DEAR SUN SPOTS: Since I like to be different I am going to ask you about something, and I hope this is the first inquiry of its kind.

I have what I believe to be a very old coat hanger. It is made of a flat brown wood. It says Le Blanc Cleaners & Dyers, Plant 3, Coos Avenue, Rumford, Maine, and that it was painted by Phonnix Products Co of Milwaukee, Wis.

Here’s the kicker: The phone number reads Telephone 878M.

Please let me and the readers know what you can about this coat hanger. Thank you. — Betty M. Bean, Seauinheaven52@aol.com

ANSWER: Collecting old hangers is a hobby Sun Spots is familiar with, but she does not know anything about Le Blanc Cleaners. Perhaps someone will write in and offer more information.

As for the phone number, as many readers remember, in the early days letters were commonly part of telephone numbers. Sun Spots reviewed the Wikipedia entry on this topic and found a history of the development of phone numbers.

For decades, the first three numbers were referred to by a place and a number. For example, BUtterfield 8 instead of 288. But Sun Spots did not find anything to explain 878M. Readers?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My mom’s hobby was collecting and building wooden dollhouses and miniatures. We are settling her estate and need to find an outlet for dispersing them. Do you know of any hobbyists that might be interested? —smoulton@fairpoint.net

ANSWER: You might want to check with Dan Poulin at Orphan Annies (96 Court St., Auburn, 782-0638) to see if he has any suggestions.

Also, if you are comfortable with a computer, you can check prices and sell the items on eBay or etsy.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to have the address of Freecycle to post an ad. I have tried several times, and all I get is “it cannot be delivered.” — Joan, L-A

ANSWER: There is more than one Freecycle. Sun Spots has used the one that is a Yahoo group, which requires you to join the group first. Start by going to the group site, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LA_Freecycle/, and join. Then follow the instructions outlined in the “message maker” to be sure your post meets all the requirements for posts.

Sun Spots is not as familiar with freecycle.org, but she is sure you would have to sign up first and provide an email address. Without more information, Sun Spots cannot decipher your problem.

You might want to go to the library and see if they can help you.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On May 13, a reader expressed interest in learning more about how to operate a Kindle Fire and an iPod Touch. The Auburn Public Library carries several basic tutorial books that may be useful to this person, some of which are:

* “Kindle Fire HD for Dummies” by Nancy C. Muir (this book also covers the basic Kindle Fire)

* “iPad for Dummies” by Edward C. Baig and Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus

* “iPad for Boomers” by Brian Proffitt

* “iPad: The Missing Manual” by J.D. Biersdorfer

The Lewiston Public Libary also has some instructional titles for the iPad. Best regards. — Lydia Howes, howesl@roadrunner.com

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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