THE COLLECTOR
Dear Collector,
On Christmas morning 1930, I was a very excited 7-year old when I found this doll under the tree. On the back of her neck are the following marks: “E.I.H. Co., Inc.” Can you give me some idea of her value today?
Researching the marks employed during the 1902s and ‘30s by E.I. Horsman & Company, a century old New York City doll maker, and your doll’s physical appearance (sleep eyes, bent legs, cloth body, composition head, arms and legs) lead me to think you have “Baby Dimples,” who was introduced in 1927. Made until at least 1930, Dimples arrived dressed in gown, bonnet and booties. Since your baby lost the last two items of apparel, her value is under $100, which is less than half her price when mint.
Dear Collector,
What’s the story with our Farnsworth radio; is it worth anything?
Your enclosed photos show a model ET-064 two knob plastic table radio from 1946 that has a present value of $55 in working order.
Dear Collector,
I’ve been trying to find out anything about Martin Petersen, an artist who lived in the New York/ New Jersey area; please help me?
Danish born, Petersen (1870-1943) worked for many years as an anatomical artist at Columbia University. He is best remembered for his etchings of everyday life and interiors that have sold at auction in the high hundreds.
Dear Collector,
I recently acquired this cookie jar in the shape of a monk. I’m 52-years old, and remember a similar jar from my childhood that was in an aunt’s kitchen always filled with tasty homemade cookies. I paid $15 plus tax at a second hand store; is it worth more than that?
Made by Red Wing, located in a city bearing that name in Minnesota, your circa 1930s jar has a banner proclaiming “Thou shalt not steal” across the bottom of the monk’s robe. You paid approximately one-tenth the existing value, which is not bad for all the sweet memories which I’m sure it holds.
Dear Collector,
You seem to have the line on old records, so how much do you think this “Lawrence Welk Presents the Lennon Sisters” is worth?
Following the year after their 1957 debut album (“Let’s Get Acquainted”), your record on the Brunswick label is now worth about $10.
Dear Collector,
I have an 1883 Liberty Head nickel; can you let me know if it’s of any value?
1883 saw the introduction of Rural Free Delivery (RFD) and Boston winning the National League Pennant. There were two types of Charles Barber-designed nickels produced that year (total mintage about 21 million). One has the word “cent” on the reverse, while on the other it’s omitted. Current value on circulated coins in reasonable condition ranges from $5 to $10.
Dear Collector,
After seeing the cartoon I started collecting all things Jimmy Neutron. Do you think these will gain in value?
You refer to items less than 2 years old. Who can say what collectibles will be hot in the future? Right now, Jimmy is too NEWtron.