THE COLLECTOR
Dear Collector,
Enclosed is a picture of a Baby Santa doll whose tag reads, “1935, Knickerbocker Toy Company.” Please let me know its value.
A closer look at its tag reveals that this 10-inch high plush toy from one of America’s biggest producers of stuffed animals was made in 1955. Approximate value is $20-$30.
Dear Collector,
My father, who is now 85, has an “Our Gang” pencil box; can you tell us what it is worth?
Constructed of red cardboard, this 1930s school box from Eagle Pencil has a current value of $60-$125.
Dear Collector,
What is an 1896 nickel worth?
Editors Joel Edler & Dave Harper put a value of $8-$16 on this coin in their new “2006 U.S. Coin Digest” (KP Books, 2005, $12.99).
Dear Collector,
Last week at a yard sale I found a 1965 copy of Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood.” After arriving home, I opened it and found it had been signed on the inside cover by Edgar Lee Masters, whose poems I remember reading in school. What is this autographed book worth?
I feel secure in saying that Masters (“Spoon River Anthology”) didn’t sign your book: he died in 1950.
Dear Collector,
We have no idea how long this mustache cup has been in our family’s possession, but it may have originally belonged to my wife’s great-grandfather who was born in the 1860s.
Bearing the anchor and rope mark of Sampson Bridgwood & Son, a Longton, Staffordshire potter, this left-handed cup dates from about 1885.
Dear Collector,
I’ve looked everywhere trying to find out something about this tool. I think it punched holes in leather; did it?
What you have is a vintage trocar, an embalmer’s instrument used to drain fluids from a body. Enough said!
Dear Collector,
Does my Wehle beer tray have any value?
Located in West Haven, Connecticut, Wehle brewed Mule Head Ale, and Ox Head Beer from 1933 to 1943. Your circa 1930s serving tray is now worth $100.
Dear Collector,
I have 10 Big Little Books, among them “Tom Beatty, Ace of the Service.” What is its approximate value?
Beatty, a fictional detective, figured in three different titles, one of which was also published in soft cover, as opposed to BLB’s usual cardboard covers. If your book has stiff covers (catalog #1420), value is $30-$40. The rarer copy has a top value of $185.
Dear Collector,
What’s the most precious thing to collect?
Good memories.
Dear Collector,
The set of china in these photos (excuse the poor quality) was owned by my mother, who got them at the movies in the 1940s. What are they now worth?
After scrutinizing your photos with a magnifying glass, I was unable to identify the maker’s mark. Because you did not include a description or sketch of the mark, I cannot answer your question.