For everyday products, it's have treasures, will profit
Cowles Syndicate
Seemingly worthless things sometimes turn out to be treasures. This 1950s box of soap powder sold for $1,955, because it was unopened and had a rare trading card inside.
Look in the basement. Sometimes the old boxes of soap near the laundry tubs can be valuable. This summer, a 1950s full, sealed box of Rinso Blue soap powder that originally cost less than 50 cents, sold online at Mastro Auctions of Illinois for $1,955. It was because the box front showed a picture of Paladin, the character star of the TV Western "Have Gun, Will Travel." And inside the box was not only soap, but also a very rare Paladin trading card. The TV show was popular from its beginning in 1957 to the last of the 225 episodes in 1963. Paladin, played by Richard Boone, was a gunslinger who was available for jobs for $1,000. He enjoyed the good life in San Francisco, with the best of wine, food and clothes. But on the job he dressed all in black and chased bad men. His memorabilia has become popular with collectors, and because it's rare, it's expensive.
Q: I have a kidney-shaped mahogany desk with a leather top. It's in excellent condition and was made by the Maddox Table Co. of Jamestown, N.Y. Can you give me some information about it?
A: William Maddox, the son of an English immigrant, founded the Maddox Table Co. in 1898. He experimented with new advertising techniques by sending a showman around the world to promote his furniture and was one of the first Jamestown furnituremakers to trademark his products. The company made tables, desks and other case furniture. William Maddox invented furniture-making machines, including a polisher for tabletops, and later founded a company to manufacture the machinery. His table company was sold to the Shearman Brothers Lounge Co. of Jamestown in 1919, and the Maddox name continued to be used until 1985.
Q: I have a Griswold No. 8 Dutch oven that's rusty and pitted. If I clean all the rust off and season it, will the pits affect how it cooks?
A: Griswold is a well-known brand of cast-iron cookware. The company was in Erie, Pa., from 1865 through 1957. Griswold skillets, muffin tins and other products were usually made of iron. If you want to use the Dutch oven, clean off the rust. One method is to soak the pan in a 50 percent solution of white vinegar and water for a few hours (too long and the vinegar will eat the metal). Then you have to "season" the pot. Warm it in the oven for a few minutes, then rub vegetable oil, shortening, lard or bacon grease on the metal. Return the pot to the oven, set the temperature at 225 degrees and let the pot warm for 30 minutes. Remove any pooled grease, then put it back in the oven for another half-hour. Pits or other physical damage should not affect the food cooked.
Q: Does my old "Lost in Space" robot have value? It's red and black and is mostly plastic. I have the original box and instructions, too.
A: If your robot and its box are in excellent condition, and if the toy still runs when you put batteries in, you have a valuable toy that could sell for more than $500. Your robot dates from 1966 and was sold by Remco Industries of Harrison, N.J., to fans of the TV series "Lost in Space." The series ran from 1965-68 on CBS, and both the show and its licensed products still generate a lot of interest. The robot was made in red and blue or blue and black. Your original box and instructions give your toy nearly half its value.
Current prices
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations.
--Marilyn Monroe movie poster, "The Prince and The Showgirl," 1957, with Laurence Olivier, 27 x 41 inches, $300.
--Sterling silver napkin ring, trumpet bud vase top, birds, vines, footed, c. 1873, 4 1/4 inches, $895.
--Limoges punch bowl, pink interior with grapevines beneath scalloped gilt edge, four scrolled feet, c. 1900, signed, 6 1/2 x 14 1/4 inches, $920.
Ralph and Terry Kovel can be reached at Kovels, The Post and Courier, King Features syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019. Cowles Syndicate/King Features Syndicate.
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