Apr 12, 2002 By Charles Mather 3 min read

Q. Can you price a Pan American stickpin dated 1901? – Qunicy, Buffalo, N.Y. A. The Pan American Exposition was held in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1901 and this was when President McKinley was assassinated. To date there have been more than 100 recognized fairs and expositions of which 50 are considered major events. The first and largest Ferris wheel appeared at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The 1904 Louisiana Purchase Expo introduced the first ice cream cone. Sally Rand’s Fan Dance can be remembered from the 1933-1934 Century of Progress in Chicago. Your Buffalo in frying pan stickpin from 1901 is valued at $30 today and it only measures 11/2 inches.

Q. When was Maastricht ware made? – Kelly, Lewes, Del.

A. Cupboard cleaning chores will be rewarded if you find a Sphinx trademark on the underside of a ceramic object. The trademark is that of this worked renowned factory. The Sphinx was used by Petrus Regout in 1836 at Maastricht in Holland. Table services and tea sets in transfer printed tin-glazed wares were a factory specialty. The company exported quantities of its output to the United States in the late 1800s. The trademark “Royal Sphinx,” Maastricht, accompanied by the country of origin “Holland,” indicates a date of production after 1891. Value guide: bowl, Abbey pattern, 9 inches, $45.

Q. Is Roseville pottery still gaining in value? – Lois, Harrisburg, Pa.

A. On today’s market the prices for the firm’s later commercial wares are stable and unlikely to rise rapidly because they are readily available. And the prices are strong for the ever-popular middle-period patterns, which were made during the Depression, and produced in limited numbers. Among the most desired patterns sought are Blackberry, Cherry Blossom, Falline, Ferella, Jonquil, Morning Glory and Sunflower. Collectors are buying baskets, bookends, cookie jars, tea sets and wall pockets in these patterns. Remember, during this period of production, most pieces were marked, but paper stickers were also used. Value guide: Jonquil jardiniere, $300.Current Prices

– Toy, banjo, tortoise shell and mother-of-pearl, 5 inches, $60.

– Riviera, dinnerware, Homer Laughlin, covered casserole, mauve, $125.

– Figure, bronze and ivory, cold-painted Ferdinand Preiss, 1925, $5,750.

– Tool, rule, logging, wooden, Hitchcock, 36 inches, $55.

– Hull Pottery, Little Red Riding Hood, Regal, mustard jar, $450.

– Magazine, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, January 17, 1966, $60.

– Hopalong Cassidy, radio, Arvin, 1950s, $600.

– Fruit Jar, Jersey, aqua, $500.

– Beatles, gum cards, “A Hard Days Night,” 24 packs, unopened box, $450.

– Bank, mechanical, Acrobat, J and E. Stevens, cast iron, 1863, $9,500.

Write to Charles Mather in care of the Herald-Standard at P.O. Box 99126, Seattle, Wash. or call 206-285-1888.