Ellen Whitlock
Collector and researcher
Ellen Whitlock writes Relic's guides to maker's marks, patterns and value. She's a collector first: estate sales, thrift stores and family cupboards are where most of her questions start. Is this backstamp early or late? Is it silver or silver plate? Is this worth listing, or is it a keeper?
Her guides answer those questions the way she answers her own: turn the piece over, read the mark, then check what the maker's records, collector references, price guides and auction results actually say. Every value range on her pages lists its sources, so you can check them yourself.
For insurance or estate valuations, she recommends a certified appraiser. For "what is this, and is it worth anything?", scan it with Relic.
Every number on her pages cites a source, and every value range uses at least two independent sources.
Areas
- Maker's marks
- Silver hallmarks
- American pottery
- Depression glass
- Figurines
- Collector plates
Browse: Makers · Marks · Value guides · Identify
Articles by Ellen
- What is my Blue Willow china worth, and how old is it?Find out what your Blue Willow pattern china is worth, how to read the marks on the base to date it, and how to spot a modern reproduction.
- What is my Bradford Exchange collector plate worth?Find out what your Bradford Exchange collector plates are typically worth, how to read the back of each plate, and where to sell them.
- How much is Fenton glass worth?Find out what your Fenton glass is likely worth, how to date it from the oval mark and paper labels, and what pushes its value up or down.
- What is the value of a Hummel figurine?Find out what your Hummel figurine is worth. Read the base mark to date it, spot a copy, and see what moves the value up or down.
- What are Longaberger baskets worth, and how do you date one?Most Longaberger baskets bring $10 to $60; holiday, JW and large pieces bring more. See value ranges, bottom marks and what to check before you sell.
- How much is my McCoy pottery worth?See what McCoy pottery is typically worth, how to read the base marks to date your piece, and how to tell a real one from a look-alike.
- What is my vintage Pyrex worth, and how old is it?Find out what your vintage Pyrex is worth, how to date it from the base mark, which patterns bring real money, and where to sell it.
- What is my vintage Singer sewing machine worth?Find out what your vintage Singer sewing machine is worth, how to date it by serial number, and what separates a common treadle from a Featherweight.
- How do you read Waterford crystal marks, and what is yours worth?Read the acid mark on your Waterford crystal to date it, see what pieces typically fetch, spot fakes and find where to sell.
- How do you read pottery marks on the bottom of a piece?Read the base in order, then use a dated chart of Meissen, Wedgwood, Rookwood, Lenox and other pottery marks to see who made it and when.
- What does the Occupied Japan stamp on the bottom mean?Found 'Occupied Japan' on the base? It dates your piece to the occupation years, not to a maker. See the marks chart, look-alikes and values.
- What do the silver marks and hallmarks on your piece mean?Read the marks on the bottom of your silver: sterling, 925, coin, lion passant, plate. See what each tells you about maker, date and value.
- What is the value of an antique book?Find out what old books and family Bibles are typically worth, and how edition, dust jacket, condition and signatures change the price.
- Is my carnival glass worth anything?Find out what your carnival glass is worth: typical value ranges by type, what drives the price, how to spot fakes, and where to sell.
- Depression glass values: is yours worth anything?Typical depression glass values by color, pattern and form, plus how to identify what you have, spot reproductions and where to sell it.
- How much is my Lladro figurine worth?Most Lladro figurines are worth $10 to $500, while retired pieces and rare editions reach thousands. See value ranges and what drives them.
- Is silver plate worth anything?Most silver plate is worth $1 to $15 a piece and $50 to $200 a set. See typical values, how to spot plate, and what raises the price.
- How can you tell if silver is real?Check the marks, wear, magnet, weight and tarnish to tell sterling from silver plate at home, then see what real silver is worth.
- How can you tell if your Tiffany lamp is authentic?Check the base stamp, the lead ring, the glass and the solder to tell a real Tiffany Studios lamp from a Tiffany-style copy, and what each is worth.
- How do you identify uranium glass?Tell real uranium glass from lookalikes with a black light and five simple checks at home, then see what Vaseline glass is typically worth.
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