Category: Treasure Hunt

Dear Donna,

This bracelet belonged to my sister. I now have inherited it. My question is about cleaning it. I would like to pass it to my granddaughter. I wouldn’t want to ruin it in any way. Thank you for any help.

Ed

Dear Ed,

Passing on your sister’s charm bracelet is a sweet piece of family. Love it! Charm bracelets are a great way to show personal interest. Most reflect memories, likes, travel history, etc., so passing it on, Ed, will carry family history. For cleaning it, I recommend a liquid silver cleaner. Whether it’s sterling silver (if sterling each one will be marked sterling or 925) or silver-plated, liquid will work best. Using a cream will cause build-up in tiny hard to get to places. There are many good cleaners out there today. After cleaning it, store it wrapped in a cloth or paper towel. An airtight bag also will protect it from re-tarnishing.

Values on charm bracelets are all over the spectrum, depending on age, maker, being mechanical (moving parts) etc. They are also an older item that is more valuable clean. No one wants to wear a tarnished silver bracelet.

Dear Donna,

Enclosed are pictures of a carpenter’s chest from possibly the late 1800s or early 1900s that was my husband’s great-uncle’s. The chest has dovetails and multiple species of wood. Might you have an idea of its worth?

Thank you,

Karen

Dear Karen,

Thank you for all the photos, it helps!

Your husband’s great-uncle’s tool box is not that uncommon. Imagine the time this was the average size of your tool box.

Your date estimate is correct for the box. Most were made of multiple woods. Dovetailing is for strength and durability. Karen, I can tell you, doing business in Manchester and surrounding areas I have seen lots of them. Including my own uncle’s as well.

Working in many fields you needed to have many tools with you. Now you can use one or two tools to do the same job.

Collectibility depends on construction, appearance, cleanliness and always condition. Putting all these factors in place, some values can be in the $100+ range.

Thanks for sharing, Karen. I hope this helps.

Hello, Donna.
This was my mom’s doll dresser and now belongs to me. I actually use it for jewelry on my own dresser. Can you provide any information for me on it? It’s in very good shape and the mirror is intact.
Thanks, Donna
Patti

Dear Patti,
I want to start off by saying glad to see you still using it! Antique doll furniture and related items are still collectible. It seems everyone still likes the memories they bring.
Your small oak doll dresser looks to be from right after the early 1900s. Most likely it was part of a play set.
The pieces, as today, were made to look like the real furniture in your home, making pretend seem real to a child. How fun that is even today!
The values on doll furniture depend on age, detailing, design, construction etc. Value in your dresser with mirror would be in the $75 range to a collector.
Patti, the best part and value to me is that you still use it today!
Thanks for sharing.

Dear Donna,

I was ready to put this in a yard sale this summer. My sister said “no, it could be worth a lot of money.” She said to ask you. Hopefully you can help resolve this.

Thank you, Donna,

Ann

Dear Ann,

Corningware can be very collectible. It’s been around since the 1950s, made in Corning, New York. Some pieces can be worth more than others; the age of the pieces, rarity, pattern and condition all are factors. I have seen some pieces with values into the thousands. Tough to believe for cookware pieces, but true. I grew up with Corningware and my mom used it a lot. I remember the blue and white pattern in the cabinets.

Your pattern French Spice was in production from the 1970s to the late 1980s. Your 5-quart with the cover would be in the $50 range. Having the cover is a bonus. Uncovered would have less value.

So your sister was right in checking!

Thanks for sharing, Ann, and good luck finding it a new home. Maybe worth keeping now?

Hello, Donna.

The photo of the spoon I sent you is from my family. My mom had it and used it for serving mashed potatoes. Now I have inherited it and I too use it a lot.

My question is how can I keep it from looking like this? It has such a pretty design, but covered by all the tarnish. I have cleaned it a couple of times but never keeping it that way.

Would you have any advice for me?

Thank you, Donna,

Sue

Dear Sue,

You probably know I have a smile on my face right now. I enjoy knowing the old is still being used!

Unfortunately unless they have recently come out with a magic cleaner and non-tarnishing product all silver-plated items when exposed to air tarnish.

My only suggestion would be to make sure it’s completely dry after washing it. Then wrap in a paper towel and put away in an air-tight zip-close bag.

Sue, I know this sounds like a lot of work but it will preserve the polished clean finish longer. Not a cure! Just a temporary fix!

With sterling and silver-plated ware it will always be an ongoing battle. Air is an enemy — that’s why they have flatware boxes for them.

Sue, I hope it gives you an idea. Glad to know you use it as well. Thanks for the question. Good luck!

Dear Donna,

We live in Manchester and thought to share a piece with you. This is an ashtray from 7-20-4 Cigar. My dad, who has long passed, had it on our table for many years. It was heavily used by him. Some corners have pieces missing but that was from use. Would this still have value?

Terry

Dear Terry,

What a nice piece of Manchester’s history. Also your memory of it as well. Sweet piece of the 10-cent 7-20-4 cigar memorabilia.

The history of the R.G. Sullivan Cigar Co., located originally on 724 Elm St. in Manchester, goes back into the late 1800s. It’s an interesting story worthy of research for locals. Now the 7-20-4 cigar is still being produced by a new owner Kurt Kendall along with others.

7-20-4 memorabilia is very collectible locally and by cigar collectors nationwide. Condition and the item’s rarity count as usual. But even though you have chipping on the rim, Terry, I think the value would be in the $50 range still.

Nice piece of local history as I said. Most of all though is your memory of it with your dad.

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.