Incomplete souvenir still has value

Dear Collector,

I have enclosed a picture of a metal shoe with the following on the bottom: “Souvenir World’s Exposition, Chicago, 1893.”

My mother has had it for years and would like to know if it has any value.

Its origin speaks for itself, but there is something missing from this world’s fair memento. Intended as a pincushion (a Victorian household staple), the cloth ball into which the pins were thrust was probably discarded years ago. That shouldn’t affect this antique’s value, which is between $25 and $40. Another keepsake from the Chicago fair, a boot that doubles as a toothpick holder, has almost the same value at $30 to $40.

Dear Collector,

I have a 1902 copy of “Theodore Roosevelt, Patriot & Statesman” by Robert C.V. Myers. I would like to know if it has any value.

Wish I could say your illustrated biography of our 26th president is a rare and valuable book, but there are so many of them still around (books, not presidents) that one in very good condition is only worth $30 to $40.

Dear Collector,

Approximately 50 years ago the Quaker Oats Co. put dishes in its boxes of cereal. I have a service for eight, plus some extras, but no serving items. They are all stamped “Fortune, Made in U.S.A, H.L.C.” Can you tell me anything about them, including value?

Without knowing exactly which pieces you have and their condition, I’ll have to take a pass on their current value. However, I can tell you that Homer Laughlin, which makes Fiesta Ware, was responsible for your circa 1940s china service included in each package of Mother’s Oats (which I believe was owned by Quaker). Taylor, Smith and Taylor, an East Liverpool, Ohio, potter, also made this dinnerware pattern.

Dear Collector,

Can you tell me the value of a 1919 Lady Liberty/American Eagle 50-cent piece?

Called by most collectors the “Walking Liberty Half” (far and away my favorite U.S. coin design), your half-a-buck is worth as little as $8 or as high as ten of thousands, depending on rarity and condition.