THE COLLECTOR

Dear Collector, Could you please tell me the value of my vase? It is marked “Roseville, USA, 92-8.”

Dating from the early 1940s, the first two digits denote the pattern, while the third describes the vase’s height in inches. Decorated with blossoms of the magnolia tree, this design was one of Roseville’s most popular lines and is now listed in price guides at between $150 and $200.

Dear Collector, I was given these two Pan Am spoons many years ago. On their back is written “International Silver Co., PAA Exclusive.” I was wondering if they are of any value.

It was back in the 1950s that Pan American Airlines provided their passengers with quality cutlery and china at meals. Nowadays, passengers get a bag of peanuts and a soda. Right now your spoons are valued at about $7 each.

Dear Collector, I got Honus Wagner’s autograph in 1936 when I had a conversation with him at a baseball game between the Phillies and Pittsburgh. Please tell me if it’s worth anything?

Johannes “John” Peter Wagner (1874-1955) is considered to be the best shortstop in the history of baseball. In fact, the year you met him was when he became a member of the inaugural class at the Baseball Hall of Fame. His signed items are eagerly sought by collectors. Your memento has a potential value of several hundred dollars.

Dear Collector, Could you please give me the value of this Gold Medal cookbook published in 1910?

Issued by Gold Medal Flour and making its first appearance bearing that title in 1900, this book was originally released as “Washburn-Crosby Company’s New Cook Book” in the 1890s. Your copy, a little worse for wear, is worth at most $20.

Dear Collector, I have several two-and-a-half dollar gold coins dated 1927. Are they worth more than $5 collectively?

This Indian Head coin, designed by Bella Pratt (he is also responsible for the pair of large statues flanking the entrance to the Boston Public Library), is called a “quarter eagle” because it’s one-fourth of an eagle — the nickname for the $10 gold piece. Containing slightly more than 4 grams of 90 percent gold, your coins are worth at least $135 each.

Dear Collector, Please tell us who made our pitcher/ewer? The only name I see is “Epic.”

A Derbyshire pottery, Bourne & Son, made your stoneware piece in the 1930s.

Dear Collector, Any value to some “Lost in Space” View-Masters?

If you have the complete 1967 three reel set with accompanying booklet and sleeve, they’d be worth $40 to $60.

Dear Collector, In the last 30 years, I’ve moved at least five times and carried this old Ithaca shotgun to each new dwelling. Was it worth my labor?

Since its founding in the 1880s, this New York gun maker’s name has become almost synonymous with shotguns. Your particular model, The New Ithaca Gun, in what looks like a fair to good grade, has a value of about $200.