Q: I am 101 years old and my eyes aren't sharp, but I think my Mr. Pickwick Royal Doulton pitcher is beautiful. Does it have value?
— Bernard, Lima, Ohio
A: Congratulations on reaching the august age of 101. That makes you older than your Doulton character jug.
In comparison, Pickwick, introduced in 1938, is a newcomer.
He is not a pitcher, but one in Royal Doulton's huge variety of character, or Toby, jugs. Doulton first made face, or character, jugs in 1934. Today collectors count more than 800 differing versions, from a full cast of Dickens characters to the Phantom of the Opera, mask and all.
Named for Charles Dickens' novel "The Pickwick Papers," Mr. Pickwick was produced by several makers, including Royal Doulton. One of the most popular character jugs ever made, Pickwick is found in differing designs. Jim Beam Whiskey made Pickwick promotional jugs, and in 1982, Pick-Kwick in England produced a limited edition of 2,000.
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At Doulton, he was first made as a 4-inch jug. Later he appeared as part of a six-piece set of mid-size character jugs. In 1994, a large version was made with metal eyeglasses. The first-version Pickwick is one of only two Doulton jugs made in five sizes ranging from large (5 1/2 inches) to tiny (1 1/2 inches).
As with most secondary-market collectibles, value depends on demand. In Doulton character jugs, early Mr. Pickwicks have a D6060 backstamp. A later stamp, the D6959 mark, has Pickwick's name in script. That's the version our reader has.
Produced in the 1980s, D6959 limited-edition versions show up at auction and online. Recent online sale results show single D6959 versions selling at about $250.
FYI: Brand new, "A Century of Royal Doulton Character & Toby Jugs" by Stephen Mullins and David Fastenau with Louise Irvine (Schiffer, $125) is the complete reference on the genre. Almost 2,000 color photos and a thorough text cover Doulton and other makers. Included are model numbers, marks and prototypes, but no values.
Q: What is the difference between my Noritake Ontario dinnerware made in the Philippines and that made in Japan?
— Margaret, Smithfield, Va.
A: According to the director of product and inventory at Replacements (www.replace ments.com), the giant replacement service in North Carolina, the difference is "little to none." Citing inventory of 13 million pieces in more than 300,000 patterns, the company specializes in replacing discontinued dinnerware, flatware and table glass.
Here's the scoop: "Noritake started production of Ontario in Japan and later moved manufacturing to the Philippines. Other than a different Noritake stamp on the back of the piece reflecting the country of origin, there should be very little if any difference between pieces."
FYI: Go to www.noritake collectors.com for the Noritake Collectors Society, an international group of enthusiasts. More about individual pieces than dinnerware, the group publishes Noritake News. Contact replacement services about dinnerware.
3/4 AUCTION ACTION
A large fragment of manuscript on papyrus dating from perhaps 200 A.D., one of the oldest and most celebrated early Christian gospel fragments, failed to sell when offered recently in a sale of Western Manuscripts and Miniatures at Sotheby's London. Pre-sale estimate was $299,926 to $449,889. A vertical piece of 25 lines, the gospel of John in its original language was most certainly written in Alexandria.