When we reach the Autumn Equinox, summer is officially

over. That doesn’t mean you have to put sunshine and vacation fun entirely out of your mind. Isn’t that what mementos and souvenirs are for?

Take this shell-shaped porcelain vase, which sold for $2,460 at Morphy Auctions. Even though it’s not a real shell, it can evoke beach trips

and the serenity that comes with them. It was made by

Royal Dux, the collector’s nickname for Duxer Porzellanmanufaktur, founded in Dux, Bohemia (now Duchov, Czech Republic), in 1860. This

porcelain factory is best known for its art nouveau pieces with

natural elements and human figures.

Art nouveau images of people are often stylized and

suggest mythological or allegorical characters; the young woman perched on the edge of the shell vase is probably

meant to be a sea nymph. After all, there’s a little magic and

mystery in the beauty of nature and its ability to inspire.

* * *

Q: My mother-in-law collected stamps all over the world

as well as the United States.She passed away at 98 in 2005.

She has been collecting for a long time and probably had

over 1,000. The stamps were in a flood. I have not looked

at them all, but some seem to be okay, other than the glue is gone of course. They are not perfect, but in good condition. I am assuming that without the

glue, they are worthless? I just wanted your opinion. There is one that I thought would be worth something even without

the glue. It was a stamp with a buffalo on it. I’ve never seen that.

A: Stamps without glue (gum) on the back can be

worth something. Twentieth-century stamps are worth

more with the glue intact but can still sell without the glue. However, 19th-century stamps and stamps from certain countries are often preferred without the glue. Older glues can crack, discolor or otherwise damage the stamp over time. The U.S. Post Office has issued stamps with buffalo multiple times; a 30-cent stamp issued from

1923 to 1931 may be the most famous. Your stamps may still

have value. Stamp collecting is a highly specialized field, so the best way to find the value of a stamp is with the help of an expert dealer or appraiser.Look for one in your area. The American Philatelic Society (www.stamps.org) can help you find resources.

* * *

Q: I inherited my dad’s

straight razor collection. I have

450 razors and would like to

know the best way to sell them.

I tried local antiques dealers

here in Canada, but it would

take too long for them to be

sold. Any ideas or suggestions

on what to do with them? I also

have 100 hair receivers.

A: Straight razors have

been made for a few hundred

years. They lost popularity

after safety razors were introduced

in 1903, but some are

still being made. Hundreds of

manufacturers in many different

countries have made

straight razors. The maker as

well as the design and material

of the handle help determine

value. Collectors want

old razors in good condition.

The original box adds value.

Search on Google or on a site

like Liveauctioneers.com to

find razor auctions. If you decide

to have an auction to sell

the collection, be sure to find

out what the seller’s commission,

buyer’s premium and any

other charges will be.

* * *

Q: I have several place settings

and serving pieces (platter,

bowls, gravy boat, etc.).

They are Hermann Ohme dinnerware

in the OHM2 pattern.

Would there be any value to the

entire group, and would collectors

be interested in them?

A: Hermann Ohme founded

his porcelain factory in Silesia,

Germany (now Walbrzych,

Poland). Production began in

1882. Ohme’s son took over

the factory in 1921, and it

closed in 1930 during the Great

Depression. The company is

known for two types of porcelain:

clear glaze, which was

made for European and American

markets, and Old Ivory,

which has a hand-painted ivory

background and is decorated

with colorful decals.

Usually, the best way to sell

a set of dishes is to sell them

to a local antiques store or retail

shop; selling locally helps

avoid the trouble (and costs)

of packing and shipping them.

Or you could sell them to a

matching service where people

buy replacements for broken

or missing dishes. A 65-piece

set of Hermann Ohme porcelain

in the “Elysee” pattern recently

sold for $125 at auction.

The Society for Old Ivory and

Ohme Porcelains (www.soiop.

org) may be able to help you

find more information or potential

buyers.

* * *

TIP: Either Coca-Cola or

Tang can be used to remove

stains from porcelain.

* * *

Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

answer readers’ questions sent

to the column. Send a letter

with one question describing

the size, material (glass, pottery)

and what you know about

the item. Include only two pictures,

the object and a closeup

of any marks or damage. Be

sure your name and return address

are included. By sending

a question, you give full permission

for use in any Kovel

product. Names, addresses or

email addresses will not be

published. We do not guarantee

the return of photographs,

but if a stamped envelope is included,

we will try. Questions

that are answered will appear in

Kovels Publications. Write to

Kovels, (Name of this newspaper),

King Features Syndicate,

628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL

32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@

kovels.com.

* * *

CURRENT PRICES

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.

Toy, boat, submarine,

Barracuda, atomic, clear top,

interior compartments, rotating

propellers, on/off switch

on top, battery operated, box,

Remco, 4 1/2 x 38 x 6 inches,

$30.

Map, chart, Antarctic

Polar Circle, “With the Countries

Adjoining, According

to the New Hypothesis of M.

Buache, From the Memoirs of

the Royal Academy of Paris,”

Gentleman’s Magazine, England,

1763, 8 1/2 x 7 1/2

inches, $50.

Coverlet, jacquard, three

colors, red and green stripes,

star medallions in leafy

wreaths, signed, C. Fehr

Emaus, 1840, 96 x 62 inches,

$90.

Cobalt blue glass, compote,

shallow bowl, baluster stem,

clear knop with bubbles, round

foot, polished pontil mark, 7 x

8 inches, $100.

Store, bin, Coffee, red

paint, slant lid, glass panel, yellow

lettering, 19 x 13 x 6 1/2

inches, $120