1910-'50 is cream of crop for old milk bottles

Q. Do old milk bottles have any value? I have a 1-quart bottlewith the following engraved on the glass: "This bottle property ofand filled by Murphy-Ward Dairy, Chicago, Ill."

A. Because milk bottles fall into the "collectibles" category,prices usually depend on local popularity, age and rarity. The years1910 to 1950 are collectible years. Yours is worth about $20.

Q. I collect vintage clothing and accessories. Is there anymagazine or newspaper on the subject?

A. Hot off the presses is Vintage Fashions, a new bimonthlymagazine. Send a check for $19.95 for a subscription to VintageFashions, in care of Hobby House Press, 900 Frederick St., Dept. M7,Cumberland, Md. 21502

Q. With the interest in East German "wall" souvenirs, how aboutitems from the Hitler years? I have a car pennant, 1936 BerlinOlympics. It is dated and has the Olympic symbol, etc.

A. Those "chunks of the wall" are tomorrow's collectibles. TheNazi-years items keep going up in price. Your pennant might sell for$80 or more.

Q. I have a cedar chest made by Roos Co. There is a stamp of arooster and a patent date, July 6. Is it of value?

A. Cedar chests like yours still protect furs and fabric frommoths.

You would have to pay at least $150 in a shop.

Q. Could you tell me how to start evaluating old paintings forpersonal knowledge and without spending money for an appraiser'sservices? For instance, one is an oil painting of a tree scenesigned C. H. Shearer, dated 1922.

A. Do what the appraisers do: Spend time either on the phonewith the art reference librarian at your city's main library. Askthem to look up current art auction prices in Leonard's Price Indexof Art Auctions and similar reference books. Tell them size, subjectand medium (oil, etc.). I found your artist, Christopher H. Shearer(American, 1840-1926) listed in a 1984 Leonard's. A painting titled"Pennsylvania Landscape with Trees and Path" sold for $1,375. Checkfor recent prices.

Q. I found a plaque in 1947 in a small antique shop in Germany.It is 8 1/2 inches in diameter, white, with the raised figure of anude woman and a lion. Included in the design is the name "FerdinandLiebermann." On the back are a crown, crossed swords and"Rosenthal, Selb, Bavaria." Anything you can tell me will beappreciated.

A. It took a bit of doing and a librarian who could read aboutLiebermann in a German artist reference book. Liebermann was a notedsculptor who translated some of his works to Rosenthal porcelain.You have a commemorative plaque, circa 1918. Its value ranges from$75 to $100.

Q. Enclosed are two photos of what I have been told is a "bierlamp." It's about 6-feet tall, with a copper top and chain pullelectric light. I bought it for $6, 40 years ago. What is it?

A. From the photo, your floor lamp appears to date from the1920s or '30s. It often was used to glamorize a hall or entry. Itseems to have mottled amber glass with an ornamental metal overlay,and the stand is ribbed bronze.

If there is a well-known maker"s name somewhere on it, the pricemight be as much as a couple of thousand dollars. Otherwise, retailvalue could be around $300.

Q. I recently acquired two Currier and Ives prints. They arehand-colored, but the colors are terribly faded.

I would like to know the value of "The Great West" and "Homefor the Holidays," their titles.

A. Unfortunately, condition is important when evaluating oldprints. In good, bright colors, "The Great West" could have a retailvalue around $1,200; "Home for the Holidays" around $2,000. Yourswould sell for $150 to $200.

Send questions for Anne Gilbert, the Antique Detective, toChicago Sun-Times Features, 401 N. Wabash, Chicago 60611.