THE COLLECTOR
Dear Collector,
Could you please give me some idea what this original 1955 pennant may be worth?
In 1955, the Dodgers won the Series against their American League arch-rivals, the Yankees. In fact, it would be the first and only time the East Coast team would win it all. Your near-mint pennant should be insured for more than $500.
Dear Collector,
Enclosed are photos of copies of The Saturday Evening Post. All have some water staining as they survived a house fire. Have they value in today’s market?
The value of your magazines is determined by four factors: the first three are condition, condition and condition. Because of damage, they are automatically placed in the low end of the scale. The fourth consideration is cover art, with covers by Norman Rockwell being most desirable; again your mags strike out. Conservative value at best is about $1 per issue.
Dear Collector,
I have an IBM electric typewriter; one of the first, I believe. I remember seeing it being used on board a ship in the movie “Tora, Tora, Tora.” Can you provide the date of manufacture and today’s value?
The best way to date typewriters is by their serial number (this also applies to sewing machines, firearms and phonographs). Since you omitted that piece of information, I can only tell you that your model Electromatic was produced during WWII, which makes it probable that it was used by the U.S. Navy during the war. Remington introduced the first machine in the 1920s, and by the time yours came out, the electric typewriter had been greatly refined, including proportional spacing which gives the look of a printed page. My research shows that a machine in working order is valued at several hundred dollars.
Dear Collector,
We recently bought a chamber pot made by Sigsbee. Who were they, and where were they located?
Sigsbee was a brand name used during late 1900s by Union Potteries of East Liverpool, Ohio.
Dear Collector,
Some years ago my grandfather left me some coins, about which I know nothing. Among them is a 1943 half-dollar; does it have any value?
Average buying price on your Walking Liberty coin (this design was resurrected for the current silver dollar) is $3-$4.
Dear Collector,
Is it worth my time and money to get this Superman watch repaired? I found it in a box of jewelry in a house we just bought, so I didn’t pay anything for it.
I’m not sure what it would cost to get your 1946 Ingraham wristwatch up and running. But if it were, it would be worth more than $200.
Dear Collector,
The owner of our local antique shop told me this small Noritake porcelain set, which she called a condiment jar, is worth $150 to $200, do you agree?
I agree with the valuation placed on this circa 1918 hand-painted Japanese piece that has a matching lid, ladle and under tray. But I disagree with the shop owner saying it was used for condiments, because I think it’s a jam jar.