You don’t have to be a Halloween collector to know the symbols associated with the holiday. And there are a lot of them. Pumpkins are always a favorite, especially carved into jack-o’-lanterns, but anything spooky — witches, spiders, skeletons, monsters, ghosts — fits in. Anything related to nighttime, like bats and owls, or even moons and stars, is on theme, too. And if you’re still at a loss for ideas, anything orange and black will do.

All this variety is just one reason why vintage Halloween decorations are so collectible! Look at this plastic Halloween decoration, which sold for $540 at Milestone Auctions. You have a witch on her broomstick, which can move on a spring for added fun. Not only is she flying by a crescent moon, it looks like the man in the moon is there, too. And the moon rests on the arched back of a black cat. Well, it’s a mostly black cat; it appears to be wearing an orange mask. It’s definitely the kind of sight you would see on Halloween night.

Q: Could you please help me determine the value of the antique clock I got from my grandfather? I think it was actually part of a grandfather clock at one time. I recently saw one that looked very similar in a museum, although the face of the clock was painted differently. The information at the museum said it was from circa 1850 and probably made by the Kroeger clock making firm near Chortitza.

A: The Kroegers, a Mennonite family, made clocks until the early 20th century. The first-known clockmaker in the family was Peter D. Kroeger, who lived in Prussia in the mid-1700s. His descendant Johann started his shop in Chortitza, a Mennonite colony in what is now Ukraine. Kroeger clocks had elaborately painted dials and were often gifts or heirlooms in Mennonite families. They are a style called wag-on-the-wall, which, as its name suggests, is a wall-mounted clock the weights and pendulum exposed. They were popular in Europe in the mid-1800s. For some people, buying a wag-on-the-wall clock and having it cased later was a thrifty way to get a grandfather clock, also called a tall case clock. Some people liked to leave the weights and pendulum exposed. There is an online museum of Mennonite clocks, kroegerclocks.com, with more information.

Antique wag-on-the-wall clocks can sell for anywhere from $100 to about $500. Usually, the more information you have about the clock, the higher the price. An appraiser or repairer of antique clocks can help you narrow down the date and value of yours. A clock collectors’ club like the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc. (nawcc.org) can help you find more information and resources.

Q: I have what I believe to be my great-grandmother’s reading glasses. The lenses are small and oval with wire rims, and they fold out from a dark gray metal stick with raised swirls and a purple gemstone. I was wondering if you could tell me what they would be worth and where I should take them.

A: Your great-grandmother’s glasses sound like a lorgnette, which is a small pair of glasses with a single handle. They were popular in the late 19th century. Today, they often sell as jewelry. Gray metal (possibly pewter?) swirls and purple stones are all characteristic of art nouveau jewelry, which was at its most popular from the late 1800s to early 1900s; about the same time as lorgnettes. Art nouveau lorgnettes usually sell for at least $100. Remember that, like most jewelry, the value will depend on its material. Look for any maker’s marks or quality marks; in addition to providing more information, they often raise the value. You may want to consult a local antique shop or jewelry dealer to find out more. Look for one that sells similar pieces; for example, a dealer who specializes in gold jewelry with diamonds may not be interested in or as knowledgeable about a piece like yours. There are also dealers and collectors who specialize in antique glasses.

TIP: Old papier-mache jack-o’-lanterns originally had a thin piece of paper in the eyes. The light from the candle showed through the paper. You can make a replacement with tracing paper and watercolor paint.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.