Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,

My mom passed along a newspaper article from the Hippo with your contact information. She is looking to see if the Hummel collection is worth anything and how to sell them if they are worth something. She doesn’t have social media so that is off the table.

Thank you,

Karen

Dear Karen,

M.J Hummel figurines have quite a history and are still being made today.

The first thing you want to do is verify that all of them are true Hummels. They all should have the name imprinted into the porcelain. Then each will have a stamp of a V with a bee on the bottom. This will help give you the age with the help of a book or your help online. This is a process, but each one carries a different value, and beware — many reproductions were made.

The only reason for doing research is to determine if she has any rare ones. Common mass-produced ones are worth today around $10 to $20 each, even if you see they are in a price guide for much more. This is due to the fact that so many were made. People collected them thinking they would be an investment. Too many made it through time so now only the rare hold value. People do still collect them because they are sweet and still done well.

One last tip, Karen: Any of them that have any damage have no value. I guess for selling them I might try a more retail environment, like a consignment store at the holiday time.

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

Dear Donna,

I just got this sweet lot of old seed sleeves. I thought I might be able to do something creative with them.

I paid $10 for the bunch . Can you tell me if I got a good deal?

Thanks ahead, Donna.

Laura

Dear Laura,

I think you did find a little treasure!

All old garden pieces have a collectible and decorative value today. Seed packets are usually in the range of $2 to $15 each . This depends on the age (the older, the better), graphics producer, rarity and, as always, condition. So if you have more than a dozen, Laura, you got a good deal.

As far as decorating with them I say yes. No matter what you decide to do with them, they will bring color and conversation into your home!

Thanks for sharing your treasure with us.

Dear Donna,

Can you give me any information on the necklace/pin? It’s marked Jerusalem 900 on the back.

Thanks.

Betty

Dear Betty,

Your cross pendant brooch is called a Five Fold Cross. It was made in Jerusalem to represent five crosses, the main one in the center and one smaller one on each corner.

This design made up the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. They’ve been made since the 1280s. The 900 mark means it is almost all sterling. The stone in the center is purple glass that looks like amethyst but is not a real gemstone. Still the presentation of the piece looks substantial and beautiful.

Your piece, Betty, is in the $125 range and a nice piece of religious memorabilia. Thanks for sharing with us. I hope this was helpful.

Donna

Note: When you own an older piece of jewelry it’s better to leave it in the original condition that you found it in rather than polish it. The piece through age earned that finish!

Dear Donna,

After cleaning out my gram’s home recently, I have a pile of old silverware. Some is marked silver, silver plate and some has marks I’m not familiar with. Can you point me in a direction to figure out if there is any salvageable value here? Thanks for any advice.

Robert

Dear Robert,

I was smiling when I read how you referred to your grandmother as gram.

This is going to be more work for you and I will try to give you enough information to help. First the easy ones that will have a higher financial value will be marked Sterling or 925. The ones that have what are called touch marks have to have at least four to be of any value.

The rest would all be silver plated and have minimal if any value, depending on makers, patterns, condition and being mostly serving pieces. But don’t discard them; have them looked at even if there’s only minimal value on some.

So, Robert, I gave you a starting point but now that you have a separated pile of flatware, go to someone you can trust locally to give you a price for the sterling ones. Also see if they have any interest in the remaining pieces as well.

Some sterling will be worth more in weight and others for the makers and patterns as well. But you will make the final decision if you prefer to sell it as a lot or as individual pieces. If you think the price as a lot is fair to you, let the buyer do further work and figure each out.

It’s worth the effort, Robert, and I hope this turns out to be a treasure for you from your gram.

Donna

Note: I would go to a local antique store first. Then to a silver buyer and compare prices to make my decision!

Dear Donna,

Can you share some information on this child’s tin plate? Thanks for any help,

Ann in Salem

Dear Ann,

Your tin ABC child’s plate is in good condition for its age and a sweet piece of history.

Your plate was made in England as a child’s souvenir for the 1851 Great Exhibition.

It’s tough to find ABC plates in mint condition because they were played with. But even with some wear and minor denting yours would be in the $70 range. This is because aside from being a child’s plate it’s a souvenir commemorative plate.

I hope this was helpful, Ann. There are many different tin ABC plates and they would make for a fun collection! Thanks for sharing with us.

Dear Donna,

We just purchased a new old home. In the shed was this bicycle. I can remember having one in the younger days. So I know it’s old! Is there any market for them now? Any information would be appreciated on what to do with it.

Carla

Dear Carla,

I had one of those Stingray bikes as well when I was young.

Bicycles are not really a category I’m that familiar with. I do know, though, that some are very collectible. I think I would start by getting all the information — maker, year and a photo. Then I would do research and/or bring it to a bike shop. A bike shop might have a customer base for old bikes as well. Doing research also might get you right into the hands of a Stingray collector. I would say the value is at least $50+.

So pursuing further seems like it could be worth it for you. I wish I could help more but, as I said, bicycles are in a specific field.

I hope you find it a new home and it becomes a treasure for you. I will do more research as well. I will get back to you with anything I find.