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By JAY MOORE Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 26, 2008

ANTIQUES

My antique armchair was originally purchased in Minnesota during the 1930s and given to my grandparents. It has china rollers on the front legs, and I think the upholstery is original. How old is it and what is it worth?

O.F.

Midlothian, Va.
Charles Eastlake was an English designer who wrote "Hints on Household Taste," published in England in 1868 and in the United States in 1872. Many U.S. factories attempted to copy his designs, but went for quantity rather than quality.

This chair is typical of mass-produced Eastlake-style furniture made from 1875 to 1905. It's probably made of walnut. The casters on the front legs are original, but the upholstery is not. It would sell for $70.

Some American furniture-makers took Eastlake's designs seriously, such as Herter Brothers of New York. More than a few cabinetmakers worked directly from his design books and produced high-quality furniture.

I would like to know the value of my commemorative plate dated 1876. It celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

It's made of clear glass and has a picture of the Liberty Bell.

B.M.

Dade City

This pressed-glass plate is in the Liberty Bell or Centennial pattern. It was manufactured by Gillinder and Co. in 1876 in Philadelphia. The glass-making firm produced several forms in this pattern.

William T. Gillinder began his glass-making career in England before moving to the United States and forming his company in 1861. In 1912, the company moved from Philadelphia to Port Jervis, N.Y.

Gillinder is still in business. Today, it mostly produces commercial glass products, including airport runway lighting.

This clear glass Liberty Bell plate would retail for about $30.

Have A Treasured Heirloom?

Find out what it's worth at Tampa's own "Antiques Road Show" at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Antique Evaluation Saturdays allow residents to have their old jewelry, furniture, paintings and collectibles evaluated by experienced appraisers for just $5 an item. Proceeds benefit the Henry B. Plant Museum.

Bring your treasure - limit four items per family - to the Music Room in Plant Hall at The University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. For large furniture pieces, bring a good photograph and a drawer or door from the item, if possible.

Evaluation tickets are sold on a first-come first-served basis from 10 a.m. to noon. Park in the faculty and staff lot on the west side of Plant Hall.

Questions? Call (813) 254-1891. For museum information, visit www.plantmuseum.com.

Photo from H.B. Plant Museum

An appraiser examines a silver pitcher at one of seven Antique Evaluation Saturdays held each year at Henry B. Plant Museum.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear, high-resolution digital image in .jpg format to baylife@tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (not compu

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