This American lithograph dates to the early 1860s. What is it worth?

This month's submissions include a rare 19th-century American lithograph, an early Missouri coin silver mustard ladle, and a midcentury cabinet radio/record player, all descended through families. Collectors shared a Soviet Russian porcelain coffee pot and their favorite Tiffin glassware.

J.H. Bufford & Company 'Winter' lithograph Here is a very old print from my great uncle. He believed it was quite special. It measures 15 inches by 18 1⁄2 inches, including the frame. Can you tell me anything about it or what it might be worth? M.O., Portland.

Your print "WINTER. Going to a Christmas Party" is a lithograph drawn on stone and hand-tinted with watercolor. It was published by J.H. Bufford (1810-1870), who apprenticed under William S. Pendleton in Boston and then worked for Nathanial Currier (of Currier & Ives) in New York City before returning to Boston to open his own printing company. J.H. Bufford & Co. was one of the major lithographic printers in America. Originally, Bufford drew most of the prints he published, though, in later years, he hired many apprentices to draw their extensive catalog. From 1855 to 1857, one of his apprentices was Winslow Homer (1836-1910, American). Bufford was active at 313 Washington Street, as stated in your print, from 1856 to 1864.

This print is nearly a direct copy (with some variation in the details of the sleigh) of the wood engraving "Going to the Christmas Party" by Harrison Weir (1824-1906, English) that was published in the Dec. 24, 1859, edition of "The Illustrated London News" in England.

Your print likely dates to the early 1860s, and the black lacquered and gilded wood frame is similar in age. I did not find any other examples of this specific edition either currently offered or reported previously sold. Considering prices realized for other 19th-century American prints by J.H. Bufford & Co. and others, you might expect an estimate of $400-$600 at a specialty prints auction. A dealer specializing in fine 19th-century prints might ask $1,500-$2,500 for an example from this edition in good condition in a period frame.

Coin silver mustard ladle Here is a small sauce ladle that is in with my parents' silver flatware. It looks silver but does not say "sterling." It is 5 5/8 inches long. I have always wondered what it is supposed to be used for and how old it might be. Can you tell me anything about this? C.Z., Troutdale.

Your ladle is commonly called a "mustard ladle." Based on your photographs, it appears to be coin silver, which is generally 90% silver and 10% copper (similar to the silver content of U.S. silver coins of the time). The term "Sterling" didn't come into common use in America until after the Civil War. Your ladle was made by Mead & Adriance, active in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1836 to 1842. Your spoon is in the "fiddle" pattern, a generic and popular style used by many makers of 19th-century silver flatware. At auction, you might see an estimate of $25-$45 for such a ladle. A dealer in American antique silver might ask $70-$140 for such a ladle in excellent condition.

RCA Victor victrola We have this RCA Victor victrola that was passed down from my mother. It is 35 inches tall and appears to be in good working order. I would appreciate anything you might be able to share about this. N.G., Portland.

Your RCA Victor Victrola is a Model A108 and dates to circa 1950-1951. It originally came with an AM/FM radio and both 45 RPM and 33 1/3 RPM turntables, and yours appears to be complete. The cabinet is detailed with book-matched flame mahogany veneer panels. Yours appears to be in nice condition. Based on past sales results, at auction, you might expect an estimate of $120-$180. A dealer specializing in midcentury home furnishings might ask $600-$900 for such a cabinet in fully restored working condition.

Lomonosov coffee pot I bought this Russian coffee pot in an antique shop several years ago. It was made in the USSR. It is 8 inches tall. It has no chips or damage to it. Can you tell me who might have made it, and what might it be worth? M.L., Prineville.

Your coffee pot was made by the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is in the "Cobalt Net" pattern, which was introduced just after World War II, and in 1958, received gold medals at the World's Fair in Brussels. It is Lomonosov's most popular pattern. The cobalt blue lines are hand painted, and the gold detail is 22kt. As yours is marked USSR, it dates to pre-1992, likely the 1970s-1980s. Based on recent reported sales, at auction, you might expect an estimate of $120-$160 for such a teapot. You might expect to pay $200-$300 for such a pot dating from the Soviet era in excellent, undamaged condition.

Group of Tiffin Glass We collected this pink glass over the years. Here are four different glasses and a pitcher. The glasses are from 5 inches to 7 1⁄4 inches tall, and the pitcher is 7 1⁄2 inches tall. We generally picked them up one or two at a time. I've always loved this glass. Can you tell me anything about it? C.D., Portland.

Based on your photographs, your glass appears to be American and dates to the second and third quarters of the 20th century. I would attribute your pieces to Tiffin Glass of Tiffin, Ohio. In 1888, A.J. Beatty & Sons began making glass in Tiffin, and in 1892 merged with the United States Glass Company. The name United States Glass was used until 1927, when they began using the name "Tiffin." Glassware of your type was introduced in the 1930s and 1940s and continued into the early 1960s. Tiffin produced an extensive variety of decoration patterns, and I was unable to identify any of your exact patterns. It appears each may be a different pattern. This type of glass is sought after by collectors of Depression Glass. At an auction, you might see estimates of $6 -$8 each for the various stemware and $70 - $100 for your pitcher. Dealers specializing in 20th-century American glass currently ask perhaps $10-$15 for each stemmed glass and $120-$180 for similar Tiffin pitchers.

Stories by Jerry Dobesh

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About Today's Collectibles The values discussed for items featured in this column were researched by Portland appraiser Jerry L. Dobesh , ASA, an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, with a specialty designation in Antiques & Decorative Arts. His services include providing appraisals for estate tax, charitable contribution, insurance scheduling and loss, and equitable distribution needs.

To find an appraiser, contact the American Society of Appraisers , the International Society of Appraisers , or the Appraisers Association of America . Estimates suggested in this Collectibles column are for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a basis for sale, insurance, or IRS purposes.

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