Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,

I thought you may be the right person to contact regarding an antique robot I was given by my grandmother for Christmas in 1961. She bought it for $3.99 at SS Kresge — those were the five-and-dime stores. Based on the little research I did about 10 years ago, these were made in Japan and were popular in the 1950s. My search (years ago) saw prices ranging from $35 to $1,000 and I have no idea why the price range was so large. What value would you place on this and where or to whom would I bring this? Any information you have for me is much appreciated.

Jim

Dear Jim,

Let me start off by saying your research was right. But not all robots bring a higher value, and some can bring even more. Having the original box is a huge plus as well. Sometimes the higher values are in the box!

Toys are a specific field, with values changing a lot. I did some additional research for you. I found condition is crucial in the value. The original box as well, as I stated. Some were in the $500 range to collectors, but ones that were damaged and with no box were significantly less, selling mostly for parts.

I can refer you, Jim, to a gentleman who is a toy dealer and collector. I think this is where you start to get a current marketing value. Feel free to contact me again for his information.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Dear Donna,

I believe this was from my first communion in the 1950s. I just realized the flowers are wax. I think my sister who is older used it as well. Can you give me any information on floral crowns? Can this be cleaned to pass down to my grandchildren?

Meg

Dear Meg,

Thanks for the pictures. They really help.

I would start off asking more questions of family, and looking at even older pictures. Sometimes crowns could start in one part of a family like a cousin and then get passed through to yours. This could have even been part of a wedding crown, dating it back to the early 1900s. So this could have a lot more family history. Wax flowers fall under millinery. They were commonly used with, on and for headwear — decorative flowers etc. The values on older pieces of wax flowers are in the age, detail, design and, as always, condition. The more details and colors the higher the values. I found values of wax florals like yours to be in the $40 range.

I think, Meg, your flowers look to be in good condition. Discoloration is expected so I might leave them. Cleaning them could result in some damage. Meg, I would see if I could find out if this was from family and where the crown started. This will give your grandchildren more appreciation for it as well. Family history of items is priceless!

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

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.