Dental Antique

 

Q: I found this packet of J.M. Ney & Co. tin foil recently in the attic and discovered it was used in dental labs. Does it have any value? I’m looking to sell it to someone who collects dentistry items. 

A: John M. Ney, a French immigrant, founded his company in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1812. The company originally did gold refining and then began making alloys, solder, tin foil, and other metal-based products for dentists. It was bought by Deringer Mfg. in 2002 and became Deringer-Ney Inc. It is still in business and makes materials and precision parts for aerospace, industrial, military, medical, and dental use. Packaging and catalogs sell at medical auctions or can be sold to a dealer.