Did you hear about the man in Oakland, California, who purchased an old trunk at a garage sale for $20 and auctioned it off later for $5,629?
Turns out the trunk was produced in the early 1900s by the french luxury luggage maker, Francois Goyard of Paris. It really pays to check out those garage sales readers. Write and let me know your latest finds.
Question: Can you tell me anything about my solid cherry bedroom set with dresser, chest, bedside table? It's in excellent condition. - E.K., Marietta.
Answer: Your bedroom suite was made by Kling Furniture Factory of Mayville, New York, in 1939. The furniture company was sold in 1962 to Ethan Allen, which kept the Kling Colonial line alive for years. Your bedroom suite is valued at $400 to $600.
Q.: I have a 6 1/2-inch tall "Uncle Sam" vase made by McCoy Pottery. Can you tell me what it is worth? - K.E. Williamstown.
A.: Reproductions of "Uncle Sam" vase have been around for years. The original vase measured 7 1/4 inches tall, not 6 1/2 inch. The original vase is worth $45 to $50. Your reproduction has very little value.
Q.: I have an old armless rocking chair that's marked Cochran Chair Company, Cochran, Indiana. Can you tell me how old it is and what it would be worth? - F.W., St. Marys, W.Va.
A.: Cochran Chair Company was in business from 1879 up to 1983. A Cochran, Indiana, label on one of there chairs means it was made before 1900. Cochran labels reading Aurora, Indiana, indicates the furniture was made after 1900. Chairs just like yours are today selling for less than $150 each at auction.
Q.: I have an old wooden "Coal Hud" that was used to carry coal to a fireplace. It comes with a brass shovel to move the coal. Can you tell me what it is worth? - G.S., Lowell.
A.: Your coal hud and shovel is worth $250 to $300 price range if it's in great shape.
Q.: My parents gave me an old "gingerbread clock" that had been in the family for years. It has a walnut case and a paper label reading the name, "Emil Beyer watchmaker & jeweler." Can you tell me anything about the clock? - S.W., Marietta.
A.: Emil Beyer immigrated to the U.S. from Germany around 1880, and was the sole proprietor of his family's jewelery shop in Erie, Pa., from 1900 until his death in 1919. The shop sold Gingerbread clocks and other clocks. Your clock was made around 1914 and is valued at $175 to $200, depending on condition.
Readers, keep those letters coming. See you back here next week.
Larry Koon is the author of several price guide books on antiques and collectibles. His column appears every Monday on Life. Send letters to Treasure in the Attic, koonantiques@yahoo.com. When writing, send a complete description of the item, along with size, color, any markings on the item along with condition the item is in, and how the item was obtained, and any other information. If possible, send a photo.
