Q: I purchased the pictured antique cuckoo clock at an estate sale in the Toledo, Ohio, area in 1966. On the back of the clock is a large label with the words "How to Hang a Cuckoo Clock — American Cuckoo Clock Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — 1859."

The clock has been used daily since that time. I believe it is made of black walnut, and it strikes on the hour and half-hour. In 1985, it had to be cleaned, lubricated, and the bellows were replaced. At my request, the repairman detached the spring gong mechanism, since the sound was so unpleasant.

I would appreciate hearing your comments as well as an estimate of the clock's value.

A: American Cuckoo Clock Co. was in business in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They originally purchased clocks from Germany. After experiencing long delivery times and receiving damaged pieces, they dispensed with importing parts and instead hired craftsmen from Germany to work in their Philadelphia shop.

Cuckoo clocks have been made in Germany's Black Forest region since the 1700s. The hand-carved chalet style with pine cone weights and bone numerals are typical of cuckoo clocks made for centuries.

Your clock is circa 1900 and would probably be worth $695 to $895.

Q: This mark is on the back of a dinner plate set that belonged to my mother. She acquired the set around 1940. Each plate is 10 inches in diameter and comes in two colors: brown and dark blue.

I've had the dishes for 40 years and would like to know if they have any value.

A: Bybee Pottery was founded in 1809 in Bybee, Ky. — it has been operated by six generations of the Cornelison family. Rich clay fields were found underneath topsoil close to the pottery. In the beginning, they made pots and gardenware on the pottery wheel; they added a dinnerware line in 1940. The hand-thrown dishes were decorated with deep colored glazes, a characteristic of Bybee.

Each plate would probably be worth $20 to $30.

Q: I have an electric, leaded glass lamp that has been in my family since the early 1900s. It has a metal base and a round shade with pink blossoms and green leaves. With the exception of replacing a worn-out cord, it is in mint condition. After carefully examining it, I did not find a manufacturer's mark.

My daughter said it might be a Tiffany and worth a lot of money. What do you think? How much is it worth?

A: If it is not marked "Tiffany," it is not a Tiffany lamp. Having said that, it sounds from your description that it is an excellent example of a "Tiffany" style lamp.

The value of your lamp would probably be $1,500 to $1,800.

Q: Ten years ago, I was given a white porcelain vase that is 10 inches high and 8 inches across the top. It has a pedestal, and on the bottom are the words "Est. 1866 — Erphila — Czechoslovakia."

What can you tell me about the history of my vase and its value?

A: The word "Erphila" represents Ebeling and Ruess, importers who have been located in Philadelphia since 1866. They imported pottery and porcelain from Czechoslovakia and a variety of other countries in Europe.

Your vase was made around 1920 and would probably be worth $75 to $125.

Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters. To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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