Majolica, the famous tin-glazed earthenware pottery, gets its name from Majorca (Mallorca), the Mediterranean island off the east coast of Spain. Tin-glazed pottery was brought to Spain by the Moors and spread to Italy as early as the 14th century, then to the rest of Europe. By the 1800s, majolica was a phenomenon in Europe. Potteries throughout the continent were making pieces with brilliantly colored glazes, often with realistically molded flowers, plants, and animals.

Collectors seek these 19th-century ceramics by celebrated makers like Wedgwood and Minton in England or Sarreguemines in France. Portugal may be lesser known among locations for majolica makers, but it had some, too. Caldas da Rainha is known for its elaborate Palissy-style pieces with realistic three-dimensional decorations. Simpler majolica pieces are made, too, and can be a good option for bargain hunters.

This hand-painted ruffled bowl is marked for another Portuguese city, Alcobaca. While the city has a long history of ceramics, especially terra-cotta sculptures, this bowl was made in the 20th century and sold for $31 at an auction by Nye & Company.

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Q: I have a postcard to my grandfather with a Ben Franklin 1-cent postage stamp. It has a 1911 Iowa postmark and is in good condition. Can you tell me what it is worth?

A: It takes an expert to evaluate a stamp. Its value is not just a matter of its age and condition. All kinds of factors, like the type of print, watermarks, whether the stamp was printed on a sheet, booklet, or coil, and even the perforations, can affect a stamp’s value.

We recommend looking into more specialized resources to help you identify your stamp and find out what details to look for. The American Philatelic Society (stamps.org) is an excellent place to start. You can also check your local library for books on stamp collecting.

Based on the date of your postmark, we are guessing that your stamp comes from the Second (1902-1908) or Third Bureau Issues (1908-1922). Both issues included a 1-cent Ben Franklin stamp. (After all, Franklin was the first American postmaster general, so his portrait frequently appears on stamps.) Both are green, but the different issues have distinct designs.

The stamp issued by the Second Bureau can be recognized by “Series 1902” printed at the top. The portrait of Franklin is flanked by two figures seated on pillars with the numeral “1.” The Third Bureau issue has a simpler design, with an oval portrait of Franklin in profile surrounded by a leafy wreath.

If you believe your stamp is a rare, valuable one, you may want to contact a specialized stamp dealer to help determine a specific value. Some coin dealers also buy and sell stamps. And don’t forget about the value of the postcard itself! Check for an artist’s signature or publisher’s information. A famous artist, rare design, or details like moving parts or unusual materials can increase its value.

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Q: How can I find out the value of a bracelet I inherited? It is 14K gold and has a Bliss Brothers mark.

A: For jewelry made of precious metals like gold, it’s important to know the melt-down value. This is the wholesale value of the metal (and gems, if there are any) if the piece were destroyed and the material were sold for scrap.

You can find online “karat calculators” where you can enter the weight of your bracelet (most give the option of grams or ounces) and the purity of the gold (in your case, 14K) to find its melt-down value. The value depends on the weight of the jewelry and the current price of gold. Never sell a piece of jewelry for less than its melt-down value. There are gold buyers who will buy jewelry for its melt-down value, but dealers who sell estate jewelry often pay higher prices. The workmanship and historic value of a piece of antique jewelry often make it worth more. A known maker’s mark usually increases the value, too.

Bliss Brothers is a well-known jewelry maker. The company started in 1873 as Bliss Brothers & Everett. The name changed to Bliss Brothers Co. about 1887. They are known for their enameled compacts and gold-filled jewelry, but they also made some solid gold jewelry.

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TIP: Most old majolica pieces have a colored bottom. The newer pieces have white bottoms.

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Kovels answers 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, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.

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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.

Scale, beam, brass, two hooks, incised measurements, signed, L. Locke, 1800s, 25 1/2 inches, $30.

Silver-sterling, cruet set, two glass bottles, faceted stoppers, scrolled frame, top handle, raised leaves and flowers, rectangular base, four scrolled feet, 10 x 7 inches, $60.

Art glass, centerpiece, iridescent, flared ruffled rim, purple threading, squat base, polished pontil, art deco, 4 x 9 1/2 inches, $125.

Toy, train, Hornby, locomotive, tender, two open cars, clockwork, track, box, 1930s, $180.

Furniture, cupboard, chimney, Hepplewhite, pine, paneled door, overhanging top, three interior shelves, shaped bracket base, c. 1840, 80 1/2 inches, $220.

Textile, tapestry, Mille Fleurs Armoiree, flower ground, heraldic animals, center crest, stylized landscape, hills, buildings, mixed fibers, label, France, mid-20th century, 52 x 4 1/2 inches, $350.

Herend, tureen, Chinese Bouquet, oval, dome lid, bird finial, light blue flowers, applied roses, gilt trim, twist handles, footed, underplate, scalloped rim, tureen 11 x 14 1/2 inches, $750.

Silver overlay, pitcher and cups, pierced panels, white enamel, colored enamel geometrics, globular pitcher, lid, six cups, footed, handles, early 1900s, pitcher 9 inches, seven pieces, $960.