Dish Touts Victoria’s 60th Year on Throne
Question: For years, my family has displayed a plate picturing Queen Victoria of England. The plate is cream-colored with a banner on the top that reads, “County Borough of St. Helens.” On each side of the queen are the dates 1837 and 1897.
Do you know what the plate commemorates and what it’s worth?
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Answer: Your plate celebrates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. It marked her record 60th year on the English throne. Plates, mugs, plaques and various other souvenirs were commissioned by towns all over England to celebrate the event. St. Helens is a city near Liverpool in Lancashire, England. It’s worth at least $100.
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QSeveral years ago, my grandmother gave me a turquoise pottery plate decorated with a modern-style painting of two prancing horses. The back of the plate is marked “United States Quarry Tile Co., Romany Tiles.” Can you tell me how old it is?
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AThe U.S. Quarry Tile Co. operated from 1926 to 1954 in Canton, Ohio. Its earlier corporate history includes a 1913 merger between the U.S. Tile Co. and the Canton Roofing Tile Co.
In 1954, the company became the U.S. Ceramic Tile Co. U.S. Quarry Tile Co. and U.S. Ceramic Tile Co. made products other than tiles, including teapots, sugar bowls, pitchers and decorative plates like yours.
The marks used on these pieces are the same marks the companies used on tiles. Your plate probably dates from the late 1940s or early 1950s.
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Q I inherited a three-piece bedroom set from my aunt. The pieces are made of dark blond wood with light blond wood handles. I think the set dates from the 1930s. There is a small, round, metal marker on each piece that reads, “Designed by Leo Jiranek, 310 Rockefeller Center.”
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A Leo Jiranek was a furniture designer who worked for Heywood-Wakefield Co., a famous American furniture maker, from 1935 to the 1950s. Your set might be from the company’s Swedish Modern Group, which was made after 1938. The three-drawer dresser and mirror from that set are worth $500.
Current Prices
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary because of local economic conditions.
* Depression-glass pitcher, Sportsman Series, White Ship, cobalt blue, 8 inches, $75.
* A-C Dayton radio, model XL-25, battery-operated, five tubes, two-dial panel, wooden case, 1926, $125.
* 1947 Coca-Cola calendar, woman leaning on post drinking Coke, framed, 8 inches, $190.
* Sterling-silver flatware milk jug, Medallion pattern, four medallions, Gorham, 1895, $200.
* Double-sided zinc sign, pine frame, “Speed Limits: Teams Not Faster Than a Walk, Trucks 6 MPH & Autos 15 MPH,” 24 by 35 inches, $335.
* Toy, Dream Kitchen, sink, storage cupboard, refrigerator, oven/stove, includes dishes, silverware, play food, 1963, Deluxe Reading Corp., $415.
* Christian Dior floral silk dress, white, knife-pleated, red, pink and green rose pattern, wrapped, strapless, label, 1950s, $500.
* Movie lobby card, “Angels With Dirty Faces,” James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Humphrey Bogart, Warner Bros., 1938, 11 by 14 inches, $1,650.
For a listing of helpful books and publications, include a self-addressed, stamped (55 cents) envelope to Kovels, Los Angeles Times, King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017.
