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Circus Wagon Rolled Out Of Ohio In 1940s

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By JAY MOORE Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 25, 2008

We'd like your opinion on the origin and value of a cast-iron circus wagon that was recently purchased in France. It is marked "Overland Circus" and includes a cast-iron tiger.

M.S.

Bicton, Western Australia
Kenton Hardware of Kenton, Ohio, began producing cast-iron toys and still banks around 1894.

It made many cast-iron horse-drawn vehicles.

It introduced the Overland Circus line around 1940.

Accounts vary, but Kenton first produced hardware and locks, then moved into toy-making. The toys manufactured in the 1940s are rather crude. Kenton went out of business in 1952 and some of its toys, including the Overland Circus line, have lived on in reproductions.

This cage wagon with a driver and tiger would retail for about $110.

I would like to know the value of my mahogany Victrola.

I inherited it from my grandmother and believe that it dates from around 1927. It is marked "Model #VV8-12-1275." It was made by Okulski Bros. in Passaic, N.J., and sold by Victor Talking Machine Co. in the same city. It still plays.

J.B.

Richmond, Va.

Your talking machine was actually manufactured by Victor and sold by Okulski Bros. According to the serial number, it was made in 1928. These were expensive Victor models, selling for around $250 - a small fortune in the late 1920s.

Victor Talking Machine was established in 1901 by Eldridge Johnson.

He and his team made improvements to the basic phonograph, and the company was very successful.

Johnson sold out to RCA in 1929.

This machine needs restoration.

There's damage to the cabinet, and the player mechanism may need restoration work. Restored, it would sell for $500. As is, you could get about what your grandmother paid in 1928, and possibly less than that.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear digital image (.jpg file) to athome@tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (plain-paper prints or Polaroid

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