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QUALITY MANAGER

Q I have a Bird and Bottle beer mug dated 1805. The inn has been in operation since 1671. Any info?

— Leonard, Lakewood, Calif.

Q About two months ago, you listed a book that told people about the value of old items. I have a few beer mugs that I believe were owned by German military men before World War II.

— Delmas, Tombstone

A Andre Ammelounx of the Stein Auction Company looked over a photo sent and pronounced the B&B mug "from the recent past." As recent as post-1950s.

Granted, an item dated 1805 can make the heart race. But one must also understand reproductions. Smart collectors know that many, many items of value have been reproduced.

Here are the tip-offs on that mug: Detail is not sharp. Originals were hand-molded, with high relief and edges. According to Ammelounx, "details were more precise" on older versions. Even mugs mass-produced after World War II had more detail than this. This mug has the look of a churned-out commercial product. It seems to be, he added, American-made.

Another giveaway is the colors. The blues and browns used are typical of 1970s ceramics. The lack of depth in the glazes indicates casual make.

Finally, the base material seems more like chalk ware than quality stoneware or ceramic. Chalk ware is typical of carnival prizes and souvenir goods, not usable bar goods.

Those opinions were rendered without holding the mug for eyeball inspection. To be sure, someone who knows mugs needs to see it.

About the second query, we cover so many books in the column, of such variety, that I cannot imagine which book you seek.

On his Web site, Ammelounx sells several titles on steins and Black Forest collectibles. For a general starter book on all kinds of antiques and collectibles, "Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide: 24th Ed." (Collector Books, $14.95) is hard to beat. A specialty title will fill in the blanks.

The question on (possible) regimental mugs was too general for Ammelounx to address, but he offered to look over photos sent with supporting info.

Write to Ammelounx and the Stein Auction Company at P.O Box 136, Palatine, IL 60074. E-mail is aapo136@aol.com. The Web site is www.tsaco.com

Q Can you give me info on this table?

— Cecile, Bangor, Maine

A The photo sent shows a handsome walnut Federal-style card table. I cannot tell if there are side drawers or if the top opens. Or if the Sheraton-style decoration is inlay or applied.

The table needs to be seen. To my eye, it is not old, but it is quality. Most likely, this is a reproduction period piece from the 1920s to '40s. It would probably do well at auction, particularly in an East Coast sale.

QI'm trying to locate information on Coca-Cola cards from World War II that have warplanes on the front. I have 20 of them, all different. Any ideas?

— Dennis, Warwick, R.I.

A Allan Petretti is the specialist on all Coca-Cola collectibles. Your cards are covered in his "Petretti's Coca-Cola Collectibles Price Guide: 11th Ed." (KP Books, $47.95).

Known as "Airplane Hangers," the large cardboard hanging cards were produced starting in 1941 and were made until the end of the war. Four sets of large hanging cards showing American aircraft winning the war were issued. Set No. 1, issued in 1941-42, consisted of 12 cards. Sets No. 2, 3 and 4, issued in 1943, '44 and '45, had 20 cards each.

Because the first in a series is more valuable, Petretti lists the first set, if complete and mint, at $1,500. Successive sets, if still in their original printed envelope with original string hangers, retail for slightly less. Individual cards in the same condition retail at about $50 each. The importance of condition cannot be stressed enough.

Your task is to ID which set you have. Petretti's book has photos of the cards in sets No. 2 and No. 3.

● Send e-mail to smartcollector@ comcast.net or write Danielle Arnet, c/o Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611. Photos cannot be returned.