Q: We are in the process of retiring and going through all the junk in our attic. We found Avon perfume and cologne bottles, with the perfume and cologne still in the bottles, shaped like birds, trains, elephants, etc. Some of them are 40 to 50 years old. There are no boxes.
We opened one of the bottles and poured the cologne down the drain. Wow! That stuff is potent!! The smell lasted for days.
We were wondering if there is any worth to these bottles or should they be junked?
R.B., Ephrata
A: Vintage Avon cologne and perfume gives real meaning to "eau de piu." I always have wondered what happened to the smell of Avon products as they aged. Now I know.
(Author's aside: Writing a question and answer is an adventure. Each day one learns something new. Not certain how to correctly spell "piu," I researched the term. Apparently, linguistic experts cannot agree about the word's spelling or origin. It often appears as "P.U." or "pee-yew." One group argues that it is related to the Latin word "puteo," which means "to stink, to be redolent, or smell bad." Another argues that its root is "pu," an Indo-European word meaning rot or decay. In all probability, it will never be used in a National Spelling Bee.)
Smell aside, what should you do with your bottles? Junking them is a very viable approach. If you have a garage sale scheduled in the months ahead, put them in a box with a sign reading "Your Choice: 50 cents." Have two other signs in reserve, one reading "Your Choice: 25 cents" and the other reading "Free For The Taking."
The Internet, especially eBay, is loaded with Avon listings. You might want to check some of your bottles against prices realized. Do not be surprised to find that most listings failed to attract a bidder.
The Web site, www.avonpriceguide.com, indicates the 18th edition of Bud Hastin's "Avon Collector's Encyclopedia" is scheduled for publication in 2008. Hastin's book is an honest look at the Avon secondary market, what sells and what does not. Check with your local library. Chances are they will have an older edition. Prices have not changed much in the last decade. If the book value listing is $5 or less, assume the bottle has little to no secondary market resale value from your perspective.
Q: I own a political button featuring a head and shoulder portrait of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson in the center, "For America! / For President!!" around the top, a banner just below the center reading "Vote Straight," and "Democratic" around the bottom. I want to put this on eBay, but I do not want to sell it for $10, if it is rare. What is your advice?
L.H., e-mail
A: Put your button on eBay and let it rip. EBay is an auction environment. The bidders are going to determine the worth of your button.
Your button is not rare. It is not even scarce. It was mass-produced. There are plenty of survivors.
The good news is that there are a fairly large number of interested buyers. Kennedy political items are hot. Your button should sell in the $18 to $25 range, more if you get really lucky.
Q: I have a children's Golden record issued by Simon and Schuster that features "The Pokey Little Puppy" on one side and "The Naughty Duck" on the other. The songs are sung by Irene Wicker, "The Singing Lady" accompanied by Gilbert Mack. Mitchell Miller and Orchestra supplied the music. What is my record worth?
R.Y., Newcomerstown, Ohio
A: Your question allows me to tout Peter Muldavian's The Complete Guide to Vintage Children's Records: Identification & Value Guide (Collector Books, 2007). It contains detailed histories of all the companies that issued children's records and a comprehensive list of records issued.
Muldavian notes: "Golden Records was the brainchild of an S & S research associate named Arthur Shimkin. In 1946, he came up with the concept of Golden Records while doing market research." Your record, No. 5, was one of the first 12 issued. Muldavian continues: "Golden Records No. 1 through 12 were test issues. Fifty thousand of each were pressed. Eventually about one-half were returned by the retailers as unsold. By comparison, the rest of the list had 60,000-80,000 pressings for each record."
Muldavian values your record at $5 in good to very good condition and $10 in excellent to mint condition.
Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions about collectibles from the 20th century. Selected letters will be answered in this column. Rinker cannot provide personal answers. Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned. Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5093 Vera Cruz Road, Emmaus, PA 18049. You also can e-mail your questions to harrylrinker@aol.com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered.
