Joyce, I have some antique jewelry that is very tarnished. Should I clean it? Will it damage it or decrease the value?

— Linda

Dear Linda, What great question. Tarnish is sometimes referred to as patina. It is the lovely dark, rich, finish that appears on metals after years of exposure to air. If the item is a bronze sculpture, an ornate silver tea set, a pair of copper bookends or a lovely gold or silver piece of jewelry whether or not to polish it is important. To clean antique sculptures and objects d’art generally they should only be dusted, not polished with cleaners. Serving pieces and jewelry should gently be cleaned with appropriate polishes. Leave some of the oxidation (black areas) in the design or ornamentation where applicable. Consult a reputable dealer or jewelry specialist when cleaning your particular piece.
—Thanks for you inquiry, Joyce

I’m missing one salad plate from my heirloom china set. Should I replace it? Will it have a better value if I replace it? What if I get a replacement that’s not part of my original set but the same pattern, will it still be worth as much? How do I find a replacement plate?
— Nancy

Hello Nancy, There are several options to completing your heirloom china set. There is a company called Replacements China.They have a warehouse of several patterns…antique to contemporary. I keep a Looking for Book with names/contact numbers which our dealers check often for sought after pieces. Keep the name of your pattern and maker with you so that when you stop in an antique shop you can check for your missing pieces.

Re:the value of an incomplete set…. There is no set of rules for how many place settings you need. Many collectors want at least a service for 4. Other collectors strive to complete a holiday set for 24! Missing just one salad plate is not tragic… a simple pattern plate could “fill in” till you find the replacement piece you need.

I know collectors that have inherited several sets of china. It was impossible to keep them all, so they kept one (or two) place settings of each and set their holiday table or dinner party table with unique and varied patterns. Matching each style/decoration with the appropriate guest. Sounds fun? It is beautiful! That way they enjoy the patterns from each grandmother that they have inherited the china. Storage is not a problem and the rest of the set is still large enough to sell or pass on to another relative.

— Hope these suggestions help, Joyce

Hi Joyce, I have an antique wooden side table that has some small water damage on the top and some of the finish is coming off. Should I refinish it? Will it still be as valuable?
— Laurie

Hi Laurie, I hear your question often about whether or not to refinish. If the table is of museum quality, over 100 years old, made by a famous furniture maker or a treasured family heir loom… before refinishing is important to know the answer to the above questions.

How bad is the damage, could just the small area be repaired, is it veneer vs. solid wood? If it a relatively newer piece 50 years old or newer, not made by a famous furniture maker, but has family sentimental value, I usually suggest having it fixed so that you will enjoy using the piece. If it is stained or has a warped top and it bothers you you will be less likely to enjoy it… go ahead and repair it. Some of my customers use a doily to cover small blemishes, some damages are easily fixed with special wood cleaners etc.

If you find that your piece is valuable- take it to a reputable furniture conservator. Hope this helps. If you need names of furniture restorers or need help in determining the value of your piece I will be happy to help.

— Thanks for your inquiry, Joyce

I have a Toledo Scale that I would like to sell. I have no idea what would be a fair price or where to post an ad. I was hoping you could give me some guidance. I really need to get it out of my garage. I’d also like to clean it up a bit. What’s the best way to do that?
-Vida

Hello Vida, good news! Toledo is usually the best market place to sell Toledo Scales. A few points that add to the value of your scale: the condition it is in and that the gold Toledo decal is very legible. Try listing locally on craigslist.com (avoiding shipping costs for the buyer). A fair price approximately 45.00 – 50.00 for a used, but in decent condition Toledo Scale. If it were mint condition… it would be worth a lot more. However, there is always the possibility of getting more if your find the right customer!

In regards to cleaning it, dust and clean it lightly- careful not to remove any labels. Use mild soap and water (dish soap is fine) to clean it, but be careful to not scrub! Gently remove the cobwebs and excess dirt and do not polish!
Good luck!
— Thanks for your inquiry, Joyce

My mother had an antique globe lamp that was broken some time ago. I have been searching to find the same lamp to give her as a gift. The lamp featured a fox hunting scene on the shade and globe. The shade and globe were both glass. The feet of the lamp were metal and curved. What is the best way to go about finding a specific item like this?
— A.K.

The lamp you described is commonly called a “Gone with the Wind” style lamp. There are a couple ways to search for a replacement one. A few questions: How old was the lamp? Do you have any photographs with your Mom’s lamp in them?

Try an Internet search on google, enter: Hunting Scene Gone with the Wind Lamp. If the lamp is older add the word antique to the search or try Hunting Scene Globe antique lamp. You’ll probably turn up hundreds of possibilities. Some of the sources will contain pictures of lamps for sale, which will help you compare to that of your Mom’s.

If you do have an old photograph around of your Mom’s lamp you could scan it and email to shops’ web sites (like mine) and ask if there are any similar ones available in their antique malls.
Hope this helps give you a start! Thank you for your inquiry.
— Joyce

I have some rooster figurines. What would be their value?
- Celeste

It depends. If they have a label or maker mark they have a higher value. What does their mark say? “Made in Japan” values on the lower end, and Shawnee or McCoy prices are higher. The larger roosters (9″+) increase the value, more detail and brightly colored is better. The price range would be $5.00 – $12.00 each or more if you have a set or pair.
Hope that helps, -Joyce

Joyce, I am not sure what to collect. I like so many things, what should I buy?
— S.M.

Choose pieces that appeal to you. Don’t worry about what is popular. Buy items in excellent or near perfect condition, and if it is not an objet d’art, enjoy and use your piece.
— Joyce

Hi Joyce, what’s the value of a 1908 singer sewing machine?
— Jon

First of all, Singer is an excellent brand name! Here are some things that increase value: decorative drawers and trim, treadle machines in working condition, and having the original book and accessories. A Treadle Singer Machine of similar age, in working condition, with a beautiful oak cabinet sold at HH Antiques for $175.00 (5 years ago). Several treadle machines have been for sale in the 15 year history of the store and the prices have varied from $100.00 – $250.00 (the $250.00 had original wood finish).

In yard sales and estate sales I’ve seen sewing machines priced around $75.00. There is not a very strong market for them in poor condition. And one of the most desirable machines is the Featherweight; they can be valued $300.00 or more! Hope that helps and let me know if you need more info.
— Joyce

Hi, I have 2 old newspapers 1 from August 14, 1945 saying Japan surrenders Front Page with Douglas McCather and Admiral Nimitz. The newspapper is The Toledo Times. Next is the toledo news-bee dated August 2 1938. Please let me know how to find out more about value.
— D.W.

Unfortunately, the Toledo Papers w/ WWII Headlines are quite common. Unless they are in excellent condition, their value is under 10.00 each. If the condition is nearly perfect the paper is worth 20.00+ each and more valuable to Toledo collectors than elsewhere in the country. Your items appeal to both Military collectors and Newspapers collectors. It is best to store and preserve them flat in an acid free paper folder. Hope this info helps you.
— Joyce

Hi Joyce, We have a very old lamp that belonged to my husbands grandparents, We know it is very old as we have had it for 51 years ourselves. It has glass globes w pictures of moose on the top globe and base globe. Brownish in color it is 26″ tall. The top round globe is 32″ around and the bottom base globe is 22 ” oval shaped. It has a filigre base and apperars to have been oil but may have been converted to electric. we are not sure. Our grandparents were married in 1905 and we think they received this as a wedding present. We are interested in selling this lamp but do not have any idea where to take it. about 25 years ago a dealer came and offered us $500.00 for it but at the time we did not want to sell it and did not know anything about the dealer. Have you ever heard of one like this.
— A.J.

Your “Moose Lamp” is beautiful. It looks hand painted (as opposed to a decal). Looking in my price guide books lamps with animal images are valued more than lamps with flowers. The matching top and bottom globes are a plus. Prices range from 450.00 and up. Most are around the 600.00 range. The web site Kovels.com has a lot more prices available than the books I have on hand. I did not find your exact lamp. I would estimate your piece to be on the high end on the scale. From what I see [in the photo] I would price it in my shop around $850.00.
— Joyce

Hi Joyce, I have some TY Beanies in really good condition. I had them wrapped and stored and came across them while cleaning out some things for my moms garage sale. I researched online and it appears 2 of them might be worth a lot. Is this something you would be interested in looking at?
-Marianne

Hello Marianne, I don’t think my shop is the best place to sell Beanies. Millions were produced and collected. A few of the dealers have offered them for sale at practically give away prices. If you’re looking for a return on your investment try an online audience. Sell the rarer, best ones at premium prices, and possibly offer the rest as a lot (group) price. Also, some Beanie Collectors have given their treasured collection to children in the the hospital, especially when the toys are clean and new like.
Thank you for your inquiry,
— Joyce

Hi Joyce, I have wood chair from the hotel victory at Put In Bay Ohio. My father lived on Cataba Island Port Clinton as a boy he & his brothers saw this fire & went by boat to see it my father ran out of the fire with this chair on his back. I now have this chair. I talked to a lady at a museum at Put In Bay & she told me she thought there were 2 of these chairs one they had there it was all painted over I told her there must be 3 because I have one all original just like the day it sat in the hotel. hope to hear from you if you could give me a idea of the value of it & any other information you could give me on it.
— G.B.

Hello, Sounds like an exciting story. The chair looks like oak. Oak was popular for furniture making from 1890-1910. Look on the bottom of the chair seat for dates/numbers stamped in the piece. Regarding the value of the piece, it’s hard to access without seeing it in person. The connection with the Hotel makes me think it would be more valuable to local folks in Put-in-Bay.
— Joyce