Leaves, pedestals on antique tables more elaborate as years pass

Problem: Guests for dinner and a small dining-room table. Solution: Extend the table

This problem has existed for centuries, and there have been many solutions. Antique and vintage furniture can be found that show these solutions, from drop leaves to extensions.

The earliest solution was to add drop leaves. The table was made with an extra piece at each end that could be raised and held in place by an extra leg that swung under it to hold it level with the main tabletop. The idea is still in use.

In about 1800, a craftsman made a two-part pedestal table. The pedestals held the top, but could be pulled apart, so an extra leaf could be added. If more leaves were needed, an extra pedestal could be added.

Also in the 1800s, a rectangular table was used with two separate small tables that had drop leaves. The small tables were kept against the wall. When guests came, the small tables were moved next to the main table and the drop leaves were raised.

By the 19th century, extension tables were made with extra leaves that were stored on tracks under the top. The leaves popped into place when the table was separated.

Another idea created before the 20th century was a round table with pie-shaped inserts that could make the table a larger circle. An expensive modern copy of this table is still made. Most dining tables today have loose leaves that can be inserted on a track.

In 1996 I acquired a 600-minute Coca-Cola “1995 Grand Prize Winner” phone card. There’s a Coca-Cola logo in the bottom right corner and a red and white “Smith’s” logo in the top left corner with the phrase “Have a Coke” under it. The card pictures a frosted window, and a full Coke bottle can be seen sitting outside in the snow. I have saved the card because I understand only 10 of them were made. Are phone cards collectible, and what’s mine worth?

There are eager collectors of phone cards, although there are fewer in the United States than there are in Japan and some other countries. Most Coke phone cards date from the 1990s and sell for under $10. But yours happens to be a rare one. Fifteen, not 10, were made, but that’s still a very small number. Your card lists in price guides for $1,600. That doesn’t necessarily mean you can easily find someone who will pay you that much. A dealer in phone cards might be willing to pay you about half, though.

When my daughter was about 10, her cousin gave her some Strombecker doll furniture she no longer played with. There’s a table and chairs, living-room chair and end table, playpen and bed. The pieces are unpainted, varnished natural wood. They’re too big for a doll house, but perfect for an 8-inch doll. What would the pieces sell for today?

Strombecker was the trade name used by Strombeck-Becker Manufacturing Co. of Moline, Ill. The company was incorporated in 1913 by J.F. Strombeck and R.D. Becker. At first the company made wooden handles and tent poles, but it ventured into toys in 1919 and dollhouse furniture in 1931.

The company found its biggest success with wooden airplane model kits, but also made wooden blocks, trains and “Bill Ding” interlocking wooden figures.

When plastic started taking over many toy lines in the 1950s, Strombecker was hit hard. One of its efforts to fight back was production of larger furniture for Ginny, Betsy McCall and other dolls 8 to 10 inches tall. The furniture was too small for Barbie dolls, though, and the line was discontinued a short time before Strombecker dropped out of the toy business entirely in 1962.

Strombecker doll and dollhouse furniture is well made and very collectible. Your daughter’s individual pieces would sell for $10 to $30 each.

My grandmother left me a covered serving dish and matching platter. The only mark on it is “Stinthal China.” The dishes are in a floral pattern with gold-painted leaves. Can you tell me something about the maker?

Stinthal China was a brand name used by the Crooksville China Co. of Crooksville, Ohio. The company was in business from 1902 until 1959. Crooksville’s Stinthal line was made during its earlier years. It’s a fine, thin semi-porcelain that was decorated in many different patterns. Most Stinthal serving dishes sell for under $50.

In some online ads, I see what I call “mugs” described as “jugs” and typical drinking “cups” described as “cans.” Can you explain?

The use of the word “can” for a drinking vessel is rarely heard in the United States. It’s more common in Great Britain, but even there you don’t hear it too often. The word “jug” is also more commonly used as a synonym for a large mug in England than here. We tend to think of a jug as a rounded pitcher. But Americans are more likely to call a mug a jug than they are to call a cup a can.

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On the block

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.

Towles Log Cabin Maple Syrup savings bank, awarded 1st prize, Paris Expo 1900, tin lithograph of cabin, American Can, 3 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches, $80.

Cracker Jack mechanical card prize, die-cut cardboard, boy eating Cracker Jack, “move sideways &see him eat,” 2 x 3 1/2 inches, $135.

Cigar matchsafe, silvered brass, 10 cigars banded together with gold-tone wrap, engraved leaves, held 10 cigars, striker plate on bottom, c.1890, 2 3/4 inches, $140.

Cleveland Indians 1948 World Series apron, red felt Chief Wahoo and lettering, white ruffle, made by Nona Lou, $345.

Roseville Cherry Blossom vase, cherry tint to green, marked, 10 1/4 inches, $710.

English silver child’s traveling set, maroon velvet case, gold-washed cup, knife, fork and spoon, engraved grapes and flowers, c.1880, $865.

Little Neil doll by Martha Chase, cloth, painted heart-shaped face, blond hair, blue eyes, oilcloth limbs, c.1900, 15 inches, $1,100.

Silhouette of man and greyhound dog, man wearing cap, facing each other, England, c.1840, 10 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches, $1,265.

Federal lolling chair, mahogany and birch, serpentine crest over scooped scrolled arms, tapered front legs, raked rear legs, recessed box stretcher, 42 inches, $1,995.

Weller vase, nocturnal scene with 4 black crows on brown branch, full yellow moon, pinkish-gray ground, marked, 8 1/4 inches, $4,370.