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: 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: 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: 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.

Comic strips may have serious value

Q: I inherited the complete "Prince Valiant" comic strip, from the beginning in 1937. Also letters from the strip's writer, saying this is a more complete set than his. Everything is bound in book form. Value?

Small stoneware bowls are a puzzler

Q: A friend gave me these little pots for Christmas. Each is about 2 1/2 inches high and 3 inches across and holds about a half-cup of liquid. Any info?

Hybrid clock won't sell as a Tiffany

Q: What can you tell me about my floor clock? The dial is marked Tiffany and Co. My research indicates that Tiffany did not make clocks but had clocks made for them. Because it is painted in chinoiserie, can I assume it was painted for the European market?

Explaining Limoges, Haviland quirk

Q: How do I find replacement pieces for an inherited set of Limoges Haviland? I have the Schleiger number but can't find pieces. I'm beginning to think it was the only set made with that pattern. I also need replacement Fostoria stemware. Where do I look?

If insurance is a concern, get appraisal

Q: I inherited a Hummel Nativity set with the V and bumblebee sign plus a 214. Just wondering if I should have it listed separately on my homeowner's policy.

Belter furniture hard to spot; hers isn't one

Q: Here are images of what the family has always called the "Belter" chair. Is it Belter?

Few of today's watches are really collectible

Q: I bought a ladies Jaeger-LeCoultre watch in Nassau in the early 1960s. How do I sell it?

Who would collect mourning memorabilia? You Might Be Surprised

Q: I need to sell several late-1800s mourning items, including jewelry, a hair wreath, pieces of clothing and many coffin plates. Being new to the world of antiques, I have no idea how to begin.

Cookie jar from '60s, not antique

Q: I inherited a Raggedy Andy cookie jar marked "Twin Winton" years ago. My 74-year-old sister remembers it from our childhood. Is it an antique? Value?

Lamp historians illuminate collector

Q: I'm looking for info on an oil lamp I inherited. Based on research, I believe it is a George Gardiner lamp made in Burlington, Ontario. Can you tell me about scarcity and value?

Putting a value on cast-iron banks

Q: I'd like to learn about my cast-iron banks and their value. One is a pig, the other a kitten with a pink bow. Both are in two parts and are held together with a screw.

This 'marriage' wasn't made in heaven

Q: Do I have a Handel lamp? I had it appraised once, but I've moved so often I can't find the appraisal. Is my other lamp a Tiffany? Your column had a photo of a lamp that brought a huge sum at auction.

: Plates, including DeGrazia's, are hard sell

Q: My wife left many collector plates in their original boxes. How do I sell them? One is DeGrazia's "Los Niños."

: Batteries included excludes Rolex fans

Q: Years ago, I bought a Rolex Oyster chronometer wristwatch in the PX. I didn't like it because I had to change the battery. A friend told me that Rolex didn't make many, so it is worth more because it is rare. Your comment?

: Little stove's owner is really cooking

Q: What can you tell me about this little stove that has been in the family for many years? I've always been told that it was what salesmen carried to sell the regular size. It is very heavy.

: Watch may have been general's; authentication is key for

Q: My pocket watch belonged to Mexican Gen. Miguel Miramón, who served with Emperor Maximilian. He was executed alongside the emperor. Value on the watch?

: Demand is low for silver plate items

Q: I recently inherited silver plate pieces by differing manufacturers. I've searched the Web and local library but cannot find info on makers or possible value.

: Item from poet's youth a tough sell

Q: I was a classmate of "Beat" poet Allen Ginsberg when we both lived in Paterson, N.J. We were both in a school talent event when we were 14. I have the original program with Ginsberg's name inside. Value?

Age is only one part of violins' value

Q: How old does a musical instrument have to be to have value? My violins are dated 1714 and 1713.

The Smart Collector: Note auction items' descriptions

Q: Can you tell me the value of three Limoges pieces I bought at auction about 10 years ago? My wife and I love them, but I know nothing about them.

: EBay best for Bicentennial $2 bills

Q: I have eight two-dollar bills dated 1976, bought for the U.S. Bicentennial, and four bear postal cancellation stamps from New York state. Do they have any value beyond $2?

: Tracking high-end antiques: Internet has turned the whole wide world into a bazaar

Q: I bought a Hoody's pail peanut butter tin years ago. When I see it now, it's priced from $500 to $800. Why is it valued so high? Is there a collector's organization where I can find a buyer? I won't get book value on eBay.

: Lalique products' value varies widely

Q: My wife inherited a crystal tray given in the 1960s by the French ambassador's wife. It has five doves surrounded by leaves or ferns, and measures 17 3/4 by 12 1/16 inches. It weighs 10 pounds and is marked "Lalique France." Value? What is the best way to sell? It has a very small chip on…

: Fish bitters bottle looks like a keeper 3/4 Calendar

Q: I found a Dr. Fisch's Bitters bottle in excellent condition. The patent reads 1866, the glass is amber and the cork is intact. How do I find out if it is original or a copy?

: Pre-Depression glass set is a valuable heirloom

Q: I'm not into antiques or collecting, but this bowl and candlesticks were wedding gifts to my parents in 1916. Mother told me the gold was 24 karat. Any info?

: Champagne's power is in numbers at auctions

I was given a bottle of champagne for a wedding gift, the same cuvée served at Charles and Diana's wedding. How do I find value and how do I sell?

: Ensuring drawing's authenticity is key

I have a doodle self-portrait drawn by, signed and dated by Ronald Reagan. Value?

: 'Fair price' depends on changing factors

My 97-piece collection of Royal Copenhagen dishes, including unusual serving pieces, was bought about 50 years ago. I'm trying to sell, but everyone offers little money. Am I better off splitting the set, or selling in Denmark? I've eliminated selling on eBay or at auction, or to Replacement…

: Autographed baseball glove isn't neat

I have a glove autographed by 11 Hall of Famers from Babe Ruth to Joe DiMaggio. Would it add value if I also had a HOF third baseman? All of the autographs have been authenticated.

: N.J. wares find wider audience online

Will Mercer and Stangl pottery sell best in New Jersey?

: 'Goering' dagger calls for real proof

Q: My late husband served in World War II and was given his choice of three things from the Nuremberg loot bins. One was Hermann Goering's personal dagger. I feel guilty having it, as I'm sure it would mean much to an institution/person. The grandkids took the special ribbon from it.

Rarely seen items not always rare

Q: Years ago my mother gave me a piece of Hull Art pottery. I have never seen another like it. Value?

: Decorative platter could fetch $225

This was given to me in the 1970s by an aunt. The platter is almost 14 inches across. Who is the maker? Value?

: Old jukeboxes can play a pricey tune

We own several Wurlitzer jukeboxes from the 1950s. All are original and in perfect condition. How do we sell?

: Bronze bust was common in Europe

Q: Our bronze bust from Vienna seized by the Nazis was restored to the family after World War II. It is so heavy that I hid it in a closet while the children were young because I did not want anyone to get hurt! Is it valuable?

: No way cane was a gift from Lincoln

Q: I have a cane that was given to my great-grandfather by President Abraham Lincoln. The black cane is 37 1/2 inches tall. The handle twists off, and inside are four clear glass vials with plastic lids that snap on. I want an appraisal so I can sell.

: Golf-ball box memorable but worthless

Q: I was by the 18th green when Arnold Palmer won his last tournament. His caddy opened a ball box and tossed the empty toward a trash can, but it did not go in. I made my way there and have the Maxfli HT sleeve that held the last ball Arnie ever won with. Is it worth anything?

: Track down value without appraiser

Q: My mother gave me a Roseville vase in 1975 and told me to take good care of it, as it may be valuable someday because the company went out of business. It is jade green with lilies of the valley. Can you give the name of a good appraiser of pottery?

: Popeye watch worth lots of spinach

Q: My original Popeye wristwatch is from 1935. The band with Mickey and Minnie Mouse is a replacement, but it is old. The watch works, but the crystal is a replacement. Value?

$5.25 Goodwill buy is worth plenty

Q: I paid $5.25 for this silhouette at a Goodwill store. The wooden frame is 10 1/2 inches by 13 1/2 inches. The silhouette of a family is signed "T. Dempsey, 1847." Any information on the value and the painter?

: Just a few Elvis discs worth a fortune

Q: I bought this Elvis Presley RCA record in the late '60s. There's "Blue Christmas" on one side and "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" on the other. It has the original jacket. Value?

: Astronaut's, golf greats' autographs

Q: This cardboard periscope signed by golf greats including Jack Nicklaus, Billy Casper and Tony Lema is from the 1964 PGA championship. Value, and how do I sell?

Attractive lamp is an Art Deco find

Q: What is this? I found it in my brother's things after he passed away. No one can tell what it is. There is a light bulb in the globe.

Set dating to 1800s is worth plenty

Q: Here are photos of a family heirloom, a three-piece candelabra set showing the capture of John Andre, a British spy who plotted with Benedict Arnold. How do I find who made it, where and when? Value?

: Native baskets could fetch hundreds

Q: Any info on two baskets I found in my mother's attic in northern Maine? They have to be at least 50 years old. I'm guessing they were made by Native Americans.

: Waterford pieces can fetch nice prices

Q: My mother had a collection of Waterford boxes and figural objects such as ships, paperweights, etc. How can I sell them? I'd like to get what she paid for the pieces.