Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Feeder’s value: drop in the bucket


Any invalid feeder is difficult to date and price.
 (The Spokesman-Review)
Glenn Erardi the Collector™ The Spokesman-Review

Dear Collector,

When I was given this item, I was told it was pre-Civil War and was used to give a drink to someone in bed. There are no markings on the bottom. Please tell me if that’s what it was used for?

Correctly called an “invalid feeder,” it is almost impossible to place a correct date on your porcelain piece without a backstamp or other markings. In use from the Roman era right up to WWII, invalid feeders have been made of glass, silver and pewter. Collectors look for unusual shapes or vibrant decorations, neither of which yours has. Without a dependable provenance, I would guesstimate it being late 19th century and having a value of $15-$25. By the way, if you live in an area with older housing stock, say Queen Anne or the like, then you may see very small exterior balconies with a single door on the upper floors; these were known as invalid porches. In days when TB was called “consumption,” the sufferer was often placed on the porch during good weather as part of his or her treatment.

Dear Collector,

I would appreciate an estimated value of this No. 3-A Kodak pocket model camera that was found while cleaning out my aunt’s attic?

Dating from just prior to the Great War, Kodak made a great number of this type of foldout camera. Unless it has an important history behind it, or something significantly attractive, such as a red bellows, the 3-A has little value: around $10 to $15.

Dear Collector,

Enclosed is a copy of a letter signed by Albert Payson Terhune. In 1941, when I was thirteen-years old, I read the book “Lad, a Dog” written by Mr. Terhune. I wrote to him when my wonderful dog had been stolen and I was devastated. He was king enough to respond. Please tell me if this letter has any real value?

Terhune, who would die less than a year after you received his letter, was an extremely popular and prolific novelist. His mother, Mary Virginia Hawes, was a writer also. It’s odd that you ask me about the real value of his letter. Value doesn’t always have a dollar sign. I think you know what it meant to that young girl in 1941 … it was priceless!

Dear Collector,

How old is this platter marked “Waterloo Potteries, T&R Boote?”

Brothers Thomas and Richard Boote began their partnership in the 1850s. Your platter is easily dated to 1893 using the English Design Registry numbers you sent along. Marked as semi-porcelain (considerably less expensive than true porcelain), without a photo to determine its pattern and decorations, I’d say your platter is worth $30-$40.

Dear Collector,

Is it true that I can buy something real cheap today, sit on it for a couple of years and it will become more expensive?

Not really! I’ve been sitting on the same office chair for years, and as far as I know it hasn’t increased in value.