As early as the 17th century in the United States, members of the Brotherhood often voted in their meetings without using paper ballots. Many decisions must be nearly unanimous; only a "no" vote can defeat an item. Therefore, they use black ball boxes instead of paper ballots.

Everyone got a random number of black and white marbles. Voting against it, a black marble was thrown into the box. There is a board on the box that covers the voters' hands and marbles so that no one can see the vote. Each marble makes a sound when it falls, so only one marble can be used. When the box is opened, it is easy for everyone to see the number of black marbles and whether the project, motion, or membership request passed or failed. It is impossible to tell who used the black marble.

The term "blackballed" is still in use, and this box is preserved as part of history. These rules are still in the "Robert's Rules of Procedure", which are guidelines for parliamentary procedures, but there are very few situations where a decision can be made with only one vote instead of a majority.

An old black ball box used by the Brotherhood of Odd Fellows was recently sold at an auction in Garth for $500. * * * Q: I found a plate labeled "Knickerbocker Vitrified China No. 28" in the woods on the outskirts of Trenton, New Jersey. The plate is white, with a brown tulip in the middle, a blue ring and a clover border. Can you tell me how old it is? A. Knickerbocker is a pattern made by Noritake between 1985 and 1987. Noritake porcelain was made in Japan in 1904 by Nippon Toki Kaisha. The company is still in business. Knickerbocker plates sell for less than $10 online. * * * Q: I have a light bulb. I am sure it is a Heisler-Bernstein incandescent lamp from 1885. Does it have any value? If so, where can I find a buyer for this bulb? A. Antique and old-fashioned light bulbs are classified as "early technology", which is a collection area that includes electrical equipment, astronomical equipment, and medical equipment. Artificial lighting is important because it began in the 1880s and marked the extension of the working day and other changes in daily life. Yes, some collectors are looking for early incandescent bulbs, especially carbon filament bulbs from the 1880s to the early 1900s, and the filament is intact, just like yours. Some early bulbs brought high prices; some sold for more than $5,000. Charles Heisler and Alexander Bernstein both owned companies that developed light bulbs and lamps in the 1880s and early 1900s, and their work was influential in making electric lights practical and popular. Look for an auction house that specializes in early technical or scientific instruments. The website www.bulbcollector.com also has information. * * * Q: I have a LG Wright ruby ​​glass panel grape punch set, which consists of a bowl, a bottom plate and 12 cups. It is not marked. Have they never marked their items? This set is gorgeous, but I don’t know if it is a reproduction. May I ask about the prices you listed in the 2008 Price Guide? I don’t want to take advantage of any wrongly priced customers. A. "Si" Wright founded LG Wright Glass Co. in New Martinsville, West Virginia in 1937. He bought glassware and molds from other glass factories in Ohio and West Virginia. He also made molds with some molds he designed, and made parts in other glass factories. Most of the glass is unmarked. This makes LG Wright's items difficult to identify. Due to differences in color and production techniques, savvy collectors can tell the difference between original Victorian works and reproductions. The LG Wright factory closed in 1999 and the molds were sold. Some of the companies that bought them are currently making copies that are different in color and weight from the original. Patterned glass is not as popular now as it used to be. In 2007, the Panel Grape ruby ​​punch set was sold for $650. Today's asking prices range from US$225 to US$300, but the price is lower. * * * Q: I have a piece of antique dental equipment, but I can't find much information about it on the Internet. The above nameplate says "Perfect Casting Machine, The Cleveland Dental Mfg. Co." The patent date is August 22, 1916, and the serial number is 37682. Any information or points to find the right direction of information would be greatly appreciated. A. The Cleveland Dental Mfg. Co. was established in Cleveland in 1893. The company sells dental equipment and supplies. This casting machine is fixed on the table top with bolts or screws and is used to mold dental crowns. Without the list of serial numbers used by the company, it would be impossible to know the date of manufacture of this machine, but the patent date provides clues to its age. It may have been manufactured around 1916 to 1930. The factory no longer exists. Casting machines may appeal to collectors of old dental instruments or people who make jewelry. These rare machines sell for about US$50 online. * * * Tip: If your teapot or knife box has silver or brass keyholes, do not use metal cleaners. Detergents can damage wood. * * * Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer the questions sent to the column. By sending a letter with questions and pictures, you have full permission to use it in this column or any other Kovel forum. The name, address or email address will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of the photos, but we will try if a stamped envelope is included. The number of emails makes it impossible for individuals to answer or evaluate. Write to Kovels, (the name of this paper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. * * *

Current price records come from antique fairs, flea markets, sales and auctions across the United States. Due to local economic conditions, prices vary in different locations. Stoneware rolling pin, salt glaze, cobalt blue stenciled wildflowers, turned wooden shaft and handle, 16 inches, $60. Hooked rug, cat on striped mat, border of flowers and leaves, USA, 1860-1930, 30 x 52 inches, $150. Sewing rack, walnut wood, oval lifting roof, silk pleated work compartment, detachable tray, England, 28 x 15 x 12 inches, 290 USD. Tiffany & Co. sterling silver bowl, bell mouth and flat edge, hollow-style flower and leaf handle, c. 1910, 2 5/8 x 11 inches, 370 US dollars. Side table, painted with black Nero marble top, black base, extended legs, Eero Saarinen for Knoll, diameter 20 x 16 inches, $580. Cut glass perforated bowl on the stand, Hobstar pattern, flared bowl, tapered stand, notched edge, American Brilliant, 12 x 12 inches, $610. Pickle bottle, cathedral shape, 4 sides, blue-green, jagged arch, curled edge, 7 3/8 inches, $1,055. Fur coat, white fox fur, stitched pockets, gray lining, monograms, women's full length, 49 inches, $1,190. Newcomb College pottery vase, beautiful scenery, pine tree, full moon, blue glaze, bulbous, folded edges, Anna F. Simpson, 1918, 7 inches, $2,250. Tea pot, George III, tortoiseshell, octagonal, two compartments with lids, 18th century, 5 3/4 x 6 x 4 inches, US$4,270. * * * The new Kovels' Antiques & Collectibles 2019 price guide is here. The only antique price guide that provides collectors with the latest price information based on actual sales and market data. The 2019 price guide is in an easy-to-read format with tips, marks and logos, including 16,000 prices and more than 2,500 beautiful photos. In addition, for the first time, there are 300 factory marks to identify your antiques, a special section about what is hot and what is not in the antiques and collectibles market, and set the price of the year.

Order now from Kovels.com and get a free fake brochure. US$29.99 plus a postage and handling fee of US$4.95. Or call 800-303-1996 to order; or write to Kovels, PO Box 22900, Beachwood, OH 44122.