Q
& A with the Antique Detective
Q. I have a Carnation Milk toy truck, circa 1950s made by Tonka. It is in
mint condition, but I don't have the original box. What could it be worth? P.W.,
Colonia, NJ
A. Your truck made in 1955 could sell for $400 in a shop.
Q. I
inherited this blue glass vase and four glasses with floral enameling. They are
inscribed, "Atlantic City 1900." Any idea of value? R.B., Natrona Heights,
PA
A. Your souvenir water set could sell in a shop for around $250.
Q. My
mother bought this Dresden chandelier at an estate sale 35 years ago. The
porcelain is in mint condition, but the metal leaves need to be refinished. What
do you think it is worth? P.M., Lake Forest, IL
A. Similar chandeliers have
sold for $900 or more in shops.
Q. I have a Howdy Doody lamp in good
condition. He is in a sitting position. Where can I find out the value?
A.
Your popular TV character Howdy Doody lamp could sell for as much as $200. Check
eBay prices for updates.
Q. Can you give me some information on this heavy
corner cupboard, probably cherry. We've been told it is very old because the
glass in the doors isn't very clear, more wavy. There are two hidden drawers on
each side with round holes to hide gold. It looks like the hardware has been
changed. M.D., Lower Burrell, PA
A. Your handsome corner cupboard appears to
be early 19th century. The ring-turned columns and veneered banding on the
drawers show quality workmanship. You need a hands-on appraisal to examine the
dovetailing on the drawers and the type of saw marks to accurately determine the
age since there can be a wide price fluctuation. Based only on your photo, the
cupboard could sell at auction for $2,500-$3,500.
Q. My great aunt has two
old pins and was wondering if you have ever seen anything like them? Up close,
they look like little pieces of colored glass pressed together to form the
flowers on each pin. On the back it reads, "made in Italy." Do they have any
value? S.D., Lower Burrell, PA
A. Your pins are micro-mosaic. They are made
of heated glass that is pulled into small strands then cut into tiny pieces.
After metal oxides are added
in colors, the pieces are put into various
images, such as flowers or animals. They were made in Florence and Venice. Since
your pins say "made in Italy," they probably date to the late 19th or early 20th
centuries. Price depends on condition, subject and the type of metal mounting.
Floral subjects are least expensive. Yours mounted on white metal could sell in
a shop for $250 or more each.
Q. Here is a picture of a large candlestick. I
don't think it is very old, but I am interested in the value and its history. It
says "Gouda" and "Holland" on the bottom. G.M.K., Lower Burrell, PA
A. Gouda
pottery was made in Holland from around 1898 to 1964. Yours with an Art Nouveau
motif could have been made from around 1900 to the 1920s. It could sell in a
shop for $200.
Q. I would like to know the value of this china vase. It is
stamped on the bottom "Buffalo China 1917" and signed "R.Stuart 1918." J.M.,
North Apollo, PA
A. After 1902, Buffalo pottery was made in New York. Your
signed vase
could sell at auction for $400.
Q. I would like to know the
value of this glider rocker for insurance purposes. M.B., Lehigh Acres, FL
A.
The replacement value for your platform rocker could be between $350 and
$450.
Q. I have had this set of four ceramic figurines marked "Napco" for
some time. They are a family, dressed in Victorian costumes. Could they be of
any value? E.N., Gibsonia, PA
A. Your figurines were made in Japan, beginning
in the 1950s. They are a popular collectible. Many types were made, and they
often show up on eBay. Your set could sell in a shop for around $250.
|
1955 Carnation Milk toy truck, $400.
Dresden chandelier, $900.
19th c. corner cupboard, $2,500-$3,000.
Micro-mosaic pin, $250.
Gouda candlestick, $200.
Napco figurines, $250. |
