Antiques column
Q. Is my Mickey Mouse box of soda straws worth keeping? – June, Pasadena, Calif. A. An unopened box of straws showing Mickey with a bottle of pop with a straw dates from the 1950s and is valued today at $25. Earlier pieces saluting this beloved rodent can bring super prices. An early baby’s plastic rattle can sell for $300. A ceramic ashtray showing our Mick playing a guitar and marked Holland is worth $1,600. Handkerchiefs printed on cotton from the 1930s in a Days of the Weeks series bring $400 for the set. A Lionel handcar, a tin wind-up toy in its original box, which was issued in the 1930s and features both Mickey and Minnie, can fetch more than $1,300. A German-made tin wind-up toy of Mickey as the “Jazz Drummer” by Nifty changes hands at $2,100.
Q. I understand some Life magazines are valuable. Which ones? – Tara, Boston, Mass.
A. “Life” published weekly from Nov. 23, 1936, to Dec. 29, 1972. It is one of the most popular magazines collected. The issues featured a variety of Hollywood stars, sports heroes, war heroes and villains, famous politicians and other characters. The most expensive issue is from April 13, 1962. It featured Elizabeth Taylor on the cover. It also had an insert of Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris baseball cards. The purchase price today can be in excess of $200, if the cards are intact. Without the cards the magazine is worth $15. Any issue from the 1930s sells for $8 to $12. The 1940 issues bring $5 to $8, the 1950s are worth $3 to $6, and the 60s and 70s magazines are $1 to $3.
Q. Can you list prices on Boy Scout items? – Lester, Harrisburg, Pa.
A. The Boy Scouts and scouting was founded in England by a retired major general. Its purpose was the same as today to help teach the fundamentals of leadership and survival. Here are some values on this popular collectible: belt buckle, World Jamboree, Max Silber, 1967, $35; camera, Kodak, green with case, 1930, $150; diary, 1915, $45; first aid kit, Bauer and Black in khaki case, $15; equipment catalog, 1915, $15; pocket watch, Radiolite, No. 1269, $60; U.S. postage stamp, three cents, honoring 40th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, not cancelled, $3; tie tac with symbol on chain, 1950s, $25, merit badges, 1920s, $20.Current Prices
– Thimble, porcelain, American Belleek, rose d’cor, 19th century, $1,111.
– Rocking chair, Mission style, oak, armless, 1912, good condition, $375.
– Civil War, prison ball and chain, rivet type, $500.
– Rock ‘N Roll, Picture Patch, Dick Clark, 1950s, $20.
– Doll, cloth, Moravian, dressed, 18 inches, $1,525.
– Advertising, “Tip Top Soda” can, cone top, clown d’cor, $350.
– Banner, Martin Luther King Jr., “Make His Dream A Reality,” 40 by 46 inches, $450.
Write to Charles Mather in care of the Herald-Standard at Crown Syndicate Inc., P.O. Box 99126, Seattle, Wash. 98199 or call 206-285-1888.