Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,

This lamp appears to be bronze and is 3 feet tall. It belonged to my grandmother and she passed away so I don’t have any detail on when or where it was purchased. It was in her home since I could remember (1970s). She loved anything with crystals!

Laura

Dear Laura,

That is a big lamp! I can see why she liked it.

The style of it looks to be from the 1970s from the pictures but could be a lot older. But let’s determine some things first. If the lamp is bronze it should weigh a lot. It could also be a mixed metal with a bronze look on the surface (usually you can see spots of a gray metal from underneath). If you see any signs of a different metal coloring that can help determine a value.

While you’re looking at the bottom, check for any markings, a maker, etc. (though that information could be elsewhere on the lamp so give it a good look all over).

From the pictures I’m thinking it’s not a bronze metal, and the crystals have a watermelon sheen to them that are applied to give a glimmer. The chains are a later style like the 1970s. It’s still a very interesting-looking lamp. I think the value would be in the range of $200, but with more information that estimate could be higher.

Dear Donna,

Can you answer a couple questions on this bracelet for me? Like could it be real gold? Age?

What are the stones?

Catherine

Dear Catherine,

I can try to answer your questions but to be 100 percent certain you should have it looked at.

Jewelry can be tough to determine age on sometimes, but whether it’s gold or not should be easy. Somewhere on the bracelet there should be a mark or marks that would say, for example, 10kt. If it says just that then you could be safe thinking it is real gold. If it’s followed by anything like GF or gold plated then it just has a coat of gold over another metal. It could be over sterling silver, brass, etc.

If it were real gold you can also assume the stones would be more than a colored glass. Value would be in the range of $200. If it’s not gold and just considered a piece of costume jewelry

the value would be in the range of $20, though depending on the maker the values of some costume jewelry can be high. This is why you should always take it to someone you can trust to tell you the value!

Dear Donna,

I came across these in my parents’ basement. Not sure what they are but they seem to be in good unused condition. Any information would be appreciated.

— Marsha

Dear Marsha,

What you have are marking tacks from the George B Graff Co. They produced these racks in the early 1900s along with other products in Cambridge, Mass.

Your celluloid plastic-covered ones could have been used for map markings or anything that needs number tracking. It’s nice to see them in such good condition.

The value for the lot would be in the range of $40. It would be interesting to see what you could use them for today.

Dear Donna,

Looking to find out a value on this footstool.

Cathy

Dear Cathy,

Your stool looks sweet. At one time it was probably used every day.

It looks like this stool would have been from the Victorian era (late 1800s). It has what are called cabriole style legs with a hand-done needlepoint seat. Strawberries are always a pleasing design.

Antique stools have always been helpful, used for foot lifts, gout, providing extra height, etc. So your stool probably has many stories to tell. The value would be in the range of $70, because it looks to be in good clean condition.

Thanks for sharing and hope your stool stays home with you.

Dear Donna,

I’m wondering if you can provide any information on this Pansy’s Stories for Boys and Girls book. It’s dated 1882. I’ve often thought the cover was frame-worthy. I don’t want to destroy the book if it’s valuable, so thought I would check.

Edith T.

Dear Edith,

A rule always is to find out what an item is worth before changing anything, so good idea to ask.

Books are a specific market but I might be able to give you basic information. The value on them is based on age, subject, what edition, how many were printed and condition.

Most books, including children’s, were mass-produced. Many made it through time and today can easily be found.

I did find a value for your book in the range of $20 in good condition. So if you’re thinking of framing the cover, try encasing the whole book in glass. This way you’re not destroying the book and it can easily be passed down to the next generation for future reading.

Dear Donna,

I am sending you pictures of a bracelet that my mom has given to me. My dad gave her this bracelet when he returned home from World War II. He said the service men were given them to bring back home to their wives. My mom, who is 96, has passed it on to me. The bracelet is sterling silver.

Nancy

Dear Nancy,

The bracelet with an American coin of 1922 could have been married together with a sterling cuff at any point in time. The coin itself is silver as well so they make a nice combination. Sometimes there are other marks on the bracelet itself to indicate the maker of the cuff.

Not knowing where your dad was stationed during World War II could just make it a souvenir in general that he liked for your mom.

The bracelet together with the coin would be in the $100 range, because it appears to be in good condition and is silver. I wish I could add more to your story for you. I think the fact he brought it home to your mom and now it’s yours is a happy story!