The third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day. Most of us would agree that ice cream is an indispensable part of summer. Who wouldn’t recognize the jingle of an ice cream truck?
This ice cream vendor toy, which sold for $1,800 at Bertoia Auctions, has a slightly different, but still recognizable, image. The vendor drives a motorcycle instead of a truck, and the cart is labeled “Glace,” which is French for “ice cream” and leaves no doubt about where the toy was made. It was manufactured by Jouet Mecanique Lyon, commonly shortened to JML, of Lyon, France. The company was active from the 1930s to about 1960 and is especially well known for its wind-up motorcycles.
In some ways, it is fitting for an ice cream vendor toy to come from a French company. While the origins of ice cream can be traced to the chilled desserts popular in Persia circa 550 B.C., and possibly even earlier in China, France had an important role in spreading the treat throughout Europe. Legend has it that Marco Polo introduced ice cream to Italy, and Catherine de’ Medici brought it to France when she married the future King Henri II in 1533. By the 18th century, French chefs had modified the recipe and popularized it in Europe and the newly formed U.S. To this day, ice cream made with egg yolks is called “French,” as in “French vanilla.”
Q: I have an old 3-cent stamp. How can I find out the value? I know there are many stamp collectors out there, but I only have this one stamp that I need to know more about it. I would like to find out the true value by a reputable, knowledgeable source. Can you advise me on this request?
A: The most important factors in a stamp’s value are its condition and rarity. It takes an expert to evaluate a stamp and usually requires seeing the stamp in person, or at least a clear picture of it, to assess its condition. There are many reputable stamp dealers and publications. The American Philatelic Society (stamps.org) is a good place to start; they can help you find the right resources.
TIP: To keep tin toys from rusting further, try this: rinse the metal, scrub, dry, then coat with a thin layer of petroleum jelly.
CURRENT PRICES
Textile, blanket, Tlingit, button, five beaded appliques, bald eagle, two flowers, two wheat sheaves, black ground, red border, white button trim, felt, two hanging ties, 20 1/2 x 26 inches, $55.
Pottery, bowl, blackware, geometric carvings, tapered base, signed, Frances Salazar, Santa Clara Pueblo, 4 inches, $190.
Furniture, candlestand, walnut, scalloped top, inlaid gameboard, turned stand, three legs, carved, England, 19th century, 28 x 21 inches, $220.
Rug, Sarouk, center medallion, eight red petals, white field, midnight blue spandrels and border, Persian, 10 feet 1 inch x 8 feet 1 inch, $335.
Toy, truck, dump, Packard, blue, red wheels, hard rubber tires, decals, pressed steel, crank start, Keystone, 27 inches, $385.
For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
An ice cream vendor brings delight in any language! Classic toy versions, like this one by French company JML, capture the happy memories of summer days.
