Q: This is a photo of a porcelain Delta Airlines sign that I have. It measures 14 inches from top to bottom and has a 29-3/4-inch wingspan. It could have been made between 1927 and 1932. It could have been part of a larger sign or maybe hung over a hangar door.

Thank you for any information you can give me.

A: Your sign is an example of a Delta Airlines advertising logo that was used from 1945 to 1962. Huff Daland Dusters Inc. began in Macon, Georgia, as crop-dusters. They moved to Monroe, Louisiana, in 1925 and changed the name to Delta Passenger Service. They started out flying just one passenger in the route/area they flew to dust the crops. Your sign was probably originally bolted to a larger metal background. Your Delta sign has appeal to collectors of advertising and of Delta Airline/airline memorabilia.

The value of your sign would probably be in the range of $75 to $100.

Q: I have drawn the mark that is on the bottom of a pewter pitcher that I was given in 1945. It was old at that time. It stands about 4 inches tall.

Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated.

A: Joseph Heinrichs Silversmith was in business from 1897 to 1937. You have a silver-plated chocolate pot. The term "Silver Solder" was used on their silver-plated pieces. The numbers are design numbers. Heinrichs made silver plate, sterling silver, copper and bronze ware. He started out in New York City, and then expanded to Paris. He made high-end pieces and sold some ware through Tiffany's. Heinrichs also made restaurant and hotel ware. In 1937 Heinrichs went bankrupt, and the company was taken over by a group that included Angelo Scavullo. Scavullo began working for Heinrichs as an errand boy and worked his way up to a position that enabled him, along with his associates to buy the company. In 1941 he bought out the other owners.

In the photo that accompanied the mark you provided, it appears the pot is badly tarnished or the silver has worn away. If your pot is in good condition and is not in need of resilvering, it would probably be worth $50 to $100.

"Delta Airlines Sign is collectible."

"Joseph Heinrichs Silversmith was founded in 1937."

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