amber, emerald, ruby: Decorative glass is often made to capture the vivid color and intense sparkle of gemstones. It isn’t limited to transparent stones, either. A type of opaque matte glass called opal glass or opaline became popular in Europe in the mid-19th century.

Inspired by Venetian lattimo (milk glass) made since the 1500s and English Bristol glass of the 1700s, opal glass is a semi-opaque glass, usually white or a light color, with a slight iridescent sheen. Decorators found that it made a beautiful background for gilt or enamel designs, like this blue opaline vase that sold at Alderfer Auction for $307.

The auction described the vase as “French style,” and opaline was at its most popular in France in the mid-to late-1800s. About the same time, the opal gemstone experienced a resurgence in popularity. Believed to have magic powers and healing properties in ancient and medieval times, it was considered unlucky in the 1800s.

One of the superstitions surrounding it is that, as the October birthstone, it brought bad luck to any wearer born in any other month. However, Queen Victoria, who was born in May, defied superstitions with her love of opals. She wore opal jewelry, gave it as gifts and promoted the newly established Australian opal mines. By the art nouveau period of the late 1800s, opals were a favorite stone for jewelry. Perhaps this influenced the popularity of opal glass.

* * *

Q: I am wondering how much my 1932 Luke Appling jersey might be worth. The interesting thing about this jersey is that it is the only year that Mr. Appling wore the number 8 over his historic career.

A: Luke Appling was a shortstop for the Chicago White Sox from 1930 to 1950. He was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964. Game-worn jerseys are some of the most valuable items in sports collecting; recently, the jersey Babe Ruth wore for the 1932 World Series sold for $24.1 million at Heritage Auctions, a record price for sports collectibles. Important factors include the jersey’s age, condition, rarity and historical significance. If your jersey is a game-worn one, not a replica, it could be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. An autographed Luke Appling White Sox jersey from 1947 sold for over $4,000 in 2009, while a 1937 Luke Appling game-worn jersey sold for $20,400 in 2017 at Heritage Auctions. Sports Collectors Digest (sportscollectorsdigest.com), owned by the same company as Kovels Antique Trader, has more specific information about sports collectibles.

* * *

Q: I have a pumpkin that I purchased in the 1990s at a holiday bazaar. As I recall, I paid $5 for it. The pumpkin is round with an opening in back, a wire loop inside and cut-out eyes, nose and mouth with paper lining. It is attached to a stick. What, if anything, are you able to say about the pumpkin? Do you think it is homemade or manufactured? Are you able to possibly date it without seeing it? Does it have any value?

A: Your pumpkin sounds like one of the Halloween parade lanterns that were popular in the early 1900s. They were usually made of painted tin. The wire loop inside yours is a candleholder. Many companies made and sold lanterns like these. Halloween collectibles are extremely popular and can sell for high prices. If yours is authentic, consider yourself extremely lucky; an early tin Halloween lantern can sell for about $500 to thousands of dollars! There were also papier-mache lanterns, which usually sell for lower prices; about $100 to $500. But be careful: there are some very convincing modern reproductions.

For more information about Halloween collectibles, look for books like “Halloween in America” by Stuart Schneider, “Collectible Halloween” by Pamela E. Apkarian-Russel, “Halloween Collectibles” by Pauline and Dan Campanelli or “Vintage Halloween Collectibles” by Mark B. Ledenbach. Ledenbach is one of the nation’s leading experts on Halloween collectibles. His website, halloweencollector.com, offers a great deal of helpful information. He will also answer your questions about vintage Halloween items through his website.

* * *

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.

Peanuts, wristwatch, stainless steel, red dial, Snoopy, dancing, arms move, Woodstock, numeral and bar indices, red band, windup, 1965, 8 inches, $60.

Box, lid, porcupine quills, round, four sets of three red stripes, three strawberries on lid, Ojibwe, Ontario, Canada, 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches, $85.

Quilt, patchwork, pinwheel, yellow and red pinwheel blocks alternate with green blocks, wide red border, hand sewn, Pennsylvania, c. 1900, 76 x 79 inches, $185.

Silver-American, grape scissors, dolphin, figural handles, hallmarks, Gorham, 5 3/8 inches, $190.

Art Deco, pen stand, dog figure, Greyhound, silvered metal, black marble base, rectangular, 8 x 12 x 6 inches, $250.

Furniture, chair, midcentury modern, teak, upholstered seat and floating backrest, vinyl, open arms, 29 x 22 inches, three pieces, $310.

Print, Ransom, Fletcher C., Yer Out, baseball scene, home plate, Christy Mathewson throwing out Honus Wagner, signed, frame, 22 x 26 inches, $450.

Furniture, umbrella stand, porcelain, Old Paris style, pink ground, painted flower bouquet in oval cartouche, gilt trim, gilt metal mounts, dragon and scroll handles, pierced rim, 22 inches, $600.

Handel, lamp, three-light, chipped ice shade, reverse painted, yellow, flowering vine around rim, black-eyed Susans, Teroma, dome shape, signed, patinated metal base, c. 1920, 23 inches, $1,550.

Steuben, vase, blue, Cluthra, swirled, bubbles, flared rim, shoulders, tapered base, hand blown, acid stamp mark, c. 1930, 10 1/2 inches, $2,770.