Q: Enclosed is a photo of a porcelain dish. I remember as a child, it was always in the family china cabinet that stood in the corner of the dining room. I'm 83 years old and everything in it was purchased years before 1932. The dish measures 11 inches in diameter. There is not manufacturer's mark on the back, just the number "1072" painted in gold.

Could you tell me anything about it and its value?

A: Without a manufacturer's mark, it can be almost impossible to know where it was made. The flowers sprays, color shading from cream to green at the edges, the scalloped edges and gold trim are typical of designs in the late 1800's to early 1900's. The gold numbers are design numbers. Similar dishes were made in both the United States and Europe.

You dish would probably be worth $25 to $50.

Q: Enclosed is a picture of a dinner plate that is part of a 12-piece place setting that I inherited from my mother. The set includes a matching coffee pot, creamer and sugar. I searched through the Rosenthal patterns, but couldn't find this one. The set is in mint condition and I plan to insure it.

Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

A: Philip Rosenthal and Company has been in business in Selb, Bavaria, Germany, since 1879. The mark you provided was used from 1946 to 1949. After World War II, Germany was divided in to four zones that included the American Zone, British Zone, French Zone and Soviet Zone. Hesse and Bavaria, located in the Southern Germany, were part of the American Zone. Beginning in 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was formed by the American, British and French Zones in the west. The Soviet Zone formed the German Democratic Republic in the east.

The pattern is Rosenthal's "Ivory Diplomatic Sanssouci." "Sanssouci" is a term to identify a specific shall that was decorated with various designs. The shape is recognized by gold scrolls on the rims and centers and decorated with florals.

Your dinnerware was made sometime between 1946 and 1949. Insurance value would be in the range of $2000 to $2500.

Origin of dish is a mystery.

. Rosenthal and Company have been located in Bavaria, Germany, since 1879.

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