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Beat-Up Box Beats None For China Demitasse Set

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By JAY MOORE, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 3, 2007

My set of six demitasse cups and saucers is mint in the original box. Each piece is marked "Aynsley China" and with the number "1667."

The box is only in fair condition. What are the pattern, age and value?

M.P.
Weeki Wachee
John Aynsley founded the firm in 1775 in Stoke-on-Trent, England. His son is well-known for developing bone china. Aynsley has produced hundreds of patterns over the years and is still in business.

It probably was made in the late 1960s or early '70s. According to one of the largest matching services in the United States, Replacements Ltd., the pattern probably has no name, only a number, in this case "1667."

Replacements curator Chris Kirkman says Aynsley is known for producing gift sets that do not match dinnerware or open stock china. In fact, Replacements just added Aynsley "1667" to its files two months ago.

The set would retail for about $50. Be sure to keep the original box.

Replacements Ltd. is one of the nation's largest china, crystal and silver matching services. Call 1-800-737-5223 or go to replacements.com.

My Fairbanks scale was located at People's Drugs on Broad Street in Richmond, Va., for years, beginning in the 1950s. I was told that Fairbanks was a large maker of scales during the 19th century.

What is its value?

R.P.

Glen Allen, Va.

Your Fairbanks health scale was manufactured during the first half of the 20th century by one of the world's largest manufacturers of scales. This type of scale most often was used by doctors, but they also were placed in pharmacies.
Thaddeus Fairbanks of Vermont is credited with inventing an accurate scale between 1824 and 1830. By the 1860s, Thaddeus, along with brothers Erastus and Joseph, employed about 1,000 workers to make a wide variety of scales.
Fairbanks Scales flourished. In 1865, it produced 50,000 scales annually, and twice that many 20 years later.

Like many American companies, it went through changes including buyouts and mergers. Fairbanks is still in business.

Countertop scales are collectible because they are portable. Large, heavy scales like this one are hard sells; in fact, early Fairbanks Scales trade cards sell for more. Because of local interest, it may sell for $75 to strong men with a truck.

Collectors should note that art deco-style, coin-operated scales with porcelain finishes sell for much more, even though they are equally as cumbersome.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear digital image (.jpg file) to athome @tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (plain-paper prints or Polaroi

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