Author: Donna Welch

inside/outside treasure hunt

Hi Donna,

This piece of pottery was found in the mid 1900s when the grounds of a Boston tavern were being dug up near the seaport. The inside is glazed. The outside is rough. The lid has two larger chips on its surface, and the main piece has a chip at its base. My mother-in-law says not to clean it as that can remove value. Might this be worth anything?

Thank you!

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

What you have is an early American redware bean pot. Most of the ones found in the Boston area were marked with names and Boston Mass.

Your pot is from the early 1800s and would have been heavily used in its time for cooking beans mostly. Being chipped does weigh in on the value. In general redware bean pots are in the $100+ range to collectors.

Thanks for sharing, Lisa.

Dear Donna,

I want to give this pair of earrings to my niece. They belonged to my late wife. I think they were her mom’s as well. My question is, should I have them insured for her? They are marked 14 KT but I have no information on the diamonds. Can you point me in a direction for the correct information?

Thank you, Donna.

Denny

Dear Denny,

What a nice gift to pass along!

The first thing you want to do is have a jeweler take a look at them. This is usually a free service they provide. If you want a written appraisal that would cost you.

You want to ask them if the stones are of good quality and what is the size of them. Then an approximate value for them. They might be able to give you an age on them as well. This should give you all the information you need to make your decision on whether to insure or not.

Denny, I think any information will be helpful. Either way, though, it won’t take away from them being family and being passed on.

Good luck and thanks for asking.

Note: Jewelers have diamond testers as well to confirm the stones are real.

Hello, Donna,

Can you give me a value on my brother’s lava lamp? He just recently gave it to me. It’s in good working condition and is marked Simplex on the bottom. He got it in the 1970s so I’m wondering, is it an antique one? Thank you kindly, Donna.

Kenny

Dear Kenny,

Your brother gave you a collectible, not yet an antique, but a fun piece from the 1970s. Lava lamps were created in the 1960s by a British inventor. The first ones were called Astro lamps. The Simplex Co. was very popular in the 1970s. Now called Lava Lamps they were made here in the U.S. until the early 2000s, after which they were manufactured in China. Lava lamps were a big part of the 1970s. Lamps of this age in good working condition can bring in the range of $100 to $200+. So yes, Kenny, it does have a value and collectibility these days. It’s very important that the light is clear and the wax inside is in good shape. What a fun piece, Kenny. Thank you for sharing.

Dear Donna,

I would like to wish you happy holidays.

It took me a while to find one of these turkey platters, but now I have. It’s huge and in great condition with no damage that I can see. I can’t find any name on it on the back. I bought it at a thrift store and paid $9. For me it was a deal to finally own one similar to the one I grew up with. Going to be the center of my table Thanksgiving Day.

Did I find a deal, Donna?

Thank you.

Cynthia

Dear Cynthia,

You got a deal no matter what! If this makes you happy and brings back memories it’s priceless.

Your turkey platter is not just in your memories but in lots of people’s. Some were fancier and much older, dating to the late 1800s. Others are bright and colorful, running from the 1940s to present! I also remember one on my grandmother’s and mother’s table, only coming out once a year. You never forget them, though.

Values on unmarked ones usually run in the $50 range and up, as long as there’s no damage. So, Cynthia, you got a double deal this time!

Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays to you as well.

Hi, Donna,

I’m wondering if you can provide any information about this desk bell that I purchased at an antique shop several years ago. It’s made entirely of metal. It’s 5.25 inches tall, the base is 4.25 inches across, and the bell is 3 inches in diameter. I’m wondering about its age and value. It’s in very good condition, and it still works! Thank you.

Peter in Manchester

Dear Peter,

Your Victorian Era (late 1800s) service bell was probably used a lot back in its time. Any situation where you would have needed service is what it was for. Countertop bells would be in hotels, stores, etc. Bells are still used today, although most are electric.

Some antique bells are plain, some fancy. I think yours is in the middle but very pretty. I would say the value is in the $90 range. Thanks for sharing with us, Peter.

Donna

Dear Donna,

I have a quilt that I believe my mom’s mother made. This would make it from the 1940s I think. It’s smaller than a full-size bed. I think it’s in great shape for the age. Can you give me any information on caring for it and possible value?

Thank you, Donna.

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

Nice piece to have from your family.

Your quilt appears to be made from old clothing scraps. It wasn’t uncommon to create a quilt from fabric within the home.

Quilt values are in their patterns, age, condition, and whether or not they are hand stitched, among other factors. Some quilts were made from old feed sack material, using everything to create warmth. We might use quilts today for decorative reasons but back in the day they were needed.

There were quilts that were made and signed by the many people participating. Each piece would have its own folky design — animals, figures, embroidered then signed. All put together to complete a quilt.

Your quilt, Elaine, is a typical homestyle quilt, made sturdy to last. I think as for care it should be fine on delicate or possibly dry cleaned.

As far as value goes I think it would be in the $75 range. I hope it stays in your family. Nice piece! Thanks for sharing with us.