Q: This is a photo of an antique platter that is part of a service for a 12-set of dishes that I inherited. It was given to my grandparents when they were married around 1900. The set includes serving pieces, and it is in mint condition. Marked on the back of each dish is a crown and the words "Clive — Royal Semi Porcelain — Wood and Son — England — Reg. 349589."

I am planning on having the set insured and want to know what the replacement cost might be. Also, anything you can tell me about the history, vintage and value of my set of dishes will be appreciated.

A: You have a set of ironstone Flow Blue dishes that was made by Wood and Sons. They have made ironstone and earthenware in Staffordshire, England, since1865. Cobalt Blue was used to create the patterns on white backgrounds from 1820 to the early 1900s. During the process, the color bled or flowed outside the design and appeared blurry, thus the name, Flow Blue. A myriad of patterns were decorated with Asian scenes, landscapes and floral motifs. Although most examples were made in England, many were made in the United States. "Clive" is the name of the pattern and "Reg. 349589" is the British Registry number that shows the design of your dishes was registered in 1899.

Your set should be insured for at least $5,000 to $7,000.

Q: I have enclosed the mark that is on the back of a set of dinnerware that belonged to my mother-in-law. The set is a service for eight. Each piece is decorated with a garden scene of a man playing a musical instrument and serenading two women. They are all wearing 18th-century clothes, and the edges of all the dishes are trimmed in gold. I remember my mother collecting each individual piece when she went to the movies. What can you tell me about my dishes?

A: Limoges China Company made your dishes. They were located in Sebring, Ohio, from 1900 to 1955 and produced china to compete with fine porcelain made in Limoges, France. One of the manufacturers in Limoges, France, objected to them using the "Limoges" name, and the name was changed to the American Limoges China Company.

In the early 1900s especially during the Depression, movie theatres often offered premiums to encourage attendance.

Your set was made between 1930 and 1940 and would probably be worth $175 to $325.

(set image) amc032213adAP.jpg (set image) (set caption) Flow Blue Ironstone was made by Wood and Sons in England. (end caption)

. Limoges China Company was in business from 1900 to 1955.

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