Estee Lauder

A few years ago, I found an Estee Lauder solid perfume compact at an antique mall in Illinois. My daughter had worked at a famous department store on her breaks from college and I recalled her saying these pieces were quite expensive. She told me how highly sought after they were and how ladies would rush to the counters in anticipation of the arrival of the newest Gift With Purchase promotion.

“Palazzo” solid perfume compact

So I bought it at the reasonable price of $15. While at the check-out counter, the lady exclaimed that I got a real bargain because these were so very collectible. I must admit, even though I have dabbled in the antiques and collectibles business for a lot of years, this was not an item I knew anything about.

Collector book Estee Lauder Collection
by Roselyn Gerson

Imagine my surprise when I came across the book by Roselyn Gerson, circa 2002. I paged through the book and found the exact compact I had purchased with a wonderful description and original price, plus an estimate of current value. This was called “Palazzo”, nicely enameled on the lid in a rich blue and colorful flowers. I learned it cost $10.00 in 1973 and had a current value of $65-85. I promptly listed it on an Internet site and it sold for $95, even more than anticipated by the writer of the book.

Two solid perfumes “Black Slipper” and “Pink Slipper”

Through the years I have found other solid perfume containers, by different makers. No matter how lovely they were, none reached the price of the Lauder example. They are actually quite lovely.  Some were actually pendants with the scent inside, and as the years went on, more creativity was added. In the 1990s when slippers and shoes were so “hot”, they made a few of those. The Age of Aquarius influenced some in the late ’90s showing fabulous zodiac-related compacts, adorned with crystals.

“Bird Cage” solid perfume brushed goldtone

Many of the animal examples such as a “Bird Cage” perfume compact originally cost $150. It appears to have held its value and was valued at $150-200.

“Panda” black and cream enamel munching on green leaves

I often search for these at yard sales and thrift stores and flea markets hoping to strike a bargain. But alas, it appears that people that paid a goodly sum for these when they first came out know they have managed to continue to grow in collectibility and often price. I have learned it makes “good scents” to keep looking and hope to score again.

Shopping totes

Everywhere you go these days someone is carrying a canvas or cloth bag. They are seen in grocery stores, at outdoor markets and the like. These are part of the “going green movement” intended to encourage customers to stop using plastic or paper bags. This is an effort to help out our environment. I had not given it a lot of thought whether this was a new practice or had been in place years back.

We traveled to Minnesota this fall, on our way to visit our daughter in North Dakota. Of course, as true antique-lovers, we stopped at every venue we could from flea markets to antique malls to yard sales. At one of these stops, we got a folding wooden crate. Actually a pretty cool idea. It was from Litchfield, Minnesota, Sam’s Super Market to be exact. There is also maker’s information stamped onto the crate. It reads “Hubbard’s Wire Sewed Folding Box The First and Original Hubbard’s Box Co. Menomonie, Wis. U.S.A.”

Bottoms Up  ready to fold and store

This is a functional piece. Easy to store, ready to put the bottom section down when needed, you could take this to the general store and fill it up with groceries or necessities for the week. Nicely constructed, the top has metal brackets probably for stabilizing and two “hooks” on each side. I am pretty certain that this would be for stacking multiple crates together.

Banana box

A few years back we set up at an antique flea market and our booth was next to a gent who offered strictly crates for sale. We were truly astounded by his pricing on them. We thought he was “smoking something” since they seemed to be so high. But reality hit home when we saw how many people came into his booth and bought two or three at a time! He would basically clean them up and if the paper labels were in rough shape, he would put a coating of varnish over them to make them look better. His biggest sellers had wild graphics or funny names. His banana boxes were so popular too! He got over $100 each for them.

Box folded flat for storage 

The best thing about collecting crates or wooden advertising boxes is that they can do double-duty. We use them for stacking on our tables at shows and they give a nice depth and dimension to it as well as super displaying capabilities. They are also desirable for college students, who use these for storing books, clothing, computer pieces, etc. Crates can be inexpensive and often easy to find at barn sales, antique shops and flea markets. Once again, the recycle, reuse, and repurpose comes to mind.

The first piece of Chihuly art glass I saw was at the fantastic Milwaukee Art Museum. If you ever have a chance to visit this incredible venue, do so, you’ll love it. The museum was designed by world-renowned architect, Santiago Calatrava. It is in itself a piece of art and one that Milwaukee is very proud to have.

Dale Chihuly art at the Milwaukee Art Museum

Almost as soon as you enter the lobby, you’ll see a magnificent piece of glass. It is featured in the Quadracci Pavilion and truly stands out. It is an explosion of color and it resembles a Mardi Gras celebration, fireworks extravaganza and New Year’s Eve party wrapped into one. I remember walking up to it and standing in awe for a long time. You would do the same.

A recent article in Antique Week newspaper shows a picture of Mr. Chihuly and some of his numerous creations. It gives some interesting background on his life and accomplishments. It has only been 50 years since glassmaking was considered to be a serious art form. It started in Toledo, Ohio by the son of the Director of the Corning Glass Works, Harvey Littleton, in his Toledo Workshops. Littleton was a professor at the University of Wisconsin, and that is where he met Chihuly. Chihuly received his Masters of Science in Sculpture in 1967.  (It was nice to hear there is a connection with Wisconsin!) In 1968 he earned a Fulbright Scholarship, traveled to the island of Murano (Venice), and later achieved his Master of Fine Arts at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Dale Chihuly

In 1971 Chihuly and art patrons Ann Gould and John Hauberg founded the Pilchuk Glass School, near Seattle, Washington. Several accidents made it difficult for him to continue as chief glassblower, and he is now the designer and chief of his workshop.

Glassblowing is a fascinating art. To think that a blob of molten glass, pushed through a pipe, can be heated, then shaped, and become a thing of beauty is amazing. Some of his artwork reminds you of a clown at the zoo, going mad and making erratic balloon animals for the kids. They also remind you of octopus tentacles, waving under the ocean, but much more colorful.

My husband’s cousin lived in an elegant condominium complex in Brookfield, Wisconsin. They also had a Chihuly creation in their lobby. We’d visit her nearly every month, mostly to see her, but we do admit to always admiring the glass piece as well.

Bellagio, A Chihuly Creation

Chihuly’s creations can be found all over the world including Las Vegas (at the Bellagio) and Macau (an MGM Resort.) I realize that no one that I know could afford a piece of his work. Reports say that by 2004, he had already sold $29 million worth of his art, and it is generally commissioned for entities, not the common folk. But what a delight to view the pieces whenever and wherever you can. In celebration of the 50 year history, numerous art museums will be displaying his work. If you can, visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, the de Young Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, Orlando Museum of Art, Boise Art Museum, or Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The largest Chihuly blown glass sculpture can be found at the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Even those who are not aficionados of art glass will certainly appreciate his incredible talent and amazing results.

I recall many a sunny morning, sitting in our yard with our beagle, Duchess, and watching butterflies flit by. It seemed they were everywhere, many of them monarchs in vibrant orange and chocolate browns. There were others in yellow and black, or blue and black, or white and yellow, but I don’t know their actual names. I have always admired them.

Necklace and earrings

Fast forward to last week when an antique show booth netted me a few treasures, also with wings. In a booth that specialized in jewelry, one of my “addictions,” I found a necklace and earring set. They have a vivid background, almost a cobalt blue coloring, and a miniature beach scene with palm trees and a sunset. Upon further inspection, I noted that the backings were actually pieces of butterfly wings. The trees were reverse painted on the bubbled glass. I just had to have this set. I recognized what these were made of at once because I have several pieces: a fantastic framed picture with young ladies, and also a small pin dish.

Framed print

Once I purchased the necklace and earrings, I realized that I just added another collection (rule of thumb, three items equals a collection.) But I was not done yet. Further along was another piece of butterfly wing art. This one was a small dish, functional anywhere. It is stamped on the back “made in Brazil.”

Pin dish

While I would not wish to be the one who destroyed the butterfly’s life, I firmly believe in the antiquing mantra “reuse, recycle, repurpose.” By displaying these lovely bits of art, I am allowing them to spread their wings in another manner. I believe the pieces in my collection are from the early part of the 1900s, since insects were very popular back then. You could readily find stylized dragonflies, bees and butterflies in high-end and costume jewelry.

A trip to an Internet site taught me that butterflies have been popular in art for many, many years. It appears they have been appreciated since 1350 B.C., found on a tomb painting in Thebes, Egypt.

You can find numerous examples of these butterfly wing creations for sale in antique shops or on the Internet. None are very expensive and they add a “pop” of color to any room!

Victorian-era bracelet

This weekend hubby and I set up a booth at the fantastic West Bend Antique Show. It was held in West Bend, Wisconsin, and had over 50 top quality dealers. It was truly a wonderful event, another one from N. L. Promotions. They have been holding the Elkhorn (WI) Antique Market for over 30 years and have a highly regarded reputation.

Part of the benefit of selling at a show like this is that you get to look for bargains for yourself, even before the crowds rush in! This was no exception. If you have been reading my articles, you are well aware of my love for jewelry. My lucky find was not in a booth that specialized in jewelry, but rather one that had a good mix of glass, pottery and ephemera. Back in a small case is where I discovered my treasure. It was a late-Victorian period bracelet called a “hinged bangle”, and it was quite popular to make them shaped like belts. This one has an exceptionally elaborate design with a raised “buckle” and fancy work on the entire band. A small button is pushed in to open or close it. Many times you will find that these are no longer working but this one is just fine. Although not marked with gold content, it is most likely plated or filled and it has kept it warmth and glow for all these years.

Inscription

I am a rather nostalgic person and when I opened it up and found the engraving, teared up a bit. It reads “Nellie. July 12 ’80.” (That would be 1880, not 1980, of course.) I can just picture Nellie seated in a garden chair, wearing a long gown, perhaps holding a parasol to keep her lovely skin out of the sun. A handsome gent comes to see her and offers her this wonderful bracelet, perhaps for a birthday or a promise of things to come. Now I am smiling. I can only hope that dear Nellie enjoyed it for many years, then perhaps left it to a daughter who also wore it. I often wish things would stay in their respective families, but alas, that is not always the case.

The maker’s mark is on the clasp and it was the “H&B” company, a name I’ve found on watch chains and other jewelry. They patented this design in July of 1874.

Warman’s Jewelry Book

I could not find an exact replica of this bracelet in my Warman’s jewelry book, but they defined the date this bracelet was from as the “Late Victorian – Aesthetic Period c. 1880-1901.”

Nellie – July 12 1880

While I will never know who Nellie was, or why her gift wound up at an antique show in Wisconsin, I do know it is a lovely piece and one that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Several years back I wrote about my collection of canes, umbrellas and walking sticks. I have enjoyed them through the years but they have not been a true priority of late. That is true in part because many others continue collecting them, making them quite desirable. When there is a short supply and heavy demand, prices tend to increase and it is harder to find a bargain.

With some luck, I have been able to find a few new ones. By new, I mean old, but new to me. Attending an auction a few months ago, I came across this lovely walking stick with the beautiful head of an eagle or hawk. It is metal and quite a distinctive piece. They had several other canes and umbrellas but they were rather plain by comparison.

Elephant-head umbrella

It got my interest piqued once again and when I went to an antique store in Milwaukee, I came across another treasure. It is an umbrella with a red plastic handle, shaped like a little elephant. How cute is that?

Now I was well-satisfied, adding two more to the umbrella stand; what more could a girl want? Well, here is an irony. We have all heard the expression “when it rains it pours.” Well, guess what?  Two more umbrellas poured into my life, and each one just too charming to pass up. These were at two different estate sales. The first has a Lucite handle and the head of a dog. The tag read “Scottie Dog Umbrella”, and it is most likely an accurate description. (We have a Westie, but their snouts are shorter.) It is just adorable.

Umbrellas with dogs

Now another coincidence! A nearby sale had another umbrella with a dog handle. This one is a Scottie for sure! It is black and has marvelous multicolored eyes. They look like they are marbles or painted glass. As you can see, I could not leave either one behind.

My latest find is a rather simple cane, wooden with a striped band, and right below that, a foil label. It has a very familiar logo – the one from the Chicago World’s Fair, 1933-34. It was called “A Century of Progress” and there were many, many popular collectibles from that exhibition. This cane was not expensive. I doubt that the lady even noticed the symbol, but I did, and happily paid the $10 price tag without any haggling.

The umbrella and cane stand

Canes, walking sticks and umbrellas are fun to collect. Not hard to display in a metal or pottery stand, there are lots of choices out there from antique to contemporary. They are functional too. A good friend recently had knee surgery and we gave him a nice selection of canes to choose from. A while back we had an unexpected rainstorm and a houseful of guests. We were able to give each one an umbrella (and remarkably, they all returned home in a short time.)

As a sort of side-bar, I had often heard umbrellas called “bumbershoots” and always believed the term was English. I vividly recall seeing many a picture of an Englishman with one, together with his distinguished bowler hat. One of our favorite Agatha Christie characters, Miss Marple, is always seen carrying one with her. But, alas, I was wrong, and I was not alone. The word’s history is American!

Miss Mabel Love

I often run across “lots” of postcards at estate sales and auctions. Many are quite common with scenes of towns and cities, famous buildings or landmarks, animals and, of course, those that offer greetings. While going through a group of cards, I found one showing a breathtakingly beautiful lady. She has an elegant long gown, feather in her hair and is holding an ornate fan. I was quite frankly wowed by her loveliness.

Titled souvenir postcard

There was a name at the bottom: Miss Mabel Love. There was also “1881 J Rotary Photo, E.C.” I presumed she was a famous lady, perhaps an actress or singing star, but had not heard of her before. I learned she was a British dancer and stage actress with a long history. Born in 1874 and living until 1953, her career lasted from the late Victorian era and into the Edwardian period.

It made good sense that she’d feel comfortable on the stage since her grandfather was an entertainer and ventriloquist and her mother, Kate Watson, was an actress. She actually made her debut at age 12!

There were lots of twists and turns in her life. Some of the things I learned would make for good conversation today. For example, in 1889 a newspaper reported she had disappeared. It was later stated that she had gone to the Thames, considering suicide. Most likely a publicity stunt, it only increased the public’s interest in Ms. Love. This sure sounds like a scheme today’s celebrities might utilize.

I also learned that when Frank Foulsham, the photographer, had the idea of selling the images of actresses on postcards, she became known as the “pretty girl on the postcard.” So I was not wrong in my assessment of her.

Another interesting fact is that when she died, she left a considerable sum of money to her daughter, Mary Loraine. Unfortunately, Mary never learned of the inheritance and died in poverty in 1973 in a house fire.

Postmarked 1907, with a message on back

Part of the thrill of the hunt is digging deeper when you find something that interests you. I found her to be so beautiful that I had to learn more. Postcards remain one of the top collectibles. Some folks specialize, for example, in souvenirs of their hometown, or animals, automobilia, or celebrities. We have also had people tell us that they collect the backs of cards, since they want old stamps or messages that make you smile. The back of this one has a cancelled penny stamp, a partial postal mark showing a time of 7:30 PM and year of “07″, and a note of apology to Dear Winnie – for not being able to “come down tomorrow.” Easy to find and often very inexpensive, cards are also so easy to display. Happy hunting!

The Saggy Baggy Elephant

Well, I thought I had seen everything there was to see in collectibles. Having been “in the biz” for over 40 years, I have seen a lot of interesting items, but a recent estate sale had some delightful textiles and linens and at the bottom of the pile were these sweet hankies.

The Poky Little Puppy

Having two daughters, I recalled both stories they represented – The Saggy Baggy Elephant and The Poky Little Puppy. These are two rather simplistic stories and yet I believe they would charm toddlers even today. When I looked closer at the hems, I saw these were from a Golden Book Design. Golden Books were a beloved product of the Western Publishing Company, made right down the road in Racine, Wisconsin and we would travel to the outlet once or twice a year to get some treasures.

Artist Gustaf Tenggren

I see that their design is credited to Gustaf Tenggren, the illustrator from these wonderful  old books. Mr. Tenggren had a long, successful career with Disney too, and claims Snow White as one of his accomplishments.

It is not a surprise that these are both in such good shape, and were probably given to a little girl for her “pocketbook” by grandma or mom and only used when absolutely necessary. Some children may have used these to cover their dollies or teddy bears when they were put into their cradles. Others might have used them to display, maybe as a doily under a lamp or clock.

It is pretty amazing the things you can find when you are out and about. I doubt that kids of today would use a handkerchief at all, and having one from an action figure or superhero would probably not appeal to them.

Vintage lace as found on Etsy

Handkerchiefs in general are still collected today. Some are of very fine lace and were considered to be an important accessory for any young lady. Many have a reference to a trip or vacation spot, and some were from the military. It was quite common during World War II for a soldier or sailor to send a “sweetheart” or other loved one a souvenir of their travels. Hankies, scarves and pillowcases can still be found on a regular basis in antique malls, consignment shops and yard sales.

These little hankies are so charming and fun to display, they’ll “blow your mind.”

Healthways Hollywood Glamour Belles

A recent conversation with our daughter made me think more about the “thrill of the hunt” and never knowing just what you’ll find. She said it keeps you young and active and forever curious. This recent purchase of Healthways Hollywood Glamour Belles confirmed that thought! They seemed especially timely due to the fact that a great deal of people will resolve to lose weight in the new year.

Richard Kline, physical director to the stars

The weights themselves are in styling pink and blue, probably so either sex could use them. These barbells were from Richard M. Kline, Hollywood’s World Famous Physical Director to the Stars. Not a well-known name today, at least in the midwest.

Famous stars’ endorsements

But the stars that endorsed the product are certainly famous and familiar. Names such as Betty Grable, Ida Lupino, Dorothy Lamour, Claudette Colbert, Martha Raye and Joan Bennett bring back memories of some great movies. Dear daughter advises that Ida Lupino has a huge following and I know that Betty Grable’s legs were heavily insured and her photos graced many lockers for US military men back in the day.

Collectible for several categories

So, is this a crossover collectible? Would people who like advertising or those into health and fitness be interested? Perhaps so, since it would make a great display piece in any health club or spa. Those into entertainment collectibles would display it with pride as well.

So attractive, be the first one at your gym!

And you know what? It would also be a nice workout item. Your fellow exercisers at the gym would certainly gawk and be duly impressed. If we think that being healthy and working out are current interests, we are definitely wrong. The address for the Healthways Company is “Los Angeles 18, California.” These are probably from the 1940s or 50s. Most likely a pretty rare collectible, but then again, I could go to an antique mall tomorrow and see some. Or not. Both hubby and I tend to like the unique items and those are the things that tend to sell quickly (although the basement has too many examples of items that were TOO unique). Happy hunting in the new year.

As a child, I remember staying up later than usual to ring in the new year with my family. There would also be a few of my parents’ friends at our house for the occasion. I don’t think I was able to make the official midnight celebration until I was 10 or 11, but we’d always have a toast to the future and my folks would sing Auld Lang Syne. I was never sure what that meant, but would join it just the same. The song was actually a Scottish poem, written by Robert Burns in 1788!, traditionally used to start the new year, but also sung at funerals, graduations and as a farewell or ending of a special occasion. It was also used to end some ceremonies at Boy Scout jamborees and such.

Beautiful flower and berries

A few weeks back, we were at an estate sale and I came across a charming porcelain stein with the hand-painted words “For Auld Lang Syne“, with wonderful poinsettia flowers as well – a beautiful piece! It was actually signed near one of the berries, but the lady did not know the artist. I thought it would look especially nice with the other hand-painted mug on display. This one has pine cones and a rather charming verse from Poor Richard’s Almanac, reading “Give Me Yesterday’s Bread, This Day’s Meat and Last Year’s Cyder.” This appears to be done by the same artist – “G. Kruizenga”, who is most likely not well-known, but a long-gone family member of the gent that had the living estate sale. In any case, they are now proudly displayed with other holiday items in our curio cabinet.

I realize that many people collect Christmas items, but I don’t know how many value New Year’s collectibles. I rarely see any pieces, other than greeting cards or postcards. A fellow blogger recently pointed out that having three of anything is a collection, so, for now, I am safe. But the fact that I was drawn to pieces by the same artist leads me to believe I’ll someday have a collection of these hand-painted beer mugs. After all that’s what collectors do; we are always looking for the next collection and the proper place to display them.

I wish all of our CQ readers a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013!

I recently attended an indoor flea market in a small town near Milwaukee. I bought a few pieces of holiday decor and then came across a box full of vintage records. I love old vinyl and since it was priced to sell, brought it home. There were some records from the 1950s and 60s – the kind I love to play since you can understand each and every word. (And you’re not embarrassed to sing them out loud with the grandkids around!) Way at the bottom of the box were four children’s records. Each one had delightful graphics that matched the song. I had not seen these in years.

For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow

The first one I pulled out had Happy Birthday on one side and For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow on the other. Our granddaughter is turning 10 next week and I wondered how she’d feel about seeing these old records. She would probably give me the stink eye for even showing them to her. She’s used to listening to iTunes and even knows how to get them loaded. So the concept of these old musical items would amuse her, I’m sure. The picture is adorable with the old-fashioned birthday party where little girls dressed up, with streamers and balloons and little clown dolls.

The second record I found had Skip to My Lou and the Mexican Hat Dance.  Another included Mary Mary Quite Contrary and Jack and Jill of down-the-hill fame. Once again, such charming graphics.

The last record I pulled out was the Night Herding Song and Home on the Range. All of these were from the Record Guild of America of New York.

The first “picture discs” were made in the 1920s, and then in the mid-1940s by Vogue. These were often in the art-deco styling, and many featured jazz recordings. The Record Guild of America started making children’s records in the mid-40s and continued through the 1950s.

While you might not want to use them as originally intended, it would be fun to frame them and display in a kid’s room, den or even a bathroom. They are not expensive, often found in the $5-10 range. They surely bring back some fond memories for me, and perhaps your guests as well.

In late fall, I went to an estate sale that featured a lot of Christmas items. Among them was a small box with candles and a “musical glockenspiel.” I remembered my grandmother having one of these and as a child being mesmerized by the way the little metal angels moved around, ringing the bells. I just had to have it and the price was quite reasonable.

Musical glockenspiel, found with rod missing

We were recently putting up our Christmas decorations, but before we finished, I came across the “angel chimes” on the shelf near our candles. I was so happy! Hubby looked at it and at first did not understand the concept. I told him how it would work, asked him to finish the “assemblage” and came back later. But to my surprise, it was not put together! This was most unusual since he is very much the engineer and is known as “the papa that can fix anything.” But alas, this was not one of the items he could fix. That’s because there was a little rod missing! I was very disappointed, but vowed to find another one down the road.

It raised my level of curiosity about these charming little holiday pieces. There are a lot of sites on the Internet that sell them and I may just bite the bullet and get another one (after confirming that it is complete). Their history is quite fascinating. They originated in Germany and were very popular, being manufactured until World War II. After that, the export business dropped off and most of this type of item was made in other countries. This was in part due to the war but also because the 1905 design patents for these (to German toy maker Adrian & Stock) was ending. Most of the ones we see now are from Sweden and very new products are from China.

As soon as I get one up and running, I’ll be glad to hear the questions from the grandchildren. They’ll surely want to know how this turns without a battery or plug-in, why the angels can make the little chimes work, and probably, “how old is that?” Their mechanics are pretty simple – the candles are lit and this causes a turbine at the top to turn. This powers a series of brass angels, who move around in a circle and strike the little chimes. The result is a lovely tinkling sound!

These are so charming and remain popular today, based on the number of them for sale in stores and sites. A sure-fire conversation piece and once again, listen for the “Oh, we had one of those” from visitors.

Collecting trading cards

When I was a little girl, I collected trading cards. The ones I collected differed from playing cards since they had clean, white backs. Many of the very early cards would have advertisements on the back. I would get them in packs of 20, usually at a local Five and Dime Store for less than a quarter. When my aunt Molly heard I was collecting them, she offered to take me to downtown Milwaukee to see if they had any unique ones to offer. Off we’d go on the city bus, all dressed up and hoping to find some special cards. My kid sister, Vicki, liked them too but for a different reason. She would put them in the spokes of her bike, just like our big brother, Mike. (He would use sports cards.) I would not have minded if she would ask for some, because there were some duds in each packet. But she’d take the ones she’d like and those were usually my favorites as well.

I would always hope for cards with animals; horses, dogs or cats were my first choice. In a pack of 20, you might get two or three of those treasures, the others being flowers or a boring mountain scene. I remember one day when she had ruined several of my favorite cards and I actually yelled at her. She apologized but I was still angry. She must have taken it pretty seriously because a few weeks later she came to me with a photograph album, filled with cards. She had asked mom for extra chores so she could afford to buy some packs, and bartered with a few friends, trading some of her own treasures for more cards. It was such a touching gesture, I gave her a huge hug! I came across the album just the other day and good memories came flooding back.

I did not know if these were still a collectible. I understand folks do collect playing cards. Some desire the full decks, others like the ace of spades, jokers or one of the face cards. Others have a theme in mind, such as sports, military, railroads, advertising, a pattern or design, perhaps art deco, or cards with pin-ups. But a search on a popular Internet site showed me that these are, indeed, still collected.

They are actually pretty interesting and I have learned that these cards were around long before I started to collect them. Or course, the early sports cards are still very expensive. There were also some that had a military theme, showing planes in flight or soldiers. Some pictured famous race horses of the time, such as Secretariat. A lot of them were humorous, showing a dancing cat or popular dogs such as airdales or borzois. My dear sister could not know that the last thing you should do with a paper collectible is glue it into an album. Once they are “secured” and unable to be removed without damage,  their value is greatly decreased. But finding the album made me smile and to me, these are priceless.

A while back I attended an auction and bought a box filled with Christmas decorations. The box lot included some Shiny Brite ornaments, a few of the brush and wood trees, and at the bottom were several cardboard houses. They were covered with glitter and had imitation stained glass windows. These were actually made of a colored cellophane paper.

The Church and Cottage Homes

One was a church, another a windmill, and the others pretty traditional cottage style homes. They not only left glitter on my jacket but also deposited a fond memory. We had these at our house every Christmas! Back in the 1950s, mom would pull them out of the attic, straighten them out a bit, and then begin to strategize the best way to display them. She would lay down fluffy, white “snow,” often called angel hair. I have learned that this was spun glass and actually quite a dangerous product indeed. It was highly flammable for one thing, but there was also the possibility of cutting your hands if you did not handle it correctly.

I once asked her what these paper houses were called and she said “putz houses.” At the time, I did not question her, thinking perhaps it was the maker’s name. As I recall, they were stamped “made in Japan” on the bottom. I also remember that they did not always make it from year to year; these were not top-quality pieces!

So, how did they get to be called “putz”  houses? The name does not sound at all Japanese. And it’s not. Turns out that they were given that name by the German-Americans who used the term “puttering around.” So when you were doing your holiday decorating, taking your good-natured time, they would say you were “putzing.” The name just stuck.

These are still a charming collectible today, often found reasonably priced on Internet sites, antique and consignment shops and even thrift stores. They continue to have appeal, in part due to their low cost (usually $5-10 each), and they are nostalgic to all of us who grew up in the 1940s to 60s.

Skater

When I got my treasures home, I decided to do what mom did and put a few up. I had several of the brush trees, and even a metal Barclay ice skater from my husband’s childhood. I put together a little scene and it turned out so cute. I am anxious to hear the response from our holiday visitors who will surely exclaim “Gee, we had some of those at home!”

First finds in a box full of cigarette silks

In my constant search for antiques and collectibles I have seen a few cigarette silks, but quite honestly, had never found any with a lot of character. That is until last month. While in Florida, we hit an estate sale and the lady had a box full of these little pieces.

The one on top was a flag, and entitled “England – Man of War Flag.”

University of Wisconsin silk

Another flag followed, this one from Tasmania, and then another “crest” from Peru. I wondered if that would be it, a lot of little flags, But a real surprise was the next one down! It was from the University of Wisconsin, our home state, but found in Florida. Further down was a lovely flower silk, a “wild rose” and this one had the name of “Zina cigarettes”, a brand I am not familiar with.

Germany singer, Lina Abarbanwll

My all time favorite silk was the one showing a gorgeous lady in a wide-brimmed hat and rather low-cut gown. Elegance personified! Her name was extremely difficult to read so off to an Internet site to see what I could find. After trying numerous names, up popped the one I sought “Lina Abarbanell.” It turns out she was born in 1879 in Berlin, Germany. Her father was a leading theatre conductor and she began her singing debut when she was only 7 years old. She had quite a  lengthy career and I found her story fascinating. She sang in numerous operas to rave reviews but when her husbanded died (in 1934), she stopped singing but became a producer,  and casting director. Lina continued working in the theatre until the day she died, January 6, 1963. All of this delightful history because of a small piece of cloth!

Indian Chief, Black Eye

I continued through the box and found one from Sovereign Cigarettes showing an Indian Chief named Black Eye. Near the bottom were two from Mogul Cigarettes – one featuring  George Washington, the other John Adams.

Presidents Series Washington and Adams

These little advertising pieces were found in packs of cigarettes starting in the Victorian period. Not that women smoked, that was almost unheard of. But they would collect these premiums and sew them into household items, perhaps quilts or table linens. They would sit by their man’s side while he smoked. Some of the companies offered larger sizes of the silks if you sent away for them. This promotional idea worked very well indeed. In the 1920s when women started smoking, it was even more successful.

While some tobacciana items are frowned on today, these continue to attract buyers. The most expensive would be the sports figures, Native American Indians and stars of the theatre. Those can sell for $15 or more, while common flags and flowers are considerably  less.

Church window in England

As long as I can remember, I have loved stained glass pieces. As a youngster, the windows in our church amazed me and mom would scold that I should be facing forward, listening to the minister rather than staring at them. It was hard to do since the colors just poured into the pews, leaving little rainbows. I purchased a small example for our first home. It was about 12″ x 14″, and while we had no place to hang it, we had it on a stand near a window and the light did crazy things to the colors. In our second home, we added a stained glass window in the bathroom. Hubby replaced the plain pane in the window and with a little “tweaking” fit it into the opening quite nicely.  I vowed that the next home would have room for more pieces. And it did.

We have found wonderful pieces at Funderberg Antiques, in Belvidere, Illinois. They have an incredible amount of stained glass windows, most of them from England, taken from row houses we’ve been told. They are mostly from the 1920s and 30s and have such Art Deco styling. Two of our bathrooms have one as a window, once again thanks to hubby’s creativity. It was pretty amazing to find one at an estate sale that had the exact “rippling” as the original window.

Beveled glass points in sun burst pattern

Our largest piece is in the kitchen. Hubby was out and about one Saturday morning and saw a small sign for a garage sale. He stopped and found a few pieces of ephemera but no real treasures. Before he left the driveway, he asked the lady if she might have any other things for sale. She thought for a moment and then summoned him to the back of the garage and under a tarp was a magnificent piece of stained glass. She said she had wanted to sell it for a long time since she was concerned it would break some day and would just be placed in the garbage. Her husband had been reluctant to sell it but he was not nearby, and if my hubby made a fair offer, she would sell it. They negotiated briefly and he placed it gently into the van. I was thrilled to see it,  and we have it hanging over the kitchen window.  Since we have no desire to leave it when/if we sell our home, we have it on chains. The colors and depth of this one are outstanding.

Added elegance with jewels

We have learned that the windows with raised pieces (jewels) are especially desirable and truly add to the value. Many newer pieces are flat and without dimension, and often the lead work is sloppy and very thin. If you do your homework, you will recognize the differences almost at once. I recommend trips to museums, quality antique malls or your library to get familiar with stained glass. Prices vary greatly! We have seen large, colorful examples at antique shows and malls that are in the $800 – $1000 range. The smaller ones, with a simpler pattern, can be found in the $120 – $220 range. Condition is important because many buyers are leery of what it would cost to replace or repair even one section.

An old friend visited us from Arizona this summer and had not seen our windows. They asked about the history of this type of glass and it gave me reason to do a little research of my own. I was amazed to learn that the process has been around for over 1000 years. I learned that a German monk named Theophilus is credited with writing a description of the process, way back in the 12th Century. As you can imagine, much of it was made for churches and other “buildings of importance” such as government offices, elegant hotels and the like. The truly amazing thing is how many have withstood the test of time. These were especially popular in the Victorian period, from June 20, 1837, when Queen Elizabeth ruled England, until her death in January of 1901. Opulence and grandeur were “the bomb” back then. The middle class was on the rise and home ownership was possible, not only because of the better incomes, but the cost reduction in building materials such as wood and glass. This trend for elegance was not only in England and Europe, but throughout the United States as well.

President Arthur’s White House Tiffany screen, by Waddell

In 1882, newly elected President Chester A. Arthur refused to move into the White House until it was redecorated. He commissioned a fairly new glass artist named Louis Comfort Tiffany to do stained glass windows for the entrance hall. It was the first of many major accomplishments for Mr. Tiffany. Another incredibly talented American, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, became active in working with stained glass as well. He designed over 4,000 leaded glass windows and doors for over 150 of his well-known buildings. Wright called them “light screens”, a term referencing to Japanese shoji screens. His designs utilized the zinc or copper plated configurations while most others used lead.

Years ago, my daughter gave us a replica of one of his windows and while it is absolutely beautiful, my dream would be to someday find the real thing – wish me luck!

Inviting motto for friends and guests

Back in the 1920s and 30s, it was common to enter a home of a friend or family member and see small prints on the wall. Not only would there be charming little scenes, but most times a poem or a verse would accompany them. One of the top makers of these was the Buzza Motto Company. There were numerous other companies that tried their hand in it, but it seems that “Buzzas”, as they are called, are still quite popular and have held their value.

Artist Edgar A. Guest

I have learned that they were located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, opening in 1923 and becoming a well-respected “publishing empire.” They were known for their posters, framed lithographs and greeting cards as well. The building they were housed in was called “Craftacres.” In addition to the printed products, they offered a hostess planning service, to assist with setting up bridge parties and the like.

These made delightful gifts because they were inexpensive, attractive and often had inspirational messages. Given to a parent, or cherished friend, these were treasured mementos of their love. I recall that we had one “For Mother” at home; I guess my aunt gave it to us after mom had my brother. I still have it and have since added one “To Dad” and one in the hallway. It is a message of welcome to our guests who come to visit. I did find one that was to the Graduate, with some great advice for the future. When our first grandchild graduated from high school, I was looking for it, but later remembered I’d sold it at a flea market. Drat!

These are often found at estate sales, thrift shops and other antique venues and are rarely very expensive. They generally cost about $20 to $35. It is somewhat dependent on the graphics and the verse or poem. They do make a nice house-warming gift or perhaps a present for a pair of newlyweds. You might want to be sure that these friends that are “into vintage.” I imagine some people see them as rather sappy”or perhaps too simple by today’s standards. I find them welcoming and love to hang them around the house.

I love to see folks “go retro”, and this summer while at a yard sale, I heard one of the best stories. A woman came in and bought four pieces of old restaurantware, plates from various dining places. The lady at the check-out counter/card table asked her if she was a dealer. She responded with, “No, I use each and every one of them.” I came up to her and asked if she really served her family with these dishes and she told me, not just her family, but guests as well. She went on to say how very solid and strong they are, having served people for years and not even a chip or a ding! She thought it was great fun to pull out a Woolworth’s coffee shop plate and put a steak and potato on it. She also served peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the neighbor’s kids, placing them on plates from a high-end restaurant in the area. What a hoot!

It did make good sense; they are so durable and really make for good conversation pieces. In addition to restaurants, collectors like pieces from fraternal groups such as the Elks, Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, made by famous companies such as Buffalo China, Syracuse, Shenango, Rim-Roc, Mayer, and Scammell.  I know you can find them at consignment shops, antique malls, flea markets and the like. I scrambled downstairs to see what I might have of interest and did find some fun dishes.

While checking inventory, I came across silver plated creamers, even a gravy boat, from serving establishments. These were very popular back in the day (probably 1920s and 30s) when hotels and restaurants did their best to impress their guests. Evidently, these were slipped into more handbags than we want to know, right?

My favorite was from the “O’Connor Hospital”; who would not like to pour cream out of that one? Perhaps someone saw their hospital bill and thought “they owe me this!”

A little sauce dish that I discovered was made by Wallace Silver Co., for the Wisconsin Club. This is a highly-respected, very expensive, members-only institution in Milwaukee and one that a dear friend of ours belongs to. He’d be totally impressed if I served gravy in this.

Another hotel piece I found was a small teapot from the Jolly Hotels. Not sure where they are located, but it would surely bring back a memory to someone. I checked on the name found on this cream pitcher from the Fallowfields Cafe and learned these restaurants were in England. I recall we bought this at a boot sale in Bourton on the Water, UK.

The prices for restaurantware are inexpensive, most likely in the $10-15 range. The silver plated creamers are more costly, probably in the $20-50 range, depending on the location. The most expensive pieces are from railroads or cruise ships and have held their values well.

In this day and age of recycling and “re-using” it makes sense to search for these pieces, which are also dishwasher safe. You probably won’t want to use these creamers for serving, but they do add charm to any table or curio display.

My pig collection started many years ago. Not by intention, but while out garage-saling with my first granddaughter, Allie, we came across a picture of pigs. It’s not a traditional one, but with the little critters facing the other way, showing off their cute little butts. There are eleven of them to be exact. We hung it on the wall. Without any plan in mind, a few more pigs were added here and there. I know there are a lot of pig collectors out there! Many fine-tune their selections to piggy banks, ceramic figurines, cast iron, or photographs. I am not that particular.

Chocolate candy mold

My latest find was this chocolate mold. A tasty addition, don’t you agree? Definitely considered to be a “crossover collectible” because many people collect candy molds too. I have seen a lot of  molds through the years, many of them have more “charming” subjects. One mold that I owned was shaped like a heart for Valentine’s Day, but I’ve also seen loads of bunnies, hens and roosters. All these were in keeping with the Easter candy theme. This is the first one I’ve seen with pigs.

Pigs were also used for advertising purposes. My only piggy bank is definitely not what you usually expect to find. It has “Souvenir Chicago Stockyards” on its side. The reference to the meat packing industry isn’t warm and fuzzy, but he looks proud and regal, so I do display him.

A Birmingham pig

My cast iron pig has advertising on both sides. One side reads “A Birmingham Pig” and the other has “Compliments Birmingham Reactors.” It is believed to be from Alabama, back when they were known for their pig iron.

Lincomix medicine for swine

Another advertising pig is a large bookend found at a flea market this summer: the wonderful Elkhorn Fair at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, Wisconsin. It is cast iron and on each side of the base is the word “LINCOMIX (R)”, not a familiar name. But if I was a farmer, it might be well-known for this is an injectable medicine for swine, handling infectious forms of arthritis.

Each piece has its own personality, if you will. I continue to look for examples at antique malls, thrift stores, garage sales. I promise not to “hog” them all.

About 15 years ago, I came across a wooden “doorman” or “butler” at an estate sale. I thought he was so darn cute and dragged him home. Hubby was not agreeable at first, although he is a lover of things from the 1920s and 30s. He did come around and said I could keep him and see where he might fit “down the road.”

When we moved into this house, I knew he had a new home. He stands proudly at the front door, greeting guests and family. The first time we made him work was at our open house party. Into his “hands” we placed labels with each of the guest’s names. There was also a special welcome message telling the story of how we had met. For example, my friend Bonnie had been a neighbor well over 30 years ago. Another friend was from my husband’s Boy Scout troop. Our son-in-laws’ cards had information on how they met our daughters. Others were new neighbors who had been invited and we just called them “new friends.” A pretty cool idea and great conversation piece.

At holiday we put our Christmas cards in a bowl that he holds, and at New Years he has the little party horns displayed. The majority of the time he holds treats, usually candies: seasonal candy such as candy corn or “ribbon candy” that my mom always served. Most often I put in candy “kisses”, (a Hershey’s delight), and when the grandkids ask if they can “have a kiss,” of course I get an extra smoochie.

Always extra for the adults

Surprisingly enough, not only do the little ones enjoy his offerings, but one of our son-in-laws has admitted that of all the things we have displayed in our house, the butler is his favorite. I asked if he’d feel the same if I put broccoli in his tray but just got a chuckle and a “no thanks.”

A simple find at a flea market, antique mall or yard sale can result in a lifetime of pleasure. Go forth and find your own butler to entertain and offer treats.