Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,
I picked this small autograph book up a few years back. It’s 5”x7” and has about 60 autographs from Holyoke, Mass., 1884. I’m done enjoying reading it, so now I’m looking for a new home. Can you give me a value on this? Thank you for any help, Donna.
Alex

Dear Alex,
Autograph books were a very popular thing in the Victorian era. Earlier ones can also bring high values.

With autographs you’re looking for any significant ones of known people, events in time, drawings, etc. The more content the better, and hand drawings as well.

If it’s just a school autograph book with multiple friends signing it. I think there are collectors for just that as well. The values seem to run in the $25-$40 range. Again, though, if there are drawings or small paintings on pages etc., could be more.

Alex, I hope this helps finding your book a new home. Thanks for sharing with us.

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. 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 footwdw@aol.com, or call her at 391-6550.

Hello, Donna.
I’m trying to find out any information on these children’s toys. My main question is would they be safe for my granddaughter to play with now?
Claire

Dear Claire,
What you have seems to be a mixture of children’s tin cooking toys. Age-wise I think anywhere from the 1950’s through the 1970’s.

Some of the pans look like ones from my childhood, Easy-Bake oven pans!
There is a collectible market for the older pans and Easy-Bake ones as well. Values are in the range of $5 to $10. As to whether they are usable today, I say yes for pretend food but not for real food. And only if they are clean with no rust or damage.

Because I am in the antiques business, my grandchildren play with lots of older toys with my supervision. I enjoy telling them stories of how toys made it through so much time.

Claire, thanks for sharing and have fun playing with your granddaughter.

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. 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 footwdw@aol.com, or call her at 391-6550.

Dear Donna,
Can you give me a reason to not toss this item? Found in the attic of my parents. Looks to be building blocks but all pretty much the same. Any help appreciated.
Stacy in Andover

Dear Stacy,
Your box of blocks is actually from the late Victorian Era into the early 1900s. It’s a self-contained building block toy. In this case it would construct a mansion-type building. There were many different ones made. When you’re done playing, it all tucks away back into the wood box.
Stacy, the value is in having a complete set. With blocks or doors, roofs or other pieces missing the values drop. Complete and in good clean shape these tend to run in the $150+ range.

So now you have to figure out if it’s complete. Building it is one way, or doing further research on this one and seeing the complete version.

I hope this was helpful to you. Thanks for sharing, Stacy.

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. 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 footwdw@aol.com, or call her at 391-6550.

Hello, Donna —

I’m trying to get any information that you may know about this rocker. I’m not positive what century it’s from but I was told 19th by my mum. — Melanie

Dear Melanie,

Your rocker is called a stick-style rocker. The age your mom gave you is correct. It’s from the late 1800s to early 1900s, the late Victorian Era. It appears to be in original condition and in good shape for the age.

The values are tough. Antique rockers are not in high demand in this generation. The value should be in the range of $50. — Donna

Hello, Donna,

Can you help me identify this piece of iron? It looks to be all there but I can’t figure it out. Thinking maybe to hold a lamp?

Thanks ahead for any help.

Skip

Dear Skip,

You are right, it is all there, but it wasn’t meant for a lamp. It’s a Victorian gutter holder.

How beautiful it must have been to see several of these in a row holding up a rain gutter. Built to last and have beauty to them too.

The value for one might be minimal. The value for a dozen or so would be in the $200+ range. If you own a Victorian home today a priceless find.

Thanks, Skip, for sharing.

Dear Donna,

My wife and I spotted this set of items at an estate sale in Manchester. They were in the old kitchen, where there were many types of baking molds. But we’re not sure about these.

They are very heavy metal and seem to be more decorative than utilitarian. We “negotiated” and paid a couple bucks for them. They make nice candle holders on our porch table.

Thanking you in advance.

Scott

Nashua

Dear Scott,

Even though I think the form of the flower cups is sweet, I think they could be modern and you are right to say decorative. Sometimes even modern items have charm and a place in our home. That’s coming from an antique enthusiast! (ha ha)

With no markings on them, appraisal can be tough. But all the pictures you sent were helpful. I do think you got a treasure for the price. As far as a modern value on them, I think that’s in the eye of the buyer. Having a purpose for them makes them priceless to you and your wife.

Thanks for sharing and keep going to those estate sales. You never know what you can find.

Good morning, Donna.

I’m wondering if you appraise 33 and 45 records. Or can you help with someone who can for me? They are earlier musicians from before the 1970s.

Thank you.

Marie

Dear Marie,

I thought your question was an important one. Even though records are not in my direct field, I have had many over the years through estates.

They seem to be collectible in this generation. Marie, I would start off by contacting a record store directly (I used to deal with The Music Connection in Manchester) to see if they could provide you info and possibly purchase as well. If not, they might have outside sources for that purpose.

My personal experience is that condition is important and prices for original ones with cover etc. can range from $1 to over $100.

I hope this was helpful, Marie, and good luck with your records.

Donna

Dear Donna,

Is this pizza cutting board old? I recently picked this up at a flea market and I’m wondering. Thanks so much for any information.

Sandy

Dear Sandy,

First let’s tell you what this is: a German bread board. Sometimes you can pick up some that are old. Most, though, are still being used, in Germany and other countries. They aren’t used for cutting pizza at all. Pizza paddles can be wood but a totally different shape. That’s why you probably don’t see any cut marks on it.

They are sweet and still useful decorative pieces. Very collectible, so depending on what you spent for it you could have a little large treasure. The values run in the range of $100 to $200. Older ones are preferred, but even modern ones have high values too.

Thanks for sharing with us, Sandy, and enjoy your find. They look great hung on a wall when not in use.

Dear Donna,

Found something I can’t figure out. Any clues on what this tool could be? Thanks for any input.

Sandy

Dear Sandy,

Thanks for sharing with us. Had fun figuring it out. I love learning something new any time. Thanks for all the photos.

This is an antique wine bottle cork stopper/inserter. What a neat and useful item. Not being a wine drinker, I found it a fun and educational thing to research. I found values to be in the range of $60+ for older ones, less for more modern versions. The history of cork inserters and corkscrews was priceless.

Again, thanks for sharing, Sandy, and we figured it out!

Dear Donna,

I believe my grandfather bought this to use for my mother around the year 1927. As you can see from the attached pictures, it can be used as a tall high chair, short chair, both with or without the tray table. It is also on wheels.

It is definitely made of a hardwood with a cane seat, both of which are in excellent condition.

Does this chair have any value other than sentimental? I am in the process of downsizing and would be interested in selling it if it has any value. Thank you.

Linda

Dear Linda,

I am always amazed when pieces like your high chair make it through time. Imagine using it every day. For feeding, and some even for strolling. Yours looks to be in great shape.

The chair is from the Victorian era, late 1800’s. The seat appears to have been replaced and the chair possibly refinished. It’s in nice clean condition for decorative purposes today.

The values run between $250 and $600 or even higher with the more it can do and detailing. I think in this region the selling price for yours will depend on finding the right collector.

I hope this helps and thank you for sharing with us. Nice piece of Victorian-era history.

Donna