Author: Donna Welch

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.

Good afternoon, Donna.

I’m wondering if you could help me in determining the worth of a Noritake tea service for six that I picked up at an estate sale a few weeks ago (in excellent condition). After contacting Noritake I was able to find one picture online but no price. I’ve included a few pictures for you to see, including the one naming the pattern that I found online. I would appreciate any assistance you could provide.

Thank you so much.

Tanya

Dear Tanya,

Your Noritake lusterware luncheon set was a very popular item during World War II. There were many mass-produced and some ended up here in the U.S. There are many patterns and different lusters as well, from blue like yours to peach and other colors. Some more unusual patterns can bring a higher value. Because so many ended up in china cabinets, the lusterware survived till today. Complete sets will have more value, as will odd matching pieces.

The desirability of the sets now is a matter of which ones, colors, patterns and condition. A set like yours would run in the range of $100 and up to the collector.

I’m not sure if they still provide research and price guide books in bookstores any longer. If not and you need more information, you should be able to search online for Noritake lusterware and come up with lots of information.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Dear Donna,

My mom passed along a newspaper article from the Hippo with your contact information. She is looking to see if the Hummel collection is worth anything and how to sell them if they are worth something. She doesn’t have social media so that is off the table.

Thank you,

Karen

Dear Karen,

M.J Hummel figurines have quite a history and are still being made today.

The first thing you want to do is verify that all of them are true Hummels. They all should have the name imprinted into the porcelain. Then each will have a stamp of a V with a bee on the bottom. This will help give you the age with the help of a book or your help online. This is a process, but each one carries a different value, and beware — many reproductions were made.

The only reason for doing research is to determine if she has any rare ones. Common mass-produced ones are worth today around $10 to $20 each, even if you see they are in a price guide for much more. This is due to the fact that so many were made. People collected them thinking they would be an investment. Too many made it through time so now only the rare hold value. People do still collect them because they are sweet and still done well.

One last tip, Karen: Any of them that have any damage have no value. I guess for selling them I might try a more retail environment, like a consignment store at the holiday time.

I hope this was helpful and thanks for sharing with us.

Dear Donna,

I just got this sweet lot of old seed sleeves. I thought I might be able to do something creative with them.

I paid $10 for the bunch . Can you tell me if I got a good deal?

Thanks ahead, Donna.

Laura

Dear Laura,

I think you did find a little treasure!

All old garden pieces have a collectible and decorative value today. Seed packets are usually in the range of $2 to $15 each . This depends on the age (the older, the better), graphics producer, rarity and, as always, condition. So if you have more than a dozen, Laura, you got a good deal.

As far as decorating with them I say yes. No matter what you decide to do with them, they will bring color and conversation into your home!

Thanks for sharing your treasure with us.

Dear Donna,

Can you give me any information on the necklace/pin? It’s marked Jerusalem 900 on the back.

Thanks.

Betty

Dear Betty,

Your cross pendant brooch is called a Five Fold Cross. It was made in Jerusalem to represent five crosses, the main one in the center and one smaller one on each corner.

This design made up the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. They’ve been made since the 1280s. The 900 mark means it is almost all sterling. The stone in the center is purple glass that looks like amethyst but is not a real gemstone. Still the presentation of the piece looks substantial and beautiful.

Your piece, Betty, is in the $125 range and a nice piece of religious memorabilia. Thanks for sharing with us. I hope this was helpful.

Donna

Note: When you own an older piece of jewelry it’s better to leave it in the original condition that you found it in rather than polish it. The piece through age earned that finish!

Dear Donna,

After cleaning out my gram’s home recently, I have a pile of old silverware. Some is marked silver, silver plate and some has marks I’m not familiar with. Can you point me in a direction to figure out if there is any salvageable value here? Thanks for any advice.

Robert

Dear Robert,

I was smiling when I read how you referred to your grandmother as gram.

This is going to be more work for you and I will try to give you enough information to help. First the easy ones that will have a higher financial value will be marked Sterling or 925. The ones that have what are called touch marks have to have at least four to be of any value.

The rest would all be silver plated and have minimal if any value, depending on makers, patterns, condition and being mostly serving pieces. But don’t discard them; have them looked at even if there’s only minimal value on some.

So, Robert, I gave you a starting point but now that you have a separated pile of flatware, go to someone you can trust locally to give you a price for the sterling ones. Also see if they have any interest in the remaining pieces as well.

Some sterling will be worth more in weight and others for the makers and patterns as well. But you will make the final decision if you prefer to sell it as a lot or as individual pieces. If you think the price as a lot is fair to you, let the buyer do further work and figure each out.

It’s worth the effort, Robert, and I hope this turns out to be a treasure for you from your gram.

Donna

Note: I would go to a local antique store first. Then to a silver buyer and compare prices to make my decision!

Dear Donna,

Can you share some information on this child’s tin plate? Thanks for any help,

Ann in Salem

Dear Ann,

Your tin ABC child’s plate is in good condition for its age and a sweet piece of history.

Your plate was made in England as a child’s souvenir for the 1851 Great Exhibition.

It’s tough to find ABC plates in mint condition because they were played with. But even with some wear and minor denting yours would be in the $70 range. This is because aside from being a child’s plate it’s a souvenir commemorative plate.

I hope this was helpful, Ann. There are many different tin ABC plates and they would make for a fun collection! Thanks for sharing with us.

Dear Donna,

We just purchased a new old home. In the shed was this bicycle. I can remember having one in the younger days. So I know it’s old! Is there any market for them now? Any information would be appreciated on what to do with it.

Carla

Dear Carla,

I had one of those Stingray bikes as well when I was young.

Bicycles are not really a category I’m that familiar with. I do know, though, that some are very collectible. I think I would start by getting all the information — maker, year and a photo. Then I would do research and/or bring it to a bike shop. A bike shop might have a customer base for old bikes as well. Doing research also might get you right into the hands of a Stingray collector. I would say the value is at least $50+.

So pursuing further seems like it could be worth it for you. I wish I could help more but, as I said, bicycles are in a specific field.

I hope you find it a new home and it becomes a treasure for you. I will do more research as well. I will get back to you with anything I find.