Character-inspired toys may be popular

Toys often were made to resemble famous people or characters in plays, books or TV shows. Sometimes the character that inspired the toy is forgotten, but the toy remains popular with collectors because it is so well designed, unusual or lovable.

Raggedy Ann and Andy are still recognized by young and old, and the storybooks featuring them remain in print. But Johnny Gruelle, who wrote and illustrated the books, created other characters that are forgotten today.

"Johnny Mouse and the Wishing Stick" is a children's book published in 1922. It was based on stories and illustrations from Gruelle's monthly series, "Johnny Mouse and the Woozgoozle," which appeared in Woman's World magazine in 1920 and 1921.

The Johnny Mouse felt doll was patented in July 1921. The magazine sold it by mail order for $1.

The gray felt mouse has a long pointy pink nose, shoe-button eyes, one ear and a yellow hat that covers the missing ear. The mouse's body was dressed in a printed shirt, felt trousers, a yellow neck bow and felt shoes. His clothes could not be removed.

The identification of the mouse doll as a design by Gruelle added to the value when the 10-inch doll sold at a Theriault's auction in Anaheim, Calif., in July. It cost the new owner $1,024.

Q&A

Q: I bought a pair of metal candle sconces at a recent estate sale because they looked interesting. I bought them for a buck each.

When I came home, I realized that the word "Wilton" is stamped on the backs. Each has two candleholders below a flat circular piece decorated with a curved-line cross, hearts, circles and a scalloped border.

I'd like to know more about Wilton and the value of these sconces.

A: The Wilton family established its first metal manufacturing company in Wrightsville, Pa., in 1892. Wilton Products was founded in about 1935. It produced candleholders, bottle openers, garden plaques, mechanical banks, trivets, wall decorations and other decorative items at plants in Wrightsville and Santa Barbara, Calif.

Wilton Products closed in 1989, but some of its products have been reintroduced by Wilton Armetale, another

Wilton company.

The curved-line cross on your sconce is called a "lauburu" or "Basque cross." Value: about $50 for the pair.

Q: I own 35 collector plates I bought in the 1980s from the Bradford Exchange. Some are decorated with copies of Norman Rockwell paintings. I must have spent a total of about $1,000 on them. How do I go about selling them?

A: Unfortunately for you and a lot of people who bought collector plates, the value of these plates has plummeted during the past 30 years. The plates are being offered online for $10 to $15 each, but many sell for even less.

Tip

Do not use anything but a very soft pencil to label pictures or papers.

Current prices

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the U.S. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

"The Fireside Cook Book," by James Beard, 1,217 recipes, 400 color pictures, 322 pages, Simon & Schuster, 1949, $20.

Fun Maker Funny Faces set, six cardboard masks, interchangeable mouths, noses, ears, eyes and eyebrows, original box, Saalfield Publishing Co., Akron, Ohio, 1954, 14 x 11 inches, $35.

Red Riding Hood hot water bottle, doll head, red, rubber, marked "Made in England by Dunlop," $65.

Clark Candy Bar boy figurine, smiling, blue and orange striped shirt, holding candy bar in one hand and pointing to it with other, rubber, 1950s, 8 x 4 inches, $115.

Peters & Reed art pottery jug, brown glaze, applied grape clusters and leaves around top,

5 3/4 x 5 inches, $150.

Planters Mr. Peanut salt and pepper shakers, beige porcelain, rhinestone monocle, holding cane, "S" and "P" embossed on black top hats, 1958, 4 1/2 x 2 inches, pair, $155.

Terry Kovel answers as many questions as possible through the column. By sending a letter with a question, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of any photograph, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Write to Kovels, The News-Times, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York NY 10019.