Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Class Ring (QMx, 2009)

The Shadow "Blue Coal" Ring and Mailer (1941)

This famous classic "The Shadow" premium ring from 1941 has simulated dark blue coal lump on the top while the bands each depict The Shadow in costume holding a gun.

This is the mailer in which "Blue Coal" sent the ring in the US (the Canadian version is blue). Also included an instruction sheet -- still looking for that one...

Star Wars Official Ring Set (USA, Factors, 1977)

The Shadow "Diamond" Ring Silver Limited Edition (Great American Ring Club/Diamond Comics Distributors, 1994)

This special commemorative ring was distributed exclusively at the 11th Annual Comic Retailers Seminar (1994), organized by Diamond Distributors, who distribute products to comic book shops. The ring was created by the Great American Ring Club, who also organized The Shadow Fan Club. It's a silver-toned metal ring with a red dome, which features the familiar Shadow face peering out at you. This is number 1064 out of 1750 silver rings, and it includes its Certificate of Authenticity. The ring was later reissued to the public in a completely different package.

Superman Crusader Ring (Kellogg's, 1946)

"This ring was a promotion item put out by the Kelloggs company that was tied into the the radio serials/shows of the day. The crusader ring was often tied into the radio story’s plot in one form of another. Over the years these have become more and more scarce simply with the passing of time but a good number are still out on the market. The Superman Crusader ring was made of tin with a “silver” finish. Collectors should please note that the crusader ring was produced with a simple “silver” finish which over time faded to a copper like tone as the finish wore off and faded. Some sketchy sellers have tried to pass off higher quality crusader rings as being made of actual silver. This is a no no. These rings were made for kids in the 1940s as a cheap company promo and were never cast in genuine silver. This ring was square in shape and had the words Superman and Crusader stamped into the ring shanks. Most of these rings found today may be slightly warped in shape as they were made of thin tin."

-- from ComicBooked, "A Look at Superman's Rings"

The Superman Crusader ring was written into the Adventures of Superman radio show. In the episode Counterfeit Money that aired from 10-17-46 to 11-5-46, the Crusader ring is featured prominently in the episode. As a member of Superman's Crusader gang, the ring is a symbol of good citizenship, tolerance and good sportsmanship. The commercial for the Crusader ring offer premiered in episode eight of Counterfeit Money.

This is a "Superman Crusader" ring, still maintaining its silver coating and looks beautiful. It says "Superman" on one band and "Crusader" on the other, and it was a premium from Kellogg's in 1946.

See also: The Superman PEP pin also from Kellogg's, also in the collection.

The Shadow Promotional Rings (1994)

Unknown manufacturer. These promotional rings were offered as a tie-in with the 1994 movie release. They are made of metal, except for the second one, wich is made of some golden metal. 11 rings were produced and you can find the other ones on the Shadow - Master of Darkness website.

The Shadow Hologram Ring (Kenner, 1994)

The Shadow "Hologram Ring", produced in 1994 by Kenner, was a mail offer premium when you purchased two action figures of the movie tie-in.

The Shadow "Carey Salt Magic Shadow Ring" (1945)

"The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows!"

Carey Salt, sponsors of The Shadow radio program, offered the "Magic Shadow Ring" for only 5c and proof of purchase of any Carey product. It was released in 1945 and again in 1947. The ring was promoted by Carey Salt in commercial breaks and during the Shadow radio show through both the 1945-46, and again in the 1946-47 seasons.

This ring was acquired through notable collector of The Shadow, Dwight Fuhro, who stated it is "A sharp example with a clean band formed as a pair of alligators with open jaws. Black stone on top is glossy and the white on the ring slows only very minimal yellowing. The ring itself is very clean...one of the nicest that I have seen. You will find only 1 of these rings for every 20 Blue Coal Rings."

Captain Video "Secret Seal" Ring (1951)

Captain Video and His Video Rangers was an American science fiction television series broadcast on the DuMont Television Network, and was the first series of its kind on American television. It aired between June 27, 1949 and April 1, 1955.

Set in the distant future, the series followed the adventures of a group of fighters for truth and justice, the Video Rangers, led by Captain Video. The Rangers operated from a secret base on a mountain top. Their uniforms resembled US Army surplus with lightning bolts sewn on.

The Captain had a teenage companion who was known only as the Video Ranger. Captain Video received his orders from the Commissioner of Public Safety, whose responsibilities took in the entire solar system as well as human colonies on planets around other stars. Captain Video was the first adventure hero explicitly designed (by DuMont's idea-man Larry Menkin) for early live television. "I TOBOR" the robot was an important, semi-regular character on the program, and represents the first appearance of a robot in live televised science fiction; the character's name was actually supposed to be "ROBOT I", but the stencil with its name was applied to its costume backwards.

This photograph shows Al Hodge (left), who played
the Captain, and Don Hastings (right),
as his Video Ranger.

The ring's top edge is in copper luster and has a tiny rocketship and four stars. At the center is brass plate with embossed initials "CV." The edge of this piece holds a tiny brass stem that joins it to the ring base. A piece of paper can be slipped between the elements and then the hinged cover is pressed down thus pressing the seal into the paper. Because the brass stem holding the top piece was so thin and fixed into position, most kids quickly broke off this covering and most examples of the ring, while they may look complete, are in fact without this upper slightly movable piece. A 2008 Hake's listing for a similar ring indicates that they had only seen six rings with the stem intact. The rings are numbered inside and this one is "69217" and is the scarcer version with copper top and gold base.

[Text based on Wikipedia and Hake's]

"Operator 5" Premium Ring (Argosy, 1996)

The pulp magazine, not in the collection.

"His name was Jimmy Christopher, and he was America's Undercover Ace, fighting spies and foreign agents from 1934 until the beginning of World War II. He was known as Operator #5 and was read by many each month in the pulp magazine of the same name. Written by Frank Davis, his mission was to save the United States of America from harm and destruction.

Jimmy Christopher emerged in 1934 in the inaugural issue of Operator #5 published by Popular Publications Inc. The same publisher also published the pulp magazine The Spider which offered it readership a costumed vigilante hero.

As Operator #5, Jimmy Christopher not only fought to save the United States from numerous threats, but he also worn an intriguing ring. The ring featured the image of a skull which bore the number 5. 

Order yours now!

His ring was offered as a premium to readers of the pulp magazine who could sign up and join the Secret Sentinels of America. The club, like many of the day, was created to support the patriotic interests of many citizens of the era. The magazine also featured letters from the various members of the Secret Sentinels of America.

The Operator #5 premium ring is considered one of the top rarities in premium rings. One of the main reasons for its rarity might be the staggering original cost of 25 cents in either currency or stamps that had to be submitted for the ring. A copy of a pulp magazine or comic book at the time was only a dime and the publishers were asking for two and half times the cover price of a magazine to obtain an Operator #5 ring.

The ring in near mint condition is worth $16,000 today with only twelve reported examples known and only one in mint condition. Unlike many other premium rings, the Operator #5 ring was offered as a non-adjustable sized ring. The ring was produced in sizes 6 to 11 with the issue of the rings non-adjustable size also being a factor in its scarcity. The ring was sent in a small red ring box that is also considered rare."

-- from "Scoop" website

This is a 1996 reissue of the ring, produced by Argosy, in a limited edition of 250, of which this is #93, individually numbered engraved inside the ring. This time it has an adjustable band. It's the next best thing to owning one of the most sought after premiums!

"Tom Corbett, Space Cadet" Face Ring (1952)

Tom Corbett was the star of Tom Corbett — Space Cadet in television, radio, books, comic books, comic strips, coloring books, punch-out books and View-Master reels in the 1950s. The stories followed the adventures of Tom Corbett, Astro, and Roger Manning, cadets at the Space Academy as they train to become members of the elite Solar Guard. The action takes place at the Academy in classrooms and bunkrooms, aboard their training ship the rocket cruiser Polaris, and on alien worlds, both within our solar system and in orbit around nearby stars.

I could find no information on the ring -- who made it? It was not a premium of Kellogs cereals, as they offered the plastic rings. Any info would be most welcome!

Called the "Face Ring", sadly it is not in the best condition.
Still, a prized item for me.

The standard view into the Rocket Cruiser Polaris control deck,
through the circular viewport (designed by Chesley Bonestell).
From left to right, Roger Manning, Tom Corbett and Astro.

New York World's Fair ring (1939)

Flash Power Ring (DC Comics, 2010)

Flash promotional ring distributed by DC Comics in conjunction with the release of the Brightest Day tie-in issue of Flash #1 on April 14th 2010.

Green Lantern Power Ring Kit (2011)

There are over 3,600 Green Lanterns, each granted the Power Ring along with a duty to join the universal quest to protect a specific sector of space. Appearing in hundreds of comic books each year since 1940, the Green Lantern is fearless, headstrong, and principled in order to best use his powers to protect good and fight evil.

Coinciding with the June 2011 Green Lantern live-action blockbuster film starring Ryan Reynolds, this officially licensed Green Lantern kit includes a special Power Ring that lights up and a mini book so you can join the Green Lantern Corps too!

"The Shadow Club" Complete Membership Kit (1994)

The Shadow Club membership kit includes an illustrated mailing envelope, a pinback button with "The Shadow Club" in green over black, a membership certificate, issue #1 of the newsletter "The Shadow News", a secret code card, an "autographed" movie still of The Shadow, a gold metal Premium Ring embossed with the 1994 movie logo and club name and a Special Agent card, individually numbered on the back. I own two complete kits, the one in the photo is #01138.

You can find more information on "The Shadow Sanctum" website.

Lone Ranger "Atom Bomb Ring Spinthariscope" (Kix Cereals, 1947 - early 1950s)

This ring spinthariscope was known as the Lone Ranger Atom Bomb Ring and advertised as a "seething scientific creation."  The Lone Ranger was more closely associated with silver bullets than atomic bombs but that's what it was called.  When the red base (which served as a "secret message compartment") was taken off, and after a suitable period of time for dark adaptation, you could look through a small plastic lens at scintillations caused by polonium alpha particles striking a zinc sulfide screen.

Distributed by Kix Cereals (15 cents plus a boxtop), the instructions stated: "You'll see brilliant flashes of light in the inky darkness inside the atom chamber. These frenzied vivid flashes are caused by the released energy of atoms. PERFECTLY SAFE - We guarantee you can wear the KIX Atomic "Bomb" Ring with complete safety. The atomic materials inside the ring are harmless."
The following advertisement was appearing in newspapers in early 1947.

(From the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) "Health Physics Historical Instrumentation Museum Collection". Website here.)

Captain Midnight / Jet Jackson ring

Ovaltine had the trademark "Captain Midnight" from 1940. Ovaltine wished to retain rights to the trademark, so for syndicated reruns, the TV hero was renamed "Jet Jackson," and the sound track was edited to insert "Jet Jackson" everywhere in the dialogue where "Captain Midnight" was. This is considered a "fantasy item", as there are no known official Jet Jackson premiums.

The Lone Ranger Flashlight Ring (General Mills Cereal, 1948)

One side depicts the "Scales of Justice", while other side has the Statue of Liberty hand holding a torch. A blue painted copper wire runs between upper compartment holding light bulb and lower metal loop to hold battery.