Gaudy Ironstone Cheese Dish is a Keeper by Anne McCollam on Creators.com

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Gaudy Ironstone Cheese Dish is a Keeper

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 of Gaudy Ironstone were decorated with floral designs that were painted orange, red, light blue and cobalt. Many pieces were not marked.

Your cheese keeper would probably be worth $350 to $450.

Q: This mark is on the bottom of a porcelain compote that is in perfect condition. The compote is decorated with pastel floral sprays against a white background, and there is a reticulated border around the edge.

What can you tell me about the maker, age and value of my compote?

A: The Carl Schumann Co. located in Arzberg, Germany, made your compote in the early 1900s. Similar pieces are seen in antiques shops selling in the range of $75 to $125.

Q: I'm wondering about the value of my collection of over 100 women's hats from the 1930s to the 1970s. Most were never worn and are in excellent condition. They are in all colors, styles, textures, and some are feathered. Also, I would like to know if there is a collectors club for vintage hats.

A: Although vintage women's hats are collectible, I don't have the name of any collectors clubs.

You might try researching on the Internet.

Most hats from the period you described are in the range of $25 to $50. Some can go much higher.

Q: I have a silver baby cup that a relative received when he was born in 1898; his initials are engraved on the side. Marked on the bottom are the words, "Pairpoint Mfg. Co. — New Bedford — Mass — Quadruple Plate — 439." There is also the letter "P" in a diamond.

I am curious about its history and value.

A: Pairpoint Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1890 and became one of the largest silver plate factories in the United States. "Quadruple Plate" shows that the baby cup was silver plated and "439" is the design number.

Assuming the silver plate has not worn away and the cup is in good condition, it would probably be worth $75 to $100.

Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P. O. Box 247, Notre Dame IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters. To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.