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Vintage Locket Unlocks Four Photos
Q: I have enclosed a photo of an opened gold locket. When folded closed, the cover has a black and white cameo, and behind each photo case are the words and number "Coro — Pat. No. 2545267." The locket is in mint condition.
Is there …Read more.
Mickey Mouse Collectors Pie Eyed Over Doll
Q: This is a photo of a Mickey Mouse doll that stands about 12 inches tall. It was found in my mother-in-law's attic in 1988. Not one of her kids ever remember seeing it and we know nothing about its history. The doll is made of cloth with red wood …Read more.
Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle Figurine Is the Twinkle in Collectors Eyes
Q: This is a photo of a music box figurine that I have. Several years ago, I bought a home and all its contents and found it stored in a closet. On the bottom, are the words "Schmid — Musical Collectibles — The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-…Read more.
Whimsical Figures Are Flights of Fancy
Q: This is a photo of a small figurine that my mother had for about 70 years. It stands around 4 inches tall, has little blue wings on its back, and is in excellent condition. It has a matte finish and is marked on the back with the number "M …Read more.
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Porcelain Tray Sent a MessageQ: I have enclosed a photo of a porcelain tray that was a wedding gift to an aunt of mine in 1923. I have taken it to several antiques shops and was told in each instance that they had never seen anything like it. Marked on the bottom is the word "Noritake," and it is in pristine condition. My aunt told me the tray was meant to be a "calling card" receiver. If you can tell me anything about my tray and its approximate value, I will be so grateful. A: Nippon Toki Kaisha has produced Noritake Porcelain in Japan since 1904. Leaving a printed calling card on a tray was a Victorian Era ritual that was extremely popular in the mid 1800s and early 1900s. A lady would make her rounds visiting friends and present her personal card to the butler. He would then place it on a special tray that sat on a stand in the entryway. The tray was taken to the lady of the house and she would decide if the visit was convenient. Also, if no one was home, a card was left so it was known who had come calling. By the 1920s, the custom was waning. Your circa 1923 calling card tray decorated with a duck is unusual and very collectible. Similar Noritake porcelain figural trays and dishes can be found selling from $125 to $225.
Q: I have enclosed the mark I found on the bottom of a lovely china pitcher that was given to me about 10 years ago as a gift. It stands around 6 inches tall and is decorated with horses, hunters and dogs. The handle is in the shape of a dog. I treasure my gift and would like to learn more about it. A: Your pitcher was made by Wedgwood in Etruria, England. The words "D'ye Ken John Peel" mean "Do You Know John Peel?" "Ken" is a word from a regional dialect from Scotland and Northern England for the word "know." The saying was based on a 18th century British folksong about John Peel, a hunter and a farmer. There are also examples of your pitcher in several different sizes and decorated with colors and gold trim. Your pitcher was made in the early 1900s and would probably be worth $100 to $150.
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 COPYRIGHT 2012 CREATORS.COM  
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