‘Alphabet Man’ was teaching toy

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The iron man is pointing to a letter of the alphabet to help a child learn letters. The toy brought $23,600 in a 2016 sale.

Every child has to learn the alphabet before learning to read, so some toys for those under 5 years old have been “teaching toys.” Blocks were the first. The oldest mention of alphabet blocks was in 1693 in England. But blocks with letters and pictures were not available for most families until 1820 when large numbers of sets were made in a factory. Well-to-do young girls educated in the 18th century learned the alphabet while sewing samplers. They had to be able to stitch identification on all the family linens when they married. Most toys were made to teach religion, like a carved wooden Noah’s ark, or to teach a skill like cooking using a toy stove, pots and pans. Toy makers created a few teaching toys, cards with letters and cloth alphabet books.

A rare, famous teaching toy is the “Alphabet Man” or “Yankee Schoolmaster.” The 10-inch-tall iron figure of a man had an arm that moved when a lever was pushed. The man blinked his eyes, raised his left arm and pointed to a hole high on his chest. A letter appeared and the student had to name it. The man is dressed like a schoolmaster and looks like a stern teacher. No one knows who made this complicated toy that was patented in 1884. Or why his right arm is held behind his back and his index finger is pointing to the side. Several of the men have sold in the past decade. The pictured toy with some missing paint sold at Bertoia Auctions in New Jersey for $23,600.

Q: I have my mother’s antique satin wedding dress from 1931. It’s in perfect condition. I would like to know if it’s worth anything or if anyone would want it.

A: Yes, there is interest in old wedding dresses and gowns. You could donate it to a local historical museum or an organization that will resell it for a charitable cause. You could sell it to a vintage clothing store. Or it could be turned into something else. Old wedding dresses can be used to make christening gowns or bride or princess outfits for small children who like to play dress-up. The fabric can be repurposed to make pillows or enclosed in a locket, frame or Christmas ornament. It also can be used to make scarves, decorate baby blankets, bassinet skirts or wedding or baby photograph albums.

Current Prices

Record, Dick Todd, Rainbow Records, Red Apple Cheeks, Daddy’s Little Boy, 78 RPM, 9 3/4 inches, $15.

Kewpie figurine, bride and groom huggers, bisque, c. 1920s, 3 1/2 inches, $175.

Decanter, Bohemian glass, paint, winged creatures, swags, faceted stopper, c. 1900, 10 inches, pair, $365.

Incense burner, sterling silver, double gourd, handles, birds, repousse design, tripod foot, c. 1890, 13 x 9 inches, $950.

TIP: To remove white rings – usually made by damp glasses or hot cups of coffee – from wooden tabletops, rub the spot with a mixture of mayonnaise and toothpaste. Wipe, then polish.

For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com,

(c) 2018 King Features Syndicate, Inc.