THE COLLECTOR
Dear Collector,
I received this “Let’s Eat Out” book when I was a child; do you think it’s worth any money?
Issued in 1965 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Ray Kroc’s first McDonald’s in Des Plaines, Illinois, your book, written by John Jones, has a possible value of $10-$15.
Dear Collector,
What is the current value of the cast iron bank shown in this photo?
Constructed in the shape of a multistoried domed building of a style popular a century ago, your bank was manufactured by A.C. Williams, an Ohio stove maker. Considering its apparent good condition, value should exceed $100.
Dear Collector,
Please identify when this plate was made. I inherited it from my mother, who got it back in the ‘40s from her aunt, so I know it must be more than half-century old.
In a “willow” pattern, your stone china (a fine, hard earthernware developed in the early 19th century by Josiah Spode) was produced by Twigg, a family run factory located in Yorkshire, England. Add at least another 60 years, and you will be close to its true age.
Dear Collector,
I bought an old painting by Chas. L.A. Smith at a church auction for $26; could you please find information for me about this artist?
Smith (1871-1937), a self-taught painter from Michigan, produced many landscapes during his final years in California. Your untitled piece could auction for $1,000-$2,000.
Dear Collector,
I have over 100 Joseph Barr dollar bills; do they have any collectible value?
You’re referring to the 1963B series notes that were signed by Barr, who was the secretary of the Treasury from December 1968 to January 1969 – perhaps the shortest stint of a person in that office. However brief it may have been, there were still more than 400 million bills printed during that one-month period, which makes the increase on each of your notes only 75 cents above face value.
Dear Collector,
I bought a Polaroid Swinger 20 in 1962. It’s still in the original box; could you tell me how much it’s worth?
Your camera was this manufacturer’s first low-price plastic model with a very simple and attractive design. Value, even with packaging, is a modest $20-$35.