Author: Donna Welch

Good morning, Donna,

I bought this lamp at a church summer festival in Maine. I absolutely love the shade! I was wondering if you could give me any information about it. Thanks.

Sharon

Dear Sharon,

Your mid-century lamp (1950s-1960s) appears to be in great condition.

Pretty popular in that day were scenes from the western frontier, cowboys etc. The shade was made from a parchment paper. As it aged it would give the appearance of a wooden shade.

The value of lamps like these would be in the $50 range.

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Sharon.

Donna

Update:

I got this note from Ray describing the use of the cooker stove in last week’s column:

“Hi Donna,

The item in question is a scalding pot that slaughtered pigs would be lowered into to loosen their bristles so they could easily be scraped off.

The water would be brought to a boil or near to boiling, the carcass, usually minus the feet, would be immersed for a short length of time and when hoisted out the bristles (body hair) could easily be scraped off.”

Thanks, Ray!

Dear Donna,

I’m trying to figure out what this brush was for. It’s 5 inches long and looks like it has a feather for a handle. The brush is soft for stenciling, so I’m curious if you can help.

Jen

Dear Jen,

OK I learned something again myself. What you have is called a quill mop artist brush. Could be made of a couple kinds of animal fur. Like squirrel or other soft-hair animals. I think yours is more of a duster brush. I found some with thick brush ends but not as thick as yours. Those for use with a watercolor paint could taper down to making a thin line. Older ones like yours are hard to find and just one can be in the $30 range. So not only do I think we figured it out, but it’s a tiny treasure as well.

Hello, Donna,

My husband and I purchased a property over a decade ago and this “stove” was in an outbuilding where the previous owners used to slaughter and smoke farm animals, like pigs. We have puzzled for years about how this stove/cooker was used. Any ideas? No need for estimating a worth since we are not looking to sell it, but we would love to know how it was used back in the day.

Thank you.

Gail

Dear Gail,

I have to say you got me! This is not anything I know a lot about.

I did some research, and I believe your stove is from around the early 1900s, judging from the style and cauldron on top. Now my opinion is if it was used for smoking meat it would have another grill part on top or a cover to hold in the smoke. Wood or coal would go into the bottom.

I did find a couple similar styles that were actually used for laundry as well. So maybe it started off as one thing and was used for others. It could have also been made to fit the family’s smoking meats need.

It’s an interesting piece, I’m glad you’re holding on to it. It could become useful again for another purpose.

Thanks for sharing, Gail, I wish I could have been more helpful.

Hello, Donna,

I have this glass-front cabinet with the attached label on the back. It belonged to my mom and dad and they used it as a “china closet.’ I know that they purchased it at a second-hand furniture store in Vermont in the early 1950s. It is in good condition, other than some dust from storage after they passed. It has lovely turned legs and the overlay designs on the side, glass doorknob. The glass is clear glass, I believe original to the piece (not a mirror as the picture might suggest). We are now downsizing and I would like to know if it has value as a vintage or antique item.

Thank you in advance for any insight you might share with us.

Marie

Dear Marie,

Your china cabinet is most likely from the 1930s or 1940s. It does look to be in good original condition. It’s not considered an antique yet but getting there. To be considered an antique it has to be at least 100 years old.

China cabinets from that era are the most desired out of tables, chairs and buffets etc. The more popular ones would have glass on all three sides. I think the ones like yours would be more desirable to be repurposed and painted.

The values are tough because you really have to find that right buyer. It would be in the $75 range, leaving room for negotiations. I also would try to sell it myself, trying like Facebook Marketplace or a yard sale.

Marie, thanks for sharing and good luck finding a new home for the cabinet.

Donna

Dear Donna,

I came across this paper in my grandmother’s attic. It’s interesting and very old, as you can see.

Can you give me any information on whether it has a value?

Thank you, Donna.

Helene

Dear Helene,

I think what you have, from the photos you sent, is a section of the newspaper. It could also have been the first of many inserts to come through the year to get ready for the 1876 celebration. The Haverhill Gazette paper from Haverhill, Mass., has a 200-year history.

The value on such ephemera (paper) pieces varies with the collector. If you’re from that area it would be fun to have if a ton of them didn’t survive the times. Finding them in an attic is common. You can find lots of old newspapers this way, as they were used as insulation.

I’m just giving you a value on pieces like yours, Helene. Some ephemera can be very valuable. Your paper section would be in the $10 range to a specific collector. Priceless, though, for all the articles and advertising in it!

Thanks for sharing with us, Helene.

Dear Donna,

This blow dryer belonged to my mom. I can remember her using it on my sister and my own hair. It still actually works, although I wouldn’t want to use it. The heat from it is pretty intense. Does anyone collect such items?

Thank you, Donna, in advance.

Denise

Dear Denise,

OK, can I start with that my mom also had one and used it on my hair as well. LOL

This handheld style has been around since the early 1900s. Yours is from the 1950s ish.

Can you believe hair dryers have been around since the late 1800s, when they were invented?

There were several manufacturers and colors of a similar style to yours. Different colors, stainless steel, and with stands as well.

The values today I would think are for decorative and nostalgic reasons, and some repurposing reasons as well. I personally wouldn’t want to use it either. The heat is intense and I can’t even imagine the electrical cost! Also the cord could have age drying damage to the wiring.

Values are in the range of $30+ in good clean working condition. Some styles bring a little more for unusual colors, bases etc.

Denise, thanks for sharing and putting a smile on my face.