A Father’s Day note: Yenke Peddler antiques

CLEVELAND, Ohio — As we celebrate all the dads this Father’s Day, we invite you to the Medina Flea Market of Collectibles on Sunday at the Medina County Fairgrounds.

Early buyers are welcome from 6 to 9 a.m. for $3 admission, while regular shopping is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $2 admission.

Visit the town as well, which offers antique shops and other splendid offerings.

Also, mark your calendars for next week, when the Strongsville Historical Village opens its grounds for the annual Yard and Antique Sale. The village will be bustling from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 22 and from 9 a.m. to noon June 23.

Dealers are also welcome, so enjoy this opportunity!

Speaking of dads, many years ago Alvin M. Woolson became known as the father of advertising cards. He anchored the Woolson Spice Co. and manufactured Lion Coffee in Toledo. He included labels with his products that could be returned for premiums.

Then, he came up with idea of enclosing colorful cards within the product — appealing especially to children. The cards’ popularity grew to include everyone.

The cards were found in all their products, from coffee to spices. As premiums were redeemed for merchandise, this style of advertising blitz became contagious. He loved selling his ideas to the public, and today this campaign still has merit!

Dear Yenke Peddler,

We have a muslin teddy lion pattern from 1909, uncut and in original form. It has long been in our inventory, and we wanted to keep it that way. The copyright is by Saulfield Publishing Co., Akron OH. Could you give me a value?

A.S.

Hi Alice,

Wow! How amazing that this was never made into the stuffed toy lion! Under these conditions, the rarity is the uncut example, and manufactured so close to home! Value for your mint, early muslin piece would be $400.

If you have an item for evaluation, send a clear picture with history to Yenke Peddler, Brenda Yenke, P.O. Box 361633, Strongsville, Ohio, 44136. You may also email photos and information requests for Brenda to evaluate at kenyenke@aol.com.