Jewish World Review July 24, 2003 / 24 Tamuz, 5763

Anita Gold

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Consumer Reports


Itching to Collect Sketter Stuff; workaholic collectibles; old American and foreign coins; difference between a hand-painted and printed plates mummy hands


http://www.jewishworldreview.com | Q. I collect mosquito-related items, and have quite a collection of such things. I grew up in Minnesota where the natives refer to the mosquito as the "state bird" and wear blood donor pins with a mosquito on it, and Tee shirts that say "Give blood ... move to Minnesota". I don't think that many folks have ever thought about mosquitoes as a collectible, but I got started after finding some mosquito-related items in an old tackle box which got me hooked. Now I've accumulated a large collection of "sketter stuff" which includes bottles, tubes, powders, tins, postcards, patches, counter cards, coils, ads, pads and wipes, aerosol, and hand pump spray units such as Black Flag.

Right now my main interest is 1. Great Graphics and 2. Great Names some of which includes ZZZZ, Buzz Off, Skram, Skeeter Skatter, Shoo Fly, Skeeter Skoot, Skeeto Go, Skee Ram, Shu Bug, Skeeterine and on and on. My buddy Steve Lumpkin and I are contemplating dong a collector reference booklet on the subject. We already have a name for our collaboration being "The Swat Team of Streater and Lumpkin". R.L. Streater, Mercer Island WA

A. Readers who have mosquito items or anything related to them including any Graphics or Names, can contact The Swat Team, R.L. Streater (which rhymes with "miskeeter") at P.O. Box 393, Mercer Island, WA 98040, phone (206) 232-9060. E-mail: lureguru@aol.com, and Steve Lumpkin, 8212 Timbercreek Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244, phone (513) 474-0832. E-mail: AT1wan@aol.com

Incidentally, back in the 1890s folks who enjoyed camping, fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities and ventures, wore certain devices to keep from getting bitten such as mosquito head nets and mosquito shields. The head net was a device made of white tarleton netting, fitted with five light weight round steel springs or bands, that when fully expanded or opened, was made to be worn over a hat or cap on one's head extending down over the neck and shoulders protecting the wearer from insect bites.

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When not in use, the head net (which was collapsible) could be folded and put into one's coat pocket. Whereas the mosquito hat shield, made of sturdy netting, was attached around the wide brim of a muslin fishing hat, and was made to hang down over one's head and neck to keep mosquitoes away, and when not in use, the light weight hat shield could be rolled up and carried or stuffed into one's pocket.

Then, too, the 1929 Johnson Smith & Co. Catalogue (produced in Racine, Wisconsin) illustrated and offered, the Chinese Mosquito Punk (made to repel and drive away mosquitoes) which measured 14-inches long) and sold for 25 cents per bundle of 200. If you find, or come across, any of these or any other old or odd skeeter items or advertisements, write the Swat Team at their above addresses. Also to avoid the blood suckers and keep mosquitoes from stinging and stabbing your flesh, visit the amazing bug shirt website: http:// www.bugshirt.com Or phone 1-800-998-9096 toll free to request a free illustrated catalog. Incidentally, to stop itching instantly from mosquito or other insect bites, dab on fast acting Rhuli Gel; phone (800) 558-5252 to inquire where to get it. Once you use it, you'll never be without it.

Q. Could you please repeat the information you wrote sometime back regarding workaholic collectibles that I meant to save, but can't find, and therefore was probably discarded? Connie Williams, Virginia Beach, VA

A. Your not the only one who requested that the workaholic item be repeated. Here it is in its original-as-written Q & A form.

Q. Every year, my workaholic husband makes the same New Year's resolution to cut back on his work - which he doesn't keep. I've given him all sorts of gruesome novelty items to remind him of his promise, but they end up being displayed on his desk as a collection. Can you offer any suggestions? Mrs. M.B., Bradenton, FL

A. You can sell the gruesome collection and live with your husband's obsession. Or better yet, go outdoors and find a brown stone to give your husband with a copy of Emily Dickenson's following poem:

How happy is the little stone
That rambles in the road alone,
And doesn't care about careers,
And exigencies never fears;
Whose coat of elemental brown
A passing universe put on;
And independent as the sun,
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute decree
In casual simplicity.

Q. Where can I find information on various old American and foreign coins, and their history, and value? I inherited my grandfather's huge collection of all types dating from the early 1900s and beyond, but know absolutely nothing about them. Leah Anderson, Upland, CA

A. You'll flip over (like a coin) by consulting the new 31st edition of the "2004 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901 to Present" by Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler available in a gigantic 2,280-page edition with over 48,750 coin images, and overwhelming information you won't find elsewhere, for $58.99 postpaid from Krause Publications, P.O. Box 5009, Iola, WI 54945-5009, or phone (800) 258-0929 toll free to order.

Also available is the "Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern Issues-1961 to Present, Volume Three, 9th Edition" edited by Neil Shafer and George S. Cuhaj, which illustrates, identifies and prices, nearly 12,000 notes, and lists issued notes, specimens, and counterfeits, and which contains historical information, descriptions, signature varieties, and values in up to three grades of condition, as well as front and back images and issue dates, and an 8-page Color of Money section which reveals a selection of some of the most ornate currency from around the world, and includes a foreign exchange table, security devices, country/bank identification charts, international numerals, and grading standards, in a huge 973-page edition with over 7,500 illustrations for $49 postpaid, from Krause Publications, P.O. Box 5009, Iola, WI 54945-50009, or phone (800) 258-0929 toll free to order. Both of these books are fascinating and offer an incredible education.

Q. How can I tell the difference between a hand-painted plate and one that has a printed design on it? Kathy Phillips, Columbia, SC

A. A magnifying glass will do the trick. If you see that the design is composed of a succession of tiny dots, you'll know it's printed, but if you see small brush marks or strokes you'll know it's handpainted. However, some china pieces have printed designs that are partially handpainted over the printed parts to give it a more elegant look.

Q. I heard that people used to collect mummy hands, and that some antique shops actually have them for sale. Is this true? Lil Rogers, Decatur, IL

A. Yes. In the 19th century embalmed mummy hands were popular tourist souvenirs. Today some of these black dried hands bound partially in cloth strips, might still be found in some antique shops. They were supposed to bring good luck to the owner.

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Anita Gold has been writing this column for over 30 years. To comment or ask a question, please click here.

06/19/03: Music to make you wiggle, wriggle, and giggle; old radios, tubes, parts; metal Tonka trucks; old clocks
06/12/03: Collectibles To Keep Collectors Occupied; price guide for magazines; postage stamp errors
06/03/03: Patches and patterns from other days; Dick Clark doll
05/28/03: Blue Willow lovers romance
05/22/03: Collecting Silver Patterns Stir Collectors Passions; assessing silver dollars and old milk glass; Cracker Jack collectibles
05/14/03: Picky, Picky, Picky Collectors; teddy value; egg trees; big band records
05/08/03: Collectors pumped up over gas & oil items; old soda pop bottles; info on collecting autographs
04/29/03: Collectors can tyg this one on; value of a weird PEZ candy dispenser
04/22/03: Identify Authenticity and Value
04/15/03: Patriotic Songs and Memories of Long Ago Wars
04/08/03: Restore Grandmother's jewelry and memories

© 2003, Anita Gold