Q: I have a cake set that was given to me in 1954. It consists of one cake plate, eight serving plates and a cake lifter. Each piece is marked with the words "The Harker Pottery Co. -- Made in U.S.A. -- Since 1840 -- 22KT. Gold."
A: Harker Pottery Company in East Liverpool, Ohio, produced semivitreous ware from 1890 to 1972. The mark you described was used circa 1950.
Q: Generally, dishes that are marked "22 KT." were made after the 1930s and are trimmed in real 22-carat gold. Your cake set would probably be worth about $50. I am curious about a set of porcelain dishes that I inherited from my parents. They are decorated with brown floral sprays against a white background. Each piece is marked "Blossom -- Alfred Meakin -- England."
A: Your dinner set was made by Alfred Meakin, Tunstall, Staffordshire, England. Your dishes were made in the late 1800s. They would probably be worth about $700 to $800.