humming our tune

This is probably the sort of item that can command a passable price on e-bay - an original kazoo, still in its unopened plastic wrapping. When we were in North America this summer we bought a couple of these, but today, though they look exactly the same (and probably are) they come in boxes, and cost a few dollars each. Though no price is marked on this one, it probably cost about 35 cents.

Of course if I take it out of the wrapping and play it, its value immediately deflates, meaning that it's best left sealed in its wrapping, stuffed away in a drawer. We've got enough open kazoos available if anyone really feels the need to play one.