Church cleaning reveals classic Red Wing cooler
A church cleaning session resulted in the unexpected discovery of a Red Wing four-gallon water cooler, which in his latest Ask the Experts assessment Dr. Anthony J. Cavo said may be bring $600 to $700 in a crock auction or sale.
Q While members were cleaning the study at our church, we found this four-gallon water cooler tucked away in one of the cupboards. I feel it is in very good condition. The picture of the left side of the cooler looks to have a chip (in the photo), but it is as smooth as the finish on the rest of the cooler. Can you tell us about this particular piece, when it was manufactured, what the approximate value is for this piece and/or anything else?
— D.D.
via email
A What a great find to make while cleaning; I usually just find dust balls. What you found is a hand-turned four-gallon Red Wing water cooler with the original lid and spigot.
It was made somewhere around 1909 up to around 1915 (when is the last time the study was cleaned?). I stress the importance of finding such a piece with all the original parts, as many are missing either the lid, the spigot or both, or can be found with lids or spigots from other pieces produced at a later date.
The lid has the correct button top handle (later tops had a bar handle) with three blue circles. A perfect button lid can sell for hundreds of dollars (a damaged button top lid recently sold online for $238). The push-button central spigot is also correct and they alone sell for around $50. A four-gallon Red Wing water cooler without the lid or spigot would be valued at around $300.
Your find could bring $600 to $700 or more in a well-advertised crock sale. Keep on cleaning!
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Q I have two complete Star Trek calendars from 1968. One has a tan cover with a calendar that runs to February 1969, while the other has a yellow cover that runs to December 1968. I am looking for some background information and value. Thanks.
— E.S.
via email
A Your calendars are a little piece of television history, as they are based on the original Star Trek series rather than the later movies and television shows.
It is probably difficult for most of us to realize that the original Star Trek series ran for only three seasons, from 1966 to 1969, with a total of just 79 episodes. For those of us who grew up watching television during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, it seemed Star Trek was always airing.
The show was cancelled after three seasons due to low ratings; however, during the 1970s it became a hit after going into syndication and has become one of the most popular series to date.
It is, unfortunately, difficult to determine who may have printed these calendars or if they are actually an “authorized” publication. Although very difficult to find, I have seen the bright yellow calendar offered for sale in the $50 range and the tan calendar, which is probably more difficult to find, in the $60 to $80 price range. I hope this helps; live long and prosper.
