I started collecting umbrellas about 12 years ago. Hubby and I took a trip out east, to Maine. While there, we visited the L.L. Bean store and I bought one with the little ducky for a handle. Actually bought two of them, one for a souvenir for our oldest granddaughter. These are actually put to good use. A while later, I found several at a sale and they had bakelite handles. I decided to put them into a stand by the door.

The next one I found had a clear plastic handle, and the rest is history.

A few years back my hubby came home with a very unusual find. It was a cane with some type of bone and he still had the tag from the estate sale. It was “shark’s vertebrae.” He asked what I thought it might be worth. And my rather sassy response was “what do you think, we can just go to an antiques book, look inside and find a price for a cane made of shark’s vertebrae?” He chuckled and got out a few books and ‘voila’, there it was, exactly as stated! It was valued at about $120, which was about $100 more than he paid for it. We re-tagged it and put it in our case at the antique mall. It sold in just 5 days. After that, I did more searching for them and while I have never found another one quite like that, have been able to locate a few unique ones.

My latest was this carved wooden cane, featuring the head of a dog and with glass eyes. More than I usually spend, but it was so charming that I had to buy it.

I really like the handle on this umbrella, nicely carved with the talons of a bird, holding a ball. If you look closely at the carving, you’ll see a number ‘7.’ Not sure what that signifies, perhaps just good luck to the user.

And as my luck would have it, another estate sale netted me this lovely antique cane, quite fancy with gold plated detailing. You know it is an old one because it reads “A.R. 1894.”

Another one, with gold and mother of pearl, reads “A Merry Christmas.”

This one with the ‘bone’ is nicely shaped too.

My grandkids call this the ’snake’ and it sure does look like that with its curvy style and silver detailing.

I could have told Maddie that canes were originally a symbol of status and that walking sticks or canes have been part of the human lifestyle since we stood upright. Or that these began being popular in the late 19th century as an important piece of fashion. But that might have overwhelmed her. For now, she just likes looking them over and carefully handling them. And that’s alright with me.

Serious collectors know where to look; antique stores and auctions, even the internet. They display them proudly as do I and are always on the look-out for other treasures.

Part of me would like to keep the best antique shopping locations to myself, but by sharing my adventures in antiquing with you, I’m hopeful you will share your favorite places with the rest of us.

Last weekend we went antique hunting. It’s what we do often. While garage sales, flea markets and estate sales are choice places to shop, they are mostly warm weather events and in cold weather we prefer indoor auctions and antique stores and malls. Wifey had scheduled Saturday for our first outdoor auction of the season, but with temperatures in the 30’s, no sun and a chance of rain, we decided to go to plan ‘B’, and explore new territory. Since we had plans for the evening I did not want to travel a great distance, but felt we should check out a place we had not hit before, and believe me there aren’t many.

Our choice was an antique shop in Volo, IL., The Volo Auto Museum and Antique Mall, located at US 12 and state road 120, a place I had passed by years before while on my real job but did not stop.

Leaving early for our drive that took a bit over an hour, we arrived just as they were opening the doors at 10:00 am. We were greeted at the door by one of their many friendly personnel that explained the layout, offered us a shopping basket to carry our finds and gave us a note card to write down case numbers we wanted opened.

We found these amenities almost unnecessary as help was always nearby to assist, answer questions, open locked cases, and carry our purchases to the check-out counter. Watching what our interests were, they even pointed out ‘like’ items in other booths. But no fear, these were not overbearing hoverer’s, just efficient staff.

We knew we were in for a long day; this mall is filled with great dealers, good variety, quality items, and price ranges to insure great hunting for all. We found some super items.

I spotted this item early in our hunt. It’s a convention badge marked S.N.P.J. Lodge 38 (Kenosha, Wisconsin)and when I brought it to the counter, one of the staff members gave a call to her hubby and got us the name of the group it was from. (What dedication to customer service.)

Too small to use, without starving while making a full meal, we assume this waffle iron is a salesman’s sample. It’s marked Stover Junior #8.

Featuring a Mother Of Pearl front face, this large shiny metal compact signed Volupte’, came in a black cloth carry bag with Lucite comb in a pocket, and unused powder puff.

Now, who can live without this aluminum napkin holder, Not Wifey. Great design work.

I spotted this woodworker’s plane, small in size but not unusual, till I inspected the material carefully. To my surprise the body is black thermoformed plastic called Bakelite.

Too wonderful to pass up, this copper inkwell and pen holder features a cast nude figure holding an urn. Splashes of ink on the base confirm its age. Wifey wants to stick a candle in the urn and display it on the mantle (there is no room on her desk.)

To my embarrassment, I missed this item when I went through a booth, but wifey spotted it with ease.

It’s an old waffle iron with ceramic top. In need of cleaning but the top is very nice. To explain another reason why we will be back often, a member of the staff searched diligently for an electrical cord she felt was with the item.

Now please do not fret, with the items mentioned above and an arm load of other gems, carried to our car by another helper, we still left tons of antiques and collectibles for your shopping pleasure.

Map

In business since 1964, this well run mall is directed by managers Lisa, Marilyn and owner Carolyn. If you’re in the area, (50 miles West of Chicago) this place is worth a visit. Check with Marilyn or Carolyn at 815-344-6062, if you need directions , want to confirm holiday openings or have questions. Their hours are 10 to 5, 7 days a week.

Mother-of-pearl has a lovely iridescent quality that makes it so attractive. I’ve collected a few mother-of-pearl handled knives for my silverware collection, and consider them the highlight of the collection. I definitely plan to add more as I encounter them in the future.

What is Mother-of-Pearl?

The same oysters and other mollusks that make pearls create mother-of-pearl. When a grain of sand or other irritant enters the mollusk it begins to coat the irritant with a substance called nacre, and over time, the irritant is coated enough to create a pearl. When that same nacre coats the inside of the mollusk’s shell, we call it mother-of-pearl. Mother-of-pearl can be found in different thickness and shades, depending on the mollusk that created it.

I have a fondness for silverware, but there are a number of beautiful items made with mother-of-pearl. Pocket knives often sport mother-of-pearl handles. I’ve also come across quite a few antique mother-of-pearl opera glasses. Mother-of-pearl is sometimes inlaid in wood furniture to create lovely designs. Canes, walking sticks, letter openers, buttons and wax seals are other items that use beautiful mother-of-pearl. Today mother-of-pearl is often paired with sterling silver to create rings, earrings, bracelets and pendants.

What to Look for

When looking for beautiful mother-of-pearl items for your collection, look for mother-of-pearl that is free from stains. Check the piece carefully for chips and hairline cracks in the mother-of-pearl. In the case of mother-of-pearl handled silverware or knives, make sure the handle is securely attached to the rest of the piece and doesn’t wiggle.

Caring for Mother-of-Pearl

Clean your mother of pearl with a damp cloth and soapy water. Never allow harsh cleansers to come in contact with mother-of-pearl. This can be tricky when using tarnish removers on silver, but it’s important since the chemicals in these substances can easily damage the delicate mother-of-pearl.