Q: This is a photo of an elephant planter made by Haeger Potteries. It is decorated with a white, matte glaze and measures 10 inches high, 8 inches wide and 10 inches deep. There is an original label that indicates it was crafted for Heager's 75th anniversary.

Could you estimate the value of my planter?

A: German immigrant David Haeger founded the Dundee Brickyard in 1871, which became Haeger Potteries. It was located along the Fox River in East Dundee, Illinois, 45 miles northwest of Chicago. The riverbanks were a source of rich clay. Haeger Potteries provided huge amounts of brick to help rebuild Chicago after the disastrous fire of 1871. By 1900, the company had begun making clay flowerpots, and in 1912 it introduced a line of glazed artware. They made vases, planters, lamps, animal figures and figurines. The company was a family business run by four generations. The pottery closed after 145 years. The lasting economic recession, foreign competition and regulations all contributed to the decision to cease operations.

Your white elephant was made in 1946 and would probably fetch $25 to $50 in an antiques shop.

Q: I have inherited a complete set of porcelain china from my grandmother. She was married in 1950 and received the set for a wedding gift. Each dish has this mark on the back. The set is a service for eight people. It is decorated with gold bands on the edges against a white background.

Anything you could tell me about its history and insurance value will be appreciated.

A: Your china was made by Philipp Rosenthal & Co. Philipp Rosenthal started out in Germany purchasing ware blanks that were hand-decorated and then sold door-to-door. He founded his first porcelain factory, which was one of several plants, in 1879 in Selb, Bavaria, Germany. During World War II, the Third Reich forced Rosenthal to leave the company because of his Jewish descent. His son, Philip Rosenthal, joined the company in 1950. In 2009, the company was purchased by the Italian manufacturer Sambonet Paderno Group and now operates as Rosenthal GmbH. The mark you provided was used from 1907 to 1956.

The insurance value of you would range from $1,500 to $2,500 for the set.

Haeger Potteries was founded in 1871.

Philipp Rosenthal & Co. was established by Philipp Rosenthal in Germany.

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.