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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

THE COLLECTOR

Glenn Erardi THE COLLECTOR™ Glenn Erardi

Dear Collector,

Can you tell me what this RCA #117 radio might be worth?

Described as a “tombstone,” because it resembles a grave marker, this 1934 tabletop model has five tubes and is capable of receiving short wave transmissions. Current value on a working example is between $80 and $100.

Dear Collector,

My grandmother, who hailed from Texas, brought this “Dallas” platter to her marriage in 1916. I am not interested in how much it is now worth because to me it invaluable. However, it would be nice to know exactly how old it is.

Your circa 1870 ironstone piece was made in Ohio at Cincinnati’s Dallas Pottery, hence the confusing mark.

Dear Collector,

I bought a “Jelly Bean Bandits” album when it came out in the 1960s, played it once and forgot about it. Lately I’ve been transferring all my vinyl onto CD format and found my old JBB 33rpm. How much is it worth?

Pressed in 1967 by Mainstream, this was the rock band’s only record, though I did find mention of them reuniting this year with hopes of cutting another. In very good condition, your stereo album could have a value as high as $50.

Dear Collector,

Included in this letter is a rubbing taken from a hair brush that I recently got from an antique store, where they were unable to tell me its history. Who’s the manufacturer?

It took a while but I eventually deciphered the intertwined initials (WS&C). They are the monogram for William Schimper & Company, a New York silversmith that began operating in 1896. This maker ceased operations in 1927, so that places your brush at between approximately 80 and 110 years old.