Old transistor triples its original price
Dear Collector,
I bought this tubeless transistor Royal 500 radio for $60 in the 1950s. What is it worth as of now?
Though the transistor had been invented in 1947 by William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain, it wasn’t until 1953 that portable radios employed them. Your particular Zenith (500B) was the second Royal model and was produced after 1955. It was a very expensive radio, selling, as you said, for well over $50; this at a time when gasoline cost only 22¢ per gallon. Current value on your working radio is $175.
Dear Collector,
I have this “Learning to Cook” print which has the date of 1898 in the lower left-hand corner. On the right corner is “From the collection, Fiesta Arts, Inc., Greenville, NY 11548.” Please let me know if this print has any value?
The easiest path to follow in determining the approximate age of your print is the five digit ZIP (Zoning Improvement Plan) code which came into use in 1963. It looks like you have a modern reproduction. Its value is what you paid.
Dear Collector,
How old is my H&R “Young America Double Action” .32 caliber pistol?
Harrington & Richardson was founded in the 1870s (originally located in Worcester, Mass.), and went through a number of owners, eventually winding up as part of Marlin Arms. Because you didn’t include the gun’s serial number I cannot place its date of manufacture; especially since this model handgun was in production from 1884 to 1941. Without any photos, I can only give you a value guesstimation of $100-$125.
Dear Collector,
I am not sure how or where the platter in these photos came into my family’s possession. Since we have the same name as the maker, I wonder how it got here from England. Can you help us solve this riddle?
Sad to say, I cannot answer your question, though I can give you some more clews (British spelling) to follow. This platter came from Staffordshire, as did most 19th century and early 20th century ceramic ware. The maker, William Hackwood & Son, was the last of that name, and it operated from 1843 to 1855. There were former incarnations bearing the Hackwood name, with the earliest established in 1807.
Dear Collector,
When I was a young girl (it feels like centuries ago), my mother bought me this Monkeys charm bracelet with pictures of Mickey, David, Peter and Mike. I wasn’t allowed to wear it outside the house, so it sat in a drawer for years. Is this part of my girlhood worth anything?
Sold in stores, your 1967 keepsake would be worth a listed minimum of $75 if it was still mounted on the display card; alone, it has a value of about $25.
Dear Collector,
Can you tell me a way to display my collection of World War II Navy items?
Proudly!