PLAY IT SAFE

A reader sent a picture of a "mystery" object from World War II to get a value. It was a picture of a bomb-like explosive device. It was even marked in Japanese. We wrote back and told him: "You should call your local fire or police department immediately and ask someone to come to your house to look at the 'mystery.' Old armaments can explode unexpectedly because the contents deteriorate and are unstable. We have heard many stories about collectors who are injured or houses that are set on fire by old souvenir hand grenades, bullets, and 'mysteries' like yours."

FIREWORKS

Don't store old fireworks, and watch out for antiques that have been stored a long time but could explode. Guns, shells, powder cans, nitrate movie film, and some chemicals left in old bottles or cans are dangerous. It you aren't sure what you're dealing with, contact your local police or fire department for help. Some explosives, like dynamite sticks or even World War II hand grenades, are unstable and could explode if moved.

DICK TRACY PUZZLE

Q: I have a Dick Tracy "Crime Does Not Pay Club" puzzle. I would like to know the value.

A: Your puzzle was made c.1946 by Jaymar Specialty Company of Brooklyn, New York. The company was founded in the late 1920s by Jacob Marx, his son, David, and daughter, Rose. Jacob was the father of Louis Marx, who founded his own toy company before Jaymar was established. Jaymar made jointed wood toys, specializing in comic character figures. The company began making puzzles after World War II. Jaymar Specialty Company went out of business in 1990. A puzzle like yours sold at auction for $74 a few months ago.

HITLER SKUNK

Q: This little skunk figure was sitting on a table at home as far back as I can remember. I recall my mother saying it was "The Phew-er." What can you tell me about it?

A: During World War II, novelty anti-Axis items were popular. Many represented Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo and sold for less than a dollar. The Johnson Smith & Co. 1944 catalog offered several anti-Hitler items, including a cast-iron skunk figure called "Der Phew-er" ("shows Hitler as he really is"), a Hitler skunk ashtray, a Hotzi-Notzi pincushion (according to the catalog, FDR had one on his desk), and a Hitler squealing pig bank. Johnson Smith Co. is still in business in Bradenton, Florida, and still sells novelty items through its catalogs. Several different Hitler skunk figures were made in cast iron, chalkware, pottery, and plastic. Twin Winton made a ceramic Hitler skunk, Mussolini pig, and Tojo rat. Reproductions of your Hitler skunk figure have been made. If yours is an original cast-iron Hitler skunk, it could sell for close to $300. Pottery versions sell for about half that.

WWII TEAPOT MARK

Q: This teapot was given to me by someone who said these were given to soldiers during World War II. Is this true?

A: Teapots similar to yours were made during World War II, but not for the soldiers, who were much too busy for tea. They were made to raise money for the war effort. The teapots we have seen are black, like yours, and are decorated with flowers. A few were made in a smaller size. The words "For England and Democracy" are usually printed around the lid. Teapots with the words "Escorted to U.S.A. by Royal Navy" were also made. From 1939 until the end of the war in 1945, ships crossing the Atlantic were protected by Allied escort ships from the United States, Canada and England. The mark on the bottom of the teapot is the Staffordshire knot, indicating the pottery was made by one of the Staffordshire potteries. There is probably more to this story. Can anyone tell us more?

LONE RANGER GUITAR

Q: I have a Lone Ranger guitar that was given to my great aunt when she was a child. It is made of wood and I have its original case. Can you tell me its value?

A: The Lone Ranger was introduced on the radio in 1932. Over 3,000 shows were produced before the series ended in 1954. In 1938 the first Lone Ranger movie was made. Television shows started in 1949. Your guitar was made by Supertone, Sears & Roebuck's "house" brand before World War II. Several different manufacturers supplied instruments that were sold under that name. Most Supertones were inexpensive beginner's instruments, but they were not considered toys. Your guitar was made in 1940 and with its case is worth $75 to $400.

CLAYTON AND LAMBERT BLOW TORCH

Q: I have this brass fire starter that has "Clayton & Lambert Mfg. Co, Detroit, Mich., U.S.A." on the front. It is marked Mar 18 1902 on the pump button. This belonged to my grandfather, who was a friend of someone who worked on the railroad. Someone told me it was used to keep the tracks from freezing. Is this true?

A: You have a blow torch probably made c.1915. Railroad workers used blow torches to prepare wooden surfaces for painting and sometimes to melt ice on switches. Clayton and Lambert traces its history to 1888. Three Lambert brothers began making gasoline-burning blow torches in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1882. Clayton, an inventor of firepots, joined the firm in 1887 and the name of the company soon became Clayton and Lambert Mfg. Co. In 1899 the company built a plant in Detroit and by 1915 Clayton and Lambert was making auto parts as well as blow torches and firepots. The company moved to Louisville, Kentucky, after World War II and moved production to Buckner, Kentucky, in 1961. Gasoline torches and firepots continued to be made until 1970. The company is still in business in Buckner and now makes swimming pools and industrial storage structures. Your tool is interesting but not very decorative. It would sell for about $90 in a sale of tools or railroad memorabilia.

KOVELS.COM'S TOP 20 ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES FOR 2008

Millions of collectors visited Kovels.com in 2008 looking for antiques and collectibles prices. Here are the top 20 categories they viewed.

1. Occupied Japan
2. Jewelry
3. Coca-Cola
4. Stove
5. World War II
6. Furniture
7. Capo-di-Monte
8. Lladro
9. McCoy
10. Lighter
11. Cookie Jar
12. Knife
13. Doll
14. Planters Peanuts
15. Shawnee
16. Hutschenreuther
17. Bavaria
18. Royal Bayreuth
19. Clock
20. Josef Originals