Expert: Michelle Lieberman - 8/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi I have attached a picture -- I have 6 wallace sterling spoons, 2 matching forks. It looks to be the Rose Point collection. Along with it I found this "comb". I am wondering if you could tell me what it is Is it anything of value? As well, are the wallace spoons hollow or not? What would their value be?
Thanks so much.

ANSWER: Hello Heather.

Yes, your pieces are in the Rose Point pattern, which came out in 1934 and continues to be made today.

I assume your spoons are teaspoons which are 6" long.  Going retail price for used spoons in excellent condition is $20 to $25.  Forks are $35 to $40.  Spoons and forks are solid sterling, not hollow.

The comb is called a cake breaker.  It's used for slicing and serving tall cakes, such as angel food cake.  This piece goes for about $40.  It has a sterling hollow handle filled with pitch or plaster and stainless steel serving end.

Regards,
Michelle

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much Michelle. Boy you are quick and thorough. I thought of just one more thing -- the cutlery are all in original sealed wallace sterling plastic packages -- in other words never used. I took one out for the purposes of figuring out what it was and taking a picture. Does that inflence the value of the pieces?

Answer
Believe it or not, it hardly makes any difference at all in value.  The only exception to this would be if they were vintage pieces made around the time the pattern was issued (would say either Pat Pend on the back or show the patent date), then the price would be higher.

- Michelle