Category: Treasure Hunt

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.

Hello, Donna,

Not sure if you recall, but you wrote about my mother’s hutch/china cabinet back in late 2020. Mom had to move to assisted living in May and her condo is now for sale. Can you suggest someone in your network whom I could contact to help me sell and transport such a piece at this time? Your help would be much appreciated.

Respectfully,

Jim

Dear Jim,

Let’s see if I can help!

As I wrote in 2020, Jim, the piece is an amazing piece of furniture. If the quality were replicated today it would be in the thousands for value.

Now that being said, though, finding a home could be a bit difficult. Today’s generation makes it a tough fit into their decor. You’ve got to find an old-school antique appreciator to welcome it into a new or old home.

So I think posting your story might help. Or posting it on a local marketplace. Both avenues would set up a pick up and remove, so you won’t have to do it.

Price range will have to be decided between you and the buyer. I hope this was helpful, Jim. Your cabinet deserves a great home to be loved once more.

Any inquiries I will pass on to you!

Donna

Hello, Donna.

I have a piece of this silver. It’s marked Gorham on the bottom and sterling. It’s 8 inches tall and the bowl is 9 inches. I don’t have any use for it so I’m wondering if you could suggest a new home and selling value.

Thank you for the effort.

Cam

Dear Cam,

What you have is a piece of holloware made right here in New England, in Providence, Rhode Island. The Gorham Manufacturing Co. story is an interesting one if you cared to do more research.

For now, though, let’s help with what you have. Gorham was known for sterling flatware, holloware and many other sterling and silver-plated useful items.

Holloware feels heavy because it is weighted but the sterling is actually thin almost like a foil. This makes it more fragile than a solid sterling piece. It also makes the plain and simple ones like your compote less valuable.

Even so, Cam, the value is in the range of $60+ depending on the condition. No dents or crinkling etc. I’m just not sure these days how to refer you to a buyer. Silver is a lot of work to use or display these days.

Try going to a local antique shop to see what they might offer. Remember always, though, they won’t pay the full value because they will have to find a buyer for it.

I hope this helps and you do find a new home for this compote.

Dear Donna,

We have this Peter Rabbit magician book. I thought the unusual part was that it is all complete. Not sure how it went through all my dad’s family and is still intact.

Would there be a value to something like this?

Thanks for your time, Donna,

Ken

Dear Ken,

I was chuckling as I read your letter. I don’t know how any toys ever survived till today!

The Peter Rabbit The Magician book is from the 1940s and was produced in Illinois. It has a story plus many fun tricks inside for children. How fun this must have been!

Now for a value, Ken, from low to high you can still find this out on the internet. But not many had the original box as well. Having the box and complete magic tricks I would say it’s in the $100 range. Sometimes the original box is a big bonus.

Ken, I thank you for sharing and for the smile. Sweet family toy with memories.