Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,

These boards were used all the time in my home growing up. My mother shared with me that some were her mother’s. I thought possibly I could pass them along to my girls. Could you share any information? Are they still safe to use today?

Thank you, Donna.

Lee

Dear Lee,

The best part of your story is the memories of the boards being used!

Lee, bread boards have been around for so many years. All, I’m sure, were heavily used for bread making, pastries, light chopping, etc.

Cutting boards and bread boards all have value in today’s market, depending on age, condition, even shapes, etc.

Values run from $10 to several hundred dollars on some. Most common ones are in the $40-to-$100 range.

If you want to pass them along, Lee, you can clean them with a mild detergent and rinse well, then re-coat them with a safe food oil for use.

For just decorative use and collecting, I would leave them in the original patina (natural age discoloring). They are a very attractive kitchen collectible.

So no matter what you do, Lee, you have great memories and a treasure with your boards. Thanks for sharing with us.

Dear Donna,

These belonged to my dad. I have fond memories of him wearing them. Does anybody still use or wear them? Rather find a home than toss them.

Thank you, Donna

Caroline

Dear Caroline,

What a fun memory you have!

I am sure people still do wear them. I think they would fit right into today’s styles.

In general values on them are under $10 each. Some higher depending on maker, condition and design.

I think to find them a new home I would try an antique shop for any value. If no interest there, I would go to a clothing thrift store. You might just end up donating them, but then there is a chance for a new home. I hate seeing anything go to waste!

Caroline, I hope you find a place for the ties and someone can enjoy them again. Thanks for sharing your fun memories with us.

Dear Donna,

Found these pennies at a flea market over the weekend. We paid $10 for all of them. Can you give me any information on them?

Thank you, Donna.

Tim

Dear Tim,

Coins are a field of their own and not one I have the most experience in. It’s a very interesting and complex collectible market and some can be very, very valuable.

Your pennies are from 1943 and if you’re lucky maybe you have one dated 1944. The 1943 wheat penny was made to conserve copper during World War II. They were made of steel with a zinc coating. Beware, though, some of the values are in the mint marks and other conditions that either enhance the values or take away from it. As with everything there are reproductions out there. Sad but true!

The average value of a steel penny in good condition is a few dollars. In order for you to get a real value they must be seen by a professional. This is a must should you have a treasure.

Tim, even if you have only a few dollars in steel pennies, the education you’re going to get from them will be priceless. Some of your work could be done via a guide to collecting coins or online. Don’t assume, though — have them looked at! Good luck, Tim, and I hope you found a treasure or two.

Hi, Donna!

I read your column each week in the Hippo!! I am hoping you can help us out. We have an antique fire extinguisher. Do you know if this is worth anything? I was going to donate it to a historical society. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Donna Lee

Dear Donna Lee,

Your extinguisher makes me smile. Back in my days of owning an antique center they were very collectible and were all cleaned and polished, then either stood in a room or were made into lamps.

Not sure if they are collectible for the same reasons today. But they do have a value in the range of $100 and higher in some cases. I do think donating items to a local historical society is a great thing. Some things such as antique fire extinguishers were made en masse and there are still too many around today. You could still check to see if it is something they might want.

No matter what you decide, Donna Lee, you have an interesting piece of history. Thanks for sharing.

Dear Donna,

Thought you would enjoy this couple. I’m not sure but I think my grandmother made them. They are all hand stitched and have tiny nuts for heads. I know they are in tough condition but I can’t just toss them. What are your thoughts about possibly finding them a new home?

Thanks, Donna, for any information.

Tracy

Dear Tracy,

You are right! They are sweet.

Your grandmother could have made them but it’s tough to tell now. They are from the middle to late 1800s if that helps. They are not that uncommon either. I have seen many different versions throughout my career.

Nut dolls, apple head dolls, and later clothespin dolls are around. Some are considered a form of folk art. Yours definitely fall into that category. Being in tough condition doesn’t help, but there are collectors for them. The older the better, and the more detail the better as well. I find yours very charming. I would say they would run in the $100 range to a collector.

Tracy, I hope this was helpful. I also agree not to toss them and do find them a new home. Try bringing them to a local antique store near you. Remember they can’t pay full value because they will have to sell them too.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. 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.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. 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.

Hi, Donna,

These boat lanterns were in our camp at the lake, which was built in 1910. I’m not sure of the history, other than that my grandfather did have an old single-cylinder Laker boat in the 1920s, which the two oil lamps may have been on. Or it’s possible he obtained them from someone for possible use on his boat.

I would be very interested to know what you think their value might be.

Thank you.

Larry

Dear Larry,

Your boat lights all appear to be in great condition,all the glass intact. Maritime items are always collectible. Some more than others, and values fluctuate.

I found values for yours to be in the range of $100 to $200 each. Less for the electric ones. The value is priceless to find out if they were on your grandfather’s boat. Stories they could tell, right?

Thanks for sharing with us, Larry, and I hope this was helpful.

Donna

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. 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.