Q: My aunt and uncle owned a restaurant in the early 1900s. When my aunt died in 1960, I found this old ceramic soda-fountain syrup dispenser in her attic. It’s about 15 inches tall and shaped like a barrel. What can you tell me about it?

A: A Zipp’s Cheeri-o dispenser auctioned last year for $3,800. The dispenser was used in the early 1900s to serve a cherry-flavored soft drink. The soda jerk behind the counter squirted syrup into a glass, then mixed it with carbonated water.