Q: Enclosed is a photo of a set dishes with playing-card faces imprinted on them. My mother used them at her card-club luncheons. There are eight each of cups, saucers and plates. As you can see in the photo, the cup is the shape of a club, the plates are shaped like hearts, and the cream pitcher, sugar bowl and platter are diamond-shaped. The dishes are decorated with the images of a king, a queen and a joker against a white background. My mom used them in the 40s. They are so unique. The markings on the back of the plates say, "Casino by American Limoges China Company."

I would never part with this set, but would like to know if it has any value.

A: The American Limoges China Company was in business from 1900 to 1955. The mark you provided was first used in the late 1940s. The earthenware set was decorated with decals, and was probably designed by American industrial designer Viktor Schreckengost. He was born in Sebring, Ohio, in 1906 and studied art at the Cleveland School of Art (now the Cleveland Institute of Art). Schreckengost specialized in pottery, industrial designs and bicycle designs.

Your card-playing-themed set would probably be worth $75 to $125.

Q: This mark is on the bottom of a porcelain-covered container. It is footed and decorated with the hand-painted image of a bird against a white background. The edges are scalloped and have gold trim, and there is a finial on the lid. I am 80 years old and can remember seeing it at my grandmother's home. She always told me it was her grandmother's. Other than that, no one in the family knows about its history.

What can you tell me about the maker, vintage and value? Also, what was it used for?

A: You have an R.S. Prussia cracker jar. The bird is a pheasant. Both the Erdmann and Reinhold Schlegelmilch factories within the used the mark you provided. The mold number is "641," and it was decorated with a variety of scenes and designs. They operated several porcelain factories in Germany from 1861 to 1938.

Your porcelain cracker jar was made between 1870 and 1914. It would probably be worth $150 to $175.

Casino set was made by American Limoges China Company.

. R.S. Prussia cracker jar was made between 1870 and 1914.

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.