Author: Donna Welch

Dear Donna,

Does McCoy pottery still have a collectors’ market? I have this yellow marked McCoy bowl. Just wondering if you could provide any information.

Thanks, Donna.

Bea

Dear Bea,

To answer your question, I say yes, McCoy pottery is still very collectible, depending on the piece, pattern, colors, style and, as always, condition.

Your bowl is a beehive pattern and was part of a nesting set (graduating sizes). There could have been at least four different colors in the set. It was very popular during the 1940s.

McCoy pottery has a very long history beginning in the late 1800s and continuing through the 1990s. Good reading material!

Bea, the value on your bowl, in good condition with no damage, would be in the $50 range to a collector. That’s with no cracks, crazing or chips. So as I said, yes, there is a collectors’ market for McCoy pottery.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Donna

Dear Donna,

Time to pass this carved Scottie dog bracelet to my daughter. Can you give me any information to pass with it?

Thanks, Donna

Rita

Dear Rita,

My first reaction is I’ve had one before and when it broke I was so sad! I had never seen another one before, but now I know there were more puppies out there.

Your wood carved Scottie dog bracelet is considered a clamper (it opens up to clamp on your wrist). It looks like it’s in amazing condition with original collar and glass eyes.

This style of bracelet along with Bakelite, lucite and others was very much in style from the 1930s to the present. This generation collects the unusual jewelry from the past and it can be very sought after in good condition. I would say your Scottie pup bracelet is in the $200 range to a collector.

Passing it on to your daughter is priceless, though. I hope she enjoys it as well.

Thanks for sharing with us, Rita. A nice memory for me.

Dear Donna,

This treadmill was in my grandparents’ garage when I was a child, and since my grandparents have both passed it has been passed around to a few family members. I have had it for about eight years. I can find very little information about this company or this particular item. It seems that at one point there was a sort of pulley system to work your arms as you walked, but not sure how I would even go about trying to replace such things. A friend of mine looked it up by the patent number, but even that didn’t yield much information about this particular style of treadmill. The base is somewhat heavy, but the handle is removable and it is still usable. I would just like to see if I can get more information to pass on to family members, so we can decide what should be done with this item. Any way you can help would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Catherine

Dear Catherine,

I have to start off by saying what a history there is in treadmills. From prisons to health care!

What I didn’t find out was any further information on the company.

I think your piece is a neat piece but desirability would be low. Possibly a museum would like to have it, for example. This piece falls under the category of old industrial heavy items that take up a lot of room. Replacing parts for usage would have to be home done. I think you can always find make-do parts now to fix it.

Either way I don’t feel the value would be more than what you could get from someone else who likes it too. Possibly $100.

I thank you for sharing, Catherine, and now have more insight into treadmills myself. Really enjoy learning something new every day. I hope I gave you some additional help.

Donna

Dear Donna,
Do you know anything about values on Beanie Babies? I have several older ones. My daughter informed me they could be valuable. Thanks for your help.
Susan

Dear Susan,
I get lots of inquiries on this subject. I don’t know much about Beanie Babies, other than that my girls had them as well. They really don’t go into the antiques market. They do, however, have quite a collectible market.
What I can say to you, Susan, is research them. I think online would be fastest, but be very careful. Even though ones like your bear can all look the same, they are not! Also it seems like the higher values are for the ones that are unplayed with, with original tags, or made with errors.
I was amazed at some of the values I found out there! Crazy money for something mass-produced. So as I said, Susan, take time and look at each one. You might have yourself a treasure!
Donna

Dear Donna,

Can you tell me if this small pot is old? As you can see, it says Nashua on it and a small home. It measures 1½ inches by 1 inch. Very sweet little piece of pottery.

Thank you.

Tammi

Dear Tammi,

It is a nice miniature crock. Although it’s not too old, it does have an interesting history. It was done by Sid and Eileen Vernon from Virginia.

Your little crock was created by Sid and then decorated by his wife. Eileen. They created much more as well, lots of miniature pieces made with love. After the loss of her husband, Eileen continued making and decorating pieces herself.

Even though your crock was made in the past 30 years, it’s made and slip decorated (the cobalt painting) to represent an older one. It’s a wonderful piece of miniature pottery and if you have time, Tammi, do research on the artist who made yours and many more.

Values run between $20 and $40 as long as there’s no damage. Thanks for sharing and I enjoyed the personal story of the artist.

Dear Donna,

I have a kitty that belonged to my mom and was passed to me. It’s been very loved and worn over the years. Now it’s time to share it again with my granddaughter.

I’m wondering if there is any danger in the contents of kitty. He has torn areas and worn spots. I lived through it, but am checking before I pass him on again.

Kimberly

Dear Kimberly,

I love the history of your cat (a.k.a. kitty). With all the loving it’s had it looks to be in good shape other than the tail tip. In the antique world we consider these well used and loved animals in a collectible market of their own.

As far as safety, Kimberly, I would make sure there is no stuffing exposed, the ribbon isn’t loose, there are no wires poking out, and it’s not shedding surface fur — no loose ends.Then I’m thinking if it made it this far you should be OK.

Just for information, Kimberly, the value on your loved kitty would be in the $60 range. Judging by your photos it looks to be from the early 1900s.

Thanks for sharing and passing it on, Kimberly.