Category: Family Fun

Dear Donna,

If you could help me identify what this piece of furniture is, I’d appreciate it. I thought it might be something to store sewing items as there’s a dowel missing from the top, although the picture doesn’t clearly show it. I would like to sell it but don’t know the value of such a piece.

NH resident

Dear NH resident,

Even though some sewing cabinets could be the same size, what you have is a smoking stand. This is why the inside is lined with copper — to prevent the scent of tobacco from being absorbed into the wood, and as a fire deterrent.

Smoking stands were placed on the side of a chair or sofa, or anywhere one would relax and smoke. Yours looks to be from the 1940s era. The bar across the top could have been used to hang a towel for your hands.

The value in complete original condition would be in the $50 range. Without the original bar, it could be a lot less, and smoking paraphernalia seems not to be of interest to collectors these days, so it may be hard to find a buyer.

Dear Donna,

I was given this many years ago. I love it but have never been able to figure out what it actually is or what it was originally used for! There are no markings on it, but I think it’s brass. It’s 9 inches long, 6 1/2 inches high and 3 1/2 inches wide. I’d really appreciate your thoughts on my little catch-all.

Diane

Dear Diane,

At first glance from the photo I thought maybe it was a gravy boat, but after looking more it really couldn’t be. It is definitely silver-plated (silver over a mixed metal). You can see wear inside the dish, down to base metal (possibly brass).

It’s Victorian style (mid to late 1800s) with the north wind face on the side, goose, bird footed and design work. It may have even had a beautiful glass bowl insert at one time.

It is a very sweet catch-all. I think the original with or without a glass insert was a decorative basket. The value would be in the range of $40.

Without marks it is tough to tell when it was made and by whom. So we just have to look at the piece for what it is now to evaluate it.

Dear Donna,

Can you provide me any information on this item? It’s a wood church bank with a slot on the side to insert coins. The bottom has paper that has been torn to reveal a spot to remove the coins. It’s 4 inches by 5 inches and appears to be in great shape. Wouldn’t hold much, though.

Edith

Dear Edith,

You kind of answered all your own questions. I’m just going to wrap things up for you.

Your sweet wooden church bank looks to be in great shape. You are right; it wouldn’t hold too much.

Some of these were made in Germany and others in Japan. The age frame is after the 1920s through the 1940s. They fall into a couple collectible categories: one for miniatures and one for banks, and it’s a miniature bank as well.

They were manufactured and have several different printings on them. So there could be more to collect if you’re looking for a fun collection. The value on one like yours in great condition would be in the $30 range.

Dear Donna,

I am trying to figure out this picture postcard. This one and several others similar were among postcards from my gram’s house. Nothing in any looks familiar to me, so my question is, is there a way to find out any information about them?

Anita from Merrimack

Dear Anita,

I can’t know where the postcard photo was taken, but I can try to help by giving you some information. Photo postcards have been around since the early 1900s. Many that are around today were either done professionally or just taken at home and printed on postcard stock. So you can imagine there are many still around today. The value on most is sentimental. Some, though, can be quite valuable depending on the subject.

Common family ones like the one here are of minimal value. I think the only way to find out where and who it was is to show it to as many family members as you can. Hopefully one can give you some information. I always say every old photo should be clear for the next generation as to who and where and when it was taken.