: This is a photo of a chocolate pot with a matching dinner plate and small plate that has been in our family since the late 1700s. Marked on the bottom of each piece are the words, "Baker and Co. — Persian Rose." According to our family history, which is recorded, it was part of a set that belonged to our ancestor, Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington, and was han ...

Updated: Fri Nov 13, 2009

Porcelain Canister Set Spices Up the Kitchen for 11/20/2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Q: This photo contains an old porcelain canister set from Germany. The set was given to my mother-in-law by a friend who immigrated to the United States. We think the unmarked set is at least 80 years old, and each piece is in excellent condition.

Can you tell us anything about its history?

A: Porcelain canister sets were popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Many were made in Germany a ...

Updated: Fri Nov 20, 2009