Dear Sun Spots: I recently came across a three-piece tea set that used to belong to my grandmother. It has to be at least 80 years old. I am interested in trying to find out something about these pieces. They are beautiful and in perfect condition. On the bottom, it reads: James Kent Ltd. Longton – Made in England – Convolvulus 5019. The flowers look like morning glories and have a gold trim. Thanks for the help. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, according to http://www.edp24.co.uk/Content/Advertising/Arts_Antiques/2005/asp/Experts.asp, the James Kent Pottery started in 1897 in what had been the Bakers Pottery. It always produced richly decorated earthenware household and tablewares. In the 1920s, they became famous for their chintz and floral patterns. The pottery business was sold several times in the early and mid-1980s. In 1998, the current owners relaunched the 1920s chintz-ware designs. These have become premium collector’s items. The pottery has used, amongst others, the trade names of James Kent, Foley and Old Foley.

If you are looking for an appraiser, you might like to contact:

Dan Poulin at Orphan Annie’s, 96 Court St., Auburn, (207) 782-0638.

F.O. Bailey Antiquarians, 35 Depot Road, Falmouth, ME 04105, (207) 781-8001 or e-mail [email protected].

Dear Sun Spots: I’m in a predicament. I’m hoping someone out there will have what I need. It’s called Dazzleaire yarn by Caron. It’s off-white, number 2615, dye lot 412098; but as long as it’s off-white, it might still be all right. Please call me at (207) 777-3595. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: Some time ago, you shared a number of fudge recipes in your column. I successfully used a number of these recipes and kept that column in my recipe box. But, now I have lost that column and the one recipe I cannot recover was for peanut butter fudge. It made a very large batch (9-by-13 pan) and required you to beat with a mixer until it hardened. Would you be able to reprint that or all of those recipes for me? Thank you so much. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots does not recall providing any recent fudge recipes. However, the Sun Journal’s Cook of the Week column on Wednesdays has a couple, which Sun Spots has reprinted for you here:

Peanut butter fudge. Ingredients: 2 cups sugar, 2 cups brown sugar, 1 cup milk, 1 12-ounce jar peanut butter, 1 7½-ounce jar Marshmallow Fluff, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Method: Mix first three ingredients in a medium or large pot. Stir on high heat until it starts to boil. When mixture boils and cannot be stirred down, cook for five minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter, fluff and vanilla. Beat with whisk or wooden spoon until fluffy. Pour immediately into buttered 13- by 5-inch pan. Let set until firm and cool. May be refrigerated to speed up firming. Cut into desired number of pieces and enjoy.

Coffee dot fudge. Ingredients: 3 cups sugar, 1 cup milk, ½ cup light cream, 2 tablespoons instant coffee, 1 tablespoon light corn syrup, pinch of salt, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup chocolate chips, ½ cup pecans. Method: Butter sides of heavy three-quart saucepan. In it, combine sugar, milk, light cream, coffee, corn syrup and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. Cook to 235 degrees on a candy thermometer, stirring only if necessary if the temperature is rising too quickly. Usually this stirring isn’t needed. Remove from heat and add butter, let cool until 110 degrees. Make sure it cools without stirring. Add vanilla and beat by hand until fudge becomes very thick. Fold in chocolate chips and pecans, spread into buttered 8- by 8-inch pan. Let cool before cutting.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].