HH Antiques owner and life-long collector, Joyce answers your antiques and collectibles questions. If you have a question you’d like to ask Joyce, fill out the contact form. We will publish questions and answers we think others will find informative. Enjoy!

Joyce, I have a meat grinder with the year 1890 engraved on the side. It is in good condition and I was wondering if it was worth anything.
— Tracy

Hello Tracy, Food grinders are quite common. Some households still find them useful for grinding meats, fruits etc. There are some that are older and more valuable, such as the brand name ‘Griswald’. Larger food grinders were used for making sausage. Smaller specialized grinders were for herbs and spices. The average size, common grinders sell for $12.00 - $18.00. Antique, specialty grinders are valued $25.00 - $40.00.
—Thanks for your inquiry, Joyce

Hi. I found a bottle buried about 10 inches in the ground at a nature trail. Actually my Jack Russel Terrier found it haha. I just wondered if it was worth anything. Its about 4 1/2 inches tall, clear, thick glass. It looks to me like an old soda bottle maybe but its a lot wider. The bottle is about 2 inches wide. The bottom rim is corrigated. Clockwise on the bottom there is a 79 at 3o’clock, what looks like “II L” at 6o’clock, 4 dots that make a square at 9o’clock and what looks like an NY symbol at 12o’clock. This might be too much information or you may have no clue what im talking about and that’s ok haha i was just curious as to what kind of bottle this was.
— Danyelle

Hello Danyelle, The description of your found bottle was actually pretty good! The NY is easy, it was most likely manufactured in New York. The 79 generally would be a date, but 1979 would be fairly new! Is the glass cloudy, (oxidized)? Is the opening on top threaded for a cap or plain (for a cork stopper)? It could be a food bottle or medicine bottle.
— Joyce

I have a small vintage crock that is whiteish/light brown mix and on the out side it has a “ribbed” feel and apperance to it, like lines going around it, on the inside it is smooth, and in the bottom a sort of swirl pattern? It does have a mark on the bottom of the crock, it is in medium numbers “4004″, I was wondering if you thought this piece was old, (witch Im sure it is), and what its worth may be, if any, it’s just I have not seen one with the number markings on it before, your advice and help would be very much appreciated! Thank you so much!
— Leah

Hello Leah, It sounds likes your crock is antique, the outside band designs are called ribbed. Usually these smaller wares were used in the kitchen for cottage cheese, yogurt or butter. The age is usually late 19th century through 1940’s. Once electricity and refrigeration was accessible the need for crocks lessened. The average market value for a small ribbed crock is $15.00 - $18.00 (Some of the most valuable crocks are decorated with a cobalt design.)
—Thank you for your inquiry, Joyce

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 about 13 kentucky derby mint julep glasses. They range in age from about 1950-1976. Most are frosted and some have gold print on them. Any idea what they are worth?
— Thanks alot, B.R.

The older the glasses the more valuable. Pre-WWII are the most valuable (1940s and earlier). I see the 1950s Derby glasses offered in my shop in the $6.00 - $12.00 per glass price range. If the colors/gold decoration is faded and worn the value significantly decreases. Hope this info helps. I appreciate your inquiry.
— Joyce

I have an antique surveyors transit, I’m having trouble finding information out on it and I wondered if you could help. It’s from the L. Beckmann Co. of Toledo, OH. I’m not necessarily trying to sell it, but I would like to know its value. I’m useing it decoratively in my house right now and got a comment on it’s possible worth. There is also a name inside the lid, a Robert Sullivan from Bowling Green, OH. I don’t know if you can help me with this sort of thing, but any response at all would be greatly appreciated.
— Thank you kindly, J.L.

Does the surveyor’s transit look like a small telescope? I once had a similar item in my shop and a geologist bought it for his collection of antique tools. With the Bowling Green reference, perhaps your item belonged to a geology student used for field study. (BGSU has a great geology dept.)

How to tell if it is an antique: Is there a patent date near the manufacturer’s mark? Does it have a case and is it made of wood, metal or plastic? The age of the item will help determine its value.
— Thanks for your inquiry, Joyce

I have a antique leather double release dog collar and leash. It says spratt patent Ltd, and holds two dogs. But that’s all I can read on it. The collar’s connect with metal and have a cord running thru the leash to release the dogs. Can you help me with any information on this item? I would really appreciate it! Thank-you in Advance
— C.S.

Dog (and cat) collectibles are always popular. As far as value, if the leather is in good condition and the buckles are interesting (hand wrought, dated etc.) the item has more appeal and is more valuable. Several dog leashes in price guides go up to $65.00. Based on your pictures, the metal parts look old with a beautiful patina, the leather is in very good condition. Someone has taken excellent care of this item. Due to its rarity and condition I would price this piece in my shop at $85.00-$100.00. This antique leash could possibly sell for more if the “right pet lover customer” wanted it.
— Joyce

I have a collection of drinking glasses that are very fragile. They each have a face of a president in gold along with a gold rim. My mom had said they got them out of soap? I believe they go up to Eisenhower. Are they worth anything today? Thank you.
— L.M.

Hello, In response to you question about the president tumblers, the fact that the newest ones of the collection are about 50 years old make the set attractive. Is the set complete from George through Dwight? What is the condition of the gold, worn off or in unused condition? There is a set of collectible tumblers of presidents, I found in my research. The average price range I found for president tumblers is $4.50 - $6.00 each. I am not sure if your glasses are the same issue. Are you able to send an image of one? A picture would help me determine if your glasses are rare or unusual. It was not uncommon to get premium dishes or glasses with purchases of soap of other items from 1930’s through the 60’s. Thanks for your question.
— 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

Hello, i have an old bottle marked City Bottling Works Toledo Ohio with the trade mark sp on the front. the label is in the glass bottle itself(raised lattering, bottom marked C.B.W. and its 11 and 3/4″ tall and a light geen shade…can you tell me anything about this. I dug it up in Seattle Washington…Thanks
— J.D.

Hello JD, I think it is interesting a Toledo bottle turned up in Seattle. Cool! I have similar bottles available in my shop priced at $12.00 - $25.00 depending on their condition. If the glass is cloudy or the lettering is scratched the value decreases. Look on the bottom of the bottle, the raised number will include the date the bottle was manufactured, the center mark could have an O and an I superimposed. If so, the bottle was made in Toledo, OH by a local company Owens Illinois. Thanks for your inquiry, hope this information 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, I have 2 old newspappers 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

Joyce, I have a Pearsons of Chesterfield, 1810 Made in England Water crock. #3 It is all cream in color and in excellent shape. Is this an antique and what would the value be on it?? I searched the web and could not really find any good information.
— R.N.

Crocks are fairly common and generally date around 1880-1930. Your piece sounds a lot older than the usual. Brown and tan glazes are colors used most often. Cobalt blue was used for marking the number/size (on your crock 3) and in rare cases for decoration. Most crocks do not have handles. More valuable crocks have applied “strap style” handles. Very rarely are utilitarian crocks signed by an artist or maker, if the piece is signed that certainly would make it more valuable. It sounds like you have more of a treasure than a common crock.
— 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

Dear Joyce, we have this picture I thought you might enjoy seeing it also belonged to my husbands grandparents.
— A.J.

Hello, it’s a charming print. [A Victorian Print of children and hunting scene about 9″ across in size.] It appears to be a lithograph, and the frame looks original. Children and animals are very desirable subject matter. I would price something like that in my shop around $60 dollars. Enjoy your treasure!
— Joyce