Q: The enclosed photo is of an electric lamp that was a wedding present to my husband's parents in 1925. The base is copper or something that appears to be copper. The inside of the glass shade is decorated with a hand-painted scene of a country cottage with trees and can be seen when the light is turned on. The shade is approximately 18 inches in diameter, and the overall height is 22 inches. The words "Jefferson 1878" are also painted along the inside edge.

Can you provide any information about the history and insurance value of my lamp?

A: You have a reverse-painted lamp that was made by the Jefferson Lamp Company. They were founded in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1900. In 1907 they moved to Follansbee, West Virginia, and at that time began making reverse-painted shades for lamps. Their bases were metal and decorated with copper or brass finish. Take another look at the base; they were often also signed "Jefferson." The number "1878" is a model number. Jefferson Lamp Company closed in 1933.

Although your lamp is a desirable antique, its value had decreased in the past five or six years. A current insurance value would be in the range of $1,500 to $2,000.

Q: This mark is on the bottom of a pitcher that was left in the kitchen of a lake house that we bought years ago. The pitcher stands about 9 inches tall, is round with a handle and has a cork-lined stopper. It is decorated with six orange cattails and four black leaves on the side and on the stopper. There are 2 bands around the stopper, one is orange and one is black. The condition is excellent.

What can you tell about the pitcher? Is it "Antique or Junque"? Does it have any value?

A: You have a semi-porcelain refrigerator water jug. It was made by Universal Potteries Inc. for Sears, Roebuck and Company in the 1930s and 1940s. The pattern is a decal and the name is "Cattail." This pattern was used on a plethora of kitchen items that included water pitchers, bowls, platters, cups, saucers, salt and pepper shakers, and butter dishes. There was also a line of accessories that were available that included tin-ware, glassware and table linens.

Your mid-20th century water pitcher would probably fetch $20 to $50 in an antiques shop.

. Jefferson Lamp Company was founded in 1900.

Semi-porcelain water pitcher was made in the mid-20th century.

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