The smart collector: Do as pros do - get the best, most current price information available

Q: I found three vintage sports pennants from the 1940s, but I can't find value for them. There's a reference book on pennant prices, but who wants to spend $18.95 for something you use once?

The smart collector: Potato-chip cans prove popular collectibles

Q: Many years ago, we bought a Japp's potato-chip can at a flea market. Does it have any value?

The smart collector: Finding a value range for paintings by obscure artist is job for an appraiser

Q: I bought some beautiful paintings in Germany decades ago. I need to assess personal property for insurance purposes and all I can give my agent are rough guesses on their purchase price, which I think is far less than today's value.

The smart collector: Internet sales shed some light on price range for vintage lamp

Q: I saw a small Pairpoint "puffy" lamp with lilacs, flowers and butterflies on the 8-inch shade. The base is tree-shaped brass. What is the price range for this fine specimen?

The smart collector: Founding Fathers', early presidents' signatures vary enormously in value

Q: Your column carried a photo of a Ben Franklin-signed deed that sold for $13,200. We have a document signed 1811 that grants land in Ohio to a family member. It's signed in two places by President James Madison and once by Secretary of State James Monroe. Is this of similar value? Should w…

The smart collector: Heavy, bulky, hard-to-move pianos difficult to give away, much less sell

Q: How can I find a home for a well-maintained circa 1920s upright piano? A local consignment shop was not interested at all. Several local churches have also turned it down. Any info?

The smart collector: Just being in a museum doesn't make it valuable

Q: Around 1953, my parents bought a Heywood-Wakefield dining room set of a credenza, dining table and four chairs. While visiting Wichita, we visited a museum and the exact credenza I now have was on display. What is value on these pieces?

The smart collector: How to figure the value of an old manual typewriter

Q: We found this Underwood No. 5 typewriter while cleaning out my parents' home. What do you think it's worth? What's the best way to get maximum value? I think a good cleaning would indicate a gem. Best I can tell, it's in great working order.

The smart collector: 1839 print showing Mt. Sinai could be worth a tidy amount

Q: My aunt was a high-ranking officer in the Salvation Army. As such, she received many gifts from visiting dignitaries. One is a lithograph, "Approach to Mount Sinai," by Wady Barah 2/17/1839. My family had it framed in the 1950s. Any info?

The smart collector: Quality antique steins bring best prices

Q: I came by these steins in the 1970s when my landlady, an old woman from Germany, was cleaning out her shed and told me I could have anything I wanted. I took this box of steins. I've never seen anything like them. Any info?

The smart collector: Older readers will remember odd-colored wartime pennies

Q: After a family member died, we found these bottles with 1942 pennies inside. Some are copper, but others are darker. I haven't found them anywhere on the Internet. Any info?

The smart collector: Decorated antique shooting gear more valuable

Q: We found these items after my father passed away. I know that two are powder horns. Can you give us any info on the rest of the stuff?

The smart collector: Antique glass paperweights can add heft to your wallet

Q: My grandfather has two antique glass paperweights he wants to know about. He says the maker is Stanhope. I can't find any info on the maker. Can you help?

The smart collector: Chest from estate sale with two-eagle crest likely was mass-made

Q: I bought this chest at an estate sale. After some research, I discovered that the emblems are Imperial Russian double eagles. I haven't been able to find any other information. Is the chest military? What era is it from? Is it rare? Any information will help.

The smart collector: Lion ornaments by 'Erik Kramer' could be the pride of any garden

Q: We bought this pair of Erik Kramer lions about 25 years ago at a local auction. In the same sale, many Remington bronzes were sold, so we assume these lions have value. We're having a hard time finding info on the artist. Can you help?

The smart collector: Bookends usually sell for theme, not maker

Q: We bought these bookends in Europe many years ago, Are they worth anything? Appreciate any info you can give.

The smart collector: 'Jar' is an ivy vase churned out in the 1920s

Q: This jar was given to a family member as a wedding gift in the 1920s. What can you tell me about it? It appears to have had a stopper, which is gone.

The smart collector: Remarque can add value to 'Canoeists' etching

Q: Can you tell us about our pencil sketch titled "Dedicated to the Canoeists of America?" Does it have any value? It's been in the family more than 70 years.

The smart collector: Web is best bet for selling opera glasses

Q: How does one find collectors? I'd like to sell two pairs of opera glasses passed down by my grandmother. They're in excellent condition. I'd prefer to sell to a collector rather than on the open market.

The smart collector: Hotel memorabilia is a treasure to some

Q: I have seven cocktail forks from the historic Planter House Hotel in St. Louis, Mo. How do I find out if they have any value?

The smart collector: Enrobed tiles, yellowed by age, desirable in old mahjong sets

Q: My mahjong set dates from before the early 1940s. There are ashtrays at the ends of each rack. I've searched online for sets with ashtrays and found none. I've never seen another like it. How do I determine value, and how can I sell this unique set? The case is in sad shape.

The smart collector: 'Webb Burmese' vases are actually fakes

Q: How do I find the value of three Webb Burmese vases? They have no maker marks, just a circle on the bottom.

The smart collector: Old switchboard can sell; online auction is best

Q: We inherited an old telephone switchboard. We can't find any serial numbers and have no idea how to go about selling it. Maybe Craigslist? Any ideas?

The smart collector: Condition, age of newspapers relevant to determine worth

Q: I have old newspapers from the American Civil War that describe battles. How do I determine their worth?

The smart collector: Owners hanging on to Icart prints amid price lull

Q: How should I sell two Icart prints in original frames that have been in the family for more than 60 years? Each is in excellent condition. I contacted several sources, but they were no help.

The smart collector: Pairpoint lamps are valuable - but only prime specimens

Q: Any info on a Pairpoint reverse painted lamp given to me by an elderly aunt? It's signed by a Pairpoint decorator. My aunt told me it was very valuable and would possibly sell for six figures in New York and for half that where I live.

The smart collector: Picasso sketches must be authenticated

An old friend recently gave me two pen-and-ink sketches by Pablo Picasso. They show a former lover of Picasso's, a Serbian countess named Countess Zamora. She was Picasso's mistress during the mid-'50s and went to Philadelphia after he passed away to take up with my friend. How can I sell it?

The smart collector: Value of plaster Bartha copy of the '40s can vary

More than 30 years ago, I rescued a beautiful plaster bust from the trash at a public-library branch. The name "Barthe" is scratched into the back of the base. From my research, I am assuming that it might have been created by Richmond Bartha. I don't know how to determine if the bust has an…

The smart collector: Several resources for info on fishing reels, tackle

These fishing reels belonged to my dad. We found them in a box marked "Antique." I know nothing about reels and have no idea how to find out if they have any value. Could you give me some direction on where to start?

The smart collector: Old stock certificate might have resale value

We have a certificate for 40 shares of stock for the Tucker Corp., which failed. We'd like to sell. Would it be of value to a collector? Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated.

The smart collector: Be wary selling old musical instruments

My husband was a professional orchestra musician who collected antique musical instruments. Since his death, I have many fine pieces to donate or sell. How do I start?

The Smart Collector: Ohio River pottery is confirmed as an authentic early piece

Q: I bought a white pitcher that I thought was made by the C.C. Thompson Pottery Co. But the mark on the bottom differs from their standard mark. Can you verify my mark?

The Smart Collector: Avoid gun dealers; auction is the best way to dispose of collection of valuable firearms

Q: My husband died last year and left an assortment of very old rifles and pistols. Some are very valuable. I want them out of the house, and I don't want anyone to know they are here. How do I go about selling them?

The Smart Collector: 'Swiss fake' pocket watch still can be valuable

Q: Have you ever Googled something and got zero hits? I've been looking for info on my grandfather's pocket watch made by Cook County Watch Co. for years, but when I Google or research, nothing comes up.

The Smart Collector: Tiffany label adds value to sterling-silver cake plate

Q: What can you tell us about our cake platter inscribed Tiffany and Co.? How can we sell it for more than just the weight of the silver?

The Smart Collector: Attractive Buddhas in fashion but value is limited

Q: Any info on my ceramic Buddha? It's from the personal shrine of a Japanese officer.

The Smart Collector: Especially with very worn paint, cookie jar is not worth much

Q: I need an honest appraisal for this 1948 Mammy cookie jar. It's 11 inches tall and has "McCoy" on the bottom. The paint is a bit worn, but that's to be expected. Could you please tell me how much this jar is actually worth and how to sell it at value?

The Smart Collector: Many factors determine worth of mantel clock

Q: What can you tell us about this clock? The works are by a maker in Frankfurt, Germany. We believe the casing may be French.

The Smart Collector: Glass vase's worth depends on what's on it

A: The vase seen in an image sent is a familiar shape from the Steuben Glass Works of Corning, N.Y. A bulbous shape with rounded shoulders, it's listed as mold No. 2683 in early Steuben catalogs. See it on www.cardersteubenclub.org

The Smart Collector: 'End of the Trail' was copied often, so shop for good buyer

Q: Any info on my sculpture, "End of the Trail," by James E. Fraser? It's about 31 inches tall by 29 inches long.

The Smart Collector: Many factors determine worth of Spalding baseball glove of '50s

Q: My Spalding baseball glove is from the early 1950s. There are letters and the name of Joe Crovin or whatever, and the mark 166M. Any info?

The Smart Collector: California pottery of 1940s-'50s has become a collector specialty

Q: I can't find any prices for my Westwood Ware of California bowl, plate and pair of candleholders. Can you help?

The Smart Collector: Toasters are a collector's item, but condition matters

Q: This toaster has been in the family for several generations. It's a Universal model, still functional, with the original cloth-covered cord. Do you know anyone interested in buying it?

The Smart Collector: Arizona's Nezzi produced handsome silver jewelry

Q: Today's column involves a mystery. All that arrived were two photos of a Native American silver necklace plus a blank sheet of paper, probably to protect the photos. That's all.

The Smart Collector: American Brilliant cut glass is beautiful but out of vogue

Q: We'd like to sell our cut glass punch bowl. We don't want to ship it, as it's very heavy. I can't find any signatures on the bowl, and I've examined it thoroughly with a magnifying glass. Any suggestions?

The Smart Collector: Hard-to-identify vase a gift item, not glass art

Q: Can you help me ID this vase? I've tried to find the pattern and maker for years. I call it Drape, but can't find the real name. Where can I learn about the vase? I've bought tons of reference books but no luck. Is it art glass?

The Smart Collector: Toy dinnerware set with box is an attractive piece

Q: I was given this china tea set from Japan as a child. It dates from the early 1960s. Is it a collectible?

The Smart Collector: Catnip for collectors: Prices flying high for art deco-era Lalique glass pigeons

Q: My Lalique glass pigeons weigh about 5 pounds each. What can you tell me about them? They date way back.

The Smart Collector: Ready to unload a collection? Here's advice from a pro

Q: Help! Any advice on how to sell my collections? I've amassed hundreds of items related to covered bridges. I want to take a load off my children.

The Smart Collector: Chinese artifacts are valuable; decorative wares are not

Q: Any info on my three Chinese porcelain bowls? The marks show they are from the Guangdong porcelain factory, 1875-1916. They are floral garden style, in very fine condition.