More January 2003 Hotlines

A large collection of Rowland & Marsellus rolled-edge pictorial souvenir plates was sold recently in England. Plates went for only $30 to $35 each. They are worth more in the United States, especially if a plate is sold in the city pictured on it. They sell in shops for $50 to $75 and up.

Collectors looking for inexpensive pottery are buying pieces marked “Teleflora.” The pieces have been made since about 1979 when Teleflora bouquets (flowers by telegraph) were first delivered in giftware containers.

New collectibles seen at the shows: 1940s Wear-Ever coffee percolators, American hand-held aluminum tools in sculptured shapes, fiberglass suitcases to use as tables, ’50s Lucite lamps, and ’50s kitchen items like can openers and juicers. You’ll also find ’50s handbags made of plastic wire, and toy “guns” that are really flashlights, pencils, or some other unexpected objects. Microphones from the ’30s to ’50s are selling as small sculptures. Another trend is collecting one type of item made by a famous maker, like Georg Jensen shears or horse stirrups made in Mexico. It seems there is always something “new” to collect.

Yes, there are collectors of old refrigerators. Most popular is the GE Monitor Top model (1927-1937). Refurbished, it can sell for over $2,500. The 1960s avocado green or gold refrigerators are also wanted by a few. (Wall Street Journal, September 20)

Batman’s sidekick Robin first appeared in Detective Comics No. 38 in 1940. A copy of the comic book owned by Nicolas Cage, the actor, perhaps the best example known, auctioned in October for a record $120,750. Action Comics No. 1, the 1938 debut of Superman, brought $86,250.

Unused feed sacks from the 1920s and ’30s that have interesting designs sell for about $20 each. Rare designs bring $100. The sacks are used by quilters.