Cookie jar

Q: I accidentally broke a cookie jar that belonged to a neighbor. I would like to replace it if I can find a duplicate. It is the Marilyn Monroe cookie jar made by Happy Memories. Can you help me? — Stuart, Palm Desert, Calif.

A: The Happy Memories Marilyn Monroe cookie jar was issued in 1995. Only 500 were manufactured. I found one priced at $474.99 at Extinct Collectibles, 2376 SW 25th St., Miami, FL 33145; oandreu@aol.com; and www.extinctcollectibles.com.

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Q: I was raised on a dairy farm in Alabama. When the farm was sold and liquidated several years ago, I kept dozens of items, including at least six older churns. I can’t find churns in price guides and have not been able to find anyone who knows much about them. Any suggestions? — Phil, Albuquerque, N.M.

A: Wendell W. Steam is the owner of Churn Castle Antiques, a shop that buys, sells, collects and appraises churns. His contact information is 809 Maple Ave., Woodward, IA 50276; xispl142@netins.net; www.showcase.netins.net/web/churns; and (515) 438-4142.

Q: I have had an Allie Reynolds picture disc since 1951. Reynolds joined the New York Yankees baseball team in 1946. He was primarily a hard-throwing starter, even though Yankee manager Casey Stengel often used him from the bullpen as well. My mom told me to hold on to it, that it might be valuable some day. Is it? — William, Nashua, N.H.

A: One of the major buyers/sellers of baseball memorabilia is Alan Rosen, P.O. Box 500, Montvale, NJ 07645; mrmint@optonline.com; www.mrmint.com; and (201) 307-0700.

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Q: I need to know the value of several older books that I have. — Kathy, Mesquite, Nev.

A: One of the easiest ways to find out the approximate value of out-of-print books is to utilize the www.abe.com Web site. Simply type in title and author, and all will be revealed.