Mission style, often called Arts and Crafts, was first popular in the early 1900s.


The style, displayed in furniture as well as other decorative arts, was somber. Instead of bright colors, textiles and pottery were made in a gray-green or dull dark blue.

Silver was considered too bright, so many metal ashtrays, bowls, and even cabinet hinges were made of oxidized copper.


The Roycroft community in East Aurora, N.Y., made many useful and attractive crafts. They did book binding and printing, and produced copper work, leather work and, of course, furniture.

A copper-coated Bakelite telephone was made in the candlestick shape used at the time. It was manufactured by American Bell Telephone Co. but was enhanced by Roycroft with a handmade "skin" of copper.



Q: I own a Puss `n Boots cookie jar, creamer and salt and pepper shaker set that belonged to my mother. What is the value of the set?



Q: I have three pairs of men's underwear with a neck label that reads "Babe Ruth" in red. They are in a box printed with the word "Sealpax" on the top and also "Step Thru-Button Two" and "A new one free -- if this one rips."





Sealpax's slogan, "Step Thru-Button Two," was used on union suits, a type of one-piece long underwear. Ruth's name also was used to advertise other underwear brands.


Q: My late mother-in-law lived in Ponca City, Okla., and was present the day the large statue called "Pioneer Woman" was unveiled there in 1930. The statue depicts a pioneer woman and her young son.

My mother-in-law bought a small copy of the statue that day, and we have inherited it. I recently saw a picture of two small "Pioneer Woman" statues and discovered they are actually bookends. I'm sure my mother-in-law would have bought two if she had known.


The statue is 8 1/2-inches tall and is marked "BB" behind the boy's foot and "JB" on the back. Can you tell me what it's worth?







Current prices






Lladro bride and groom figurine, No. 1404, 11 1/2 inches, $120.

Cut glass decanter, Gothic panel, hand-blown, faceted steeple-top stopper, c. 1810, 14 inch, pair, $418.




