A reproduction of a World War II “V for Victory” pin is among the membership premiums being offered by the National D-Day Museum (www.DDayMuseum.org). The pin is a gold-colored metal V decorated with three rhinestones-one red, one clear, and one blue. The museum, located on high ground in New Orleans, is in the midst of an expansion drive.

Fake milk bottles are regularly fooling buyers at online auctions, according to National Association of Milk Bottle Collectors. The most recent fakes to show up online were three railroad half-pints: a Santa Fe bottle that sold to an unsuspecting buyer for $152, a Zephyr Rockets bottle with a starting bid of $10, and a Canadian Pacific bottle that auctioned for $29. (The Milk Route, May)

Fake Mason’s Ironstone jugs are not hard to spot if you know the clues. Jugs marked with only a blue transfer-printed crown (without the word Mason’s above it) are fakes. If you find a jug with that mark, look the whole piece over. You’ll see that it’s much cruder than genuine Mason’s Ironstone. Finally, real Mason’s sells for hundreds of dollars. If a piece is priced too low, be wary. (Janice Paull, Antiques Journal, May)

Whistleblowers who collect genuine old beer cans are warning online shoppers about fake cans with reproduced paper labels. One particular seller has offered fake cans labeled James Bond’s Special Blend, Breidt’s Beer & Ale, Schlitz Beer, Old Tap Ale, and Dorquest Quality Beer. (Breweriana Collector, Spring)

Leave a Reply

Featured Articles