Thanksgiving collectibles charming for display

Thanksgiving decorations are popular with collectors today. Figurines – of turkeys, pilgrims and American Indians – platters and dishes, candles, candy containers, postcards, even paper plates and tablecloths with holiday scenes sell at the shows. The first Thanksgiving was in 1621, when the pilgrims had a three-day celebration of the harvest. Thanksgiving was not a national holiday until 1863, when it became more a day of giving thanks. Now it is a family holiday with football and food.

Start your Thanksgiving collection now. Turkey-shape candles, candy containers, salt and pepper sets, even nut cups and centerpieces are usually saved from year to year, so collectors often find them at garage sales. Look for grocery-store ads and product labels, as well as boxes and cans that promote Thanksgiving. The turkey-shape, covered glass bowls of the 1930s are so popular that they are now being reproduced.

Q: I am hoping you can tell me the value of my White Family Rotary sewing machine. It’s in its original ornate oak cabinet, and I have the original instruction manual.

The Thanksgiving table needs a turkey centerpiece like this vintage papier-mache candy container with metal feet. It auctioned for 75 at Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pa.

A:Thomas White organized his White Sewing Machine Co. in Cleveland in 1876. White’s Family Rotary machine was introduced in the late 1890s. It stayed in production well into the 1930s, and perhaps even later. Compare the serial number on your machine with the list of dates of White serial numbers. You can find the list on several Web sites. If your machine is mounted in a fancy oak cabinet, it is probably an early model. The Family Rotary is a solid, well-made machine. But because there are so many good old sewing machines in existence, it’s not easy to get more than $100 to $200 for one. White sewing machines are still made today, but not in the United States. The company is now known as White Consolidated Industries.

Tip: Date wicker furniture from the label. Wakefield Rattan Co. was used from 1855 to 1897; Heywood-Wakefield Co., 1868-1897; Heywood Bros. & Wakefield Co., 1897-1921; Heywood-Wakefield Co., after 1921.