Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,

I found this small pamphlet-type homemade book. Inside are several different pieces of crochet.

No two are alike, so I’m wondering if this is a teacher’s booklet. It’s possibly from my grandmother’s period of time.

Kate in Milford

Dear Kate,

You guess is a good one! I don’t think it even has to be a teacher’s, though. This sample book is a collection of someone’s work.

Yours looks to be from the Victorian era but could be even later. The fact that there are a few pages with multiple design work is what carries the value today.

I have had a few sample books over the years and each brings a different value, depending on age and the work inside. But they range from $50 to $100+.

So you found a treasure! I hope this helps you figure out what to do with your collection.

Thanks for sharing with us, Kate.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo

Good afternoon, Donna Welch,

I have service for six of dinner, soup, bread/butter, salad bowl, dessert, cup/saucer and rectangular 11-inch platter that are looking for a new home. Can you provide a value of these dishes?

Marget

Dear Marget,

The Homer Laughlin Co. has quite the history. Since the late 1800s it’s been one of the most common names for china. There are many many styles and patterns. Diner china to fiesta ware, they have it!

I did find some pricing and it seems that the common dinnerware runs in the range of $5 to $10 or more per piece. The serving pieces and hard-to-find patterns and styles can be much higher. As always, all pieces have to be in great condition with no damage or scratches. Marget, the prices I found were all over the place and I think would vary a lot locally, depending on finding a buyer who will then also re-sell. My suggestion would be a local antique shop. But be aware, as I said, they have to then sell them. I hope this was helpful and your dishes find a new home.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo

Hi, Donna.
A friend in New Hampshire who owns an antique restoration business gave me your contact. Is there anything you can tell me about this chair and its value? I was told it may be one of the 12 chairs created from the original. Thank you for your help.
Pamela

Dear Pam,
Your chair appears to be in great shape. Even though there is history behind this style, it’s tough to get the JFK recognition for it. When you do research you find that one of the original ones that JFK used brought a high value. But even though you were told this could be one of the original 12 made, it doesn’t carry the same value.

It did, however, get the P&P Chair Co. a boost in business. Out of North Carolina the company produced many rockers of quality. This style is not just theirs but other companies’ as well.

Yours, being in good clean condition and still usable today, would have a value in the $200 range. The days of being able to relax in a rocker!
I hope this was helpful, Pam.

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. She is a member of The New Hampshire Antiques Dealer Association. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo

Dear Donna,
I recently purchased these wondering what they were. I know now they were and are used for holding flowers. My interest is in collecting them now. My question is values on them and where to look for more.
Thanks, Donna,
Ellen

Dear Ellen,
I enjoyed your email! Nice to see a collection beginning!
Metal painted flower holders like yours have been around for many centuries. They are used to hold flower stems in place inside a vase, bowl or other container. Even today “flower frogs,” as I knew them, are still in use.
The values of them can range from $5 to $10. Some fancier forms can bring much more. What a nice collection to have. As far as finding more, the hunt is on. Look at antique shops, flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores etc.
Ellen, I wish you luck in your hunt for a new collection. Thank you for sharing with us.

Hi, Donna,
Saw you in the Hippo. Do you have any knowledge of these old toys’ value or the market for them? Appreciate your input.
– Tracy

Dear Tracy,

Who hasn’t played with a Fisher-Price toy!

Your collection of Fisher-Price toys does have a value in the collectibles market.

Fisher-Price is a well-known manufacturer of quality toys. The company has made toys from the 1930s to the present.

My suggestion would be to bring them to an antique shop to get a value on them. With Fisher-Price toys, condition is everything. Consider their age, the paint on the wood, the paper designs, etc., as well as whether the set is complete and in working condition.

Some prices for hard-to-find toys in excellent shape can run into the hundreds. Common and easily found ones start at $10+.

I hope this helps you find a new home for your toys, Tracy. Good luck!

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. She is a member of The New Hampshire Antiques Dealer Association. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550.

Hi, Donna,

I enjoy your Treasure Hunt and hope you can give me an idea of the market and value of this unique mirror.

I salvaged it from a barbershop in Central Falls, Rhode Island, in either 1979 or 1980.

We had intended to open an ice cream shop and use it for the back wall; that didn’t work out but we hung on to it anyway!

Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo while it was still standing at the barbershop.
There are six sections approximately 3’x4’. The top three are clear mirror. The bottom three are blue mirror.

The top has four additional clear sections accented by eight blue strips/panels (approxdximately. 4’x3.5”). Each of the four accent pieces also has lights.
There are three blue strips that run horizontally across the top (approximately 3’x3.5”).

You can see from the picture that I have one narrow panel that broke in a move.
Thanks for your input.

Dan

Dear Dan,

Antique architecture is always collectible! You just need to find it a new home and use.

I think your Art Deco barber shop mirror could easily be repurposed in a business or a home. First you have to start with a value. I have a saying: ‘Find me another one.’ Then you have to say to yourself you have no use for it any longer. It would be better for it to be seen again.

As far as an approximate value I would start in the range of $1,000. Then work from there to find it a good home. I also think to do that you’re going to need to advertise that you have a treasure.

Dan, thank you for reading the Hippo and sharing with us. Good antique salvage save!