Reproductions of cast iron outdoor furniture and lawn ornaments have been appearing in large numbers since the mid1990s. Many pieces not widely reproduced up until that timesuch as fountains, birdbaths, chairs, benches, urns, planters and fountainsbegan to be copied from vintage originals. Wholesale prices for new items range from $30 to $475.

This new CocaCola badge has just appeared. It measures 1 3/4 in diameter, is slightly convex (dome shaped) and has a pin back. It has the CocaCola script trademark embossed in the center with the embossed words Vendor License above and below the script. The badge is made of solid brass. Our sample arrived with a dark antique patina that we had to partially remove before photographing the front side. The back is shown with the patina undisturbed. Price was $5 wholesale. No old counterpart was ever made.

A recent article on pickle castors included a small catalog photo of a mechanical castor frame (Fig. 1). After the issue went to press, an example was located for close up photography. The piece was being offered for $375.

Identification (ID) tagslike the so-called dog tags of later warswere never officially issued by armies of either side in the American Civil War1. Without tags, soliders killed in combat were difficult to identify and notification of family was difficult.

Florida authorities are investigating the age of gold coins claimed to have been salvaged from Spanish treasure ships. The coins in question have been offered with certificates of authenticity at a shop operated by famous treasure hunter Mel Fisher. Gold and silver coins, precious stones and other artifacts in the shop are priced up to $15,000 and more. Fishers shop was raided Wednesday, April 23, 1998 by the Monroe County State Attorneys Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

A number of styles of Aladdin lamp finials have been reproduced in metal. All the new pieces are white metal (pot metal) with a brass finish.

New 6 candy container. Head removes. Made of painted plastic.

Two new versions of a classic Marilyn Monroe pin up calendar are circulating through the market. Both versions have calendar pages dated with the year 1955. Both are treated to appear old with slightly discolored paper and darkened edges.

The new pocket knives on this catalog page include the Keen Kutter wedgeshaped trademark. The trademark is licensed to many legitimate manufactures for present day use on tools, cutlery, pocket knives and other goods.

Many military and commemorative insignias and patches are being reproduced. Many of these new products are virtually exact replicas of early 20th century military originals because they are made with computer controlled stitching machines. Reproductions of hand made 19th century pieces are being produced in Asia where they are again being sewn by hand.