Q: I heard a story that the first “Star Wars” toys were offered for sale before they were made, so the company sold an IOU letter for the first toy characters and more. Is that true? How long was it after the movie was shown before the toys were for sale?
A: The first “Star Wars” movie was released May 25, 1977. Kenner Products, a Cincinnati toy company, had bought the rights to make toys based on the film. But there was not enough time to make small plastic figures, just board games. The popularity of the movie signaled that the toys would be bestsellers, so they sold an IOU for $11.99 that could be redeemed at Christmas for an early-bird box of puzzles, stickers, membership in the Star Wars Club, Luke Skywalker’s autograph and future delivery of the four figures. The toys were delivered in March 1978.
Of course the early-bird box, the contents, and the first toys are the Star Wars collectors “holy grails.” It is said that a package in great condition would sell for $7,500 or more. There have been eight movies and more, and another movie due later this year. Their popularity adds to the fame and price of the memorabilia.
Q: I have a print by Henry Aiken and wonder if you could tell me anything about it -- the year and someplace besides eBay where I can sell it.
A: Henry Thomas Aiken (1785-1851) was a British artist known for his pictures of sporting scenes. Some of his oil paintings sell at auction for thousands of dollars, but many original works have been reproduced and are available online for as little as $10 or less. Your print should be seen by an expert to determine if it is an original and what its value might be. If it’s an original, it would sell for a satisfactory price at an auction.
Q: I’m looking for information about a pair of salt and pepper shakers marked “Quaker Silver” and “506.” There also is an emblem of a Quaker on the bottom. Can you give me an estimate of value?
A: The Quaker Silver Co. Inc. was in business in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, by 1926. It made sterling silver, silver plate and pewter hollowware. The company was bought by Gorham in 1959. Salt and pepper shakers marked “506” are made of pewter. They usually sell for $15 to $20.
Q: We have a framed poster from the movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” It’s signed “Best Wishes, Richard Dreyfuss.” We also have the movie script signed the same way and the music “An American Symphony,” written by Michael Kamen and signed by him and Richard Dreyfuss. We’re wondering what the value of this collection is and if we should add it to one of our insurance policies.
A: You can find out the value of your collection by contacting an auction house that specializes in movie memorabilia. If the value is high, you will need to pay for a written proper legal appraisal in order to add it to your insurance policy. Condition, framing and proof of authenticity are needed to determine price. The movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus” is of moderate interest but your collection should sell for $1,000 or more.
Q: My grandmother and grandfather got a Three Face cake stand as a wedding gift back in the late 1800s, and I have it now. My daughter doesn’t seem to want it -- just my Lalique! I love the cake stand, but it’s time to be getting rid of things. I want to sell it and wonder what it’s worth.
A: Three Face is a pattern designed by John Ernest Miller for George Duncan & Sons of Pittsburgh in 1875. Some sources say Miller’s wife was the model for the faces. The factory burned down in 1892, and the molds were destroyed. A new factory in Washington, Pennsylvania, opened in 1893. The company became Duncan & Miller Glass Co. in 1900, and became part of the United States Glass Co. in 1955. Duncan & Miller reproduced some Three Face pieces in the early 1920s and again in the early 1950s. Other companies also made reproductions. The value of a Three Face cake stand depends on which version it is. Many copies were made by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and are marked “MMA.” The original piece fluoresces yellow-green under a black light. It sells for about $300-$400.
Q: I have a dinette set and I’d like to find out its value. The table has a glass top on an iron base and there are four chairs. The chairs are marked “Daystrom No. 470820.” It’s a beauty!
A: Daystrom was founded in Olean, N.Y., in 1934. At first, the company made metal ashtrays. By 1938, the company was making chrome and Formica kitchen furniture, and upholstered stools and chairs. In 1962, Daystrom moved to South Boston, Virginia, and used the name Daystrom Furniture. It’s low-end dinette sets sold well during the 1960s, but foreign competition began affecting the furniture market by the 1970s. The company was sold several times and closed in 1996.
Vintage mid-century design is increasingly popular, and prices for original pieces are going up. Many Daystrom dinette sets are great examples of mid-century modern. Prices start at about $100 to $150, and they can go higher if the set has clean, modern lines, can blend well with other furnishings, and, of course, is in great condition. A dinette set featuring a table and six stylish chairs with chrome barrel-form bases and tufted vinyl seats and backrests sells for about $700 to $900.