Dear Connie Sue,
I always enjoy your articles in The Tennessee Magazine. I have ended up with a lot of vintage table linens. These items were mainly from my grandmothers. It was noted that one of the tablecloths “came over on the boat.” We do not need to store these items any longer and have no idea if they are of any value. We are having a neighborhood yard sale next weekend and plan on trying to sell them if we cannot get some guidance. Can you give us some direction, please?
Thank you,
Al
Dear Al,
I realize I’ve missed the sale by a few months, but other readers may benefit from the answer to your question about linens. Younger buyers are interested in our matriarchs’ mounds of linens, but they aren’t willing to assimilate the quantities available. This means that values for fine linens sold at tag sales remain low. A large linen tablecloth may bring only $20. White dinner napkins may sell for a couple dollars each.
Color is the big seller. Printed tablecloths from the 1950s, bold-colored napkins and the matching tablecloth might bring more than $40. Ladies’ hankies with similar motif in pleasing colors sell well — but not for tears or sniffles. Decorators show similar hankies or a set of napkins clipped onto a curtain rod for use as a valance. Reusing inexpensive, plentiful items for new purposes is energizing sales. Work with them.
One more thought on linens: Our grandmothers hired people to come to their homes to iron. My mother spent a day a month — or more — sprinkling and ironing linens. Most of our children do not own an ironing board.
Dear Connie Sue,
Can you please tell me what this is? My husband inherited it from his uncle.
Sheila
Dear Sheila,
It’s a revolving bookshelf. It saved space but allowed easy access to sets and series of books purchased for use and display. Yours appears to be oak, probably made in the early 1900s. They sell for anywhere from $50 to $500. The more one wobbles, the lower the price.
Dear Connie Sue,
I purchased two end tables and am curious as to their current value.
Thanks,
Kathy
Dear Kathy,
This pair of lyre-base, pedestal tables was made around 1950. The price you paid is certainly an indication of value, but I see them at antique malls for more than $100 and at tag sales for as little as $65. They are popular paintable pieces.
Dear Connie Sue,
I have had this dish for a while now and have not been able to locate another one. All I can make out on the bottom is “PV Czechoslovakia.” I was wondering if you could tell me anything about it and maybe even a price.
Kelli
Dear Kelli,
I think the complete mark may include the words “made in,” which dates this covered baby chick casserole after 1914. The exact piece was for sale (but had not sold) on RubyLane.com for $30.
