Watch CBS News

Risqué Vintage Calendars

Old calendars can be very valuable, says collectibles expert Tony Hyman. And some classics can bring in thousands of dollars as Hyman explains in CBS News Saturday Morning's continuing series on collectibles.



After the Civil War, American life became so business centered, the average family really needed clocks and calendars for the first time.

Advertisers put pretty pictures on calendars and began giving away "working man's art" by the millions.

Today you can get $10 and more for any pre-1950 calendar in fine condition. They might depict just about anything: planes, trains, automobiles, liquor, tobacco - even horse harnesses and other such products.

Pretty women calendars by illustrators like Zula Kenyon and Hy Hintermeister may bring $30 to $60.

And leggy pinup calendars for auto parts stores of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s can bring $100.

Classic Monroe calendar
The top pinup calendar, Marilyn Monroe's 1952 classic, can bring $75 and up to $2,500, if autographed by Monroe. But be careful, warns Hyman because they're widely faked on the Internet.

Huge amounts are also paid for some Coke calendars. One 1903 gem will put a whopping $3,500 in your pocket, if the picture and cardboard are in a healthy condition. The value drops only slightly if calendar pages are missing.

Hyman recommends several calendar experts.

Collector/dealer Elizabeth Pensoneau can be reached by email at calendargirl@wbsb.net.

Thom Thompson is the expert on Coca-Cola calendars. His email address is tribefan@iglou.com.

And for Marilyn Monroe collectibles, Hyman recommends Clark Kidder, author of Marilyn Monroe Collectibles and Marilyn Monroe - Cover to Cover. His email address is ckidder@jvlnet.com.

For more information on collectibles go to Tony Hyman's Web site.

Previous CBS News Saturday Morning segments with collectibles expert Tony Hyman are available in the Collectibles Archive.



If you think you have a collectible worth a lot of cash, send an email to sat@cbsnews.com. Put "What's It Worth?" in the subject line, or write to "What's It Worth?" CBS News Saturday Morning, 514 West 57th St., 6th floor, New York, N.Y. 10019.

Please note that because of the volume of mail received, Saturday Morning can't respond to all requests, but some will be selected and featured on the show in the near future.

©1999, CBS Worldwide Inc., All Rights Reserved

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.