Expert: Irene Schwall - 6/26/2006

Question
hi i have a commonwealth life insurance company sewing kit i guess? it looks like a book of matches, a little larger then that not much,and inside it has needle thread and what i think is a hose mending kit, which do look like matches, it says moisten stop and run stick and apply to both end of run... every think i got is from 1951 or earlier.. if i were to put them on ebay..what would i call it? and do you know how old it is? and do you have any ideal as to what it would be worth?  thanks a bunch.. i got a bunch of different advert... with needles inside.. should i put them on all together, or 1 oor 2 together, or what?  ok thanks for your help cho cho

Answer
Hello cho cho,
These kits became very popular around the 1920's -- they more or less went out of fashion by the 1950's. You will of course find some of these items that date earlier than the 1920's. They were usually given away free of charge and were for advertising purposes.  This is what is know as a 'cross collectible' and it appeals to both a sewing item collector and also someone who collects vintage advertising items.
If you are going to sell it on eBay the best descriptions would be a sewing or mending kit.  I am sorry but I do not quote a selling price for eBay.  Your best bet would be to check on eBay and see what items similar to yours are selling for.
Good luck.
Irene