Question: I'm very interested in furnishing a home we recently bought with Arts & Crafts style furniture and furnishings. I'm also especially interested in obtaining original Gustav Stickley pieces and would like to know where to find examples. -- Vivian Conway, MilwaukeeAnswer: You'll be able to furnish every room in the house with the most spectacular pieces ever offered (including exceptional Gustav Stickley pieces) at the 20th Century Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, 1950s/Modern, Italian Glass, Costume/Bakelite Jewelry and American and European Paintings Auction on Dec. 6 at the John Toomey Auction Gallery, 818 North Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60301. A 236-page color catalog is available for $35 postpaid (which includes a prices-realized list sent after the sale), or phone Toomey at 708-383-5234 to order by credit card.
In celebration of their 10th anniverary of Arts & Crafts auctioning, Toomey and his partner, Don Treadway (whose auctions have gained worldwide recognition), have put out a series of price guides that picture and describe all of the pieces auctioned between 1987 and 1997 with their asking prices, sale dates when sold and the prices they sold for, which informs collectors how much such pieces have escalated in value. The series includes the following: "Furniture -- Gustav Stickley, Roycroft, L&JG Stickley" with over 1,100 pieces; "Furniture -- Limbert, Stickley Bros., Lifetime, SOC, Frank Lloyd Wright" with nearly 700 pieces; "Metalwork, Graphics, Lighting, Textiles" with over 1,000 pieces; and "Ceramics" with over 2,000 pieces. The hardcover guides are available for $29.95 each plus $5.95 postage for a single book, plus $3 postage for each additional book ordered from Treadway Gallery Inc., 2029 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208, or phone 513-321-6742 to order by credit card.
Question: I have over 200 small bells made of glass, brass, ceramic and other materials. How can I find out what they may be worth, and where can I sell them? -- James Blake, Milton, Pa.
Answer: A book with more than 590 color photos is "Collectible Bells: Treasures of Sight and Sound -- With Values," by Donna S. Baker (Schiffer; 610/593-1777). It is available for $43.90 postpaid from Ace Enterprises, P.O. Box 59354, Chicago, IL 60659.
Question: How can I find out the value of Woodstock-related items -- Bob Andrews, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Answer: A book that includes Hippie Collectibles (and includes current prices for various August 1969 Woodstock items) is the 1998 sixth edition of the "Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual Price Guide" (Collector Books; 502-898-6211). It is available for $22.95 postpaid with packing from Ace Enterprises, P.O. Box 59354, Chicago, IL 60659. The book also lists clubs and newsletters, collectors and buyers with special interests, auction houses and other sources.
Question: Where can I find information on old bubblegum cards that came packed in flat packages of wax paper-covered gum? --Jim Phillips, Houston, Texas
Answer: A terrific publication is The Wrapper -- The Non-Sports Marketplace magazine published eight times a year for $22 or $42.50 for a two-year 16-issue subscription. It is available from Les Davis, 1811 Moore Court, St. Charles, IL 60174. For the current issue, send $2 plus three stamps. Or phone him at 630-443-9690 between 10 a.m and 9 p.m. CST for information.
Question: I have a collection of over 3,000 matchbooks. How can I find out their value, and where might I sell them? -- Roscoe Munger, Lowville, N.Y.
Answer: A book that lists current prices for more than 10,000 matchcovers in over 150 different categories and lists matchbook clubs, collectors, contacts and sources is "The Matchbook Collector's Price Guide -- 2nd Edition" by Bill Redskin (Antique Trader Books; 319-588-2073). It is available for $24.95 postpaid from Ace Enterprises, P.O. Box 59354, Chicago, IL 60659.
Question: I have 35 old Avon after-shave and lotion bottles in mint condition, including many that are unopened in their original boxes. Where can I find information on such bottles and their current values? -- John Riefler, Greenwich, Conn.
Question: How can I find out the value of Avon Christmas plates -- Kelly James, Lexington, Ky.
Answer: You'll find all of the Avon bottles, collector plates and other items pictured and described with their latest values in Bud Hastin's new 15th edition of the "AVON Products & California Perfume Co. Collector's Encyclopedia -- AVON and CPC Products 1886 to Present" (Collector Books; 502-898-6211). It is available for $29.20 postpaid from Ace Enterprises, P.O. Box 59354, Chicago, IL 60659. The book also includes a quick reference index for different catergories, a general index listing items by name and an awards index that covers Mrs. Albee & Avon Lady Dolls, as well as Awards & Representative Gifts, some of which are worth as much as three-figure sums.
Question: Several years ago, there was a television show called "Night Court" that showed a "Bull Doll" on one episode, made to look exactly like Richard Moll, who played the character part of Bull. Moll is my husband's all time favorite actor, and I'd love to know where I can possibly get such a doll to give my hubby in time for Christmas? -- Elaine Plowman, Omaha, Neb.
Answer: Anyone who has such a Moll doll for sale can write me to contact you. Or perhaps you can write and ask the likable actor himself, Richard Moll, 1119 Amalfi Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.
Write Anita Gold, P.O. Box 597401, Chicago, IL 60659; enclose an addressed stamped envelope. Due to the high volume of mail, not all letters can be answered, but priority will be given to those that include a copy of the column and the name of the paper it ran in. (C) Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service