Memories of childhood often include the beach toys used years ago.

Today, sand pails and shovels are usually made of plastic, but until the 1950s such toys were metal. Pails made from 1885 to the early 1900s are scarce, attractive and pricey. Tin pails were lithographed with colorful flags, flowers, children, boats, cowboys and cartoon characters.

Most of the American tin pails were made by J. Chein, T. Cohen Inc., U.S. Metal Toy Manufacturing Co. and Ohio Art Co. Collectors search for pails in good condition and with unusual designs, like flags and Disney characters.

But pails are not the only beach toys available for collectors. Look for shovels, sand molds, sand chutes that put toys in motion, pumps, sprinkling cans and sifters.

My grandfather left me his grandfather clock. The works are marked “Ithaca Clock Works, Ithaca, N.Y., 1905.” I was told that the clock was originally offered by a soap company. It could be purchased with soap coupons or about $25 in cash. The clock is 8 feet tall and works, but it does not look like an expensive antique clock.

The Larkin Soap Co. of Buffalo, N.Y., was famous for offering its customers a variety of product premiums. Some premiums were pieces of furniture, including desks and bookcases. Your grandfather clock might have been a Larkin premium. Today it could sell for more than $2,500 if it’s working and the case is in excellent condition. The Ithaca Clock Co. was founded in 1865 and was very successful during the last quarter of the 19th century. It manufactured many shelf clocks and made grandfather clocks for about 20 years.

Years ago, I bought my sister an Elvis Presley painting on velvet. Elvis is standing and singing into a microphone he’s holding in his right hand. He is wearing a white suit and a gold scarf. The painting is 24 by 38 inches. My husband framed it, and it’s in excellent condition. What is it worth?

Elvis Presley paintings on velvet are loved as folk art or kitsch by many fans and collectors. New ones are sold every year. Older paintings sell online for $10 and up.

Many years ago, I bought our son a G.I. Joe action figure for Christmas. I still have the box, which is marked “$3.98.” The soldier is in full uniform and came with a full set of gear. I was told that early G.I. Joes had an odd right hand — the thumbnail is on the wrong side of the thumb (on the side where the thumbprint should be). This is true of my son’s Joe. What is our G.I. Joe worth?

Hasbro introduced G.I. Joe action figures (they weren’t called “dolls”) in 1964. They were such a hit with kids that the line was expanded the next year and accessories were added to create boxed sets. The incorrect thumbnail started as an early production error, but Hasbro is said to have considered the abnormality helpful because it distinguished real Joes from knockoffs. The value of your G.I. Joe depends on its age, condition and whether your set is complete. You were wise to hold on to the box — any set is worth more with the original box.

Tip

Felt dolls are difficult to clean. Swirl them in cornstarch, then leave them in it for a day or two.

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Current prices

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

¢ Pressed glass compote, Frosted Eagle pattern, cover, 10 3/4 inches, $65.

¢ TV lamp, leaping deer, chestnut, style No. 160, Phil-Mar Corp., Cleveland, Ohio, $80.

¢ 1933 World’s Fair handkerchief, Chicago, FDR picture, red, white, blue and brown, 8 1/2 inches, $155.

¢ Map, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, U.S. coastal survey, 1852, 30 x 21 inches, $220.

¢ Linen-and-cotton toile blueprint design of George Washington guiding a leopard-drawn chariot, Benjamin Franklin, goddess of Liberty and soldiers, natural white ground, 42 x 66 inches, $315.

¢ “Across the Pacific” movie poster, Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Warner Bros., 1942, 27 x 41 inches, $390.