Author: Donna Welch

Dear Donna,

I have this antique railroad lantern and was wondering if you could give me an idea on what it would be worth. The lantern says New York Central and the globe says B & A RR, so they don’t match but it seems in pretty good shape. Not sure how much to clean it up.

— Judy

Dear Judy,

It’s not uncommon to find railroad or other antique lanterns around today.

Railroad lanterns in general are not too hard to find, particularly common ones that were used all the time. I think the globes were replaced often during the period of time used. Your globe is either Boston Albany or Baltimore Annapolis. There are some that are uncommon and rare to find with all the original parts and for specific railways. They can hold a very high value.

The value of yours in the condition it’s in would be in the $50 range. I would leave it as found with maybe a quick Windex wash.

Dear Donna,

I have an old cupboard with one door on the bottom. It seemed to have two doors on the top. The holes where the hardware used to be are now filled nicely. I’m wondering if this would still have any value?

Dennis

Dear Dennis,

Your cupboard still has a warm, charming appearance. It is unfortunate that the top doors are missing, though it is not that uncommon to find these that way.

Pieces of furniture were often changed over time to fit different needs. What started off in the late 1800s as a storage cupboard could easily have been made into a display cupboard later on.

Sometimes if you’re lucky and the piece stayed in the same family, the top doors could still be around somewhere. Maybe? As is, though, I think the value has to be for an old useful piece of country furniture now, rather than the antique value. I would say the value is in the $250 range for a nice, still useful country cupboard.

Dear Donna,

I came across this box full of probably nothing. Just wanted to know if there is any value to items like this. Otherwise, to the trash they go.

Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth,

I always say there is value to everything. You just have to find who it would be valuable and useful to again.

There is a big market out there for old pieces, parts, fragments, metal, wood, etc. I don’t think you are looking for an antique value. I think your items would be more valuable to a mixed media artist. It could also be more valuable to scrap the metal.

I recently purchased a box of broken glass. My husband said “What for?” I have had so much fun creating with all the pieces. It was a find for me!

So before I would throw it I would just see if anyone you know could reuse any of it.

So is there value? Yes! Contact me if you need further help.

Dear Donna,

Can you help with a value on this old telescope? I’m not sure it’s still working properly but really liked the look.

Cecile

Dear Cecile,

I like the look too. Great antique decorative item.

There were several telescope manufactures and many sizes and and distance purposes. What I noticed about yours from the pictures is the leather sheathing that usually covered the brass is missing. Also, the top of the scope seems to have damage, so this could be why it might not be working. The damage could be from a fall or just wear and tear over the years. They are from the early to mid 1900s.

In the condition yours is in I would say it is just for decorative purposes and the value would be under $25. If it were complete, and depending on the maker, it would be in the $100+ range.

For decorativeness it’s a treasure!

Dear Donna,

Can you help with a value on this antique box?

Mary

Dear Mary,

Your box that you seem to be using for jewelry looks like it’s serving a good purpose.

It looks to be from the Victorian era (middle to late 1800s). The blue area is enameling and appears to have some damage. The metal covering the wood looks like tarnished brass.

The tricky part would be where you see the painting-like areas. It’s better for the value if they were painted and not just transfers. Transfers that resemble paintings were very common during that era.

Either way I think the value would be in the $100+ range as is. If they’re really painted, the value would be higher. My recommendation to be sure is to have someone take a look at it in person, as it is hard to tell just from the photo.

Dear Donna,

Can you help with a current value on this set of Matchbox cars? As you can see, they are in good condition in the box.

Mindy

Dear Mindy,

Matchbox cars are a very collectible market. It all depends on age, rarity and condition.

Your Circus Comes to Town set was from the 1990s, but Matchbox goes back further than that, and you still can find many untouched and in unused condition. With Matchbox cars that’s the important key to value. The higher prices come with mint condition, in-the-original-box cars.

Your set value ranges from $30 to $60 in the original box and complete, so keeping it as you found it is important.