Kovel's Antiques & Collectibles

Prices compiled monthly from sales and advertisements.

Q: This plate belonged to my grandmother. It’s about 17 1/2 inches in diameter. The back is marked “Mettlach 2998.” How much is it worth?

Q: My mother left me a bright orange tea set that had been in her china cabinet since at least 1940. It includes a teapot, covered sugar, creamer and six cups, saucers and small plates. Pieces are marked on the back with a crown surrounded by the words “Victoria” and “Czecho-Slovakia.” I’ve heard it described as lusterware and would appreciate knowing more about its history and value. Could it have been a wedding gift in 1926?

Q: I have never seen an old flat iron like mine. It’s marked “Geneva Hand Fluter” on the top piece. Can you tell me more about it? Value?

Q: I have an odd vase. From one side it looks like a little boy, and from the other like a fish. It says “SS Snookums” on the boy side. I don’t know where it came from, so I don’t know its history. What is it worth?

Examples of factory marks used on Royal Worcester porcelain

Wooden Sculptures ... Tiffany Lamps ... Vintage Food Tins ... Pez Candy Dispensers ... Roseville Pottery ... Arts & Crafts Stands & Side Tables ... On the Road in Burton, Ohio ... Royal Worcester Marks ... Collector's Gallery ... Prices

Vegetables as Flowers ... Music Record ... Fruit Jar Advice ... Know Someone Turning 80? ... Pottery Barn Repro Pieces ... Tripod Lamp ... Judging Age ... Christmas Ornaments ... Don't Give Up on Collecting ... Casino Chips ... Vintage Clothing ... Low Lamps

Dear Lee, Lots of odds and ends from articles in my clipping file...

Sneakers ... Hallmark Dolls ... American Brilliant Cut Glass ... EBay Fees ... Fruit Jars ... Coin Silver Spoons

Eye-Catchers and Bargains

"Qualified" Appraisers

Jadite Animal Dish ... Kewpies ... Bottles

Don’t pass up a 20th-century hand-carved wooden sculpture if you spot one at a house sale or show. We found a few at recent auctions.

This 1905 Tiffany Studios “Poppy” table lamp lit up the room at a New York City auction when it sold for $104,500. We enlighten you about the best of Tiffany lamps.

A collector of old advertising tins couldn’t contain himself and bid $385 for this Schrafft’s candy pail at an upstate New York auction. We lift the lid on more information about collecting food tins.

“The doctor is in,” and so are a lot of vintage Pez candy dispensers. This Pez container with a doctor head was surgically removed from a Pennsylvania auction for a healthy $115. We dispense more information about collecting Pez holders.

Roseville pottery is a collector favorite. More than 350 pieces of Roseville’s commercial pottery were offered at a fall Belhorn auction.

Picture this Gustav Stickley portfolio stand in your house. One collector did, and snapped it up for $9,600 at an Illinois auction. You could buy other small Arts and Crafts stands and side tables for less, though. So keep your chin up and see our story.

Take Care with Glass Lampshades ... Regluing Chairs ... Washing Dishes and Glasses ... Dust Cloths