THE COLLECTOR

Tue., Aug. 15, 2006

Glenn Erardi Glenn Erardi

Dear Collector,

Could you please tell me what this item is? It is heavy, at least 1 ½ lbs., and rough around the outside?

You have an early 20th century match striker promoting Diamond, a global company founded by American O.C. Barber, who also manufactured fire extinguishers. A collectible that falls into at least two categories (tobacciana and advertising) it is worth $15 to $25.

Dear Collector,

These military payment certificates belong to my husband who was in the Army. They are not in such good condition, but are they worth anything?

This type of paper money (MPC) was provided to our members of the armed forces during the occupation of Japan in hopes of keeping U.S. currency off the black market. By rapidly withdrawing and replacing this scrip, the military could greatly reduce the amount of MPC within the civilian population. Series 481, issued between 1951 and 1954, featured a standard common design for obverse and reverse on the lower value notes, differing only in denomination. Your 5-cent and 10-cent bills have a current value of $2 to $3 each.

Dear Collector,

Enclosed is a copy of a napkin I obtained at the Hollywood Palladium on Feb. 23, in either 1962 or 1964. The star performer signed it; I do not remember the name and would like very much to know it?

After a bit of detective work I deciphered the signature, which was that of Lawrence Welk, whose television show emanated from the Palladium beginning in 1955. The trouble is that his program was on a Saturday, and neither of those two dates fit. However, there was a 23rd of February in 1963; could that be the correct date? Anyway, Mr. Welk’s autograph is now worth about $10.

Dear Collector,

Can you identify a doll my aunt gave me in the 1970s? A collector we met at an antiques show told us it was made by Kamera and Reinhard.

Ernst Kammer partnered with Franz Reinhardt in the 1880s designing bisque doll heads for Simon & Halbig, another German company that did the actual production. Your doll bears a mold mark which dates to around 1900, though I am not sure of its name. Value is relatively high due to the doll’s near perfect condition: $400 to $500.

Dear Collector,

Where do I go to ask about an artist named W. Allan Gay? I want to know when he was born and what his paintings are now worth?

Born in Hingham, Mass., where he also died in 1910 at age 89, Gay traveled in Europe and Asia painting open air landscapes that have auctioned for well over $5.000.

Dear Collector,

While cleaning out my uncle’s house after his death, I found this sword with the word “Pakistan” on it. Could this be an antique?

Since the modern state of Pakistan was established 1947, I think that precludes your sword being an antique. Let’s call it a reproduction.

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