Dear Gary,
Following your advert in the Yorkshire Reporter, could you please give me some information about the attached items? I would appreciate it if you could give some idea of the value of it too.
Thank you in advance.
Regards, Kasia
Dear Kasia,
Thank you for your email.
The ceramics are made by Muriel Hopwood Ceramics and can be bought today online at their website at Muriel Hopwood Ceramics Small Wonders Miniatures. They appear to be asking around £30 – 40 per item. The furniture also looks fairly modern and retails at similar prices.
However dolls and dolls houses with furniture are difficult to sell in today’s market, and unless they are early antiques you wouldn’t achieve anything like the retail price.
The problem is little girls don’t want dolls houses and dolls for very long these days. They soon grow up and want an iphone!
Hello Gary
I have wondered for years about my grandfather’s pocket watch, I received it from my father before he passed. My father says my grandad became good friends with a American soldier in the war and they exchanged gifts when they both went back home. I look forward to your response.
Many thanks
Nigel Thorpe
Dear Nigel,
Thank you for your email.
The Elgin National Watch Company started in Illinois, USA in 1864 and closed in 1964. Many different watches were produced by them using gold, silver, chrome and other metals.
I cannot make out the serial number from your image, but you should find two numbers on the watch, one on the case but the more important one on the inner movement. Once you have these numbers you can type ‘Elgin serial numbers’ into any search engine and you will be able to date it. Youtube also has videos that help you date the watch.
This item is very special to your family and its history. You cannot put a high enough value on such a piece that should be kept for future generations.
