Watching Out for Fob Manufacturers
Question: Not long ago, you answered a question about the value of watch fobs as collectibles. But I don’t recall whether you mentioned any fob manufacturers. Knowing some names could enhance the value of old fobs. Could you mention some now? --M.O.
Answer: There have been a number of American watch-fob manufacturers, some of whom date back half a century or more. Among them were the S. D. Childs Co. of Chicago; Metal Arts Co. of Rochester, N.Y.; Robbins Co. of Attleboro, Mass., and the St. Louis Button Co. of St. Louis, Mo.
Heavy-construction and farm equipment were popular fob designs; so were those fobs that were used for a wide variety of general advertising. Fobs were also used to promote political candidates.
Old watch fobs are popular, and prices have been known to soar for this sought-after collectible.
Q: For political-button collectors, what years marked the era of the celluloid button?--T.N.
A: The so-called celluloid political-button era began in 1896 and lasted until about 1916. At that time, new button-making techniques came into use incorporating printing processes that allowed buttons to be quickly mass-produced but that, in the eyes of many collectors, reduced the beauty of the political-button design.
This is a collectible area that beginners can quickly get into and enjoy without a big initial expenditure. Those who frequent flea markets and the like will undoubtedly run into political buttons for sale--and the beginner will find that before long an extensive collection can be put together.
At some point, the beginning collector would do well to make a decision on whether to specialize in a particular era or to search for particular political candidates. Selectivity, rather than a shotgun approach, usually produces a collection that is more interesting to other collectors.
Date book: Jot down March 9 for a major auction of collectible cameras and photographic equipment in the Grand Ballroom of the Burbank Hilton (adjacent to the Burbank Airport). Inspection begins at 6 p.m.; the auction at 7:30 p.m.
Gene Lester, president of the American Society of Camera Collectors, the sponsoring organization, writes: “Several major collections from (the area) will be placed on auction, and if any of your readers have items that fit this category, they are welcome to bring them to sell.”
On the following day, the society will hold its spring, 1985, Antique and Collectible Camera Show at Machinists Hall, 2600 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.50. Information: (818) 769-6160.
D.H. of Los Angeles writes that our prices in the recent item on Caruso records were too high.
“In general,” he writes, “a Caruso Victor (label) has a market value of $3 to $8” and that in a few cases the price could rise to $25 for a first-issue record “in perfect condition.”
We had mentioned prices ranging up to $60, which we had obtained from dealer auction and catalogue listings. In many collectible categories--because we can’t be everywhere for all of the auctions and sales--we often use such listings to cite trends or to give some idea of price guidelines. But, of course, they are not the last word in pricing collectibles.
On a question about cowboy posters, we asked readers for organizations that deal with the subject. A response came from the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Collectors Assn., P. O. Box 371, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.
“Our association was formed on Dec. 7, 1983, in Roy’s hometown of Portsmouth, Ohio,” Judy Wilson, the group’s treasurer, wrote. “We put out a bimonthly newsletter and try to keep collectors updated on cowboy collectibles. I personally answer any questions that come to us. . . . We have about 150 members spread around the world.”
Ronald L. Soble cannot answer mail personally but will respond in this column to questions of general interest about collectibles. Do not telephone. Write to Your Collectibles, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.
