Antiques & Collecting: American history

Veterans Day is a time to reflect on American history and those who made it. Fighting in World War I ended with a ceasefire on the 11th hour of Nov. 11, 1918.

In the following years, Nov. 11 was observed as Armistice Day. In 1947, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks organized ceremonies on Nov. 11 to honor veterans of all wars.

President Eisenhower signed the bill that made Veterans Day a national holiday in 1954. Parades have honored veterans and celebrated patriotism since Weeks organized his first celebration, and long before then, too.

We don’t know what occasion this 40-star parade flag was made for, but it would have brought patriotic pride to any event. We do have a good idea of the year it was made: 1889.

There were 40 states — and therefore 40 stars on the American flag — but only for a brief time. North and South Dakota became the 39th and 40th states, respectively, on Nov. 2, 1889. Montana became the 41st state just six days later.

That makes this flag especially rare. It sold for $1,216, just passing its high estimate, at Cowan Auctions.

My parents brought this Koa wood coffee table back from Hawaii in 1952. I still have the original receipt and factory documentation. I am wondering about its value and possibly how to dispose of it.

Koa is a tropical hardwood tree that grows only in Hawaii. Its limited range and the beauty and quality of its wood make it one of the most prized — and most expensive — woods in the world.

Vintage Koa tables have sold for more than $1,000 at auctions. Furniture from the mid-20th century, like your table, is very popular and sells well. The original receipt and documentation will increase the value.

If you plan to sell it, we recommend contacting an antiques dealer or auction house, especially one that specializes in furniture or mid-century design. Look up reviews and ask for references before you sell anything.

Tip: Flags have been made of many different fabrics, so cleaning requires testing. A wool flag should be tested with a drop of water and blotting paper. If no color is removed, you can wash it in warm water with a wool washing product. It can be dry-cleaned with care.

Current Prices

Toy, truck, log, yellow cab, red trim, open, seat inside, green bed and wheels, tin lithograph, J. Chein & Co., 9 1/2 inches, $125.

Basket, Penobscot, lid, figural, berry shape, purple body, green stem and leaves finial, signed, Kim Bryant, 2002, 6 inches, $140.

Quilt, patchwork, red and yellow diamond checked field, 20 multicolor checkerboard blocks, red and pink checked borders, early 20th century, 74 x 64 inches, $310.

Stoneware, flowerpot, cobalt blue tulips, attached saucer, cobalt blue diagonal stripes, repaired, 19th century, 5 1/2 inches, $470.

Silver — Mexican, pitcher, water, globular, scrolled handle, marked, dated, Los Castillo, Royal Haeger by Royal Hickman, 1944, 7 x 8 1/2 inches, $1,280.