Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,

I had considered having this clock converted to battery-operated and then began to research. I believe it is a George Nelson for Howard Miller sunburst spike clock. If so, I think it would be best to leave it unaltered! I love this fun clock from my childhood home, but it’s not in character with my own home. Would you know the value for this, and how would you recommend I sell it?

June

Dear June,

Any antique or collectible that is in running and good condition is best left alone.

Your Howard Miller clock is very collectible and I found prices all over the place, from $150 to $300. Some of the clocks from the same period of time — 1960s to 1970s — brought an even higher value.

Mid-century items are the in thing right now so I am thinking if your clock is working you should be able to get in the range of $150 to a reseller or try for the collector online yourself. My personal suggestion would be to tuck it away for now. It’s money in the bank as long as you noted your information with it for future generations.

Dear Donna,

My 95-year-old father recently sent me this antique creamer. (At least I think it’s a creamer!) It was handed down to him from his mother. It’s about 5.25 inches long, four inches wide and 2 inches high. My dad was curious about it and wondered what it’s worth. I would appreciate any information you can find out about it; I’d love to share it with my dad.

Carol from Nashua

Dear Carol,

Your creamer is from a company that has been around in England since the late 1800s. It is part of a larger set of dishes, I assume. I believe yours is from the 1940s, but this company produced wares for so long, with many patterns with different marks, and it’s the marks on the bottom that would help give you a better idea of their age.

If you were to replace this set it would cost a fortune for a new one today, though the secondary market for the antique and older ones is slim, partly because there are so many pieces still around today and this generation has no interest in large sets of dishes. So the value of your creamer is in the $5 range (not damaged). Priceless, though, to have gotten it from your dad!

Donna Welch has spent more than 30 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing, and recently closed the physical location of From Out Of The Woods Antique Center (fromoutofthewoodsantiques.com) but is still doing some buying and selling. She is a member of The New Hampshire Antiques Dealer Association. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550 or 624-8668.

Dear Donna,

Can you give me an idea what this crock might be worth or how I can find out?

Cathy

Dear Cathy,

Your crock is an unusual size to have made it this far in time. They were used for pickles, lard, etc., so seeing them in good shape is a plus. The 10 on it means it is a 10-gallon. The crown is the mark of Robinson Ransbottom Co. They were located in Roseville, Ohio. You can do further research on your piece by searching that information.

Now for the pricing, remember that condition and age matter. There are still modern made crocks out there with the same markings. So if yours is an antique one and in good condition with no cracks, the value would be in the $120 range. If it’s a modern made one, the value would be less in the secondary market.

This size crock is great for dog food, or maybe for use as an end table — you can probably get a round wood top for it at a hardware store.

Donna Welch has spent more than 30 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing, and recently closed the physical location of From Out Of The Woods Antique Center (fromoutofthewoodsantiques.com) but is still doing some buying and selling. She is a member of The New Hampshire Antiques Dealer Association. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550 or 624-8668.

Dear Donna,
I recently acquired this “Emma Doll.” It was said to be a fine reproduction of an antique doll, purchased at an Amish shop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 13 years ago. Do you have any info you could share?
Paula

Dear Paula,
Your doll is sweet and life size. Values for reproduction items are not always strong in the antiques market. But if it was done by a specific artist and signed, this would help with a value. It goes with the same rules as if it were an antique. Who did it, when, the quality and detailing, rarity (depending on how many the maker made) and availability of it are all factors in today’s market and in the future. So I think your next step would be to find collectors for these kinds of dolls. They will give you a fair value for it.

Dear Donna,

I have an assortment of older comics. They are not in the best condition, but I thought you might be able to provide advice as to a value, if any.

Karl

Dear Karl,

I have to start off by saying that comics is a very specific field, and even if I can give you my thoughts on them, you should do more research and or see someone who deals in them.

My experience with comics is that the closer they are to mint condition, the higher the value. Most are in very used condition from reading, so to find mint ones makes the value on some soar.

Collectors look for older ones, limited ones and specific issues. You can’t really group your comics without checking on each one individually. One rare comic can be worth more than $1,000 in mint condition. In poor condition the same one could be worth $50. That’s still a value that could add up with an assortment of them.

Common older comics can still have values from $5 and up, even in used condition. There is a specific scale used to judge the condition of them. This is why I suggest you do further research before assuming you just have a lot of used comics. Even if they are only in the $5 range each, it still adds up!

If you need help in doing research I could refer you to a person who could help you in this field. Drop me an email and I will put you in touch.

Dear Donna,

Might you be able to suggest a good reference document or catalogue for Lionel Antique Trains (1950s)?

Louis

Dear Louis,

I’m sharing your email with readers because it’s a good question.

I think that with access to the internet you can find out any pricing and information you would need. Using several different searches for pricing should help narrow things down.

There are several price guides still available to purchase online and they can be a great source for information and prices. Sometimes, though, they aren’t accurate to the selling market today. So my last suggestion is to have someone who deals in toys, trains, etc. take a look at them for you. They should be up to date on the current selling market for trains and parts.

If you need further assistance please email me and I can provide you with a local referral.