MONKEY BARTENDER

Q: I have a windup toy monkey bartender that was in my uncle's bar when I was a kid. It stands 7 1/2 inches high. Any idea of its value?

A: The monkey bartender was made by Nomura, one of the largest toy manufacturers in Japan after World War II. The company made tin toys in the 1950s and '60s and die-cast toys in the 1970s. It is known for its robots and space toys, which include Robby the Robot, made in 1957. The company, originally called Toys Nomura, was later known as Nomura Toy. A diamond-shape logo with the initials T.N inside can be found on many of the original boxes for Nomura's tin toys. Your monkey bartender is not in very good shape. The monkey originally had plush fur, which seems to have completely worn off of yours. A monkey bartender in good condition with the original box is worth about $60.

REMEMBER ROY ROGERS AND DALE EVANS?

How long do movie or TV stars remain popular after they die? Collectors buy memories of their childhood, and stars like Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans, are probably unknown to those born after 1960. The pair were huge stars in over 100 cowboy movies made between 1935 and 1959 and starred in The Roy Rogers Show on television from 1951 to 1957. But interest in the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Missouri, has declined and it is closing. Collectors who want Rogers-Evans memorabilia can find gun and holster sets, lunch boxes, play sets, books, comics, Halloween costumes and, of course, figurines of Roy's horse, Trigger. The Roy Rogers lamp pictured features a Hartland figurine of Roy riding Trigger. The lamp sold last week for $410 at Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Prices for Rogers-Evans collectibles will probably go down without ongoing publicity.

DOLLHOUSE KITCHEN

Q: Can you tell me anything about Brimtoy or "My Dolly's" dollhouse furniture? My friend has "My Dolly's Combination Kitchen Set No. 277" in its original box. There are many small accessories, including a broom, dustpan, frying pans, etc. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

A: My Dolly's Kitchen Series was made by Wells Brimtoy c.1955. Brimtoy and Wells started out as two separate toy companies in London in the early twentieth century. Brimtoy was originally a brand name used by British Metal and Toy Manufacturers Ltd. beginning in 1914. The company name was changed to Brimtoy Ltd. in 1923. The company made tin cars, trucks, airplanes, trains, and other vehicles. A. Wells & Co. Ltd., founded in 1919, made lithographed tin vehicles and other toys. The two companies combined to become Wells Brimtoy in 1932 and continued in business under that name until 1970. Wells Brimtoy's kitchen furniture was made of painted tinplate. Some pieces in the series were sold separately, as well as in a set like yours. Your kitchen set may be worth $100-$125 with the original box.

AEROPAL TOY

Q: I bought this ferris wheel at an estate sale. It stands 30 inches tall and has working mechanisms. Can you give me any information on it?


A: Your Aeropal toy is similar to one pictured in a Marklin catalog c.1895-1914. It is a Russian Swing (Russische Schaukel), probably made c.1909. Marklin was founded in 1859 by Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Marklin, a tinsmith in Goppingen, Wurttemberg, Germany. The first products were lacquered tinplate dollhouse accessories, but by the end of the nineteenth century the company made a variety of tin toys. Some of Marklin's mechanical tin toys sell for several thousand dollars, but buyers should be aware that reproductions were made. Your toy is in very good condition and it may be a reproduction. Marklin is still in business, now specializing in model railroads and accessories, but it recently declared bankruptcy. It hopes to reorganize.

GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE COLLECTOR ECONOMY

Luke Skywalker's light saber auctioned for $240,000 at a Profiles in History auction in Los Angeles on Dec. 12. It's the prop Mark Hamill used in the first two "Star Wars" movies. We can't all own the original, but toy versions can be found online and at toy stores for $30--or $360 for "authentic replicas."

HOWDY DOODY UKE

Howdy Doody Uke

Q: I bought this Howdy Doody Uke for 50 cents at our church rummage sale back in 1972. It's in wonderful condition. Can you place a value on it?

A: The Howdy Doody Uke, made by Emenee in the 1950s, came in various colors. The box was designed to be a carrying case for the instrument. Emenee was a manufacturer of plastic musical toys for children. It was located in Flushing, New York, from 1955 to 1968. Ohio Art Company, a toy company in Bryan, Ohio, bought Emenee in 1968. Howdy Doody was a marionette that starred in "The Howdy Doody Show," a children's television show that ran from 1947 to 1960. A Howdy Doody Uke like yours, with an instruction and song sheet, sold at auction last year for $158. A corner of the box was split and the box was missing the handle. If your box is in perfect condition and you have the instruction and song sheet, it is worth more.

INSURANCE FRAUD

Insurance Fraud

A bad deed in Detroit will be repaid. A man is accused of stealing more than $4 million from an insurance company and using some of the money to buy dolls, dollhouse furniture and miniature toys for a woman. The woman sent the dolls, valued at over $500,000, to Theriault's to be sold. The authorities hope the dolls sell well--the money will go to the insurance company or the insurer covering the theft.