Antiques and Collectibles Antiques and Collectibles (March 19, 2004)

By Anita Gold

Q: I have all kinds of old stuff that my mother saved and collected over a period of 50 years and left to me. Is there a price guide that'll help me determine their value?
-- Mildred Jones, Green Bay, WI

A: The "Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2004" edited by Kyle Husfloen is a big, thick new price guide with current values for all kinds of old stuff that'll serve as a help mate in evaluating accumulations of items as well as those found in homes, resale shops, garage sales, flea markets, or any other places where old stuff and junk can be found (or fought over in tug-of-war battles). It's available in a gigantic 1,168-page edition with more than 13,500 listings, and thousands of black and white photographs plus a color section for $21.99 postpaid from Krause Publications, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001. Or call (800) 258-0929 to order.

Q: I have a set of Russel Wright dishes by Knowles dating from the 1940s. Are there any books where I can find information regarding their value?
-- Esther Bernhardt, Columbia, SC

A: Knowles patterns are marked with a gold stamp on Russel Wright china, and therefore such pieces are easier to identify. Knowles patterns and pieces designed by Russel Wright can be found pictured in color with their descriptions and values in the "Collector's Encyclopedia of Russel Wright -- Identifications & Values, Third Edition" available in a 304-page hardcover edition, for $32.95 postpaid from Collector Books, P.O. Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009.

Q: How can I tell the difference between a hand-painted plate and one that has a printed design on it?
-- Kathy Phillips, Columbia, SC

A: A magnifying glass will do the trick. If you see that the design is composed of a succession of tiny dots, you'll know it's printed, but if you see small brush marks or strokes you'll know it's handpainted. However, some china pieces have printed designs that are partially handpainted over the printed parts to give it a more elegant look.

Q: How can I find out the value of old sheet music? My grandpa left me several boxes of old sheet music. -- Carol Peterson, Indianapolis, IN

A: You'll find updated values for old popular sheet music in the 2004 second edition of "The Sheet Music Reference & Price Guide" by Anna Marie Guiheen & Marie-Reine A. Pafik, available in a 319-page edition for $22.95 postpaid from Collector Books, P.O. Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009. Or phone (800) 626-5420 to order.

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