business trademark, used until 1950.

Borgfeldt’s company was the first American firm to hold licensing for character toys, and from 1928 to 1935 it had exclusive licensing for Mickey and Minnie Mouse as well as other cartoon characters.

During the past two years, several complete, boxed Nifty toy tea sets such as yours in very good to excellent condition sold for $140 to $160.

Question: Among some old items I discovered in my late grandfather’s jewelry box is a round bronze custom medals, 2¾ inches in diameter. President Eisenhower’s portrait, “Dwight David Eisenhower” and “MCMLIII” are on the medal’s front and “Inaugurated President of the United States of America January 20, 1953” is on its back. Tiny “w. h.” letters appear near the President’s neck and “Medallic Art Co. N.Y.” is printed on the medal’s box. Information about the medal, its maker and if it is worth anything is appreciated. — W.S., Sea Isle City

Answer: As inscribed on your custom medals, it commemorates the Jan. 20, 1953, inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969). The small “w.h.” letters are the initials of artist and sculptor Walker Kinkaid Hancock (1901-1998) who was invited to design and create the original medal for the event by the U.S. government’s Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Hancock, who led efforts to rescue art stolen by Nazis during World War II, was renowned for his statues. Among them is the 28-foot-high “Angel of Resurrection,” a Pennsylvania Railroad World War II Memorial erected in Philadelphia’s 30th Street train station in 1952. The massive monument, honoring Pennsylvania Railroad employees who died in World War II, portrays Michael the Archangel lifting a lifeless soldier out of the flames of war.

The Medallic Art Co. of New York was founded in 1910 by brothers Henri and Felix Weil. Both sculptors, they specialized in the production of medallic items, and the firm has produced millions of armed service custom medals as well as 11 presidential inaugurals. Last month, Medallic Art Co. was listed as having been purchased by Medalcraft Mint.

Recent prices paid for Medallic Art’s 1953 bronze Eisenhower inaugural custom medals have ranged from $10 to $40, based on condition and if they are boxed.