Sept. 3, 2008 -- Christopher Muther lunchbox chat

Normal View Title
Christopher_Muther: Hello all.. welcome. We'll begin the lunch box chat in just a moment
Christopher_Muther: Hello all.. anybody want to talk lunch boxes? I have a modest collection. My favorite (and most recent) addition is a Brady Bunch box. It's a thing of beauty.
Orville__Guest_: My newlywed wife still brings a lunchbox to work. Should I be worried?
Christopher_Muther: Not at all! Is it an original, vintage box?
Christopher_Muther: Please tell me it's a Charlie's Angels box
Doggie__Guest_: What the heck is wrong with a plain ole paper bag? I used to bring those to school, and I turned out just fine!!
Christopher_Muther: Well Doggie, there's nothing wrong with a paper bag. It's just that a lunch box was used to express who you were as a kid.
Christopher_Muther: I was big into Charlie Brown, so that was my box. I also had a Dukes of Hazard box
990__Guest_: What's the most expensive lunchbox out there? Is this like comics, is it superman?
Christopher_Muther: Very good guess, and the answer is yes. I write a story a few years ago about boxes (which started me collecting). At the time, the most expensive was about $20,000
Christopher_Muther: It was a Superman box
Christopher_Muther: I recommend a boox on the subject called "Lunchbox Inside and Out"
Christopher_Muther: I meant to say book
tina__Guest_: how much do you spend on these boxes?
Christopher_Muther: I usually spend between $50 and $100. I'm not crazy about having to have a box in perfect condition. I collect boxes that I think are cool or fun. The Brady box was my most expensive, followed by Partridge Family
tina__Guest_: is it all ebay purchases or are their, like, conventions?
Christopher_Muther: I buy most of mine on eBay, but the best way to get them is yard sales. The problem is that people are now aware that these old boxes are worth something. They are very pricey at Brimfield and in shops.
jed__Guest_: Do they still make those cool metal lunchboxes with Scooby Doo or whoever on them?
Christopher_Muther: Hey Jed,
Christopher_Muther: Sometimes a store like Newbury Comics will sell a metal lunch box, but it's not really intended for kids. The last metal lunch box was (ironically) the Rambo lunch box in 1985.
Christopher_Muther: After that they went to plastic, and collectors are not very interested in plastic. At least not yet.
tina__Guest_: do you use the lunch boxes? do you carry your sandwich to work each day in them?
Christopher_Muther: Lol. I'm such a geek that mine are strictly for display. I put them on shelves in my home and treat them like art.
tina__Guest_: i remember those metal boxes. the latch used to always get rusted and it wouldnt work out all that well. i think mom through them out!! lol
Christopher_Muther: That's one of challenges of collecting. These boxes were thrown around and really abused by kids. It's hard to find them in good shape.
tina__Guest_: thanks for answering my questions, christopher!
Christopher_Muther: It's my pleasure, Tina. I could talk about lunch boxes all day.
tina__Guest_: hey, you can put them on your shelves. thats not geeky. its what makes you YOU!!! smile!
Christopher_Muther: You're very sweet. Any collectors here today?
boxy__Guest_: Hi there - do you happen to have any smurf boxes? Those were my fave. Do you have both plastic and tin boxes (or metal)? Thanks!
Christopher_Muther: I'm strictly a metal guy. I think Smurfs were plastic, yes?
Christopher_Muther: There were a few vinyl lunch boxes in the 1960's and 1970's. They're tough to find in good condition because they tore easily.
Christopher_Muther: Thank you all for chatting today. Feel free to send me any lunch box questions: muther@globe.com.

More lunch boxes