An auction term that’s new to us is “first seen.” Hake’s Americana & Collectibles auction offers a number of items described that way-things it has never seen before in its 38 years in business. One is a 1930s felt pennant for The Spider’s Web, a film serial that featured a pulp magazine character. Also listed is a 1930s Tarzan Ice Cream cup picturing Tarzan and a 1950s Schwinn Bicycles sign advertising the Space Patrol TV series. Wonder how they decide to estimate the price for a never-before-sold item.

A new brand of beer, Big League Brew, is being sold in vintage-looking six-pack carriers decorated with pictures of old-time baseball players, including Christy Mathewson and Honus Wagner. Each bottle is topped with a crown cap picturing another old player. This is a nice, almost free, collectible marketed by Helmar Brewing Company of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan. Find the carriers and other Helmar baseball collectibles at your local grocery store or at Helmar
brewing.com.

The Brimfield flea markets were crowded and dealers were delighted with sales, according to news reports. The trade always claims that a good Brimfield means a good year, so look for shows to fill up again. We have noticed that attendance is strong at Midwestern shows near us. Few dealers will admit to having a great show, so we watch the number of sold tags and packages-and we can see that things are selling. Auctions have had many record-breaking sales in the past few months, which is another good sign.

Your obsolete computer may have a value, but it has to be old enough-probably from the 1970s or ’80s. Collectors want “retro techno.” England now has a 20th-Century Road Show that has featured the first Walkman personal hi-fi set (1979) and the Apple Max Classic (1984). Also wanted: 1960s calculators, black and white TVs, and 1970s music systems and mobile phones. Collectors like working machines, but will pay for interesting designs, first of a type, or just plain nostalgia for a once-owned piece. (Financial Times, June 4-5)

Pope Benedict XVI merchandise is starting to show up at online auctions.

Free: a leaflet from the Aladdin Mantle Lamp Company called “History of Aladdin Lamps.” Contact J.W. Courter, 3935 Kelley Rd., Kevil, KY 42053.

Old American Indian photographs are being reprinted and sold as authentic. Some are even marked on the back with a description of dress, location, and other information that a buyer might think had been added by a museum curator. (Paper and Advertising Collector, July)

A 1908 Royal Copenhagen Christmas Plate sold for $3,050 on an Internet auction. In our annual Kovels’ Antiques and Collectibles Price List, we listed it in 1996 for $3,475; in 1997 for $2,932; and in 1998 for $2,500.

Lots of articles are being written about saving Star Wars toys to make money in the future. But only a few toys from the 1977 series are selling for thousands, and only if the toy is in mint or almost-mint condition. Best is Luke with a light saber at about $3,500 and Jawa with a vinyl cape at about $2,200.

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