Author: Donna Welch

Good morning, Donna! My name is Katie. I live in Hooksett and I have always enjoyed your segment in the Hippo each week. I wanted to see if you could give me any insight on my Levi’s belt buckle.

Sincerely, Katie.

Dear Katie,

I did lots of research for you and never came up with your belt buckle.

I did come up with a couple reasons why I think you might have a knockoff (reproduction). First, the design in the leather doesn’t match any of the cowboy themes all others have. Second, the marking on the edge, “Levi,” was always followed by “Strauss.” If it’s not a reproduction it is an extremely rare piece. In your letter you stated you sent information to the company and never heard back. That makes me more confident in my findings.

No matter what, Katie, it’s a sweet buckle. Thanks for reading the Hippo and my column.

Dear Donna,

Picked this up a few months ago. I thought it was interesting. It looks all handmade and has weight to it. It’s 4 inches by 6 inches. I think it could be an old chalkboard eraser. The bottom has about 1/4 inch of felt. Interesting, as I said. What do you think?

Luke in Berlin, N.H.

Dear Luke,

You got my interest!

First, you are right, it appears to be handmade. It looks old, but it’s tough to be exact with the age of handmade items.

My question would be why would it need to be heavy if it’s an eraser. My thought is that it’s more of a commemorative to a dog. Possibly a paperweight? You could be right, or maybe it’s even for something we won’t ever know.

To give it a value: It’s a homemade piece with good detail, construction and subject. I would say your little treasure is in the $40 range!

Thanks for sharing, Luke.

Donna

Dear Donna,

Every year I put out my small old 4”x4” Christmas box. This year I’m wondering if this is priceless just to me. Let me know!

Thank you, Donna.

Tanya

Dear Tanya,

I enjoy that your old Christmas candle box is priceless to you.

I’m going to say it’s collectible to others as well, for Christmas collectors and I believe just for its being an old box. It appears to be in good condition and that’s a plus.

Antique, old boxes can be very valuable. Depending on the age, designs, item, advertising, etc., some collectible items are worth so much more in the original boxes.

Your candle box looks like it’s from the early 1900s to 1940s. I would say the value would be in the $20 range. If the candles were still in it, even higher.

Putting it out every year for the holidays is priceless, you are right!

Dear Donna,

We recently moved into a new old home. The previous owners left this stove and we have no need for it. They told us it was functional, but we’re not sure of that for ourselves. So we’re looking for an estimate of value to sell it. Thought you might be able to help, possibly pointing us in the right direction.

Thank you for your time.

Renee

Dear Renee,

I did some research for you on values, even though antique stoves are not something I deal with often. Too heavy!

Your antique enamel wood cooking and heating stove looks to be in good condition for being from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. You want to market it “as is,” though, not knowing if it’s functional.

If it’s in working condition it warms the home, cooks and has warming ovens on top as well. Just imagine using it every day!

The values, Renee, are all over the place from $500 to $2,000 and up. But finding the higher-end value could be so much tougher than finding a good home. So I think if it were me I would start in the under $1,000 range.

I hope this gave you a starting place and you find it a new home. When working they create so much warmth! Like a good hug!

Hello Donna,

Came across this 3” x 2½” trinket. Looks like it could have been used for a clock. There are no company names on it so it’s hard to tell. Any thoughts?

Pat

Bedford

Dear Pat,

You are right! It was a clock case at one time. Now, with the clock mechanism missing, knowing the value is tough!

It’s got to either go to a clock person to find a new timepiece, or be used for another decorative purpose.

If the metal had any value it would have been marked sterling and with a maker. So that’s not the case here. As it stands the value would be in the $15 range.

Pat, it would be much more fun to do something creative with it. Thanks for sharing and if you’re looking for a couple of decorative ideas send me another note.

Donna

Dear Donna,

I have a pair of old snowshoes that I would like to sell. Can you give me a price range and point me in a direction? Thank you, Donna.

David

Dear David,

Your vintage 1930s snowshoes look to be in good shape.

Antique snowshoes are a very popular decorative item in today’s market. In order for reuse they have to be in really good condition with no wood fractures and the leather very secure. You find many older ones refitted to work again today.

Values on them in original condition are in the range of $200+ per set. Higher depending on age, rarity of style, and condition. My suggestion would be an antique shop in your area. Or possibly a local online marketplace.

Either way, David, I don’t think you will have a hard time finding them a new home. I hope this helped and thanks for sharing.

Donna