384.Boxed: HEE-HAW, 1970

At the National Museum of American History, one can find on display a tin lunch box of HEE-HAW, a musical comedy show on CBS, which ran from 1969-1972. The popular show starred Buck Owens and Roy Clark.

The lunchbox was made in 1970 by King Seeley.  The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The exterior features images from the country variety television show.The TV lunchbox is shown with an unused coloring book, an authorized edition from the same HEE HAW TV show.

358. Boxed: THE BEATLES

The Holy Grail of lunchbox collecting has got to be this original Beatles Lunchbox that dates back from 1965by Aladdin Industries. It has great embossed panels which feature the faces and facsimile signature of the Liverpool lads, Paul McCartney,John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. Lunchboxes in pristine condition can go for as much as $1,000!! Without the thermo, the box can still command more than $300!

Beatles Lunchboxes, even at those stratospheric prices, are easily snapped up by both boxers and Beatles memorabilia collectors. Locally, it is next to impossible to find these pop culture boxes--I have only seen 2 of them for sale here, with one rusty example carrying a Php20,000 price tag at a collectible show.

This lunchbox in fine condition, was purchased for just a fraction of that price from a local thrift  shop that specializes in used U.S. flea market goods. The items are shipped on a regular basis in several balikbayan boxes, and are promoted thru its facebook page--which was how I came to know of this rare lunchbox.

It now sits on a shelf along with my Osmonds and Bee Gees lunchboxes (I'm still missing the Monkees), my collecting tribute to the bands and their music I grew up with. John and Geroge may have passed on, but this Beatles box--with their four young happy faces--is a constant reminder of the force of the fab Four, and how they rocked and rolled our world.

342. Boxed: THE FLYING NUN VINYL LUNCH BOX

Now here's a lunch box that's flying high on the collectible list. A rare vinyl box of Sister Bertrille of "The Flying Nun" fame. This American TV hit was produced by Screen Gems for ABC based on the 1965 book The Fifteenth Pelican, by Tere Rios. It starred Sally Field--the future Oscar winner. The series originally ran on ABC from 7 Sep. 1967, to 3 Apr. 1970,

The most common lunchbox was made of tin, but this one is made of vinyl. An even more valuable version is an oval vinyl box with a strap and a matching thermos. A great memento from a TV show that defined the simple comic entertainment of the 70s, revolving around the misadventures of a nun in convent San Tanco!

328. Boxed: LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

Little House on the Prairie was a popular U.S. western drama TV series, starring Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, and Karen Grassle, about a family living on a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in the 1870s and 1880s. Adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder's best-selling series of Little House books, the regular series was preceded by the two-hour pilot movie, aired on March 30, 1974. The series began on the NBC network on September 11, 1974, and ended on May 10, 1982

Part of the merchandise generated by this highly-rated show was this metal lunchbox, produced in 1978, which shows great graphic portraits of the cast.

259. Boxed: BATMAN AND ROBIN

The Caped Crusader and his young  buddy in tights team up to beat up a dastardly criminal in this 1966 tin lunchbox from Aladdin. Capitalizing on the popularity of the TV series "Batman and Robin", this lunchbox has a few dents and scruffs, but is still in a serviceable, displayable shape--sans the thermos. Batman lunchboxes have always been desirable and even in this state, this lunchbox is worth about $25-$40. (A mint example would go for over $500!). I can't even remember where and how much I paid for this lunchbox, now 47 years old--but I do know it's worth keeping, to remind me of my 'kaboom, ka-poww, holy mackerel" days!

251. Boxed: THE BUGALOOS

One of my favorite after-high school cartoons (yes, I was still into kiddie cartoons in high school!) was the TV show, The Bugaloos, produced by brothers Sidney Krofft and Martin Krofft, that aired from 1970 to 1972. The Bugaloos were a musical group of four British-accented teenagers, who lived in fictional Tranquility Forest. They wore insect-themed outfits with antennae and wings which allowed them to fly, and were constantly harassed by the jealous Benita Bizarre,played by comedienne Martha Raye, whom I keep mistaking for Phyllis Diller!. Well, what do you know, in 1971, Aladdin Industries came up with The Bugaloos lunchbox, and here's one that survived the trash bin. Forty two years old, and rusty on one side, it features Benita out to attack the singing band of bugs! Not exactly in great condition, but still good enough to churn again  those fuzzy, funny and funky memories of my dysfunctional childhood--when cartoons ruled my weekends and musical bugs were all I cared about!

246. Boxed: WALT DISNEY'S PETER PAN

A 1969 Walt Disney tin lunchbox of Peter Pan manufactured by Aladdin Industries--found at the famous Grand Thrift Shop at Cubao Expo. A pity the thermo is missing! But this lunch box is in exquisite condition, almost unused! This side shows Peter Pan in a duel with Captain Hook...

The other side shows the Darling children flying with Peter Pan. The side panels feature other characters from the popular animated film. Great coloring on this box! I coveted this lunchbox when I was a kid..but unlike Peter Pan, I grew up and sort of outgrew my interest in such kidstuff. Until my second childhood stage kicked in....

207. Boxed: HOPALONG CASSIDY

Cowboy hero Hopalong Cassidy ran on television from 1949 to 1954, with William Boyd (1895-1972) in the title role.In 1950, Aladdin Industries created the first children's lunch box based on a television show, Hopalong Cassidy. The Hopalong Cassidy lunch kit, or "Hoppy," quickly became Aladdin’s cash cow. Debuting in time for back-to-school 1950, it would go on to sell 600,000 units in its first year alone, each at a modest $2.39 . A red and blue version were made, with a decal of Hoppy stuck on the front panel. A thermos was also made in red or blue cap.

I was lucky to find this lunchbox and a matching thermo (not shown) in a thrift shop in Metuchen, New Jersey that was holding a closing out sale. Still in serviceable condition, it set me back by $20, a hefty sum back in the late 80s. There was a later 1954 version Hopalong Cassidy made by Aladdin Industries Inc. One outstanding old store stock example in excellent/near mint condition sold at an auction for $1,382.94. That must have made the dealer very Hoppy indeed.

203. Boxed: ANNIE

Little Orphan Annie was a popular U.S. comic strip created by Harold Gray (1894–1968) and syndicated by Tribune Media Services. The strip took its name from the 1885 poem "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley, and made its debut on August 5, 1924 in the New York Daily News. By 1937, it was rated #1 comic strip. As expected, it inspired a radio show in 1930, film adaptations by RKO in 1932 and Paramount in 1938 and a Broadway musical Annie in 1977. The original production ran from April 21, 1977 to January 2, 1983 and was staged internationally. "Annie" has also been adapted to film twice, in 1982 and in 1999 the better known being perhaps the former, directed by John Huston and starring Aileen Quinn as Annie, Albert Finney as Warbucks, Ann Reinking as his secretary Grace Farrell, and Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan. (Lea Salonga also was our very own Pinoy 'Annie" and this role would forever be associated with her). Songs from the musical include "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard Knock Life".

Capitalizing on the broad appeal of this carrot-haired girl who sang "The sun will come out tomorrow", like there was no tomorrow, Aldaddin issued this metal lunchbox in 1981, complete with a plastic thermos. This vintage example, with a current market price from $35-$50-- has never been used and is in impeccable condition, so bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, it is certain to increase in value!

198. Boxed: THE BIONIC WOMAN

Hot on the heels of "The 6 Million Dollar Man" came a spin-off TV series--"The Bionic Woman", starring Lindsay Wagners as tennis pro Jamie Sommers who survived a skydiving accident but only after being outfiited with "bionic" implants similar to Steve Austin. As the result of Jaime's bionics, she has amplified hearing in her right ear, a greatly strengthened right arm, and stronger and enhanced legs which enable her to run at up to 60 miles per hour.

The series premiered on ABC in January 1976 and became the fifth most-watched television show of the 1975-1976 season. It ended in 1978, only to be resurrected in 2007--but the revival was short-lived. Aladdin issued this metal lunchbox in 1978 to ride on the show's popularity. It is similar to the one previously made a year earlier except for one panel, which shows Jaime outrunning a dog. This version shows her stopping a runaway car.

This Bionic Woman lunchbox is in pristine condition, never used, and with its own thermos. In this condition, a price guide book pegs its value at $250! That sure costs a bionic arm and leg!

177. Boxed: SPACE 1999

Space: 1999 is a British science-fiction television series that aired from 1975 to 1977, produced by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson . It tells of a cataclysmic accident on 1999, where the Moon was knocked out of its orbit, sending i 311 inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha hurtling into space.
Main stars include husband and wife Martin Landau and Barbara Bain who portrayed Commander John Koenig and Dr. Helena Russell respectively. Its fame was shortlived, but long enough to merit its own lunchbox, manufactured by King Seeley Thermos in 1976. The front panels show the stars--Dr. Russell with her nemesis--a multi-tentacled monster, while the Cmdr. Koenig side features a lunar rover. In 1975, 1999 seemed so remote. But 1999 came and went and we've not seen any futuristic creature remotely looking like those featured in the show. And did I tell you that Martin and Barbara has since split up as a couple? Maybe they needed more--space.

165. Boxed: WELCOME BACK, KOTTER

The TV series" Welcome Back, Kotter" was a popular comedy show that aired from 1975-1979, about a teacher with a heart and his inner city high school stint where he had to deal with troublesome kids. Gabe Kotter, the dedicated teacher, was played by Gabe Kaplan, while Vinnie Barbarino, leader of a group of young misfits called Sweathogs who liked dropping rhyming insults was played by pre-Saturday Night Fever disco king, John Travolta. John was paid $2,000 per episode and only did occasional appearances--but after Saturday Night, his fee skyrocketted and his contract had to be changed. This vintage 1977 lunchbox celebrates the show at its most peak, and is made by Aladdin. A rare, unused example with thermos and tags intact would be worth about $350. I scored this one for just a few hundred pesos in some garage sale I can't even remember. I'm just happy to see again a familiar artifact from my high school days--so welcome back!!

159. Boxed: THE OSMONDS

Take your lunch with Donny. Or Jay. Or Merrill. Or Alan. Or with the whole toothy Osmonds Bunch. This is a 1973 tin lunchbox made to honor the Osmond teen throbs that gave the Jacksons a run for their money. Still in good shape, despite some nicks and dings. The thermo is missing though. There's a rarer vinyl version featuring Donny and Marie, but this one looks better. In pristine condition, this lunchbox is worth about $75. Who cares if you have only a "One Bad Apple"? Take it to school in this spiffy lunchbox made by Aladdin Industries!

141. Boxed: NANCY DREW

If The Hardy Boys had a box, why not Nancy Drew? This 1977 lunchbox is based on the popular TV series starring Pamela Sue Martin. The character Nancy Drew is a creation of Edward Stratemeyer in 1930, which traces the adventures of a girl detective. First appearing in 1930, the detective stories made for juveniles were written under the pseudonym, Carolyn Keene. This particular box (copyright 1977 by Universal Studios) was one of the merchandise spawned by the hit, Nancy Drew Mysteries that ran from 1977 to 1979 on ABC. Initial episodes featuring Nancy alternated with episodes with the Hardy Boys. Martin left the series midway through the second season--and posed for Playboy Magazine-- and was replaced by Janet Louise Johnson until Nancy Drew was dropped completely in the final episodes.

Pamela Sue Martin however, may have the last laugh as her Nancy Drew lunchbox with its plastic thermos intact is worth more than that of the Hardy Boys. It has a value of about 50$ in good condition ($100, if in mint condition) vs. about 30$ for a used Hardy Boys box.

136. Boxed: FANTASTIC FOUR

Stan Lee created this team of heroes for Marvel Comics in 1961 and the adventures of the Fantastic Four were lapped up by comic fans the world over. The group included Mr. Fantastic, the Human Torch, the Invisible Woman and the Thing. They have been adapted into other media--appearing as a TV cartoon series in 1970, as characters in video games and in a number of feature films. The 2005 movie version grossed $329 million worldwide. This vintage 1976 Aladdin tin lunchbox is yet another one of the group's incarnation. The other panel shows other Marvel superheroes like Mighty Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye, Wasp, Falcon and Ironman. A A box in pristine condition was valued at 80$ in 2001, but this one I picked up for 50 bucks in some local variety store.

108. Boxed: HE-MAN & THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

Did you keep your MOTU stuff? Well, I only manage to keep this one--a metal lunch box of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Starting in 1982, Mattel Toys introduced He-Man of planet Eternia and the evil warlord Skeletor. The original action figures came with minicomics that told stories of Skeletor's invasion of Eternia, setting his sights on Castle Grayskull, the 'fortress of mystery and power'. Whoever attains control of Grayskull will gain the power to become Master of the Universe. The barbarian He-Man was given special powers by the Sorceress to thwart his plot. He-Man was such a hit with kids that a whole line of toys, cartoon series and live action movies and extended characters (remember She-Ra, the Princess of Power?) were created. This lunchbox, made in 1983 by Aladdin, is but one of the thousands of products that was spawned by Mattel's hit creation.

95. Boxed: HONG KONG PHOOEY

Few remember this short-lived Hanna Barbera cartoon series that ran in the late 1970s on Philippine TV. The star, Hong Kong Phooey, is the altar ego of Penrod Pooch, or Penry, a "mild-mannered" police station janitor who can transform into an anti-crime, kung-fu fighting canine. The animated series ran from 1974 to 1981. This lunch box, made by King Seeley in 1975, celebrates the karate-chopping antics of Hong Kong Phooey. It's a little rusty and beat-up, the lunchbox, that is, but still a cheap and charming find.

88. WILD, WILD WEST Collectibles

Giddy-up horsey! Lasso 'em Cowboy Collectibles: BACK ROW: Bat Masterson TV Whitman Book (1962), The Rebel TV Whitman book (1967), Annie Oakley Movie Coloring Book (1947), Davy Crockett Coloring Book (1955), Gunsmoke Coloring Book (1957), Roy Rogers premium plastic mug (1950s), Hopalong Cassidy lunchbox with decal and thermos (1953), Indian bisque figurine (ca. 1950s).

85. Boxed: PELE

Edison Arantes do Nascimento, or simple Pele to the football world was a sporting legend in his native Brazil. At age 21, he was the top football player of the world, having helped his country become a world power in the sports. Pele was given the title "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee and in 1999, he was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century. But in 1975, King Seeley Thermos paid the ultimate homage to the football megastar--he was boxed! Pele remains one of the few men of color to be featured on a lunchbox, driving the price range of this metal collectible from $50 to over $150. As always, I paid just 50 pesos for this slightly-rusted example. Touchdown!

78. Boxed: THE MUPPETS

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Scooter, Fozzie Bear, Foo-foo...this group of puppet characters created by the late Jim Henson and his team from Sesame Street. They first appeared in the Muppet Show in 1976, with Kermit taking center stage. The immensely popular TV program featured guests like John Denver, Linda Ronstadt, Rita Moreno, Richard Pryor and Elton John, and gave the world unforgettable characters like the glamorous, self-centered porcine diva, Miss Piggy, the stuntman Gonzo and the stand-up comic Fozzie the Bear. A lunchbox was made of the motley group of puppets as well as spin-off shows, plush toys and comic books.