Author: Donna Welch

Dear Donna,

We have this Peter Rabbit magician book. I thought the unusual part was that it is all complete. Not sure how it went through all my dad’s family and is still intact.

Would there be a value to something like this?

Thanks for your time, Donna,

Ken

Dear Ken,

I was chuckling as I read your letter. I don’t know how any toys ever survived till today!

The Peter Rabbit The Magician book is from the 1940s and was produced in Illinois. It has a story plus many fun tricks inside for children. How fun this must have been!

Now for a value, Ken, from low to high you can still find this out on the internet. But not many had the original box as well. Having the box and complete magic tricks I would say it’s in the $100 range. Sometimes the original box is a big bonus.

Ken, I thank you for sharing and for the smile. Sweet family toy with memories.

Dear Donna,

I purchased this small cow painting, 3 inches by 2 inches. It’s done on canvas. There is no signature but it does look old. Any information would be appreciated.

Candice in Manchester

Dear Candice,

What a sweet miniature painting. The subject (a cow) is a collectible one.

Miniature paintings are always fun to collect. The older the better, but subject and artist and quality of the work always are in play.

The value of this one, unsigned, would be in the $40+ range, just for size and subject. Sweet little treasure, Candice. I hope this was helpful and you enjoy your purchase.

Dear Donna,

Recently got this bracelet in a box of assorted jewelry. It stood out to me because it’s marked sterling and Dane Craft. Any help would be appreciated.

Sandra in Salem

Dear Sandra,

Good catch in the jewelry box.

Your Dane Craft sterling daffodil bracelet was produced in the 1940s. The company was located in Rhode Island. It has a very interesting story if you want additional information. I have had many pieces over the years from sterling to gold-filled. But I have to say I learned information by doing research for you through Google. I always say learning something new makes for a great day!

The values I found were in the $100 range on average. Some were higher and a couple lower. So for me I would feel safe in the middle.

Sandra, you found a treasure! Hope this was helpful and glad you shared!

Donna

Dear Donna,

We have an assortment of these refrigerator leftover saving dishes. I inherited them through my family. We never use them so now we are wondering if there still is a use or collectibility for them.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Carla

Dear Carla,

What you inherited is several pieces of jadeite (opaque green) refrigerator dishes. Great color and collectible too.

Your pieces are from the 1950s and done by the Jeannette Co. This was after they purchased the McKee Co. They produced them until the company closed in the 1970s. Even though there are other colors as well, the green jadeite seems to still today have a high demand for dishware, utility ware, etc.

Carla, the values depend on their being in great condition with no chips or cracks, and complete sets (dish and cover). I think for the amount you have the value would be in the $100 range as long as there is no damage.

Thanks for sharing and I hope you find a new home for your pieces.

Donna

Hello,

I have a set of Mexican blue glass dishes/glasses/candle holders that were purchased in Mexico between 1930 and 1950. There are over 80 pieces, all in perfect condition with the exception of one glass with a small chip on the rim.

I would like to sell all of them as a set if possible. I have no idea what they are worth and how to sell them. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Judy

Dear Judy,

Your set looks sweet! Color is everything and cobalt blue is usually a hit.

I can’t say I’ve dealt with a lot of Mexican glassware from that period of time. I’m thinking it’s probably not easy to determine a value here in the U.S.

To give you my best advice, to price it for sale I think you have to look at it for color, style and condition. Also look at how many pieces you have! I think it should be in the range of $150+.

Now you have to find a buyer and that could be a bit hard. I agree that you should try to sell it as a set. Individually I don’t think it would get as much value.

Judy, I hope this helps and your dishes find a new home! Thanks so much for sharing.

Donna

Note: Judy, pull the one that’s chipped and offer it to the buyer after. Don’t include it in the price. Most people have no interest in any dishes damaged.

Dear Donna,

I was wondering if you could give me information and perhaps a value on this lamp. It is musical and the woman slowly spins as the music plays. It is 19¼ inches high. The clock works but it is missing a hand. Thank you for any information you can provide.

Gayle

Dear Gayle,

Your sweet mechanical 1960s lamp was made in Germany. It appears to be in great condition except for the missing clock hand.

The value depends on whether it is complete, working and in original condition. You can find these in the antiques market; they range from $50 to $100. You might even be able to find a similar one not in good condition, for an original clock hand. If you want to keep this one because it’s a family piece, I think it’s sweet just the way it stands or should I say spins!

I hope this was helpful for you, Gayle. Thanks for sharing.

Donna