Category: Treasure Hunt

Hi, Donna.

I have a full-size antique brass bed that I would like to sell. I was hoping you would have some suggestions on who may be interested in buying it and if you had any idea of its value. Attached are some photos.

Michael

Dear Michael,

Even though your brass bed is at least 100 years old it is not a very desirable item these days. First of all, double beds are a tough sell. Then being brass makes it a constant clean and polish project. Most people, if they like brass, they want it treated to not tarnish. It seems like modern brass is coated to slow down the tarnishing process.

I think, Michael, if it were me selling it I would try like a local marketplace. This way you would get the most of the value for it. You can also send some photos to a local antique shop. Keep in mind that if — and that’s an if — they want it, the value would be at the most half to you and most likely less than that.

Now for a realistic value today, I would say in the $100 range. It’s worth that and to me more but that’s not I’m afraid what the market will bring for it. I wish I had better news for you Michael. I do hope you find the bed a new home. Thanks for sharing with us.

Donna

Hi, Donna.

I have a full-size antique brass bed that I would like to sell. I was hoping you would have some suggestions on who may be interested in buying it and if you had any idea of its value. Attached are some photos.

Michael

Dear Michael,

Even though your brass bed is at least 100 years old it is not a very desirable item these days. First of all, double beds are a tough sell. Then being brass makes it a constant clean and polish project. Most people, if they like brass, they want it treated to not tarnish. It seems like modern brass is coated to slow down the tarnishing process.

I think, Michael, if it were me selling it I would try like a local marketplace. This way you would get the most of the value for it. You can also send some photos to a local antique shop. Keep in mind that if — and that’s an if — they want it, the value would be at the most half to you and most likely less than that.

Now for a realistic value today, I would say in the $100 range. It’s worth that and to me more but that’s not I’m afraid what the market will bring for it. I wish I had better news for you Michael. I do hope you find the bed a new home. Thanks for sharing with us.

Donna

Hello, Donna,

I have some silver- and gold-plated items from 1920. They were given to my grandparents as a wedding gift, so I’m fairly certain of their age. Unfortunately, they aren’t in very good condition; I have attached some pictures. I’m curious if you can provide me with any information about them and what their value may be.

If there’s something I can do to improve the appearance of these items, please advise. Also, if it’s possible to refinish them, please let me know since someone who buys them may want to do so. Thanks so much. I appreciate your expertise and advice.

Peter

Dear Peter,

Silver-plated ware is a tough sell unless by certain manufacturers. Also they have to be a very ornate pattern and hard-to-find pieces. Being all made with base metals with a silver wash (plating), most common pieces are more work to keep clean and polished than their value. Peter, first, I wouldn’t clean them to market them. Nor would I polish them. I think instead of a value, think of looking for someone who wants the nostalgic look.

I looked through all your photos and feel safe saying the value for the lot would be under $50. You can’t compare the value to the memories they brought your grandparents. That’s priceless!

Peter thank you for sharing and I hope this was helpful. For selling them I might try a home sale, flea market etc.

Donna

Hello, Donna.

This was my mother’s button tin. She always had a button to replace a lost one. I don’t seem to have a need for it anymore. Do you think you can advise me on how to find it a new home?

Thanks, Donna.

Celeste

Dear Celeste,

Let me start by saying, my mom too had a sewing tin with buttons, needles, etc., so you make me think. Ah, memories!

Buttons can be very collectible or useful for crafts. If all of them were just common buttons, then for crafts it is.

But some, depending on age, rarity, and what they are made of, can be very valuable. You should take a minute to have them looked at by a local antique shop. They could tell you if there are any valuable ones. Even some modern buttons can be valuable. So it is worth the effort. If there is nothing in there of value, then as I said someone would love them for crafts. Or maybe even for replacement buttons again.

I hope you find a treasure in the tin of buttons, Celeste. I thank you for the smile you gave me.

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

Dear Donna,

I found this man’s ring in a box that belonged to my sister. I don’t believe it was hers. Possibly something she picked up along the way. It’s marked 14 KT inside. It also has a tiny diamond. Donna, can you give me any information on the value and where to go?

Shawn

Dear Shawn,

First, if the ring has no sentimental value, then I think it should be easy to sell.

Shawn, I think I would first bring it to a jeweler in your area to see what the value of the weight in gold is. I would then bring it to another to compare information.You need to feel comfortable with who you sell it to. I think the value will be in the gold, unless the maker is marked inside, which could make the ring more valuable. A jeweler will know that. The diamond chip is really of no significance to the value at this point.

It should be somewhere in the range of $200+ for scrap. Gold is high right now. This all depends on the weight of the ring.

Shawn, I hope this is helpful and you have good luck selling it. If you need a referral just reach out.

Thanks for sharing.

Hi, Donna.

I have nine big bins of Annalee dolls. Many are holiday-themed (Halloween, Christmas, etc.) and they all still have their tags. My late brother collected them from the late 1980s to mid-2000s. I’d like to sell them; the only problem is that they smell of mothballs. I’ve spent the summer adding baking soda to the bins. I’ve taken a few and aired them out, but they still have that mothball smell. There are so many dolls that I don’t know how to deal with this. I know some of them are valuable and I don’t want to throw them out. Any advice? Thanks!

April

Dear April,

Mothball smell can be a never-ending project to remove. Along with many at-home methods, there are many store-bought items that promise to remove mothball odor. I have never had much luck with any, especially when the items have been stored sealed. I might try airing them individually for long periods of time. But with them being collectible Annalee dolls you don’t want to damage them by trying to remove the smell. April, knowing the New Hampshire-made dolls are all different in demand and value, I think I also might try marketing them just the way they are. Let the collectors remove the smell. Try to figure out what might make you happy for a total value. Keep in mind the smell is very significant to values. If the smell stays even slight, it’s just a matter of finding someone who would love them and give them a new home.