Q:Can you provide information on an electric coffee percolator that my father gave to my mother as an anniversary gift in 1929? It's part of a set that includes an oval tray and a sugar and creamer. The manufacturer is Manning-Bowman of Meriden, Conn. The pieces appear to be chrome-plated but never need polishing. It has been making great coffee for four generations of our family and has never needed repairs. Is there any value to this set other than sentimental?

A:The coffee percolator was invented by Hanson Goodrich, an Illinois farmer, in 1889. Before that, coffee was made by boiling water and coffee grounds together and then straining out the grounds. Sometimes eggshells were added to the water before boiling to "settle" the grounds. The percolator kept the coffee grounds separate and eliminated the need to strain the coffee. Manning-Bowman was founded by Edward Manning and Robert Bowman in 1832. The company was issued several patents for percolators beginning in 1904. The first electric coffeepots were made c.1915 and Manning-Bowman was making electric percolators by c.1920. The company was bought by Bersted Manufacturing Co. of Fostoria, Ohio, in 1941. Your set should have a retail price of about $125.