The Early Show

Cashing In On Kiddie Records

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

March 4, 1999 / 12:31 PM EST / CBS

Is any of that junk in your attic worth some money? How do you sort the trash from the treasure? CBS News Saturday Morning continues its series with collectibles expert Tony Hyman.

Those old-style 78 rpm kiddie records that dotted the floors of baby boomer nurseries just might be worth $100 or more, according to Hyman.

If you have records with generic fairy tales, nursery rhymes or Mother Goose songs, they could bring $2 to $6, if they are in good condition and have their original covers or picture sleeves.

Other records with colorful covers bring $5 to $25, but if you have records with pictures molded in them, they could bring $20 to $75.

Records featuring television and movie characters from the 1950s and 60s are usually the most valuable. Mickey Mouse, Howdy Doody, Rin-Tin-Tin, Rootie Kazootie (the character on a club television show in New York) and other kiddie characters can put up to $150 in your pocket.

There are 20,000 different kiddie records, so if you haven't already given yours away for pennies at a yard sale, now may be a good time to check them out.

For specific questions on these records, Hyman recommends Peter Muldavin, a discographer of kiddie music. He says Muldavin has "the largest collection of kiddie records anywhere." His email address is kiddie78s@aol.com.

Go to Tony Hyman's Web site for more information on collectibles.

Go to the archive of Saturday Morning segments with collectibles expert Tony Hyman.