Q: This is a photo of a vase that I have. It is a soft yellow color with green leaves at the base; it stands about 8 inches tall and is in mint condition. Marked on the bottom is the name "McCoy." The vase is a bit unusual and really quite lovely, and I would like to know more about the maker, age and value.

A: Your vase was made by the Nelson McCoy Pottery in the 1940s in Roseville, Ohio. Four generations of the McCoy family have owned, operated and reorganized several pottery companies. In 1910, Nelson McCoy started Nelson McCoy Sanitary Stoneware Company, which produced stoneware crocks. He reorganized the company in 1933, and it was renamed the Nelson McCoy Pottery Company. He saw a future in developing art pottery and hired experienced art designers to create new lines of pottery. Your calla lily flower form vase is an example of the company's "Lily" vases that were introduced in 1947. They were available in white or yellow and were hand-decorated. "Lily" bookends were also produced to accompany the vases. Beginning in 1967, the pottery was sold to several companies, and it finally closed in 1990.

Your vase is circa 1947 and would probably be worth $35 to $50.

Q: I have enclosed the mark that is on a set of dinnerware that was given to me. Also included with the mark are a crown and the words "Made in USA." It is a service for 12 and is decorated with silver flowers and trim against a cream-colored background. The set also includes a gravy dish, serving dishes, platters, a cream pitcher and a sugar bowl. It belonged to my mother around 1950, and in all the years she had it, she only used it about six times. My dad gave it to her for their anniversary, and she worried that if she used it frequently, it might get damaged.

The set is priceless to me because it was my mother's and because of the memories of the special occasions when she used it. I hope you can provide information on the maker and its value.

A: Crown Potteries Company was located in Evansville, Indiana, from 1902 to 1962. It produced ironstone, semi-porcelain and white graniteware. Porcelain and semi-porcelain dinnerware sets have diminished in value in the past decade. People want the convenience of dishes that can be used in the microware and are dishwasher safe.

In today's market, the value of your dinnerware would probably be $200 to $300.

Nelson McCoy Pottery Company introduced the "Lily" vase in 1947.

Crown Potteries Company was located in Indiana.

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.