Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.life From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Disney needed no rabbit's foot Date: Sat, 7 Nov 92 19:23:58 EST Message-ID: \SE B;LIFE;TIME OUT;ANTIQUES AND COLLECTING \SS (WS) \HD Disney needed no rabbit's foot \BY Ralph and Terry Kovel \CR COWELS SYNDICATE You probably have never heard of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, but it is only a twist of fate that gave his fame to Mickey Mouse. Oswald was a cartoon character created by Walt Disney in 1927; the cartoons were distributed by a contract with the Universal Pictures Corp. Oswald became very popular, and when it was time to negotiate a new contract, Disney was upset because he was offered less, not more, money. The rights to Oswald went to Universal, and Walt Disney began a new series of cartoons with a new hero, a mouse named Mickey. The Oswald cartoons continued for years with a new animator. Collectors treasure early Disney-Oswald toys and games. The key-wind rabbit toy made in the 1930s sold at auction for more than $5,000. * * * Q. I have a problem with mildew forming in the drawers of an old chest. I bought it in refinished condition. There are no other old pieces in my house that have this problem. I am doubly concerned because I am allergic to mold. A. Take the drawers outside on a sunny day and brush off the mildew. This helps prevent the spores from remaining in the air and resettling on your drawers. Wash the drawers with mild soap and water; dry in the sun. If you still see mildew, rub the spots with denatured or rubbing alcohol. Wash again. Another cure may be to use one of the sprays sold for use in showers to combat mildew. The sprays are often different from the liquid products sold under the same name. Be sure to use a spray. Q. My old china pitcher is marked "E.P.P. Co. Marquette, E. Palestine, O." A. The mark was used by the East Palestine Pottery Co. in East Palestine, Ohio. The company started making yellowware and brown-glazed wares in 1880. The company name was changed by 1909. Q. Are old Ronson lighters collectible? A. Louis V. Aronson founded the Art Metal Work Inc. in Newark, N.J., in the early 1900s. By the 1920s, he had patented designs for several types of pocket and table-model cigarette lighters. The name Ronson gained fame during World War II when the Ronson lighter became a favorite with American soldiers. Ronson lighters were made in many shapes, and the most unusual may have been a table lighter that looked like a small bar, complete with drinks and a bartender. The most common seem to be the silver-plated table lighters made in the 1950s. They were kept on tables near ashtrays or were part of the dining-room table setting for important dinners. Write to the Kovels in care of this newspaper. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM