Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
What’s it worth?
Q My husband dug up a glass bottle in the garden with Silvikrin Liquid Shampoo engraved on the base. The triangular, brown bottle is screw-top, but there’s no lid. Do you think it has any value please? Jackie A Young, via email
The old bottle market is dominated by perfume bottles – they are a hugely popular collectable and can be quite cheap to build a good collection. I’m afraid shampoo bottles like yours – most likely from the 1930s were rarely decorative or made of fine glass and are of interest value only, so perhaps £5 to £10.
Q I have a pair of framed riding breeches with the autographs of jockeys Frankie Dettori, AP McCoy and Richard Johnson, along with the autographs of the presenters of racing programme The Opening Show. I would appreciate if you could give me a value.
Robert A Thomas, via email Frankie Dettori has approximately 500 race wins as one of the best flat riders. I think the signatures makes this quite special. His autograph on a page of paper would usually sell for £25 to £50 or so, a great signed photo perhaps £100. If we knew the riding breeches were worn by one of the jockeys, that would be really great. Without that insight, I reckon around £250 would be right – perhaps £350 to a fan.
Q I have a toy Star Trek spaceship made by Dinky. It’s the U.S.S. Enterprise, it fires small plastic discs and is in complete condition in a very tidy box and very little damage on the toy itself. Can you value please? Mike A Bird, Cardiff
The first Dinky toys appeared in late 1934 as a spin-off from the Hornby railway sets, both brands owned by Meccano. These days the name is very much alive amongst collectors – rare mint, boxed and early models can make thousands. In so/so shape, you’ll be looking at £100. In mint condition, up to £175.