Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,

Looking to find a value for our hanging ceiling lamp. Not sure of the age. I believe it’s all there and original other than re-wiring and cleaning often for the hanging glass. It’s not very large but can light a room brightly.

We love it and are not looking to sell it. It’s been here since we bought the house in the 1950s, if that helps.

Thank you, Donna.

Celeste

Dear Celeste,

You are making my job easy today.

I would say your small chandelier ceiling light is probably from the 1930s or 1940s. This is judging by the style.

It appears to be in great condition and clean. Doing the wiring over I always say is a great thing to do. It doesn’t take away from the value. As long as it’s done properly, it’s for safety. Chandeliers are collectible for people restoring houses to as close to original as they can. They also are just pleasantly attractive for decorators.

As far as a value, Celeste, if there is a maker’s name that would help with valuing it. But if it’s not marked the value still would be in the $400 range. So keep using and enjoy your treasure.

Dear Donna,

I have several of these metal figures. They belonged to my grandfather. Do you think they are safe to allow my son to use in play?

Thank you, Donna, for your help.

Tina

Dear Tina,

Your question is a good one.

Your figures are Lincoln Logs people. They were made from the early 1900s to the 1940s.

They are made from a metal with lead base. They are cold painted to give the details. After years and lots of use the paint cracks and chips. So my thought is that to play with them would be a safety issue. Collecting them and displaying them is fine. This is only my opinion, though! Lincoln Logs have been around for many years. I think everyone as a child played with them. The figures just made them more fun.

Lincoln Log figures in good shape with minimal to no damage are collectible. Values run in the range of $6 to $10 and up. So maybe a collection for your son would be fun. Now look for more!

Thanks for sharing, Tina.

Dear Donna,

I bought these old bingo cards at the end of the flea market season. I’m hoping you can help me find the missing pieces. I would like to give the old set for a gift.

Thank you ahead, Donna,

Carla

Dear Carla,

I have to say this was a bit of fun to find out for you.

I believe unless these are reproductions they are from the 1930s. But because they are decorative, reproductions are popular as well. I would think if they’re original they should be thin and even have an old cardboard smell. Not sure without seeing them in person.

What you’re looking for is red wooden markers. Then wood numbered markers as well. I think rules of the game would be good too. A playing card from 1 to 75. One I saw was in a dark navy box from Milton Bradley.

Carla, I think finding the cards was the easy part. Now your hunt is on for the rest. A complete set even with the cards will be in the $25-$30 range.

I hope you succeed in your hunt. I would try thrift stores, flea markets, antique shops etc. or even online.

Thanks for sharing and always for passing on older items.

Dear Donna,

I have a hanging lamp shown in my basement. It was with the house we bought in 1998. It was removed from our dining room to make a bedroom. Any ideas what year or price if we sell this item? Thank you.

Kristina

Dear Kristina,

Your hanging slag glass lamp looks to be from the 1970s. It also looks to be in good condition. Any cracking in the glass would change the value greatly.

This style of hanging lamp was very popular for a dining room during that period of time. Usually with a caramel color slag glass (non transparent glass), then a band of colored glass. Red, green, blue etc.

I think the value today would be to a collector or decorator who enjoys that period of time. The value would be in the range of $100.

I thank you for sharing, Kristina, and I hope you find a new home for your hanging lamp.

Dear Donna,

I have an assortment of wooden balls — croquet balls and others that are larger with no painting on them. I thought before throwing them away I would check — if any interest I would love to give them away. Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you, Donna.

Cecile

Dear Cecile,

Old croquet sets can run in the range of $15 to $100+. That would be for a complete set. the older the better.

Cecile, I think having just the balls would be fun for someone for decorative purposes, crafts etc. I do think the larger brown balls could be bocce balls, from a totally different early game. If so they would be very heavy and a hard dense wood. I think finding a home for free could be tough unless you know someone. So maybe donate them to a church fair, thrift store, or even an antique shop. Cecile, I have to say it’s not often you hear “give away.” It made me smile! Because memories of playing croquet make smiles. I hope you find a new home and life for your collection of fun!

Hello, Donna.

I read your column each week in the Hippo, and I wonder if you could help with a table. I’ve attached some pictures.

My parents got this from a cousin about 15 years ago. Someone was moving and my folks just took the table. It’s very heavy, has Italian marble in it and the dimensions are 102 x 40 x 29.

All of the original chairs are gone and years ago someone told me that it was an expensive table due to the marble. Is that true?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thank you.

John

Dear John,

Your table looks substantial and nice but doesn’t fall into my area for being antique. It does bring up a good point, though.

Even though a piece might not be considered to have an antique value, quality and some age would still give it a value. Better if you had a maker that was well-known in furniture. Then it would be quality, design and as always condition. Last would be finding it a new home.

John, not having the complete set can definitely matter in pricing it as well. My suggestion would be to go out to a few furniture consignment stores to see if you can get an idea of what pricing is for similar size and quality tables.Then you decide how to market it.

I apologize for not having more information for you. Good luck, John, and I hope your table finds a new home.