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

THE COLLECTOR


A 1930s Seth Thomas tambour mantle clock.
 (The Spokesman-Review)
Glenn Erardi Glenn Erardi

Dear Collector,

My mother gave me this Seth Thomas clock which was presented to her when she got married. I intend to pass it down in my family and would like to know if it has any value.

The true worth of this 1930s tambour mantle timepiece lies in its relationship to you and your family. When a thing has co-existed with generations of the same family, its value transcends price tags and dollar signs. What you have is an heirloom in the making. Not every family has one, so cherish yours.

Dear Collector,

I have enclosed a copy of a 10-cent traditional currency. I would appreciate if you would put a value on it.

The fact that your note is so worn you misread fractional for traditional shows that this 1864 fifth issue series with a portrait of William Meredith (1799-1873), Secretary of the Treasury in 1849-50, is not worth much. Creased, taped and tattered, its value is less than $2.

Dear Collector,

The radio shown in this picture has been in the household since I was 8; I am now 79. It is a Majestic Model 70, manufactured by Grigsby-Grunow Co. of Chicago.

The model number refers to its chassis; the works inside the console cabinet. Within the No. 70 series there were open front types (Model 71), and some like yours with doors (Model 72). If your radio still works, it’s worth about $200.

Dear Collector,

Here’s a reproduction of the mark on some old dishes I have; who made them and when?

A swimming swan with the initials “B.M. & T.” beneath it is the backstamp of Boulton, Machin & Tennant, a Tunstall, Staffordshire potter who was in business during the 1880s and ‘90s.

Dear Collector,

Are these stamps worth anything?

These 1942 U.S. issued 5-cent jugate (fancy-shmancy word describing a paired portrait) postage stamps with Abraham Lincoln and Sun Yat-sen commemorate Nationalist China’s fight against Japanese aggression before and during WWII. Used, they are worth about 25cents each.

Dear Collector,

I hope you can give me some information on the doll in these photos; it’s in pretty good condition. On her neck are the following marks: “S.T. 15.”

Your late 1950s 15-inch high vinyl Shirley Temple costumed as Red Riding Hood was made in three sizes (yours is the smallest). It has a value of $100 in its played-with state.

Dear Collector,

My older sister bought me this Avon bay rum aftershave for my 14th birthday in 1965. I never opened it, nor will I ever, but I am curious to know if it’s worth anything now.

In the shape of a wooden keg, your 8 oz. lotion-filled container sold for $2 when new. It’s now worth about $20.

Dear Collector,

Have you ever heard of this magazine: “Ka-Zar?”

Published for just three issues in 1936/37, this Tarzan wannabe mag’s full title is “Adventures of Ka-Zar the Great.” Because it had such a short life, copies can sell for more than $100 each.