Question: I have a set of 15 different little "Useful Birds Of America" cards. Are such cards of any value, and how old are they?
- June McCarthy, London, Ky.Question: One of our members left a small collection of bird cards to our local Audubon Society, and we'd like to know if they have any value.
- Richard Ingram, Panama City, Fla.
Answer: Although they were produced in numerous sets and series, such cards, (which came in the sizes stated above, and even smaller sizes measuring about 2 3/4-inches by 1 1/2-inches, and 2 1/4-inches by 1 1/2-inches) were not strictly for the birds.
They also came in Beautiful Flowers and Interesting Animals sets of 60 cards each. In the Zoo series of 50 cards, each card came wrapped with a Zoo carmel produced by The Philadelphia Confections company. A Fish series had 30 cards.
The various bird sets included Beautiful Birds, Beautiful Birds of America, and The Great Arm & Hammer Brand bird cards; each offered a set of 60 cards. The Game Bird Series had 30 cards with the title on the back, and an untitled set had 30 cards, each picturing a different bird on the front with an Arm & Hammer round logo in a corner.
Of the previously mentioned Useful Birds of America cards, 30 of the cards are marked with a 1922 copyright date, 15 have a 1938 copyright, and another other 15 cards were produced later marked "copyright in U.S. by Church & Dwight Co., Inc." and have no date.
Others may exist with or without copyright dates; keep in mind that any cards marked "Inc." would probably date from later years, but not during World War II when there was a paper shortage.
Most of the cards were produced by Arm & Hammer baking soda brands, including earlier ones (such as the shimmering fish cards marked "copyright, 1900, Church & Dwight Co.") each of which came packed inside a package of Arm & Hammer soda or saleratus until the whole set of 30 cards was collected and put into a souvenir book that the company offered for six 2-cent stamps.
Unfortunately, none of the 1900 fish cards bears the artists' names, but the Game Bird cards (marked with a 1904 copyright date) are signed with signatures of those who created the wildlife art. The earlier cards are marked with tiny copyright dates that can be seen with a strong magnifying glass, while later ones are marked "copyright in U.S. by Church & Dwight Co., Inc." without a date. Others have no copyright markings at all, but may offer clues to their age printed on the back of the cards, such as early addresses, the price of stamps required to send for them, style of printed type and lithography, and the use of old-fashioned words from earlier eras.
The value of such cards depends on their size, condition, whether or not they are a complete numbered series or set of cards which properly match, and, of course, their desirability.
Pre-1930 sets of Useful Birds of America cards (ranging in price from $30 to $100 depending on the size, series, and condition of the cards, and which includes the ninth series set of 15 cards for $30 in mint condition) can be found listed and priced in card dealer Pete Waldman's ad in the current Nov. 15 - Jan. 1, 1998, No. 151 issue of The Wrapper Non-Sports Collectibles. The informative 96-page publication is available for $2 and 3 stamps from Les Davis, 1811 Moore Court, St. Charles, IL 60174, or send $22 for a one year 8-issue subscription, or $42.50 for two years, or phone Davis at 630-443-9690 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. CST.
Or to inquire about Arm & Hammer cards, write Pete Waldman, 2781 N.E. 57th Court, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308; enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply, or phone him at 954-938-1906.
Question: Is there a book that lists prices for limited edition collectibles? We have numerous pieces ranging from plates to prints to figurines to ornaments and other items we've invested in over the years that we want to check out.
- Rose M., Houston, Texas
Answer: You'll find all such pieces and many, many more listed and priced in the "1998 Price Guide to Limited Edition Collectibles-Current Values for Limited Edition Figurines, Cottages, Plates, Dolls & Plush, Ornaments, Prints, Bells, and Steins" edited by Mary Sieber . It is available in a thick, 822-page edition for $22 postpaid from Ace Enterprises, P.O. Box 59354, Chicago, IL 60659. Another book is the "CIB Collectors' Market Guide & Price Index" (CIB) which lists clubs, sources, and current values for 50,000 limited edition items, available for $27.95 postpaid also from Ace Enterprises, P.O. Box 59354, Chicago, IL 60659l.
Question: How can I find out more about a talking Casper the Ghost stuffed toy, that's about 18-inches high, with a hard plastic head, and a pull string on its neck. It works fine, and says "Hi, I'm Casper. I'm a friendly ghost. Don't be afraid of me" and other things? It still has its original tag marked "Quality Originals by Mattel U.S. Pat. 3,017,187 patented in Canada 1962. Other U.S. and foreign Pats. Pend."
- Debbie Josuweit, Shavertown, PA
Answer: It has a value of $30 in good condition, $65 in excellent condition, and $110 in mint-in-box condition, according to the "1998 5th Edition of Toys & Prices" edited by Sharon Korbeck , which is available for $22 postpaid from Ace Enterprises, P.O. Box 59354, Chicago, IL 60659.
Anyone interested in buying the toy can write me to contact you. Or write character toy auctioneer Ted Hake, P.O. Box 1444, Dept. L, York, PA 17405-1444, or phone him at 717-848-1333.
Question: How can I find out the value of glass, plastic, gold and sterling swizzle sticks.
- Trebor Rebew, Buffalo, N.Y.
Answer: The folks you want to mix with belong to the International Swizzle Stick Collectors Association c/o Ray Hoare, P.O. Box 1117, Bellingham, WA 98227-1117 to where you may write enclosing a self-addressed stamped envelope for information, or membership details should you care to join. Or phone Ray at 604-525-3120.
Question: Where can I get an old sax repaired that was found in an abandoned barn and that I've got an urge to play?
- Paul Johnson, Albany, N.Y.
Answer: Nobody but nobody can expertly repair saxophones like New York's famous Dr. Rick does. So if your sax is cracked, or your flute won't toot, write Dr. Rick c/o the Village Flute & Sax Shop, 35 Carmine St., New York, NY 10014. Or phone Dr. Rick at 212-243-1276.