Unusual tobacco pouch dates back to 1920s

Dear Collector: Included is a tobacco bag with paper tax stamp still on it. I have never seen bags for tobacco, just tins. What year is this from, and what is the item worth?

Over the history of our country many commodities have been taxed, including alcohol, flour, butter, cotton and, of course, tobacco products. And all have borne various revenue stamps. Your tobacco pouch (not often seen nowadays, though “roll your owns” are making a comeback due to the increasing prices on ready-made cigarettes) has what appears to be a series 1926 stamp bearing the likeness of John Quincy Adams. An unusual, though not rare, find, it has a value of $20 to $30.

Dear Collector: I have an enamel pin with the legend “It Shall Be Done,” and the number 13 on it. I am hoping you know all about it.

That’s the motto of the 13th Armored Regiment, originally formed in 1922 as a cavalry unit and reconstituted a number of times since then. Without any anecdotal history from you, I can neither put a date nor value on this piece of militaria.

Dear Collector: Enclosed is a picture of a plate that was given to my mother in 1933. She was told it was old then, so by my calculations it must be as much as 130 years old now.

Close, but no panatela! As part of its backstamp, the country of origin, England, is included on this Johnson Bros. porcelain. So that means it was made after 1891, but before 1913.

Dear Collector: Can you suggest a value for the coin in these pictures?

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, this 1872 silver half dime has seen better days. If it were up to snuff, then I’d say it could be worth $10. As is, value is around $5.

Dear Collector: I found this Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan Coca-Cola tray at a garage sale. The seller would not say if it was real, so charged only a few dollars. I expect it’s worth a great deal if real. Well?

Undoubtedly the most famous Coke serving tray, and therefore most reproduced; the real thing (double entendre intended) is worth more than $1,000.

Dear Collector: We came across many old items in Mom’s house after her death. Why she saved these Narragansett Lager Ale coasters is a mystery: she was a teetotaler.

Look again! The artwork on your circa 1950s breweriana was done by none other than Theodor Geisel, or as he’s more often called, Dr. Seuss. Value is something like $25 each.

Dear Collector: What is a “Kennedy for President” matchbook worth? I traded a Roger Clemens rookie for it at a swap meet.

Personally, I would have stuck with the baseball card, depending on which type could be worth $200 or more if in great condition and graded. Your JFK matches have a market high of $20.

Dear Collector: I have a 1951 paperback book titled “Marihuana” by William Irish; what is it worth?

Irish was one of the pen names of prolific writer Cornell Woolrich (1903-1968), upon whose stories dozens of movies were based. I believe you have the Dell reprint of Woolrich’s 1941 novel. Even so, it has a high collectible value of $200.

Recommended reading: “Collectible Cups & Saucers,” Jim and Susan Harran (Collector Books, 2009, $29.95).