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...
APPRAISER
Mm-hmm.
GUEST
...and I just love them, I think they're darling.
APPRAISER
Well, it's Henry and Henrietta Travelers. Do you know who Henry was?
GUEST
Uh, yeah, I know Henry and Henrietta. I remember the comic books.
APPRAISER
Yes.
Mm-hmm. APPRAISER
And Henry had seldom spoke.
GUEST
Oh, I didn't realize that.
APPRAISER
Yeah, and I think that's one of the reasons he was so popular, because you didn't need to read a lot to enjoy them. 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."
GUEST
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER
Which is some sort of an 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 a 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 one of the most charming toys. A little boy and girl holding hands, walking off with a suitcase to somewhere.
GUEST
Yeah.
GUEST AND APPRAISER
(both laughing)
APPRAISER
And they do travel.
GUEST
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER
We wind it up like this... (toy winding) Whoo!
GUEST
Whoa!
APPRAISER
There they go!
GUEST AND APPRAISER
(both laugh) 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
(gasps) Oh, my gosh, you're kidding. This little thing?
APPRAISER
This little thing.
GUEST
Oh... Oh, my gosh.
So... GUEST
That's unbelievable. I don't believe it.
APPRAISER
(laughs) Well, especially with the original box.
GUEST
Oh...
APPRAISER
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...
GUEST
Oh...
APPRAISER
...it's worth $100 to have that, that box stabilized.
GUEST
Wow. Oh, geez, I'm going to cry. (laughs)
APPRAISER
(laughing)
GUEST
Ah! Oh, dear! I had no idea-- I don't believe it.
APPRAISER
(laughs)
GUEST
I just don't.
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