CHECK THE BACKS OF OLD PAINTINGS

A 5-foot-long painting was sold at a recent show after the dealer realized it had been cut in half and framed into two paintings. He restored the two paintings to the original size. This was not an unusual thing for a dealer to do in the 1950s. Unimportant pictures were cut into smaller ones--a landscape, a portrait, anything that looked like an attractive painting for over the sofa. Look carefully at the back of a painting and the way the painting has been stretched. The canvas should have an unpainted edge that curls around to the back of the stretcher. A painting that goes over the edge has probably been trimmed.

BROWN EYED SUSAN CREAMER

Q: This is the creamer from a set of dishes my mother bought in Missouri sometime around the 1940s or 1950s. Any information about this charming dinnerware pattern?

A: Your mother's pattern is called Brown Eyed Susan. It was made by Vernon Kilns, a pottery company founded in 1931 in Vernon, California. Vernon Kilns made dinnerware and figurines until it went out of business in 1958. Brown Eyed Susan decoration was hand-painted and the pattern was used on a wide range of dinnerware and serving pieces. You can also find Brown Eyed Susan glassware, goblets, tumblers, and sherbets made by Imperial Glass Co. in the 1950s.

C.P. CO. MARK

Q: I have a children's bowl with this crown mark on it. I would like to find out the maker.

A: This mark was used by Crown Potteries Company of Evansville, Indiana, c.1950. The company was formed in 1902 when Crown Pottery Company took over Peoria Pottery Company. Crown Potteries made majolica, ironstone, semiporcelain and white granite. The company was out of business by 1962.