Halfway To Antique, New in the 50s, Collectible Today

Pink was the color in home decor in the late 1950s – Appliances, fixtures, paint, furniture, dresses telephones, bedsheets, even Weyerhauser fencing came in shades of pink. Fiberglass, plastic and steel used in furniture making. Wood wall paneling, plastic tile for the bath and Formica tops on everything, for this “Modern” age.

Times were very good with the economy boosted by the baby boom and home building to accommodate these growing families. Many bought brand new cars, houses and the furnishings, all new and Modern.

No hand-me-down old furniture from Mom and Dad’s attic, or grandma’s estate. People wanted forms featuring straight lines and materials called “Modern”, pole lamps and large console TV’s and a rec room in the basement.

Today we refer to this items as Retro. Antique malls like the one Wifey has a booth at, accept only items from the early 60s and older, which allows some dealers to display items that are now “Half Antique”.

One mall located in Milwaukee was dedicated to these Retro items, with pink, powder blue, charcoal, chrome and orange splattered everywhere.

Collectibles from this period require your attention. Most of these pieces are easily found at reasonable prices. While most of us would not want to fill a house with loads of this retro furniture, a guest room in pinks, or entertainment room with period furnishings, including retro barware and a kidney shaped coffee table topped with a Sascha B ashtray and 1950s House Beautiful magazines, deserves your consideration.

Ceramics by California artist Sascha Brastoff are bright, colorful and distinctive gems, easily spotted at antique and collectibles venues. Items produced vary from ashtrays to vases with the most desirable pieces marked with his full signature. Simply marked Sascha B. commands lesser value, but resin figurines with the “B” were not designed nor produced by Sascha but remain sought after by collectors.

Costume jewelry from this period is also a fun collectible. Wifie’s bible on the subject is Warman’s Jewelry by Christie Romero with a section dedicated to this period. Christie explains the glitzy costume jewels were inspired by the designs of Joseff of Hollywood for films such as “Diamonds Are A Girls’ Best Friend” with Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Both ladies were wearing paste.

Glitzy copies of Hollywood stars’ jewels became popular production pieces at reasonable prices, and spotted today by their over the top designs and marked with the maker’s name and ©, signifying manufacture starting in the fifties.

Designs of the crafts movement inspired modern copper and enameled copper by Rabajes of New York and Renoir/Matisse of California. Many other artists designing for this period.
Toys with themes from early TV shows, cowboy movies, comics – either book or newspaper are highly collectible today. Thoughts of the future brought shoppers into department stores for robot toys, space ships and cosmic ray guns.

Little Ladies desired dolls and doll houses full of furniture. Boys played with Erector sets, Lincoln Logs and Lionel trains.
In today’s economy expect to find very reasonable prices for these retro items. Estate sales are an excellent source for finding treasures. Collect, decorate and enjoy today and watch your investment grow with time and as conditions in the antique and collectible market place improve.
Remember our rules – quality, craftsmanship, condition, completeness, and rarity should dictate your willingness to buy. If the item has a price tag, always ask if there is a “Best Price”

Condition is easy to spot on glass or ceramic items but look carefully at toys and jewelry for completeness and repairs. Rarity is often discussed in price guides, but purchases such as toys require prior study and a watchful eye.

And surprise! Some Bakelite jewelry boxes of the Fifties, sell for more than the item they first contained. Happy Hunting.