Q: Enclosed is a photo of a small Amberina glass pitcher. It stands 6 inches tall and is in perfect condition. It shades from deep yellow at the base to red at the top. I recently paid $18 for it at an antiques shop in Maine. The dealer said it was made in 1890.

Anything you can tell me about my pitcher will be appreciated.

A: Your Amberina glass pitcher is an example of Early American Pattern Glass and is very collectible. Joseph Locke of New England Glass Company patented the Amberina formula in 1883. The color was achieved by adding gold to a compound that was used in firing. New England Glass Company granted licenses to several other glass companies to permit them to produce Amberina glass. It has also been made by Fenton, Blenko and Boyd Art Crystal. Newer pieces don't have the rich color and gradual shading.

Your circa 1890 Amberina pitcher can be found selling in antiques shops and eBay in the range of $25 to $50.

Q: I have enclosed a drawing of the mark that is seen on the back of a plate that was my mother's. She always used it as the "Birthday Plate." If it was your birthday, you dinner was served on it. The plate is white and decorated with brown flowers and leaves that look like ink drawings.

I would appreciate anything you can tell me about my plate.

A: Colonial Pottery was made by F. Winkle and Co., which was located in Stoke, Staffordshire, England, from 1890 to 1931. "Grace" is the name of the pattern, and it is a transfer print. Your plate was made sometime between 1890 and 1925. It would probably be worth $25 to $35.

Q: I have a framed photo of Shirley Temple holding a dog when she was a little girl. She looks gorgeous with all her curls! I would like to know what it is worth because I'd like to sell it.

A: Without more information, it can be difficult to provide accurate information. There were many different photos of Shirley Temple holding a dog. Whether the frame is original, what kind of dog she is holding, and what she is wearing are a few of the details that are important. Most photos of her and a dog sell in the range of $20 to $45. That being said, there is one early 1930s photo of her with a terrier dog that is valued at $400.

Amberina glass was made by New England Glass Company.

Colonial Pottery was made in Staffordshire, England.

Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P. O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters. To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.