Antiques & Collecting: Turkey platter

With a colorful image of a majestic turkey, this platter is ready for Thanksgiving. Despite the all-American bird — Benjamin Franklin famously praised the turkey as “a true original Native of America” and “a Bird of Courage,” although, contrary to popular belief, he did not suggest it as a national symbol — it was made in England, marked for Copeland Spode.

This mark came into use about 1833, when William Copeland purchased the Spode pottery firm in Stoke-on-Trent. By this time, turkeys were known in England, but being an exotic foreign animal, they were limited to the tables of the wealthy.

This platter, which sold for $352 at a Nye & Co. auction, was probably made later. Copeland made a series of plates with game birds in the 20th century, intended as accent pieces for an earlier pattern.

About the same time, they made multicolor versions of earlier patterns that were originally made as single-color transfers.

I would like to know if wooden dice and marbles are of interest to anyone. Also, small guns, a rifle that actually opens up, old watch face and old compass. I believe they are all from my grandmother who has been dead for almost 50 years and died in her 70s. Items are more than likely in excess of 100 years old.

There is plenty of interest in items like yours. If the guns you mentioned are real, not toys, check your local and state laws if you intend to sell them.

The safest way to sell guns is through a reputable dealer. General antiques dealers will be interested in the rest of your collection.

Antique toy and doll shows are usually the best places to sell old toys. There are many regional shows throughout the country. A collector’s club can help you find one near you.

Tip: Silver and gold trim will wash off dishes in time. Do not unload from the dishwasher any dishes with metallic trim until they have completely cooled.

Current Prices

Cranberry glass, epergne, three flutes, ruffled, applied rigaree swirl, piecrust base bowl, gilt stem holders, 21 x 10 1/2 inches, $120.

Toy, turkey, multicolor, lithographed, sheet metal, clockwork, Blome & Schueler, box, Germany, U.S. zone, 5 inches, $160.

Pottery, jar, Zuni, gourd shape, three applied black geckos, raised heads, white spots, red speckled ground, signed, YN, DS, 6 1/2 x 7 inches, $260.

Clothing, trousers, wool, striped, tan, gray, cuffed, label inside waistband, salesman’s sample, Dutchess, c. 1920, 9 1/2 inches, pair, $345.

Bell, dinner, silver, embossed figures, animals, masks, etched inside, Old Florentine Bell, Gorham, 5 3/4 inches, $375.

Box, Iroquois, lid, beadwork, multicolor, square, red felt ground, pasteboard, green sateen fabric lining, mid 1800s, 5 x 7 x 6 1/2 inches, $1,185.

Map, the Americas, “with the known parts,” cities at top border, people at side borders, engraved, hand coloring, frame, John Speed, 1626, 23 1/2 x 28 inches, $2,175.