John Sikorski: Chairs and china have little dollar value

John Sikorski
·2 min read
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This corner chair is traditional in style and is widely available at various sites on the Internet.
This corner chair is traditional in style and is widely available at various sites on the Internet.

Q: I found this chair at Antique City in Micanopy a few years back. We absolutely love it and have never seen anything like it. Do you have any idea where it might have originated from? Also, does it have any more value than the $70 we paid for it? We plan on keeping it whether it has value or not. Thanks for your time and expertise. — M. and A.H., Micanopy

A: The corner chair you have is traditional in style and is widely available at various sites on the Internet. Most sellers with examples just like the one you have list the country of origin as China. I suspect your chair was made not long before you purchased it. Sellers on the Internet are asking $150 to $500-plus. I doubt they are selling like hot cakes. The price you paid was likely the importer's cost.

There is no specific collector interest in these pieces of Haviland china.
There is no specific collector interest in these pieces of Haviland china.

Q: My 89-year-old mother recently gave me, 67 years old, dishes that she claims were owned by my great-great-grandmother. My Internet research indicates this china pattern is Albany, Schlesinger #107, Greek Key pattern, likely manufactured in the 1940s which, based on simple math, makes it more likely it was purchased by my grandmother or great-grandmother. It is in very good condition, no chips or cracks, and the pattern is not worn. Photos are attached.

Although they are not a complete set, there are about 35 pieces, including several serving dishes. Can you confirm the identification of this china? And, is there any real collector interest or value? I am guessing not because I easily found pieces for sale on eBay. Thank you for your assistance. — J.H., Internet

A: There is no specific collector interest in your pieces of Haviland china. Dollar value is relative to the china pattern replacement marketplace. I suspect interest in the pattern you think your pieces are is quite low. I suggest you contact Replacements Ltd in Greensboro, North Carolina; they buy Haviland china. Depending on demand for your pattern, if they are buying it currently, they will send you a buy sheet with the prices they are willing to pay. The phone number is 1-800-REPLACE. Good luck.

Q: One of your posts from The Gainesville Sun just showed up on my feed in Houston. I enjoyed your matter-of-fact evaluation of the items presented. As a Corningware reseller, I see the false claims about its worth all the time. That in addition to inflation has really increased asking prices. As a graduate of Vanguard High School inaugural class of 1971, it was a pleasant surprise to see where you are based. Thank you. — J.H., Internet

A: I appreciate your letter. Thank you for the mention of all the exaggeration about values.

— John Sikorski, with more than 35 years of experience, is an Ocala-based antiques advisor, consultant and broker. Send your questions to Sikorski's Attic, c/o The Ocala Star-Banner, 2121 SW 19th Ave. Road, Ocala, FL 34471-7752, or email absantique@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: John Sikorski: Chairs and china have little dollar value