Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 8/9/2007

Question
I have a very small yellow sewing kit that I think is also a Liquor premium. It has a weird shape, looks like a suppository: sorry best I could do. It has printing on the outside of "Switch to Calvert It tastes better"  Then in very tiny lettering has something about Blended whiskey. It has a yellow tassel on one end. There is a small thimble and two spools of thread with a needle holder inside them. There is a Made in Germany "U.S. Zone" inside the top. Do you have any background on this item? Is it worth keeping or should I let the lil woman put it out at the garage sale? Thank you for your help.  
Elmer

Answer
Hello Elmer.  You have a bullet shaped sewing kit.  They were made as advertising premiums for all sorts of companies.  Yours is probably aluminum but they also make them in brass and plastic.  They are a contemporary collectible - meaning they are not antiques.  The Calvert kit is quite common and you will often find them on ebay for approx. $10 if in really great shape.  They are cross collectible for sewing collectors, advertising collectors and breweriana collectors - if whiskey and beer collectors use the same title!  I can't tell you if it's worth keeping or not, because as a sewing tool collector, I am biased.  I have one of these in my collection.  If it has family connections - belonged to a beloved relative - I would keep it, as the sentimental attachment is more than monetary value.  Good luck with the decision.  Barb