‘78 Ronald Worth More If Left In Box
* Dear Collector: Enclosed is a picture of a Ronald McDonald doll I found in an abandoned house about 10 years ago. He is in good condition, except his head is not connected very well. Also, “YKK” is etched on the zipper of his outfit.
A 1978 creation by Hasbro, this “whistling” Ronald doll is worth about $100 NRFB (never removed from box), while yours is only worth $10 to $15, due to the damage. You can activate the whistle by placing it in his mouth and then squeezing his tummy. The initials on the zipper pull-tab stand for “Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha,” the Japanese firm that produces over 7 million zippers a day at its Macon, Ga., plant.
* Dear Collector: How old is my “Pearl” tea set?
Beginning operation in the 1930s and located in East Liverpool, Ohio, Pearl wares are marked with a pearl inside a seashell.
* Dear Collector: I hope you can give me some information about a rifle that was given to me. It is a Winchester lever action with an octagon barrel. Marked “40-65 W.C.F., Model 1886.”
Based on a patent by famed firearms designer John Browning (he developed the 1911A1 Colt, the BAR and many other weapons), this was one of the most popular rifles produced by the giant arms maker, and was available in 10 different chambers. Yours is one of the Winchester Center Fire caliber. A sporting rifle - the octagonal barrel wasn’t featured in the military version - look to see if there is a checkered forearm. If that’s the case, then your Winchester is worth about $2,000 in poor condition, and nearly $17,000 in excellent condition.
* Dear Collector: I have a set of “My Book House” books that I purchased several years ago at a yard sale. There are 12 volumes, which contain poetry, fairy tales, etc.
The last copyright date is 1965. This set of children’s books (there should be 13 volumes, the last one was a sort of guide for parents) was originally released in 1920 and was still being published in the ‘70s. Expect to pay about $200 for an early set with the value decreasing for each succeeding edition: 1937, $145; 1947, $110; 1951, $100; 1965, $80; 1971, $75.
* Dear Collector: I received a collection of whiskey decanters and am having a difficult time learning their worth. What is the value of a Beam poodle?
The Jim Beam Distillery contracted with Regal China to make a series of poodles in the 1970s. “Tiffany,” “Penny” and some untitled gray or white French pooches were marketed and now sell for $20 or so.
* Dear Collector: I have a three-legged cane chair from the 1939 New York World’s Fair. On the underside it is marked “kan-o-seat” with a patent date of May 24, 1935.
A practical accessory, the foldout chair on a walking cane had been in use for hundreds of years prior to the ‘39 World’s Fair. Used by hunters, horse racing fans and others, this type of dual-purpose device would stand (or should I say sit) the modern user in good stead at Disney World or even a queue at the local bank. You mention damage to the decal on the chair’s seat showing the Trylon & Perisphere, the Fair’s architectural symbols, which greatly affects the value. Look for a top of about $40 for your item.