Henry & Henrietta Travelers Wind-up Toy, ca. 1935

Appraised on: August 9, 2008

Appraised in: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Appraised by: Noel Barrett

Category: Toys & Games

Episode Info: Grand Rapids, Hour 1 (#1313)

Originally Aired: April 20, 2009

IMAGE: 1 of 2  

Appraisal Video: (30:00)

GUEST: This toy was given to me back in the late '60s, early '70s by a friend. I used to pick her up and drive her around because she didn't drive.

APPRAISER: Mm-hmm.

GUEST: And so, every now and then, she'd give me a little token for doing that for her.

APPRAISER: Sort of for gas money.

GUEST: Yes, mm-hmm. So I've held it all these years, and I just love them. I think they're darling.

APPRAISER: Well, it's Henry and Henrietta Travelers. You know who Henry was?

GUEST: Uh, yeah, I know Henry and Henrietta. I remember the comic books.

APPRAISER: Mm-hmm. Yes. And Henry seldom spoke.

GUEST: Oh, I didn't realize that.

APPRAISER: Yeah, I think that's one of the reasons he was so popular, because you didn't need to read a lot to enjoy him and you seldom see Henrietta. I think she came along later in the comic books.

GUEST: Okay, okay.

APPRAISER: But this is a charming toy. It was made in Japan in the 1930s. The box is marked C.K, which is some sort of initial for the maker, but it's pretty hard to track down the actual names of some of these companies.

GUEST: Okay.

APPRAISER: It's made of celluloid, which is a very delicate material.

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: Very easily damaged. It is also lithographed tin where the motor housing is. That little trunk.

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: And it's a remarkable survivor. Celluloid is flammable, it's fragile, it's very thin.

GUEST: Wow.

APPRAISER: But it was an amazing plastic kind of material that would retain great detail.

GUEST: Okay.

APPRAISER: I've always thought it's one of the most charming toys, a little boy and girl holding hands, walking off with a suitcase to somewhere.

GUEST: Yes. (laughing)

APPRAISER: And they do travel.

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: We wind it up like this. Whoa! There they go! (laughing) They are traveling!

GUEST: Yeah.

APPRAISER: So, you got this as a token for gas.

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: Well, this sells at auction for a minimum of $3,000.

GUEST: Oh, my gosh, you're kidding! This little thing?

APPRAISER: This little thing.

GUEST: Oh... Oh, my gosh. That's unbelievable. I don't believe that.

APPRAISER: Well, especially with the original box. Now, you had said something about the box being damaged.

GUEST: Yeah.

APPRAISER: If this is a toy that you love and you want to keep, it's worth $100 to have that, that box stabilized.

GUEST: Wow. Oh, geez, I'm going to cry. (laughing) Oh, dear! I had no idea. Thank you so much.

APPRAISER: Thank you.

GUEST: I don't believe it. I just don't!