Category: Treasure Hunt

Hello, Donna.

The photo of the spoon I sent you is from my family. My mom had it and used it for serving mashed potatoes. Now I have inherited it and I too use it a lot.

My question is how can I keep it from looking like this? It has such a pretty design, but covered by all the tarnish. I have cleaned it a couple of times but never keeping it that way.

Would you have any advice for me?

Thank you, Donna,

Sue

Dear Sue,

You probably know I have a smile on my face right now. I enjoy knowing the old is still being used!

Unfortunately unless they have recently come out with a magic cleaner and non-tarnishing product all silver-plated items when exposed to air tarnish.

My only suggestion would be to make sure it’s completely dry after washing it. Then wrap in a paper towel and put away in an air-tight zip-close bag.

Sue, I know this sounds like a lot of work but it will preserve the polished clean finish longer. Not a cure! Just a temporary fix!

With sterling and silver-plated ware it will always be an ongoing battle. Air is an enemy — that’s why they have flatware boxes for them.

Sue, I hope it gives you an idea. Glad to know you use it as well. Thanks for the question. Good luck!

Dear Donna,

We live in Manchester and thought to share a piece with you. This is an ashtray from 7-20-4 Cigar. My dad, who has long passed, had it on our table for many years. It was heavily used by him. Some corners have pieces missing but that was from use. Would this still have value?

Terry

Dear Terry,

What a nice piece of Manchester’s history. Also your memory of it as well. Sweet piece of the 10-cent 7-20-4 cigar memorabilia.

The history of the R.G. Sullivan Cigar Co., located originally on 724 Elm St. in Manchester, goes back into the late 1800s. It’s an interesting story worthy of research for locals. Now the 7-20-4 cigar is still being produced by a new owner Kurt Kendall along with others.

7-20-4 memorabilia is very collectible locally and by cigar collectors nationwide. Condition and the item’s rarity count as usual. But even though you have chipping on the rim, Terry, I think the value would be in the $50 range still.

Nice piece of local history as I said. Most of all though is your memory of it with your dad.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at footwdw@aol.com, or call her at 391-6550.

Dear Donna,

We were given this carved duck several years ago. Wondering an approximate value now. It is signed and has a company name on it also.

Any help appreciated.

Thank you.

Mary

Dear Mary,

As always I thank you for the added photos, it really helps.

Your carved and hand-painted duck decoy is a Canada goose by the Big Sky Carvers from Montana.

The makers were around from the 1980s to 2010, when they merged with another gift store company.

Falling into the collectible market, decoys are always evaluated by age, maker, artist and quality of work.

I found several Big Sky Carvers decoys to compare yours to. So safe to say it’s in the $200 range in the collectible market.

Nice gift you got, Mary, thanks for sharing with us.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Hello, Donna,

I believe this set of fruit knives and forks may have been a wedding present for my parents in 1939. I have done a little research on the company that produced them; it existed until 1994. Would you be able to determine a value for them? Is there a market for such items? Thank you.

Chris

Dear Chris,

Nice dessert set!

Your Sheffield six-piece dessert serving set falls right into your date frame. They had earlier and later sets; some weren’t stainless steel but were silver-plated. Some even in sterling silver. The set appears to be in really good clean condition with the mother of pearl handles.

Chris, the value is in the $100 range but to find a home is tough. Most of this generation wants simplicity. I might try a local antique shop near you first. Expect less than full value. They have to then find a home. Or possibly online if you have that option.

Whatever you choose , I think the buyer would be getting a nice set!

Thanks, Chris, for sharing and I hope this helped.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Hello, Donna.

Maybe you can help in giving me some information on these coins. They are all buffalo nickels. They were in a change jar belonging to my dad. I could read some of the dates so I shared that with you if it helps. They are in used condition so not sure there is any value left. Any information would be helpful, Donna. Thanks for your time.

Ken

Dear Ken,

Coins are really a specific field. Going directly to a coin dealer is truly recommended. I can provide you some history and guidelines but the final determination should be made by a numismatic dealer (fancy name for coin dealer).

Buffalo nickels have been around since 1913–1938. The values always depend on condition, mint mark, date, etc. So you can have a pile of them but just one can line up right with all of the above and have a high value. In general buffalo nickels had a 25-year run until they were replaced by the Jefferson nickel.

Giving you values without seeing them, as I said, would be incorrect. So I suggest doing a search for a local coin dealer. Then do a historical check for some interesting stories about the coin.

I hope this gave you some good advice, Ken. Good luck with your coins.

I know this isn’t an antique. I was just told not to throw them away because they are collectible. Do people collect and pay money for these?

It’s not a very big nest but solid. Any information is appreciated.

Shanna

Dear Shanna,

What an interesting question, nature-made collectibles.

Whoever told you they were collectible and desired for decorative reasons was right!

I’m sure that older really large complete ones could bring higher values. But I have seen many in the $50-$100 range in decorative shops, antique shops etc. Lots of times values in items are depending on the demand for them.

Good advice given to you, Shanna!