Hull vase not high in value

Dear Collector: Enclosed is a picture of a Hull vase I received 58 years ago at my bridal party. Can you tell me what it’s worth?

Dating from 1946, your vase made in Crooksville, Ohio, has that soft, pleasant matte glaze favored by Hull, and is in one of their most popular designs: magnolia. Compared to high-end art pottery makers, this particular type while considered highly collectible is worth only $50-$65.

Dear Collector: I have a check writer: Safe-Guard model S-161620. I would like to know its age and approximate value?

Manufactured after 1918, which is the last of four patent dates, this device is more properly called a check protector. Current value is about $25.

Dear Collector: I wish to ask about a Parker Brothers board game called “Bonanza,” which is intact and in perfect condition. There are no pieces or directions.

How can it be in perfect condition when the directions and box for this circa 1955 Michigan Rummy game are missing?

Dear Collector: These bookends look just like the Road Runner character in the cartoons; were they based on him?

Decades before the introduction of Warner’s beep-beep bird, Ronson (not Acme) produced your circa 1932 chrome-finished bookends. I found them listed in one price guide at $100-$200.

Dear Collector: I found this Kodak Instamatic 500 camera among some things in storage. Since it’s probably one of the earliest Instamatics, would it be valuable?

Granted, it is an early model, but that does not make it rare. This camera from 1963 is now worth about $25.

Dear Collector: Can you give me a price on this Terri Lee & Pat doll?

Established in 1946, Terri Lee made composition dolls, then switched to other materials. Your circa 1955 “Connie Lynn” is composed of hard plastic with a natural wig. Value is $100 to $400, depending on condition. The only Pat in the mark used by this doll maker is Pat. Pending.

Dear Collector: Found these stamps in my mother’s basement, and intend to give them to my granddaughter to see if she would like to start a collection. Before I do, I’d like to know if they have any value.

Of the four examples sent, I’ll focus on the 30 cent air mail from the 1941-44 Twin Motor Transport Plane issue. While it has little monetary value, about 50 cents, it is a classic stamp done in light blue with great graphics.

Dear Collector: We’ve been told this plate is very, very old. A search of the Internet hasn’t shed any light on Jabez Blackhurst, the person who made it.

There’s not much background to be found on this Staffordshire manufacturer of earthernware. All I came up with is that he was in partnership with another potter named Knapper before going into business on his own in 1872. Blackhurst ceased operations at his Boston Works plant in 1883.

Dear Collector: Can you give me an evaluation on this 1933 Esquire magazine in pristine condition?

You have the first edition, published in October of that year. High value for your mag could reach $100.

Dear Collector: Could you tell me where our statuette was made?

If your turn it over, you should see “Made in Japan.”