My father left us a stone jar collection that we have decided to sell.

[Ohio Dem]

When Dad died last July, he left behind a rather impressive antique stone jar collection. We (my brother, sister and I) have decided to pick out the pieces with sentimental value and to sell the rest at auction.

Before we have an expert come here to give us an idea as to their value, we think it would be a good idea to do a little research ourselves, so we can tell if the expert is being honest with us. We already know that several of them are worth thousands. These are jars with lettering and other decorations like eagles and shields with the manufacturer's name and names of towns.

Does anybody know of any resources that would help? We're looking for a book or a website.

Thanks in advance.

[cyberswede]

1. Are you referring to crocks?

If so, this might be a start:
http://www.ehow.com/video_4417227_determine-value-antique-crocks.html

[Ohio Dem]

4. Yep. Crocks is what we always called them.

I'll check that site out. Thanks!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. First place I would look is e-bay. I've found them to be a pretty good resource

For what should sell for how much. Not always, but most of the time.

[Ohio Dem]

6. My brother said that, too.

He's going to look there. Thanks!

[HappyMe]

3. Is there a museum nearby?

I would take them there, so that you know exactly what you have.

[Ohio Dem]

8. Not really.

That's not really an option unless we load them up in a truck and take them to Pittsburgh or Columbus or something. Maybe that's what we should do, though. Good idea. Thanks!

[HappyMe]

9. If you think they are worth some big bucks

it may be worth the trip.

[Ohio Dem]

12. You're right.

Something for us to discuss. Thanks again.

[Honeycombe8]

5. I have a few antique stoneware/pottery pricing books...

there are TONS of 'em.

I looked for, and found, price guides for the particular type of pottery I bought or was thinking of buying.

Look for books that are referenced in other places, or that there are a lot of that book...there are price guides that are more recognized as authoritative than others.

I just did a search on Amazon for antique stoneware...there is a category called antique stoneware jugs, and another called antique stoneware crocks, and then there's just antique stoneware (which would be too general for youor purpose, I think).

Look for one as specific to the type of stoneware you have...wide top crocks, narrow neck jugs, or whatever.

I have a couple of antique narrow neck stoneware jugs, and a small stoneware "bottle" that still has the medicine label on it.

You can also get info doing internet searches for the manufacturer's name and maybe year or whatever...you might find one for sale at an auction house. (I found my antique clock on the internet...well, it was identical to an antique clock I had inherited, down to the label and name of the clock and appearance and year, so that gave me a good idea of how much it was worth.)

Those books are a marvel. They'll give you a pic of a stoneware, then a closeup of an impression logo from the bottom, and a text description, with general value.

Since your gramps was a collector, I'd guess that most of them have some sort of markings on them, which is a good thing. If it doesn't have markings, it's my understanding that pottery antiques are hard to identify for sure and hard to value.

Good luck! Sounds like some collection! I love antiques (though I don't have the room or money to collect them.) Oh, and also bear in mind whether the buyer will be paying you wholesale (if he'll be reselling them for a profit), or retail (with a price break for buying the lot).

[Ohio Dem]

10. Thanks!

We will look into that.

[bluedigger]

7. Here is a nice bibliography.

http://www.earlyamericanstoneware.com/Books.htm

Once you identify the pieces you should be able to research the values on the net more accurately. Good luck!

[Ohio Dem]

11. Thanks for the link.

[talkingmime]

13. Get at least three experts to do the estimates. They can vary widely.