Oct 18, 2002 By Charles Mather 3 min read

Q. Can you list prices on country store signs? – Tod, Birmingham, Mich. A. This is one field wherein the prices keep reaching new highs. Many of these advertising pieces were used in early country stores. They help decorate a “country kitchen” today. You can expect to more than $1,000 for a porcelain “Piggy Wiggly” sign even thought it dates from the 1940s. A “Diamond Dyes” tin lithograph-over-cardboard. “a Busy Day in Dollville,” can cost close to $3,000. A three dimensional “Red goose Shoes” die cut cardboard type sign also lists for close to $2,000. A metal figural sign of a black boy advertising “Hub clothing” brings close to $2,500. Getting into the more affordable signs, $50 will buy you a “Canada Dry Beverages: procelain kick plate.

Q. Would anyone want early radio accessories? – Gil, Haddonfield, N.J.

A. The first radio broadcast occurred in 1920. Soon there were all types of radio available in many price ranges. Everyone responded b rushing out and purchasing one. Speakers from the set, many made by Music Master, can sell for $50 and up. “Introducing You to Radio,” a booklet, can still be had for $20. A collection of radio advertisements from various magazines of the times, many from RCA, will cost you $300. As for the radios themselves, the elusive “Charley McCarthy” table model set made of Bakelite by Majestic from the 1930s usually brings $1,000. An Atwater Kent radio and phonograph, floor model, can bring $600.

Q. How early were Christmas tree lights made? – Kelly, Provo, Utah.

A. Replacing candles on a Christmas tree in the Victorian era was thought to be safer. The early versions had a floating wick that burned oil which floated on water. The use of electric light bulbs on a tree was a novelty during the1880s, but it was not long before colored lights became the thing for indoor and outdoor use. Twelve volt flashlight size bulbs, which were made for telephone switchboards, were one type used early. By 1919 all bulbs for decoration were hand-blown. The first figural bulbs were made in Austria in 1910. Bubble lights entered the scene in 1945 and miniature lights became popular in 1960. Value guide: figural bulb, Dutch girl, milk glass, $75.Current Prices

– Mirror, glass, A, Claude Lorraine, convex, used for landscape viewing, $350.

– Wood Carving, elephant, Japanese ivory and tortoise shell d’cor, $1,000.

– Cast Iron, furniture, pair of settees, Rococo Revival period, $3,250.

– String Holder, ceramic, black child with bandana, $200.

– Toy, robot, Pete the Spaceman, Bandai, original box, 1960s, $250.

– Royal Vienna, charger, children playing d’cor, beehive mark, $1,500.

– Lone Ranger, horseshoe set, rubber, Garden Games, 1950, $225.

– Kite, Herman and Katnip, Saalfield, 1960, $30.

nPapier Mache, tray on wooden stand, by Henry Clay, black and gold, $6,000.

Write to Charles Mather in care of the Herald-Standard at Crown Syndicate Inc., P.O. Box 99126, Seattle, Wash., or call 206-285-1888.