The collector
Dear Collector,
We’ve had these Roseville pieces for years; what are they now worth?
All your 1940s era art pottery is in the White Rose design, which was available in three background colors: blue, pink/green and brown/green. The vase (No. 978) is worth $85; ewer (No. 990) about $300; a pair of candlesticks (No. 1141) $100; and shallow bowl (No. 391) $125.
Dear Collector,
How much is a Hopalong Cassidy compass from the 1950s worth?
There were at least two versions, both premiums offered by sponsors of Hoppy’s television show. The plastic wrist model has a potential high value of $75, while the rarer metal ring example goes for over $200.
Dear Collector,
I have no idea where the teapot in the enclosed photos comes from; can you throw any light onto its history?
Your art deco pot dates from the early 1930s and was made in England by the Staffordshire- based Price Brothers.
Dear Collector,
Does this Johnny Cash “Ring of Fire” record have any collector’s value?
Columbia released this monaural album in 1963, putting it among Johnny’s early efforts (his earliest recordings were with Sun, the same studio that had Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis in their stable). Value is between $5 and $10.
Dear Collector,
I’d guess that this old money is from Czechoslovakia; is that the case?
After the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell in 1918, Czechoslovakia was formed from Slovak and Czech lands. Your 50 korun bill, issued by the Provisional Government in 1919, has a current value of $10.
Dear Collector,
What would you say this old Royal Doulton toothbrush holder is worth?
Decorated with a “Hoopoe” (the colorful crested bird native to Asia and Africa), your handle-less porcelain piece is a toothpick holder dating from the 1920s whose value exceeds $50.
Dear Collector,
Enclosed find photos of a “Tom and Jerry” game for which I traded an outgrown bicycle at a swap meet several years ago. As far as I can tell, it’s complete and in very good condition. A friend suggested that it is worth about $50; was he close?
Debuting in 1940’s “Puss Gets the Boot,” Tom and Jerry have since appeared in more than 150 cartoons, winning their original studio, MGM, a handful of Oscars. As far as I can tell, there have been at least three board games based on this animated duo. The good news is that your 1948 game is the earliest, with a value of nearly $100.
Dear Collector,
In 1935, my mother-in-law bought a necklace that she bequeathed to me. It has green emerald-like stones set in yellow gold. I cannot find any marks. I want to give it to my son’s daughter, but don’t I know its value; can you tell me?
No pictures, no marks, no can do.
Dear Collector,
What info can you give me on a cookie jar shaped like a windmill that has the letters “FAP” stamped into the bottom?
Fredericksburg Art Pottery Company of Ohio would account for the initials. Your jar was made sometime after 1940 but before 1965. Value is a modest $50.