TREASURES In the ATTIC

Brian Howes unearths some nostalgic collectables that might be discarded as worthless junk but actually have a value to today’s collectors. Can you estimate what each object might be worth and pick out which one is the big-money item? The values are printed on page 86. 1 Underwater action

This diecast model was made by Matchbox toys in 1992. The first episode of Gerry Anderson’s Stingray series was screened in 1963, with the 39 25-minute episodes being based in the year 2064 which seemed a long way ahead in those days. Who remembers that wonderful theme tune composed and arranged by Barry Gray?

4 Just deserts

When it comes to custard, Bird’s is the brand most of us fondly remember on our favourite puddings. These tin badges were given away to children by shopkeepers in the 1950s to make sure the brand always retained its huge popularity. The company was formed by Birmingham-based chemist Alfred Bird in 1837.

2 Special delivery

This scarce picture postcard dates to Edwardian days and shows a solid-tyred delivery van fully loaded with Crawford’s biscuits. This firm was established in 1856 when William Crawford purchased a bakery belonging to Robert Mathie in Leith, a port area in the north of Edinburgh, who had specialised in the making of ship’s biscuits.

5 Time for tea

This lovely little mobile canteen in silver with a blue interior and base was number 74 in the popular Matchbox toy range. Its value has risen considerably from its original price of 1s 6d but would be far higher if it had a turquoise base and interior, or an all-cream body. Short endof-run paint changes created so many Matchbox rarities.

3 Boxing clever

When I first started work at 16, my visits to town every Saturday were primarily to buy as many records as I could afford, along with the special boxes we needed to store them in. This classic singles box dates to the 1960s when it was one of several designs to be sold by Boots record departments, along with brown cardboard sleeves.

6 Kitchen classic

Dating back to the 1930s, this enamel flour bin served its time keeping mice well away from the flour. Enamelled iron kitchenware was hugely popular before World War Two with many factories being established in Lancashire and the West Midlands. This flour bin was made at a factory in Selly Oak, south-west Birmingham.

9 Daylight robbery

This splendid old advertising sign was recently discovered when an old shop was converted into flats. The subject matter epitomises the creative genius of those great Edwardian graphic artists employed by Colman’s Starch. J & J Colman was founded by Jeremiah Colman and his adopted nephew James Colman in 1823.

10 Simple as ABC

Many of us have happy memories of the ABC spotter books published by Ian Allan. The company was based in Shepperton, Surrey, where it was established in 1942 specialising in railway and other transport-related books. This book was edited by John Lloyd with a cover price of 2s 6d.

7 Art pottery

Dating from the 1960s, this attractive little vase is unmistakably a product of the renowned art pottery studio of Bretby which was based in Woodville, south Derbyshire. The firm was founded in 1882 by Henry Tooth and William Ault and became renowned for its unusual and highly creative glazes.

8 Lady of the lake

This badge was originally sold to raise funds for the St Chistopher’s Railway Servants’ Orphanage in Derby. The badges were based on railway locomotives, ferries and boats operated by the railways and were sold at railway stations. MV Teal was built by Vickers of Barrowin-furness, Cumbria in 1936 and is still sailing on Lake Windermere.

12 Animal magic

This ingenious little zoo animal tin was one of a small series of novelty toffee tins created to contain Mackintosh’s delicious chewy toffees. Others included a windmill, a sweet shop and a Noah’s ark. John Mackintosh opened his first sweet shop in the West Yorkshire town of Halifax in 1890 where he became known as the “toffee king”.

11 Cyder’s little sister

These miniature bottles are only a few inches tall and were given away free to pub landlords. Before its closure in 1985, Whiteway’s orchards at Whimple in east Devon were said to be the largest cider apple orchards in the world. Who remembers Cydrax, the non-alcoholic cider Whiteway’s called “cyder’s little sister”?