Question: I have been told the porcelain pitcher in this photo is at least 150 years old. It is 9 1/2 inches tall; the background shades from white to dark green, and is trimmed in gold. Marked on the bottom is a lion and the words "Societe Ceramique Maestricht - Made in Holland."
How old is my pitcher and what is its value?
Answer: Although your pitcher is less than 150 years old, it is more than 117 years. Guilaume Lambert and Co. founded the Societe Ceramique in Maestricht, Holland, in 1863. Maestricht is sometimes spelled Maastricht. They used the mark you provided around 1887.
Your pitcher would probably be worth $175 to $225.
Question: This mark is on the bottom of a very tall stein. The stein is decorated with figures and foliage, all in relief, and has a pewter lid. It is in mint condition. I can't seem to find any information on its history and any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
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Answer: Based on your description, you have a master stein that held enough liquid to refill an individual size stein several times. Simon Peter Gerz made your stein. They have been in business in Hohr-Grenzhausen, Palatinate, Germany, since 1862. The number "687" is a design number.
Your master stein was made around 1910 and would probably be worth $500 to $700.
Question: I have a glass pitcher with two matching tumblers that have been in my family for years. The tops of each piece are a ruby color, the lower portions are clear glass, and the clear glass handle on the pitcher is applied. On the pitcher are the words "Ocean's Grove 1893." One of the tumblers has the name "Mamma" and the other "Mattie." Both are marked "1893."
I would like to know anything you can tell me about my set, especially where Ocean Grove is and the value.
Answer: You have a set of ruby flashed pressed glass souvenir ware. Many similar pieces were sold at fairs and expositions in the late 1800s. Customers had the option of having names and dates signed in gold at the time of purchase.
Ocean Grove is in New Jersey and was the location of a Methodist camp. Religious camps often sprang up in the country and near a lake or ocean. People attended for a combination of fresh air and spiritual renewal.
The value of your set would probably be $225 to $300.
Question: I found a stock certificate in an attic of a house that was being torn down. The certificate is for 100 shares of Kingsport Pulp Corp. and was bought in October of 1918. On the left side are the words "The New York Trust Company."
Can you tell me something about the stock and if it is worth anything to a collector or me?
Answer: Kingsport Pulp Corp. was located in Kingsport, Tenn., and was bought out by Mead Fibre Co. in 1920. The New York Trust Co., currently a subsidiary of the Bank of New York Co. Inc., was the transfer agent and registrar for the stock. Old stock certificates are collectible. Mead Fibre Co. is now MeadWestvaco.
As a collectible your certificate would probably be worth, depending on its condition and design, anywhere in the range of $10 to $75.
Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. For a personal response, include picture(s), a detailed description, a stamped, self-addressed envelope and $15 per item (one item at a time).
