Category: Treasure Hunt

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.

Dear Donna,

I have an assortment of these wood block letters in many sizes. I collected them for years and ended up with a large collection. I’m wondering if prices have changed for them and if they are still collected now. Any information would be helpful.

Angie

Dear Angie,

I can relate to how things turn into collections easily! Collecting is a fun thing to do.

The print block letters you have served their purpose first in print shops. Now they are rarely used for that. Instead, they tend to be displayed decoratively.

I’m not sure what you paid when you collected them, but today the value on them runs from $2 to $4 each. Larger ones can net more, so if you have a collection of them it could bring a bit of a value in total. They have stayed in the same value range for a while now.

One thing I have learned over the years is to never let children play with them. They were made in a time when using lead was common. The lead is still present even after washing, so keep these away from children.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo

Dear Donna,

For years I’ve been meaning to contact you regarding my curiosity about a basket that was found in an old late 18th-century house in Chichester. The basket was found in the mid 1970s and I bought it at a yard sale!

Thank you for any information that you can offer me!

Lil

Dear Lil,

Baskets are tough for an appraisal and to know for sure when some of them were made. I think that my suggestion would be to see someone who has a lot of experience with baskets, such as Skinners in Bolton, Mass. You can send them a photo and they should be able to give you more information than I can. I would say it has an Asian look to it, which is another reason why it’s tough!

The form is similar to a funeral basket for flowers. If that is the case then the value would be under $100. As I said, though, my view is based only on my own limited experience. Please let me know if you find out any more information!