As a child I collected miniature antiques. I have had this tray since ~1972. Was purchased at a local antique shop in Mullica Hill NJ. It is silver and engraved with three boys faces. Wondering what is its value. I'm downsizing and am looking to sell my miniatures.
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Here is a similar, called a tip tray. Appears to be very valuable. Please consider donating this item to a museum or other institution whose mission is to preserve and educate about Black history. www.icollect247.com/
Looks like the identical tray except the Kansas City. Is it okay to polish? I used to polish it when I was a kid.
Do you have a suggestion of a museum? Smithsonian?
I'm sorry I can't recommend an appraiser, but might start with a call to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C. at (844) 750-3012 or maybe a Black Studies librarian or archivist at a local Historically Black College or University. Here is a list: hbcufirst.com/
Thank you! I will donate the tray.
First--do NOT clean it or do anything to it until you get a lot more info in hand so you don't do any damage or if it is of value, decrease the value or damage it. You mention that you cleaned it in the past...but I would not do anything until you get more info.
There is not enough information about this item to offer you value or what to do with it--yet.
Is it marked sterling or 925 or any of the other markings defining it clearly as silver? From the photo it does have some tarnish, but other metals age like that...so the material is critical to the value. It could be pressed tin or silver plate that has aged--which would have a totally different value than if it is indeed sterling silver.
Is there a brand or a maker mark on the back or it could even be very tiny in the design...I can't get it blown up enough to see if has any marking on the front and there is not a picture of the back (unless I missed it).
That is the first two passes at understanding what you have.
Third pass is once you confirm the actual metal, then you go to subject matter. Black History pieces can have significant value or not--depending on the subject matter and the condition of the piece. I did a few quick searches and only found the one that another poster shared--but it is possible I am just not searching the right terms. I will try to do some further digging and see what terms I have missed.
That sample has a crazy high dollar amount and, to me, that is only indicative of what one seller thinks...and as a life long re-seller, I can tell you in all honesty that sellers can say anything they want and call things "rare" and set a crazy high asking price...since we have no examples of the EXACT one being sold, I hold that example as just that...an example until there are more facts.
I am hoping you do have a rare and valuable piece--but again--this needs a ton more info to figure that out.
If you want to go expert route and ask...sadly a lot of the museums are closed or have limited staffing and hours.
You could try asking at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. They seem to still be open. Here is their website and contact info:
Open Wednesday through Sunday
10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The museum is closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday each week.
1400 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20560
Ph. 1-844-750-3012
When inquiring, you can tell them you are downsizing and that you want to get your collection into good hands. That you find this piece interesting and wanted to see if it was something they would be interested in for their collection.
Never discuss "value" with a museum...because they find that question offensive and don't want to deal with someone selling off collectibles for a profit.
Don't point out that crazy high asking prices that is an example--especially because it is not an exact match.
Museums are all about apples to apples comparsions...so the one online may truly be worth what the person is asking and because yours is different it could either be worthless, of the same value, or worth even MORE than theirs.
If this museum can't help, ask if they know of one that may be better suited (that are still open).
Let them do the talking and see what they say!
Post back what you learn so we all can learn from it!!
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. It does have sterling on the tray. I will donate to museum if anyone has a collection that would be of value to them. Ill have to look closer to see if there are any other markings. It has not been polished since the 70's.
I would take this to a dealer and get it appraised.
Is there a dealer you could recommend?
You can contact online appraisal services like
For a small fee they can appraise your silver platter.
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