Connie Sue,
In the picture below, you see a highly treasured toy for me. I’ve had it as long as I can remember, and I am 67. It used to be in my grandma’s “play-pretties box.” I do not know a lot about it, but it was made by Fisher-Price. The ducks waddle, and it used to cluck.
Kay
Kay,
Apparently your toy was treasured by many children. Fisher-Price named its popular wooden pull toy “Quacky Family” and made nine variations that were in production from 1940 to 1958. Because of the indention in the mama duck’s hat, hidden (but not functioning) “quack,” heavy plastic bills and the sequence of color, I’m able to date your toy’s production to between 1940 and 1942. In the later toys, the ducks had flapping wings along with the quacking sound. Today, intact, good color sets sell for between $12 and $35.
Mrs. Davenport,
I purchased this solid-wood cabinet at a garage sale about 30 to 35 years ago. The gentleman I purchased it from said he had purchased it from a high-end furniture store sometime around 1950 but did not tell me what its purpose is. As you can see, we use it as a bar. I am curious as to its real use and current value. It measures 35.5 inches tall, 48 inches long and 15.75 inches deep. It has four small pull-out folding tables, a large bottom drawer and a cabinet on one end. The cabinet does have two shelves in it and a very small shelf on the door that has holes in it that easily hold shot glasses.
Kim, Manchester
Kim,
Midcentury modern, light-colored furniture sells very quickly at tag sales, online and in shops. The clean, simple lines and multifunctional features are a great fit for small spaces and minimalist tastes. I should think that in 1980, when you picked this up at the garage sale, you paid less than $100. Today in a shop selling midcentury modern furniture sprinkled with orange and turquoise art glass, you’d pay well more than $500.
There should be a maker’s mark somewhere on the piece unless the paint is not original and covers the mark. I, too, think your piece was intended for use as a bar. The four cocktail-sized folding tables, which store as drawers to save space when not in use, are simply the most clever feature. While searching online, I noticed similarly shaped credenzas holding 1950s portable televisions or record players with lift tops. So with either cocktails or Coca-Colas, this is party furniture.
Connie,
I purchased a house full of antiques more than 20 years ago. I love antiques and especially this Theodore Haviland Limoges dinnerware. It is a huge set, and I only know of two pieces missing. Can you tell me the value?
Becky
Becky,
Counting the tops to serving pieces, you have close to 100 pieces. There appear to be 12 six-piece place settings with four covered vegetable dishes, a large covered tureen and small covered tureen with under-plate, small platters, a three-piece covered butter dish, covered sugar bowl (but no creamer?) and gravy boat with under-plate. Each place setting has a cup and saucer, dinner plate, salad plate, berry bowl and butter pats. If sold as a set, I’d ask $1,000. Insurance replacement value is $1,350.
