Dear Lee,

We get letters asking about age, uses, and prices of antiques and collectibles for our Collector’s Gallery and we use the ones that are of general interest. But common sense can answer many of the questions. Here are a few tips to help you do some research.

1) Dishes are often marked with words that tell the approximate date of manufacture like “Dishwasher proof” (used after 1950, when dishwashers became common); “Made in Occupied Japan” (used 1947 to 1952); “Patent pending” (first used in 1940; and “©” (symbol for copyright, first used in 1914). If there is a patent date, the piece was made soon after the latest date.

2) We are often asked about a “photograph of George Washington.” That’s an easy one. It isn’t a photograph because the camera wasn’t in common use until years after Washington died. It’s probably a print that may be a copy of a painting.

3) What about a sign or label with a phone number? Modern phone numbers have 10 digits. Phone numbers with 3 letters and 4 numbers or those with 7 digits were used before 1947.

4) Does the piece look like its name? Will it work? Collectors of toothpick holders often wonder if a small container is a toothpick holder, a small vase or a shot glass. A toothpick is 2 5/8 inches long, so any container that is taller is probably not made to hold toothpicks. It would be too difficult to insert two fingers into the opening to grab the pick. Some glass makers made small holders and listed them in their catalog as having dual uses. (See Sales Report about toothpicks, this issue.)

Search online for information by asking a few different questions based on strange shapes, designs or visible marks. Look at sites that show pictures, like Google Images or Pinterest. Try searching for a club or website related to your piece. There are clues that will lead to more information and maybe even the answer to your search. Need an approximate price? There are a million prices listed for free on Kovels.com.