Long time since I have written anything.

It has been a while since I posted. My Mother had a brief illness and passed away at the end of June. She was a long time antique collector. When I was a little girl she dragged me to antique stores and shows. I remember that she collected Bristol glass and Flow Blue china then. Her favorite pattern of Flow blue was New Wharf Potteries Waldorf. She started out with a set of saucers. Later she started collecting Carnival glass and Majolica. The last collection she started was Wave Crest. She loved going to auctions with me and always had me bidding on something. Her collections span a life time and show a wide variety of items. She will be missed.

Minnie Mouse costume head

I just found this item when I was going to garage sales this morning. I do not know anything about it but thought I would share it. It is Minnie Mouse. Obviously the head for an adult costume. I just thought it was neat.

Excitiing happenings

Well, our 5th anniversary celebration is approaching. This last week my landlady put in central heat and air for us. Our old unit was originally a  Chrysler Air Temp water cooled unit. It had been converted at some point. We also had an boiler for steam heat. The air had probably been here since the 1950's and the furnace even longer. It will be nice on June 4th to have modern air conditioning when we welcome people to come in and help us celebrate our anniversary.

Vintage cook books

I was going through my recipes yesterday and realized how much I love cook books. One of my favorite cook books was my Great Grandmothers. I would never cook anything from it, it calls for things I have never heard of, but I love all of the handwritten notes she made. I also have one from my Grandmother. In between the pages she has inserted clipped and hand written recipes. I remember her making some of them. When you are in an antique store take the time to browse through the vintage cook books. You will be enchanted.

Planning our 5th Anniversary celebration

My store, Laura's Antiques will have been in business 5 years on June 1st. We are just starting to plan our celebration on Saturday June 4th.  I am excited about this, I hope you are too. We will be serving refreshments and running a store wide sale. I hope to post pictures after the party for those of you who won't be able to attend. In the meantime I will write more about some of the cool items in the shop.

Where do I find items for my shop?

People are always asking me where I find items. There is no one good answer to that question. Since I own the shop I have a number of people either calling or coming in with things they want to sell. This is a good method of buying for me because I no longer have as much time to look for items.

Before I opened my store I had several booths in antique malls. At that time I did not get the option of buying from individuals who came in. When I had the booths I attended auctions almost every weekend. Most areas have a local auctioneer who does estate auctions. This is a good place to purchase vintage and antique items. You do need to have some idea of what an item is worth before you decide to bid on it. While there are bargains to be had, sometimes people pay way to much. I have seen people pay more for an item at auction than they are will to pay in a shop.

Flea markets are another good source. There are several here in Kansas that I like to go to. Usually, the dealers at the flea market have lower prices and you can pick up nice items for a reasonable cost.

Don't forget the antique stores. Not all dealers now what they have. I have made some very good buys. It is impossible for anyone to know about every subject and sometimes dealers have an item that they do not know much about and price it too low.

Last but not least is the Garage sale. I find a lot of items at garage sales and church rummage sales. They may not be worth a great deal but if I pay 50 cents for an item I can sell for $5 I feel like I got a good deal.

Happy hunting.

Spring is here. Time to shop for yard art.

Spring is here and it is time to go to the local antique shops and flea markets to find things for your yard. Over the years I have had a wide variety of items that look great outside. You can make wonderful benches from old beds. Just use the foot board of an ornate iron bed, add seat and front legs. These are very cute.

In years past I have found vintage bird baths with just the right amount of patina. We have also had concrete animals. We currently have an old reel lawn mower, metal screens from an old house, & a neat vintage tractor sprinkler. These things can be set around or used to give your yard a vintage feel.

Come see us soon.

What should I collect? How about collecting some history.

Both

People often wonder what they should collect. There are a lot of options out there. I thought that I would share with you one of my interests. I collect items from towns that my family is from. Both of my Parent are from small towns where a lot of the places are no longer there. Finding Souvenir items from these towns is a challenge. Also, it is fun to find old advertising from businesses that used to be in these towns.

If you decide to collect this type of thing you have a lot of options. I like glass and pottery so I tend to buy souvenir glass or premiums that were given away by businesses. I have managed to collect several plates advertising old businesses and a piece of Watt pottery, also advertising, from my Dad's home town. I also have a few post cards from there. This is a town of about 300 people so there is not a lot of items available.

If you like advertising items you can find pencils, tins, clocks, thermometers and many more items. Farm implement companies put out a lot of advertising items.

Many of these items can be obtained for a reasonable price. They are fun and help you connect to history. I have pictured some items available in my store. The calendar is an advertising piece from Medicine Lodge, Ks. The bell is for a hockey team, The Wichita Wind. There are two glass souvenirs from Salina, KS and wooden shoe also from Salina.

Try Shopping at your Local Antique store for a change

Every day it amazes me how many people comment that they have never been in an antique store before. I have come to realize that many people have no idea what they will find. Some assume they would have no interest while other assume that everything will be too expensive for them. Both assumptions are wrong.

Most stores carry both antiques and collectibles. That can be something really old or a current collectible that you would buy at the local gift shop. Our store carries all kinds of items. We have tools, toys, newer and old jewelry (both fine and costume), home decor items, sports items, glass, pottery and much more. There is something for everyone in an antique store.

Prices vary in this type of store. We carry item for under one dollar to items that are thousands. It all depends on the item. Many items that we use, like drinking glasses, are cheaper here than at your discount stores. Vintage and antique furniture isn't just unique, it is less expensive and better quality than you can buy anywhere else. Most of the furniture in an antique store is better constructed and made solid wood, not fiber board.

The next time you are looking for an item, try something new and check out the local antique store.

Starting a new booth at an antique mall

I have had my store for almost 5 years now. Before I decided to that I had booths in Antique malls owned by other people. Business has been a little slow so far this year so I have decided to put a booth in at the Abilene Downtown Antique Mall in Abilene, KS. It is a lot of work but the owners of that mall are willing to let me advertise my store in the booth I am renting. This week my days off are being spent looking for shelves and packing items for my new booth. I hope that any of you that are in either Abilene, KS or Salina, KS will stop by and see what we have.

People who read my blog

Just thought I would thank everyone who has read my blog. I hope you enjoy it and will return. An easy way to keep informed is to become a follower. Simply click the follow button on the right hand side of the screen and blogger will let you know when I have added a new blog. I will continue to write about different collectibles and also about my shop.

Hall's Autumn Leaf pattern, Jewel Tea premium

Hall made the Autumn Leaf pattern from 1933 until 1976. This pattern was produced exclusively for the Jewel Tea company of Barrington, IL. The pieces were offered as premiums to Jewel customers when the purchased another product. Since this line was developed as a premium new items were added frequently and old items were retired. This encouraged customers to buy more products to complete the set.

Unpopular pieces were discontinued quickly. This means that there are fewer of them out there and are harder for collectors to find. Another reason that certain pieces are hard to find is that during WWII there was a metal shortage. It is difficult to find pre WWII tin items.

Pictured above is just a few of the items available to Jewel Tea collectors. There were many other items, not just dinnerware.

Hull pottery

Hull pottery was formed in 1905 in Crooksville, OH, by Addis Emmet Hull. They originally made stoneware and stoneware specialties.

In the 1920's Hull began to make art pottery. In the 1930's they added their popular kitchen figurines like cookie jars and banks.

The company suffered in 1950 due to a flood followed by a serious fire. The recovered and continued operation until 1986.

Pieces made before 1950 are marked "Hull Art USA" or "Hull USA". Pieces made after 1950 are simply marked "Hull" in script or block letters.

Be careful, there are reproductions out there. A good source for information on how to avoid a reproduction is the Hull Pottery Association.

The piece that I pictured at the top is Hull Blossom flight, This pattern was made in 1955.

Easter is coming & Spring is here

Easter will be here soon and spring has sprung. If you like vintage Easter decorations now is the time go to your favorite antique shops and flea markets. There are many wonderful things available: from chocolate molds, paper mache rabbits, post cards, and much much more.

If you don't want Easter specific items but would like to decorate for spring there is a number of items for you. There are a lot of springtime colors available this time of year. We have decorated our store with floral pattern dishes in spring colors, bright jewelry & Easter related items.

Rosemeade pottery

Wahpeton pottery was founded in January 1940 by Laura Taylor and Robert J. Hughes. In 1953 they changed the name to Rosemeade for better name recognition.

Laura Taylor was educated at the University of North Dakota. She was a student and assistant to nationally known director, Margaret Cable.

She worked briefly making pottery for Dickota potter at the Dickenson Clay Products company, then was appointed State Supervisor at the North Dakota Works Administration (WPA).

She demonstrated pottery making at the 1939 New York Worlds Fair, that is where she met Robert. J. Hughes. They were married in 1943.

Her designs reflected the native plants and animals of North Dakota. The wide range of products included place souvenirs, human forms, functional pieces, and advertising pieces. Taylor observed trends and met the needs and wishes of the public.

Howard Lewis, Production Manager, created distinctive lustrous glazes that set Rosemeade apart. Lewis also threw swirl pottery vases and pitcher, a process he learned while working for Niloak Pottery.

Lewis was succeeded by Joe McLaughlin. McLaughlin introduced decorative decals including those of wildlife artist Les Kouba. He also accelerated the advertising specialties sales.

Rosemeade closed in 1961.

Although some pottery was thrown on a potters wheel, the majority was cast in molds. Most pieces are marked with an impressed mark or an ink stamp of the company name in blue or black lettering. The Swan pictured at top is an example of Rosemeade pottery. I have show a picture of the black ink mark on the bottom of the swan.

Hard work

Today I am not going to tell you about a different collectible. I decided that today I would tell you about the hard work that goes into being an antique dealer. I own the shop that I am in. Today I had a dealer moving out and I needed to fill his spot so it wouldn't look empty. While I was sorting through items I already had but hadn't put out yet, someone came in selling items. Now instead of the 4 boxes that I had kept stashed for filling vacant spots I had another 4 boxes of new stuff to clean and sort. I had to move furniture to fill his space, unpack, clean, inventory and price items to be put out. During this time I was open and had customers coming in to shop. The good news is that hard work pays off. I am very happy with the changes I have made. The store looks good and my customers have been complementing me on the changes I was making. Come in and see us soon.

Napkin dolls

Right after World War II imported novelty items like figural salt & pepper shakers, head vase, Napkin Dolls, Etc became popular. The Napkin dolls are often ceramic women with slits in their skirts for the napkins. They can also be made of wood, or ceramic on top with wire bottoms. They were made by many different companies including Kreiss.

Be careful, they do reproduce these.

Sarah Coventry Jewelry

Sarah Coventry began in 1949 as an off shoot of CH Stuart, a direct marketing company with headquarters in Newark, NY.  They sold through Home Fashion shows where woman were encouraged to try on and by costume jewelry. They became the worlds largest direct seller of costume jewelry and fashion leader in contemporary jewelry in the 1950's, 60's, 70's, & early 80's. During this time they offered a wide array of fashion jewelry sold exclusively through their home fashion shows.

Their Fashion Show Directors and other employees received motivation through friendly competitions, incentives and rewards given to those who achieved the highest sales volume.

Some of their success was due to the developement of impressive magazine and TV advertising campaigns. Employees had guest appearances on shows like "To Tell the Truth. They also had their jewelry given as contestant prizes on various game shows.

The 1980's showed a decline in sales. Demographics had changed and the party plan was no longer successful. In 1984 they sold to a Canadian company.

Pictured above is just a sampling of the many Sarah Coventry items available in my store and on my website.

Smurfs, Vintage & new

Many of remember watching the Smurfs on Saturday morning. The Smurfs originated in Germany in approximately 1936. Currently collectors have the choice of specializing in vintage Smurfs or in adding the Smurfs that are currently being made to their collection. You can also collect many of the toys and accessories that go with the Smurfs. I have shown several toys that go along with Smurf ubcollecting. The camera is a music box, bubble pipe, radio, & smurf figurine.



Norman's Toys at Laura's antiques in Salina, KS specializes in Smurfs. He has hundreds of vintage and new Smurfs. His price is competitive and in line with the price guide. We do not offer these on our website http://www.laurasantiques.com  but you are welcome to contact us about them. If we have what you want we will ship them.

Weller Marvo

Samuel Augustus Weller started Weller pottery as a one man operation in 1872. They started out in Fultonham, OH but in the next decade moved to Zanesville, OH. Weller was produced for over 70 years, from 1872 to 1948. They produced many lines of art pottery, changing with the times. The piece pictured is in the Marvo pattern. Some pieces of this pattern were marked but some, like this one were not. Marvo was made from the mid 1920's until 1933.

McCoy Pine cone tea set

McCoy has a long and interesting history. I will give you just a brief explanation of them. There have been 4 generations of the McCoy family involved in several different manufacturing companies.

In 1848 W. Nelson McCoy & W.F. McCoy started a pottery business in Zanesville, OH making stoneware crocks and jars.

In 1899 J.W. Mccoy organized the J.W. McCoy pottery company in Roseville, OH (near Zanesville). He added several lines of art pottery. In 1909 George Brush became the General Manager for J.W. McCoy. In 1911 they merged with several small pottery companies and became the Brush-McCoy company. In 1925 the McCoy family sold their interest in the Brush-McCoy company and it became the Brush pottery company.

Iin 1910 Nelson McCoy, son of J.W. McCoy started the Nelson McCoy Sanitary Stoneware company in Roseville, OH. He had financial help from his father. They were in direct competition with Brush McCoy making stoneware. In 1933 Nelson McCoy reorganized to become the Nelson McCoy pottery company and began producing art pottery like his father, J.W. McCoy.

The piece pictured is the Pine Cone Tea set and was manufactured in 1946. The mark shown is one of many McCoy marks.

Hocking's Cameo Ballerina, Depression glass

Cameo Ballerina or Dancing Girl was made by Hocking glass from 1930-1934. They made it in green, yellow, pink, & crystal w/platinum rim. With this pattern it is possible to put together a complete dinner set including pitcher and glass sets. You will see some miniature pieces in this pattern, they are not old. The miniature pieces have been produced for approximately 25 years by Mosser glass company. These pieces were not made originally.

Watch for reproduction salt and pepper shakers in this pattern. On the new shakers the pattern is much fainter. Also there is a lot more glass in the bottom of the shakers. New tops will help you spot possible reproductions.

Roseville Florentine

 

Roseville pottery was made in Zanesville, Ohio. The company was incorporated in 1892. In 1954 they sold to the Mosaic tile company. The piece pictured is the pattern Florentine. The mark on this piece was used from 1910 to 1928. The only exception was in the 1930's this mark was used on  Utility ware and Juvenile pieces. Roseville made many different pieces and patterns. This is just a sample. This piece is available on my Website.