1919 typewriter’s value means more than words

Dear Collector: When I was a little girl we went to dinner at friends of my parents. This 1915 typewriter was sitting on a table, and I admired it so much that the owner promised to give it to me. Several years later, my parents invited the man to our house for dinner, and he brought the typewriter with him. I have often wondered what it might be worth, but will never sell it.

Described in one source as “not uncommon,” and in another as “ubiquitous,” your #3 Corona actually dates from 1919; according to the serial number. In production from 1912 to 1941, Corona (later, Smith-Corona) turned out about 700,000 units of this portable machine with a folding carriage. While not really valuable, about $200, your typewriter has a priceless story to tell.

Dear Collector: Enclosed is a drawing of a coin I’ve had since childhood. I don’t carry it for fear that the markings will wear away. Does it have any value?

Struck for just 10 years beginning in 1864, the bronze two-cent piece was perhaps the most short-lived coin in U.S. history. Yours, from 1866, has a current value of about $10.

Dear Collector: Have you ever heard of a magazine called “Stories of Sheena, Queen of the Jungle?” What is it worth?

Since there was only one issue in April/May of 1951, your keepsake is a true first edition. A female Tarzan, Sheena would make it to television in the person of Irish McCall, a statuesque beauty. Later, Tanya Roberts would take the character to the Silver Screen. Your magazine, published by Fiction House, is now worth at least $175.

Dear Collector: We’ve had this small pony-shaped planter for years, and are curious to find out its history. Can you tell us anything about it?

Called a “stretch animal,” you can find more examples, plus history and prices, in “McCoy Pottery, Volume I” (Collector Books, values updated 2002, $19.95) by Craig Nissen, Margaret & Bob Hanson.

Dear Collector: I remember a board game, “Men of Destiny,” all about Presidents of the United States. Do you ever see any of these games?

Released by Milton Bradley in 1956 (the same year that Elvis had a hit with “Heartbreak Hotel”), your history based question and answer game now has a potential value of $25.

Dear Collector: Who made this silver whiskey flask? I could find only the owner’s initials (ESCO) engraved on the bottom.

Those letters stand for Eagle Silver Company of Providence, Rhode Island, a maker of sterling silver items, in operation from 1922 to 1953.

Dear Collector: The enclosed photos are of a painting by Mabel Dwight, who was a distant relation. Was she an important artist? How much is this painting worth?

Dwight (1876-1955) is a listed artist; meaning that some of her works have sold at auction. As to importance, that’s a relative thing (pun intended). Although born in Ohio, she spent the greater part of her artistic career in New York City, where she specialized in caricature and genre works. What you have is a numbered lithograph, possibly worth as much as $300.

Recommended reading: “Antique Trader Advertising Price Guide,” edited by Kyle Husfloen (Krause, 2001, $16.95). “American Lathe Builders: 1810-1910,” Kenneth L. Cope (Astragal Press, 2001, $24.95). “Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass,” Bill Edwards & Mike Carwile (Collector Books, 2004, $29.95).