Sentiment surpasses assessment
Dear Collector,
Enclosed is picture of the Little Brown Jug music box that my father had at least as far back as 1935. When you wind it up it plays a song and the little man turns around the lamppost. I was just wondering if it has any worth other than sentimental.
I’ve seen many examples of this Made in Japan novelty produced in the period between the wars (which saw Prohibition, the Great Depression, the Dustbowl and Roosevelt’s New Deal, among myriad historical events). Your decanter is missing its matching stopper, though a cork would work just as well. Not likely to impart a fortune to your descendants, this kitschy collectible has more memories than money in its future.
Dear Collector,
I have a 1901 Morgan dollar. Could you tell me what it is worth?
Look on the reverse, right above the word “Dollar,” for a mint mark. There’s not much difference in value between the three mints (New Orleans, Philadelphia or San Francisco; listed in order of production), unless your coin is unique, say, with an error in striking. Low price for an ungraded coin in circulated condition is about $12.
Dear Collector,
Please give me the value of this 16 piece set of “Watford” china?
Watford was a pattern used by Keeling & Co. of Staffordshire, England, around 1900. Unfortunately, I cannot provide prices on each piece.
Dear Collector,
Can you put an age and value on this DeWalt radio? All the tubes light up, though I can’t get a signal.
You have a Model 643, made by this Long Island based company in 1939. DeWalt employed Catalin, an early plastic more attractive than Bakelite, in their cabinets. If you get your tabletop radio up and running, its value could be as much as $100.
Dear Collector,
My mother subscribed to “Movie Stars Parade” magazine. I have six issues from the late 1940s. What are they worth?
One of the many “motion picture” journals associated with that industry since its infancy, your particular periodicals are worth $ 10 to $15 each.
Dear Collector,
Bet you can’t tell me what the object in photos was used for? The big screw connects and tightens the two metal bars together.
Good photos, good question! My good answer is your thingamajig is an early (and simple) type of bottle opener. Clamp the metal ends around bottle top, crank the thumbscrew tight and turn.
Dear Collector,
Does a “Dark Shadows” game from 1968 have value?
Based on the vampire-themed TV program of the same name, this biting board game is listed at $35.