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Page 14 The Antique Shoppe December, 2018
Today, lunchboxes are no
KAYE’S COLLECTOR CORNER longer relevant in schools,
they’re not “hip” nor do they
By Mike Kaye define who one is anymore, at
least not in a public setting. That
doesn’t mean they can’t hold
anything. No I’m not referring
Vintage Lunchboxes to a PB&J sandwich,

My childhood lunchbox is worth how much?!
I’ve been a “boxer” (the term used for a collector of A 1984 Gremlins Lunchbox
lunchboxes) for close to eighteen years now. Why did I start and thermos set made by
collecting the old school metal lunchboxes? Well, let’s just Aladdin.
say that I’m sentimental and enjoy reminiscing about the
past.
Holding the plastic handle of a clanking metal box, that
contained a thermos bouncing around inside, defined my I’m referring to “holding value”. Sorry for the
childhood. Of course, less we forget the prominent theme “Dad joke”.
on the box itself, with its attention grabbing colors and fine The question is, “Why have they held
lithography. Having a Pac Man (current value $100) themed value even though they are now obsolete?”
box brought you into the gaming world or the wild kid with Perhaps due in part to the fact the tv shows
the 1982 G.I. Joe (current value $60) who partook in playing and characters they depict are still relevant in
outside as an army man. today’s Pop Culture. Cartoons and movies like
Then there’s the various television themed boxes like A 1976 Scooby Doo ($150) or Star Wars ($150) are
the Fall Guy ($175), Happy Days ($150) and even Space Happy Days Lunchbox still popular today and thus those lunchboxes
1999 ($50) that spelled out what kind of kid you were, in by King Seeley Thermos. remain desirable to a collector.
other words what your interests were. What 80s kid doesn’t Let me break down the lunchbox hobby for
remember seeing a Strawberry Shortcake ($75) or Care Bears you, in case you find yourself in a thrift shop or flea
($75) lunchbox at some point in their childhood? market where you come across one.

Early generic green workman
Below is a Timeline for Vintage dome from the pre-lithography bottles as opposed to the traditional
Metal Lunchboxes from the 1950’s era and more costly steel or glass ones.
through 1980’s — aka. The Golden 1972 – King Seeley Thermos Company
Age” of lunchboxes. A Space 1999 Lunchbox decided to not just use plastic bottles
made by Thermos but to also convert the latches to plastic.
1950-1953 – Aladdin Industries Many collectors I’ve spoken
produces the first ever lunchbox kit with prefer the plastic bottles
showcasing the Hopalong Cassidy because they remember the
($115) character on a cloud shaped glass liner breaking in school or
decal in the center of the box and rust going into their drink. Yuk!
then the following year went with a 1978 – Okay Industries
square decal. The instant popularity stopped making lunchboxes,
of this box helped to sell enough 1985 – Ohio Art stopped, 1986
kits to enable Aladdin Industries to – Aladdin Industries stopped,
purchase a new factory in Nashville, 1987 – King Seeley Thermos
Tennessee to produce their kits. This & Clark (Universal) manufactured Company stopped. Rambo is
was the start of something big! what most collector’s consider the the last steel box produced
1953 – American Thermos Bottle “Holy Grail” of all lunchboxes, the ($75).
Company (Known today as “Thermos”) 1954 Superman box. The box never 1998 - Current – The Thermos
had seen enough and decided to cash in came with a thermos but that Company (Last of the original
on the monopoly Aladdin had attained. didn’t prevent one collector from lunchbox manufacturers)
This is the year where they produced paying over $10,000 for a mint one, begins making metal lunch
the first four-color lunchbox featuring in average condition one is worth kits once again but the line is
Roy Rogers ($100). The box was fully about $500. 1960 – American Thermos Bottle limited to only a couple different boxes
colored on all six sides and brought 1956 – Aladdin started producing and Company changed their corporate per year.
competition to Aladdin. designing lunchboxes for Disney. Adco identity to King Seeley Thermos
1954 – Was a very busy year for Liberty called it quits after only lasting Company because of a buy out. Onto our next focus, box condition.
lunchboxes. Aladdin stayed strong by two years in the lunchbox business due 1962 – Up until this point all lunchboxes Rust makes a box more affordable to
producing two full colored boxes. The to dispute litigation with Disney. had flat surfaces on all sides. Aladdin obtain for collectors, but it’s also not
first box was Tom Corbett Space Cadet 1957 – Domes were falling behind in designed the first 3D lunchbox. The front that great as an investment. Collectors
and the second box was once again the popularity so Aladdin and American and back images were embossed to add want the box in the closest condition to
ever popular Hopalong Cassidy. Hey, if Thermos Bottle Company both decided life to the image. when it was first available in stores. We
it worked the first time then why not to lithograph dome lunch kits. Aladdin 1966-1968 – King Seeley Thermos call this “old store stock”, “pristine” or
try again? This time, however, the box went with Buccaneer ($40) and Company added a spinner game to the “new with tag”. Be weary of newer tins
was much more eye appealing then its American Thermos Bottle Company back of some of their boxes. The boxes copying the old boxes. Old boxes were
predecessor. Other companies wanted went with Red Barn ($60). Ohio Art also came with game pieces to make made of steel, the newer stuff is made
in, so during this year Adco Liberty started to manufacture lunchboxes lunchtime fun. of tin.
made a Lone Ranger ($200) box which with no bottles. Most of their graphics 1968 – Aladdin Industries tried to cut
was fully lithographed. Landers, Frary did not use famous, licensed characters. costs by using less expensive plastic Continued on Page 21