Q: I have a deed from the Klondike Big Inch Land Co. for one square inch of land in the Yukon Territory. I acquired the deed in 1955. I think it came out of a cereal box as a prize. Can I use it to claim my land in Alaska or is its only value as a paper collectible?

C.C., Manchester, Mich.

A: Do not take your deed to Alaska. The Yukon is the westernmost of Canada's three territories. While many still refer to the area as the Yukon Territory, residents prefer Yukon, the common usage of which was acknowledged in the 2003 update of the Yukon Act.

In 1955, the western Canadian territories were the radio and television home of Sgt. William Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police, a champion in the fight against evildoers during the 1890s Gold Rush. Preston was ably assisted by Yukon King, his Alaskan husky or malamute, depending on the program's script.

Quaker Oats, the breakfast cereal "shot from guns," sponsored "Sgt. Preston of the Yukon," which first premiered as "Challenge of the Yukon" in 1938. Bruce Baker, a Chicago advertising executive, created the square-inch land lot giveaway concept.

The promotion was a potential legal nightmare. A survey was required to create deeds that could be registered. Registering each individual deed was financially prohibitive.

Bruce Baker and two others flew to Whitehorse, where local attorney George Van Roggen offered his opinion that although not individually registered, the deeds would be legal. This is exactly what Bruce Baker wanted to hear. Quaker Oats purchased 19.11 acres of government land, located seven miles up the Yukon River, for $1,000.

Twenty-one million deeds were printed and placed in specially marked boxes of puffed wheat and rice. The radio campaign began on Jan. 27, 1955. The boxes flew off store shelves.

Alas, neither Quaker Oats nor any of the owners paid taxes on the 19 acres. In 1965, the Canadian government reclaimed it for $37.20.

Your Klondike Big Inch Land Co. deed only has collectible value. In the late 1980s, these deeds reached a high of $40 in very good or better condition. Today their value is closer to $25-$30. The generation who thrilled to "I arrest you in the name of the Crown," "Well, King, this case is closed," and music of Von Reznicek's "Donna Diana Overture" has aged. More often than not, the remaining deeds surface in the hands of heirs as opposed to their original owners.

Trivia quiz: George W. Trendle, owner of WXYZ in Detroit, was responsible for two other radio series hits in addition to "Challenge of the Yukon." Which two of these five were they -- "Fibber McGee and Molly," "Gunsmoke," "The Green Hornet," "The Lone Ranger" or "The Shadow?" (See answer at end of column.)

Q: I own the gaming board and instruction pamphlet from the Parker Brothers' "The Amusing Game of Innocence Abroad." The pamphlet indicates that George S. Parker and Co. copyrighted the game in 1888. I know it is incomplete. Yet I hate the thought of trashing what I have. Is there anyone who might like these two items?

EVH, Allentown

A: The Elliott Avedon Museum & Archive of Games is a virtual exhibit on the University of Waterloo's Web site, gamesmuseum.uwaterloo.ca. An entire page is devoted to "The Amusing Game of Innocence Abroad." Mark Twain's "Innocence Abroad," published in 1869, may have inspired the game. The game board features a stylized map of Europe, a municipal map, and a "Rail Road Dining Room" play block.

My recommendation is that you donate the game board and instruction booklet to the Strong National Museum of Play (One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY 14607). The museum houses one of the finest collections of toys, games and puzzles and other play objects, along with a superb 90,000-volume reference library.

In 2007, the American Game and Puzzle Collectors donated its research collection of game and puzzle company catalogs, game rules, industry periodicals, reference books, videotapes, DVDs, audiotapes and microfilms to the Strong Library and Archives.

If you love toys, games, puzzles or child's play, the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester is a must visit.

Q: I have an old trunk that belonged to my grandmother. It is at least 80 years old. It is in pretty bad shape. The outer covering is coming off. It has not been used since I acquired it about 30 years ago. Some of the original newspaper remains inside and smells "old." I tried getting rid of it at a garage sale last fall. I asked $200. Would you be interested in it or provide me a fair price at which it would sell? I have no use for it, and it probably would be costly to refurbish.

I.S., West Milford, N.J.

A: You just made the perfect case for why no one bought your trunk. It is in deplorable condition. The cost to refinish the trunk is more than the trunk will be worth when the refinishing is completed. If you wanted to get rid of your trunk, you should have put a "free for the taking" sign on it at your garage sale. Old trunks are a dime a dozen.When heavily damaged, $25 is a high price.

Trivia quiz answer: The Green Hornet and The Lone Ranger first aired on WXYZ.

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the 20th century. Selected letters will be answered in this column. Harry cannot provide personal answers. Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned. Send questions to Rinker on Collectibles, 5093 Vera Cruz Road, Emmaus, PA 18049, or e-mail to harrylrinker@aol.com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered.