RINKER ON COLLECTIBLES — Column #1435

Copyright © Harry Rinker, LLC 2014 

Questions and Answers

QUESTION:  For the past 40 years, I have owned a Seeburg jukebox.  I am guessing it dates around 1952.  It holds fifty 45rpm records.  When the electrical cord is plugged in, the vertical, hard plastic, front pilasters feature changing colored lights.  The side and front of the jukebox is painted red.  It is not professionally restored but is period and in good condition for its age.  I am downsizing.  My kids do not want it.  What is its market value, and what can I expect to get for it? – CW, New York, Email Question

ANSWER:  Swedish-born Justice P. Seeburg arrived in the United States at age 16.  After working in Chicago’s piano industry, Seeburg founded J. P. Seeburg Piano Company in 1907.  The company specialized in the manufacture of electric pianos and Orchestrions, automatically operated pianos with an internal mechanism that sounded like a band.  In 1927, J. P. Seeburg switched from manufacturing pianos to coin-operated phonographs.

Seeburg’s 1928 “Audiophone” was one of the first multi-select jukeboxes.  The Selectophone, the company’s next model, was a financial disaster.  In the late 1930s Justice P. Seeburg’s son Marshall or Noel (sources differ on the name) became head of the company.  Seeburg began producing jukeboxes that competed well against Rock-Ola and Wurlitzer.

In 1948/1949, Seeburg introduced a mechanism that could play both sides of 50 records, a 100-play jukebox, Model M100A, known as the Selectomatic  In 1950, Seeburg’s M100B was the first jukebox to play 45 rpm records.  Seeburg was king of the jukebox manufacturers’ hill in the 1950s and early 1960s.  The company passed out of family hands in 1956.  Seeburg experienced a number of business reversals in the 1970s.  In 1979, the Seeburg Corp. was split into two divisions.  The “Seeburg Phonographic Division” ceased operations in 1970.   Stern Electronics purchased the production stock.  It ceased operations in a few years.  [For a more detailed history, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeburg_Corporation and http://www.jukeboxhistory.info/Seeburg/SEE-history.html]

You own a 1952 Seeburg Model C Selectomatic.  GameRoomAntiques.com has an example for sale described as follows:  “One of the most beautiful jukeboxes ever produced. / The two tone cabinet finish with plastic translucent pilasters.  Inside the pilasters are rotating color cylinders. / Plays both sides of fifty 45 rpm records giving you 100 selections / Dimensions: 54 inches high, 35 inches wide, 26 inches deep, Weight: 305 lbs.”   The asking price is $6,995.00 plus shipping, estimated between $400.00 and $500.00 dollars. The website www.classicjukeboxandgameco.com has a listing for a fully restored “Seeburg Model M100-c ‘Happy Days’ jukebox” listed at $7,295.00, reasonably close to the GameRoomAntiques.com price.

Numbers are a questionable commodity in the antiques and collectibles field.  The website www.pinballrebel.com features a classified advertisement for a 1953 Seeburg Model C in “very nice shape” for $2,000.00 and a 1952 M100C Select-o-matic for “best offer.”

Given the above, what is a realistic value for your Model C?  First, your machine has not been restored.  Second, based on my research, the paint scheme is not period.  It appears to have been painted red at a later date.  Third, it is heavy and expensive to move.  The positive is that the model is associated with the television show “Happy Days.”

If someone offers you $2,000.00 for the jukebox and agrees to move it at their cost, my advice is to take the money.   Use Craigslist as a method to reach local buyers who might want to purchase the machine for its reuse/decorative/conversation value.   I doubt if the machine would realize $2,000.00 at local auction.  Avoid this sale avenue.   Consider contacting some of the leading jukebox sellers on the internet.   Although the internet sellers think they can attract buyers above $6,500.00, their machines continue to remain unsold.  Further, they are not likely to pay more than 20 cents on the retail dollar, meaning you win for any offer from them over $1,300.00.

Good luck in your sales effort.  If you do sell it successfully, please email me and tell what sale venue worked and for what amount you sold it.

QUESTION:  Several years ago, I purchased a necklace for between $1.00 and $3.00.  I cannot remember the exact amount.  The chain and medallion weigh about 1 and 3/8 ounces.  The medallion features the Russian coat of arms atop an iron cross.  The metal is non-magnetic, possibly stainless steel.  It had a gold wash, but most of it is worn off.  What is its value? – SK, Richmond, CA, Email Question

ANSWER:  Let’s start with basics.  The medallion does not feature the Russian coat of arms atop an iron cross.  It even does not fall into the “close but no cigar” category.  The image is a knockoff, an item meant to fool individuals who are unfamiliar with the authentic items.

There are significant differences between the Russian coat of arms and the image that appears on your medallion.  First, the Russian coat of arms features a central crown on an arch that links to a crown atop each of the two eagle’s heads.  Second, the knight on horseback image in the center is facing the wrong way.   Third, the wings’ feather patterns do not match.  Fourth, the treatment of the feet, one holding a sword and the other an orb, differ.  The Iron Cross has flat sides.  Your cross has inverted “v” sides.  The cross on the medallion is a Maltese Cross.

The photograph showing the back construction that was attached to your email shows a quick, inexpensive, manufacturing technique.

The conclusion is obvious.  This is an inexpensive piece of costume jewelry.  It has no melt value.  It is out of fashion stylistically.  It has a $5.00 to $8.00 flea market value but would be a slow sell.  A value of between $1.00 and $3.00 is realistic at a garage/yard or an estate sale.  In summary, you paid a fair price to acquire it.

QUESTION:  I own an old stapler.  I cannot remember how I acquired it.  The silver-plated top is marked in script letters “Markwell / RF / Master.”  Does it have any value? – TM, San Antonio, TX, E-mail Question

ANSWER:  Abe and Lou Osbstfeld founded Markwell in 1919.  The name is associated with the company’s earliest products, crayons and marking devices.  Markwell also marketed products for other companies including a stapler made by the Acme Company.  Markwell quickly developed its own line of staplers and tackers.  By the late 1930s, Markwell was one of the leading manufacturers of hand stapling tools and other fastener products.  It held a number of spring actuated manual lever tacker patents.

Your Markwell Staple-Master was a staple (pun intended) in Markwell’s line of office equipment.  In the November 7, 1940 “Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian,” an advertisement placed by the Missourian Printing & Stationery Company for Markwell staplers reads: “$6.00 / Markwell Staple Master / Guaranteed Lifetime / Simple to load, easy to operate.  Staple Master has a special device for making a pin stitch that lies flat and may be removed just like a straight pin, in addition to the regular closed staple. / Staple Master loads from the front through a hinged door.  The door is a very special feature as it permits the easy removal of clogged staples.”

Markwell, initially located in New York, moved to Norwood, Massachusetts in 1988.  A Florida satellite company was created in the 1990s.  Markwell continues to sell its products through specialty stores rather than Big Box stores.  “STAPLE SAM” was Markwell’s 1933 logo.  [See: www.mrkwll.com]

The survival rate is high.  There are multiple examples listed on eBay.  Asking prices start around $10.00 and top out at $24.00.  None of these listings sold.  The stapler has little collector value.  A conversation/decorator value of $5.00 is more realistic.  Obtaining staples for the Markwell RF Master stapler is not difficult.  Several eBay dealers have them listed for sale.

QUESTION:  I have a 1976 Bicentennial program from Atlantic City’s Steel Pier.  What is its value? – C, Denver, PA

ANSWER:  During the 1950s, my family spent a week each summer in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, a far different community then than it is today.   During our stay, we made two side trips – one to Asbury Park and the other to Atlantic City.  Our Atlantic City visit often included a trip to the Steel Pier.

The Steel Pier Corporation, first opened on June 18, 1898, suffered numerous catastrophes ranging from storms (1904, 2012) to fires (1924, 1982).  Once described as “An Amusement City at Sea” and “A Vacation in Itself,” Steel Pier was nearing the end of its “Golden Era” when I visited it as a youngster.  In 1973, Steel Pier was sold to a group of local Atlantic City businessmen.

The Steel Pier issued annual souvenir programs.  The cover of the “OFFICIAL BICENTENNIAL / SOURVIER PROGRAM 1976” touts: “‘Ocean Discovery’ Flipper School of North / Picture History of New Steel Pier and / Old Atlantic City / Acapulco Divers / Music Hall Theater Program / Super Stars  Driving Horse / Rides  Games.”

The value of a Steel Pier souvenir program depends on its contents.  Typical programs sell between $10.00 and $15.00.  An eBay seller is asking $49.99 for a 1965 Steel Pier Souvenir Program, the value based upon it containing an advertisement for a performance by The Supremes.  The listing expired without the program being sold.

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.  Selected letters will be answered in this column.  Harry cannot provide personal answers.  Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned.  Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5955 Mill Point Court SE, Kentwood, MI 49512.  You also can e-mail your questions to harrylrinker@aol.com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered.

You can listen and participate in WHATCHA GOT?, Harry’s antiques and collectibles radio call-in show, on Sunday mornings between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Eastern Time.  If you cannot find it on a station in your area, WHATCHA GOT? streams live on the Internet at www.gcnlive.com.

SELL, KEEP OR TOSS?: HOW TO DOWNSIZE A HOME, SETTLE AN ESTATE, AND APPRAISE PERSONAL PROPERTY (House of Collectibles, an imprint of Random House Information Group, $17.99), Harry’s latest book, is available at your favorite bookstore and via www.harryrinker.com.