THE COLLECTOR

Dear Collector: This picture of two birds signed by J. Gould was retrieved from the trash many years ago. The only other mark I can see is a small circle with some letters. Who was Gould and what is it worth?

John Gould (1804-1881), a British ornithologist, has been called “The Audubon of Australia,” or sometimes just “The Birdman.” He studied, sketched and cataloged thousands of birds and mammals, including your pair of “Red-capped Parakeets” published sometime in the 1950s by Sydney Z. Lucas of New York. Lucas copies (his initials are in the circle) of Gould’s works are now valued at $20, while the original hand-tinted lithographs auction for several hundred dollars each.

Dear Collector: I recently read about a certain artist being a profiler. I have never encountered that expression before; can you tell me what it means?

It’s an old word describing someone who specializes in creating silhouettes. This art form, named after French politician Etienne de Silhouette (1709-1767), is most famous for its technique of cutting outlines from black paper, often pasting them on a white background.

Dear Collector: The radio in these photos does not work. If I replace the dead tube, what will be the value of the radio?

I assume you know which of the five tubes in your circa 1940 Radiola model 500 is shot. In working order, this plastic-cased single band radio is worth $75.

Dear Collector: I have a red and tan “Mr. Peanut” mechanical pencil manufactured by Ritepoint. It works and in my opinion is in average condition. Is there any value to this writing instrument?

The leguminous representative for Planters Nut and Chocolate Company since 1916, Mr. Peanut at one time or another has graced items ranging from ads to watches. Not as visible as he once was (you could say he’s now a shell of his former self), Mr. P. has been planted on the semi-retired roll of advertising characters. Your pencil, from the 1950s, has a value of $10.

Dear Collector: Could you tell me what my 1890 penny is worth?

Your bronze Indian Head cent, designed by James Longacre, is worth its weight (3.11 grams) in silver ($10.80 per troy oz.): $1.08.

Dear Collector: While going through stuff in the attic, I came across this blue and red swastika patch. It was in a cardboard box with brass buttons and other military things. Is it a find?

Research shows that the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Division, many of whose members were Native Americans, wore this patch prior to World War II. A symbol of good luck, the swastika was replaced with a Thunderbird after the rise of Nazism. Because it’s so unusual, your find is worth more than $100.

Dear Collector: What do you guess this Woody Woodpecker book is worth?

Without guessing, I’d say your 1950 Whitman 710 Series Better Little Book has a value of $20. If it were in slightly better condition, its worth could increase to about $35.