Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,

I am a faithful reader who now has a question for you. This was in a junk drawer at my parents’. We recently cleaned the house out and I now have it.

At first I thought it could be a bracelet, because they all connect. They are all painted metal and wheels all move so I’m not sure now. The lot of train pieces only measures 6 3/4 inches. So they have to be tiny toys? As I said, not sure. I also couldn’t find any name on them.

Thank you, Donna, for any help.

Melissa

Dear Melissa,

They look like they could be made into a bracelet. How fun that would be. But I’m thinking they were always meant to be toys.

They could have come from Germany or Japan. Without any markings it’s hard to tell. I did do some research for you and found some similar from the 1950s. They were from Japan so it’s a possibility.

The value on the ones I found were in the $50 range but had a few more than you do. They were part of a train set with signs and other stuff.

Melissa, I hope this was helpful to you. I also think a bracelet isn’t a bad idea! Thanks for sharing with us.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Hi, Donna.

I read your article each week in the Hippo.

This chair has been in the family for a number of years.

When my mom and dad purchased their home in Everett, Mass., the original owners left this chair for them, along with other antique (now) furniture. Thought I’d ask your opinion on it.

Best,

Joe

Dear Joe,

In your subject title, you called this a devil’s chair. It actually has a north wind face on it. History says it was meant to ward off evil spirits. You made me chuckle and I want you to know you’re safe!

This kind of chair was sometimes called a throne chair and has lots of history. They were mostly made from oak and in a Black Forest style. Some had more detail than others. Even though they can date earlier I believe your chair is from the late 1800s or early 1900s.

Values on them, Joe, depend on age, detail and, as always, condition. Yours looks to be all original. Most collectors prefer this. So the chair is in the $200+ range.The fun part is the history of such chairs.

Thanks, Joe, for sharing with us. You put a smile on my face!

Note: it’s always good to leave antiques and most collectible furniture in the original condition and finish if you can.

Donna

Dear Donna,

My family has had this cedar chest for many years now (given to us by a family friend who no longer had room for it), and we are finally thinking of selling it. Any information you might have regarding it would be most appreciated!

Kindly,

Nathan

Dear Nathan,

Can I say it’s hard to find an older estate that doesn’t have a cedar chest. We still have one from my husband’s parents.

Lane Co. was around from the early 1900s until it closed in the early 2000s. Even though other furniture companies produced cedar chests, Lane is the name remembered.

The chests go back further than that. They were called dowry or marriage boxes. They were to store items being saved for a woman’s dreams of her wedding. Interesting items they were.

When I was growing up they were used to store everything you wanted to keep bug-free and safe. Being cedar wood lined made them desirable. Even though today’s information is controversial about that.

The value on them, Nathan, is in the range of $100 in good condition. They can be tough to market, though. Not sure of the secondary interest for them. I also remember using ours for a coffee table for a period of time. So maybe a new use?

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

Dear Donna,

Any help with what to do with these or where they came from? I picked them up this summer and thought they were interesting.They are the size of silver dollar. What are your thoughts?

Thank you, Donna

Claire

Dear Claire,

I think what you have here are pieces of bullseye glass, most likely fragments from a stained glass window.

They do look older but age is tough to tell sometimes, once they are removed from the original piece, be it a window, door, panel or whatever. Great color, though, Claire!

I think the value would be in the architectural findings market, for anyone who either wants to add to a new stained glass piece or art project. I think a fair market price for the lot of them would be in the $30 range.

Claire, I hope you find use for them or a new home. Sweet pieces of glass.

Dear Donna,

Before we replace our TV stand. I would like to know if there is any value to it. It came from my uncle’s camp. We’ve had it for many years. Now renovating and seem to have no space for it.

Any information would be appreciated.

Bob

Dear Bob,

Your sweet three-drawer cottage pine dresser from the late 1800s looks to be in great shape. It must have been really taken care of.

Most cottage pine dressers were painted with floral designs at one point. Or some were even given more elaborate designs. Then they were stripped down to the pine as time went on.

The three-drawer piece was most likely part of a larger set including bed, chest with mirror, nightstand etc. For now, though, Bob, I think you still have a piece that could be useful almost in any room today. Such charm and warmth to it.

The value is in the range of $150+ but for usefulness it’s priceless to me!

I hope this was helpful and maybe you can find another use for it in your home or find a new home for it.

Thanks, Bob.

Donna

Dear Donna,

Can you possibly help to determine if any of these necklaces are real pearls? They belonged to my grandma and I inherited them. Not going to part with them. Just would like to know more information.

Katie

Dear Katie,

So nice to hear that you are keeping your grandmother’s necklaces. That’s how memories get passed down. From the photos you send I believe your necklaces are just costume. Remember back in the day costume jewelry was so popular and worn a lot.

Let’s give you some information to help you determine on your own first. Slowly look closely at all the stones. Or you can find an inconspicuous place on one of the stones. Use a needle to just scratch the surface, just a tiny spot so as to not cause damage. Katie, you will see a light coating over a white stone covered with a pearl-like film (artificially made). Most old pearl necklaces have a gold clasp (would be marked 10kt or 14kt usually) and always individually knotted off. All this for strength and to prevent losing pearls if broken.

Katie, even though I feel confident in my appraisal, it’s easy and doesn’t take much time for a jeweler to confirm. There are always exceptions. I hope this was helpful and I’m happy to help with your necklaces. I bet your grandmother would be happy to know you’re keeping them!