In those days, fabric dyes were big business because most people made their own clothing.

Diamond Dyes is a favorite company of collectors of antique advertising. Its advertisements featured vibrant images, like this cabinet with a scene of children playing.

Collectors of antique advertising look for vivid colors and eye-catching graphics. And who would have brighter colors than a dye company?

Today, few people buy fabric dyes outside of craft projects, but most families wore homemade clothes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Clothing was made to last, and items were often repaired or remade multiple times before they were retired. People would buy dyes for home use to make their clothing or give a new look to old clothes.

Diamond Dyes, a leading dye company around 1900, is known for its advertising. Diamond Dyes’ trade cards, advertising booklets and store cabinets are especially popular with collectors today. This cabinet with a colorful tin lithographed scene of children playing outdoors sold for $750 by Morford’s Antique Advertising. Watch out for reproductions!

Q: My sister visited England about 20 years ago and brought me home a 4-inch Toby character jug of the head of Henry VIII. I really like it but understand these are very common and not very valuable. Is that true?

A: Character jugs representing literary, legendary and real-life characters were introduced by Royal Doulton in 1934 at the Burslem Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent. New ones were added to the line until 2011. They were made in several sizes: large, small, miniature and tiny. They are different from Toby jugs, which date back to the 1770s. Legend says they are inspired by a poem about “Toby Fillpot,” the nickname of a real Yorkshire man who was a legendary drinker. The most common Toby is 9 or 10 inches high. The jug is shaped like a man wearing a tricorn (three-corner) hat, waistcoat, long coat and knee breeches seated in a chair and holding a jug of ale. Royal Doulton began making Toby jugs in 1939. Character jugs are shaped with only the head and shoulders of the character. They are popular collectibles, but, with a few exceptions, not rare or expensive. Each sells for $50 or less.

Q: I found this odd item at my in-law’s house. It looks like a wooden rolling pin but is covered with rows of carved teeth. It also has one flat side. One end of the cylinder has a handle, and the other end has a circle carved about 2-inches deep. Some people think it’s a meat cleaver, but that doesn’t seem right. Can you tell me what it is and solve this mystery?

A: It is a specialty rolling pin designed for flatbreads or crackers. The teeth are designed to make tiny holes or score the dough to allow air flow to prevent the dough from rising. Bakers will use forks, dough dockers (a small, spiked roller) or rolling pins like yours to poke holes in pastry crusts, pizza dough and flatbreads. The carved opening is where a missing handle would have gone. Through our research, we have not found a rolling pin with a flat side. It could have been modified to prevent it from rolling off the work surface.

Q: I bought several chairs from a resale shop. The shop owner said they came from the boardroom of Lockheed Martin. The chair seat and back are one piece of curved wood. The legs are silver metal. They are stackable. The sticker on the bottom says, “Westnofa Furniture made in Norway.” I only paid $15 each for them but was recently told they are valuable. Is this true?

A: Westnofa manufactured furniture that exemplifies mid-century Scandinavian design. The style became popular because of its simplicity and functional design, like the ability to stack the chairs. Your chair was designed by Oivind Iversen and is called the “City Chair.” Mid-century furniture is in demand by decorators and collectors. Chairs like yours have recently sold for $50 to $100 each. However, your friend is correct: If you have a set of six to eight, they can sell for upwards of $200 each.

Q: Several years ago, I bought a metal letter opener that has “International Harvester Company, New Office” on one side of the handle and “February 22, 1929” on the other side. Does it have any value?

A: International Harvester Co. was formed in 1902 when McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. merged with Deering Harvester Co. and three smaller companies. The company made agricultural equipment and commercial trucks. It was the fourth largest industrial company in the United States in the early 1900s. The company ran into financial difficulties later and sold its agricultural division and the name “International Harvester” to Tenneco, owner of J.I. Case, in 1984. The brand name became Case IH. International Harvester’s truck division became part of Navistar International Corp. in 1986. A letter opener like yours sold for $45 at an auction of International Harvester memorabilia a couple of years ago.

TIP: If the photograph album you buy smells like plastic, don’t use it. The fumes will eventually destroy the pictures.

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Advertising sign, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Field Testing Station, Western gentleman with big bushy moustache, tan coat, 10-gallon hat, holds bottle on top of keg, tin over cardboard, frame, 23 by 18 inches, $45.

Doll, Lone Ranger, composition, painted, black mask, cloth plaid shirt, yellow plastic chaps and bandanna, 16 inches, $285.

Rookwood pottery vase, golden yellow flowers, green stems, caramel and brown ground, standard glaze, oval, slightly cylindrical rim, Jeanette Swing, 1903, 7¾ by 1¾ inches, $320.

Disneyana, game, Mickey Mouse Tidley Winks, Mickey, Minnie and Pluto characters, each stands over a red cup, cardboard wall with red brick graphics, multicolored plastic discs, Chad Valley, box 10 inches, $400.

Lalique bowl, Nemours, clear, rows of frosted daisies with black enamel centers, etched Lalique France on bottom, 4 by 10 inches, $525.

Garden settee, wrought-iron wire, scrolled back with five arches, five sets of concentric circles form seats, curled arms, twisted and looped legs, 30 by 86 by 18 inches, $720.

Sterling silver creamer, Elizabeth II, cow shape, curled tail, flower garland on back, marked, Nat Leslie, Silver Vaults, London, 1967, 4 ounces, 6 inches, $880.

Pair of porcelain candleholders, elephant form, pink glaze, enameled flowers on blanket, howdah holds candle, Chinese, 19th century, 4 inches, pair, $1,135.

Furniture, etagere, wrought-iron, scrollwork pediment with brass finial, frame with four concave curved posts, curled feet, five graduated glass shelves, 76 by 48 by 24 inches, $1,875.

Toy, yellow taxi, No. 5, lithographed tin, pictures driver and passengers, battery operated, slot for quarter on top, insert coin and cab drives forward and light on top lights up, door on bottom to retrieve coin, box, Ichiko, Japan, 1955, 9 inches, $2,375. Talk to us You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing newstips@heraldnet.com or by calling 425-339-3428. If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to letters@heraldnet.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206. More contact information is here.

Barkada owner Brian Madayaga will compete on a new Food Network series that premiers Sunday.

When buying annuals, vegetables or perennials, go for the 1-gallon pots. And don’t skimp on the soil amendments and plant food.

Get your tickets now to see rock Hall of Famers The Zombies in Everett. Plus there’s a month of music planned in Langley.

This year, the week of June 20-26 is National Pollination Week and… Continue reading

This charming, non-twining vine is ideal for tight situations, and does well in a container.

Gut infections are the top cause of acute diarrhea, and can be life-threatening if severe.

In those days, fabric dyes were big business because most people made their own clothing.

These beacons guided mariners to safety for many years — since 1861, in one case. Here are their stories.

MUSIC The Pilchuck Boyz: These comedic reggae masterminds perform 7 p.m. June… Continue reading

Burgers have been off the menu at the Burger King on Evergreen Way since May 1. Nearby McDonald’s closed due to a different fire.

Get your tickets now to see rock Hall of Famers The Zombies in Everett. Plus there’s a month of music planned in Langley.

Gut infections are the top cause of acute diarrhea, and can be life-threatening if severe.

When buying annuals, vegetables or perennials, go for the 1-gallon pots. And don’t skimp on the soil amendments and plant food.

In those days, fabric dyes were big business because most people made their own clothing.

This charming, non-twining vine is ideal for tight situations, and does well in a container.

© 2022, Everett Herald and Sound Publishing, Inc.