Huntsville Antique Show

Antique Shows are Everywhere!

2012-01-19T07:48:00.000-08:00

Almost anywhere you look, there are Antique Shows... We started out the year going to Brenham Antique Show, there were some new dealers and a lot of really neat stuff out there. The next weekend we were off to Round Top to the Big Red Barn show, where you can find the rare and unususal items, alond with the most wonderful Antique Tools. That same day we went to the Citywide Sale in Belton, if you can't find anything ther you just could not see through the croud. Then off to the Bryan Show, put on by Continental, it is a three day show, wonderful dealers and a wide array of items for any budget. Then We are off to Austin Citywide Sale at the Palmer Event Center, always amazing... if you go early at 8:00 you pay extra, but first in, best buys. I have never left there empty handed. Happy January Shopping!

Love Valentines Day Gifts for Him & Her...

2012-01-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

Valentines... is the perfect Holiday occasion for saying "I Love You". The perfect gift for anyone, especially for the one next to you. This Valentines I will say it to "My One and Only." I do not wish to receive the typical dying flowers... Last year I received two Camillias, every time they bloom I remember what they stand for. The gift that grows as your relationship grows, the bud that blooms as your love does. Too Mushy? Yea, I think so too! Call the Travel agent, book a really cool three to four day excursion and surprise them with it the week before. The wonderful dinner out to Houston's Resteraunt in Houston, TX, or the new jewelry from Ernst Jewelers downtown Huntsville, TX. These are the things we never forget, the exciting stay over at the Hotel ZaZa in Dallas or Houston... the little things like room service, the massage, the Valet, the dessert & don't forget the return you will receive. I am not talking about the bill, that will come soon enough. Seriously, you need to step out of your box and really surprise your loved ones this Valentine's Day. You may never know how it will help your relationship... The ideas are endless, as your love should be. Good Luck and God Bless!

Christmas is Here! Christmas is here!

2011-12-05T10:46:00.000-08:00

This year we are starting off the Holiday month with a full Heart and a Full Booth! We have been saving our Christmas finds for this special month. There are Elves, old Ornaments, vintage toys and so much more. The old cake plates, serving dishes, punch bowls... they are all out with decorations to please even the Best Scrooge. The most wonderful thing about Christmas is GOD, his Son and the amazing gift he has given us. While enjoying your family this Christmas, remember the reason for the season. Try each Day to fill your Heart with the Love and Kindness and Forgiveness that Christ allowed us. We are wishing our friends and families the Very Best Holiday Season possible.

Thanksgiving Decorations, Christmas has Gobbled it up!

2011-11-15T15:27:00.001-08:00

Why does it seem as if Thanksgiving has been gobbled up by Christmas? I think the Thanksgiving Antiques are not really out there, it has recently made some headway in the Decorating dept. but has seemed to lack luster. The last few years there has been some cool decorations produced for the occasion, but Black Friday falls on the very next day. How is Thanksgiving going to compete with that? I have already bought this years Christmas theme and colors, I have already finished decorating the Christmas window in the Antique Store.We have completely left out Thanksgiving, I have my recipies together... some customers have been practicing on new recipies. I don't even have a Turkey Platter, new or old... there are some beautiful Turkey Platters out there, I just don't want to spend the money on one. Sad.

Sales for the Month are Crazy....

2011-10-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

It seems that ever since we started Hosting the Huntsville Antique Show, there has been a big increase in sales in the Antique Stores Downtown Huntsville. We seem to be having a ever increasing flow of customers in the shops. I thought the economy was supposed to be hurting, I am very happy that this is not the case in Huntsville. We seemed to have put ourselves back on the Antique Map. This is quickly becoming the place to buy, meaning most of our sales are to dealers. I have seen our items all over Texas, and remember the dealers buying them. It is a warm feeling to know your merchandise has really traveled to a wonderful destination. We have a new Antique Store Downtown by Mayflower Bakery... The Fischer Family has opened a wonderful shop called "Antiques & Almost". It is full of Pretty things and Furniture, with a lot of Salts and Salt Spoons (too cute). You have to get down there and see all of the items for sale, come make a day of it. Thanks again for all of your support.

Huntsville Antique Show 2011 was at the Top of it's Game!

2011-09-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

We have had the Show of a lifetime, with over 2200 shoppers through the door and doubled our sales. We were elbow to elbow, if you don't like heavy crowds, come on Sunday... there was only four or five hundred shopping then. The kitchen ran out of food both days and had to make runs to the store... They were quoted as saying, "we had more people through Saturday by 2:00 than the entire weekend last year." We signed up almost all of our dealers for next year and have already had calls for dealer spaces next year... we are three booths from being compelety full! We want to thank all of our Dealers and Shoppers along with the Kitchen, for our Best Show EVER. We have already made up cards for our Ninth Show! Put it on your callendars, September 15th, 16th, 2012! The website is being updated as I write this, keep a lookout for your picture... you may be there. The winner of our $200.00 Gift Certificate to A Nitsch In Time was Linda Pervis! Our mailing list just doubled! Thanks again for all of your support!

The Antique Show this year...

2011-09-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

We are very excited about the Huntsville Antique Show this year, we are packed... possibly even over packed. We have dealers from Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Colorado, Arkansas and all over Texas. We are happy to announce that this is our 8th show and 9th year, (Ike got us one year). We are already looking to the future, next year will be the 10th year, but not the 10th Anniversary Show... Is that how it should work? We are just going to round it up! We are going to forget about Ike and call it our 10th Anniversary Show! We are applying for Hot Funds this year, so wish us luck... This program is designed to help an Event advertise far and wide, in order to bring more people to town. We already have a 2800 plus mailer that goes out, and travel all year around to advertise the show... I Blog and have a facebook page and a Website... What else can we do to get the word out? If you have ideas or suggestions, please let us know. We want to make this the largest event that Huntsville has ever seen! Thanks. (H.A.D.A. is this weekend too, if you go to both, let us know where the good deals really are)lol.

Cat Spring Antique Show San Antonio Antique Show Worlds Fair Hair Show

2011-09-08T14:51:00.000-07:00

We have a very busy weekend ahead of us... We are heading to Cat Spring Antique Show this Saturday, where we will pass out information about the Huntsville Antique Show and hope to gather more shoppers for the following weekend. Then off to San Antonio to the Antique Show there. We realize that San Antonio may be a stretch as far as gathering customers, however we have over 50 shoppers from there now... The main thing in San Antonio this weekend is the Worlds Fair Hair Show at the Convention Center. I am going to learn all I can about the latest cutting techniques, coloring processes and patterns and the latest and greatest product lines! There will be new colors, perming techniques,(they call those new perms "texture") there will be far out colors that we will only use ten times in a year and the new capes (which we really need). There will be dealers selling skin care lines, waxing lines, sissors for $500.00 and up... along with every tool you can think of. Through all of this, I will retain 25% and hope not to spend too much along the way! This is a very busy weekend, hope all is well with our dealers for next weekends Antique Show, I will have a hard time answering the phone at the show... so consider me off Sunday! Thanks.

Houston Glass Show in Rosenberg Texas & Waco Zoo

2011-08-22T05:25:00.001-07:00

This weekend was a little different from the past few weekends. We took off Friday, it was Greg's birthday on Saturday... he wanted to go to the Waco Zoo. We packed some clothes Thursday night after work and took off for Waco. We arrived in Waco at the new, very nice Best Western, it was around ten and the jacuzzi closed at ten thirty. We quickly got changed and went down for a relaxing soak. When we entered the pool room, we were engulfed with the stinging aroma of chlorine or bleach... We got into the hot tub but could only stay for about 8 minutes... the burning of the eyes was just too much. We went up and got ready for bed and scoped out a few morning sales. The next morning, our eyes were red and one of Greg's was swollen shut. We managed to get ourselves together load the truck and have breakfast at the hotel. The breakfast was good, Greg drank two glasses of orange juice... and I had coffee. We went to several garage sales and ended up at the Zoo. The Zoo was open but there was no attendant taking money. We just went in and started enjoying the quaint little zoo. On the way out, the attendant was present and I paid him then.

Our first antique stop was "Bloom and Bee Swanky" I really like this store. The store is filled with wonderful and beautiful items, it has lots of white and muted tones with repurposed items. They are always changing their displays around and there are some really good deals.... a wonderful store! Our next stop was Cameron Trading Co. and we always buy stuff to resale in there. We were told of a place on 18th street... we really could buy in there. It was Laverty's and it was awesome, with loads of good deals and all kinds of stuff to repurpose with. I bought old baby shoes for nothing and really loaded up on cool finds that you can now find in my booths in Huntsville... I just saved you the trip. You really must go to Laverty's, they are not always open, you have to get on their email list to find out when the openings occur. This is when Greg's orange juice decided to seriously torture him. Lets just say, I shopped alone and not very much, all the way home. We were supposed to be heading to Rosenberg shopping the whole way, home would have to do. Saturday was a fresh start, we were happy to be alive and actually found some industrial stuff before we even left town. We finally made it to Rosenberg before the show opened on Saturday. We shopped the glass show and saw a few of our show dealers too. Nita Robbins was nice enough to put out cards in the front of the show, she is always a great help. We stopped Angleton and Alvin and headed towards home. We stopped on Almeda at a mall and bought one little item and headed home. What a weekend, home safe and another awesome weekend.

The Latest Travels to Austin and Llano and Back to Huntsville... all in one day.

2011-08-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

We started off in a rush to get to Austin, we only made it to Bryan before the truck was full!

We headed out anyway, we kept finding great buys all the way there. When we arrived, it was close to lunch time and we hit Austin City Wide hard! We saw Teresa Cano, her booth was awesome and full of shoppers. We saw Cindy Messer again, I seriously think she does every show around and some out of state. Teresa convinced us that we needed to go over to Llano and we did... We were surprised to see all of the Antique stores and Junk Shops. We kept finding stuff and loved Several stores, two of the favorites were right next door to each other. Binky Le Faye & Whimseys was really awesome... there was a cute place across the street too.

You should have seen the truck after that... Marion (our side kick) had mentioned that she could ride on top, like the Beverly Hill Billies. We almost took her up on it... Marion bought enough stuff to redo her booth and we actually did redo ours on Sunday... here are the new booth photos.

Dallas Trip I-45 Antique Stops & Information

2011-08-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we went to Dallas to shop Buchanans at the Market on I-35. We were pleasently surprised to fing such a variety of Dealers. There was one booth in particular that had a huge variety of Primatives... and people were almost fighting to get some. They would pull the poor owner left, then right. The lady had no chance to finish one transaction before someone interupted her to ask some price on other items... it was a mad house around her booth.

Then we saw a couple of booths from the Red Lumber Yard in Mckinney, they said that the Red Lumber Yard will be back on track next month, at it's original location. We love the Red Lumber Yard, you have simply got to go there for some really good deals.

We headed back to Huntsville passing through Ennis and all of the small towns down I-45 leaving in our trail a pile of Cards advertising the Huntsville Antique Show. We finally reached the house at 7:30 and I made a spread... biscuits, smothered pork chops, squash carrerole and french au gratin potatoes with ham and bacon in a wine cream sauce. I was so exhausted I ate three bites and went to bed.

Happy Shopping and don't forget to eat...

Canton Weekend was full of Good Deals & Hot in August!

2011-08-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

We finally made it to Canton this past weekend and passed out information about the Huntsville Show. We stopped in Athens and Spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express, it was nice and they served a nice breakfast. Then we were off to Canton, hitting the fields around the Paviloin first. The Fields were not as packed as usual, but the deals were still there. We went as far as the Arbors and saw a Huntsville Show Dealer and had lunch with her at Granny's Kitchen. There you can get a wide variety of items, one plate we ordered was filled with four sides and crackers. We had the pasta salad, chicken salad, pominto cheese and fresh fruit, it was very refreshing. We proceeded to the Pavilion passing by the ROW 46, that was a very fu fu isle with some really neat booths. We met some really nice dealers there and they were very nice to allow me to take a picture or two...

The Veranda is the second Photo, cute shop and very organized, not over done with the newer inventory. We were able to shop these stores with pleasure. The end of Canton for us was the Pavilion, all air conditioned but missing some vendors...

Then we went to A wonderful mall a few miles outside of Athens... Lindy Mall was full of surprises and priced to sell. We were able to go through Montalba and found several boxes of deals... it was sweet! We finished up in Palestine, passed out more show information and headed home. We were happy to find Forever Friends in Elkhart was still open and past them was an Estate Sale! Wow! What a day of shopping! We filled up the truck and now we have to clean, prep and price it all... keep a look out for the new items in the booths! Shop Downtown Huntsville and you will be getting the deals too. Thanks for reading and click on Follow to keep up!

The Continental Antique Show in Bryan Texas Gambling for Deals

2011-07-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

Is it a Gamble or is it worth the trip? How many of us are willing to take a trip to seriously Gamble? We take a chance every time we leave the house, "will this be the time I find the treasure of a life time?" Probably not, but the hunt is what it is all about and the hope that lives within all of us Junkers. The "Antique Dealer" AKA "Junker" is always looking for the one find of a lifetime, or at least a great day of shopping and selling. If the term "junkers" offends, I appologise, but it was someones junk or you would probally not have ended up with it... that's all I am saying.

This past weekend we went to Bryan Texas to the Antique Show to visit some Dealers and to leave some information on the Huntsville Show in September, 17th & 18th 2011. We are always out and about looking for some great deals and usually finding things.... I always hear " It is so hard to find quality items", that is not my story. We are seriously on the go almost every weekend, we always bring home a truck load or at least half a truck load. If you are having trouble finding great stuff, you are, in my opinion, not looking very hard. This past weekend I found a Weller wall Pocket for $18.00 that books for $350.00 and an American Fostoria Swung vase for $10.00 that books for $200.00. That is just one morning, in about three hours and what a profit. There are so many places to shop and there are so many deals to be found, just stop at that Mom and Pop shop, hit the Goodwill, try a new resale, you will be surprised at what you will find. If you are willing to get up early enough and hit a few garage sales, you may be amazed at what you will find. I have been to too many shops that are using the internet to price their wares and wonder why it is not selling... guess what? They can get it for that price on the internet, why are they out wasting their precious gas and time? Fact is, when I am out shopping, I check the price of the item with the internet. If it is close to the same price I will pass on it, I have to be able to mark it up and resale this stuff. We made the same mistake when we started to acquire too many books and information on the items we commonly sell. We would mark it up to just below the book price and keep it for years, not good! If we pay $10.00 dollars for a $300.00 item, we sell it for $150.00. That is how we started out and we were selling between $2000.00 to $3000.00 each month... we have finally gotten back to the great sales years. Things are out there and they are worth looking for. I'll be willing to bet that you will be back out there soon and good luck, warmest of wishes and watch out for me... I will try not to run you down while I am snatching and grabbing! Junking is just as addictive as Gambling, and I have it bad!

Uncommon Objects Austin Texas Road Trip

2011-07-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

This is our new booth at A Nitsch in Time in Huntsville Texas, we had to redo after the past weekend of shopping.

This Past weekend we went shopping and Promoting for the Huntsville Antique Show. We started out toward Austin at 5:30 am and was there for early shopping at 8:30. First stop was Austin Citywide Garage Sale, held at the Palmer Events Center, once a month almost every month. We found several bags of goods, some to keep and some to sell. They were making deals early in the morning, and almost everyone was carring something out. We went to several local Antique Malls and found some unique items and had lunch at a local dive...

This is a photo of a great decorating idea found at Uncommon Objects, one of my Favorite stores in Austin.

Then we went to Georgetown, Gatherings is always a special stop. I found a candy jar that I did not have and now I do. This store is amazing for display ideas and everything is for sale and worth it.

Longview, Tyler, Pandoras Box in Frankston and Palestine...

2011-07-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

There are many road trips that we really like to take from Huntsville. This is not too bad for scenery, just leave really early and get there when things open (around 10:00). There will be plenty to make the time fly, with all of the garage sales around the first weekend. There is Betty's, and just past there there are two resale shops that are really worth the stop. Then the Salvation Army, where we usually load up on great cheap finds, then the Antique stores. We are always able to find plenty to resale and find a new place to eat some lunch. We usually find a Mexican resteraunt and grade it by the queso, anywhere from a 1 to a 10. If the queso is tasty, we will go ahead and order the rest. We had to learn the hard way...all I am going to say is Gladewater across the tracks on the right. The hostess made the mistake of asking how everything was, and I told her. Then there was the big one downtown Dallas... Fenix.... wow, that is all I can say. Anyway, back to the trip. We are always very pleased at the shops in Tyler especially the one "Ye Olde Curiosity Shop" across the tracks. We have been skipping the one downtown, a little too nice for our taste. We then headed over to Frankston, where you will find Pandora's Box! You can always find plants, iron work, shabby chic, doors, knobs, antiques and great ideas for your own place. Then we end up in Palestine with the downtown shops and great deals all around. Finally to Little Mexico for dinner, the absolute favorite for me. i will make up any excuse to go to Palestine for Lunch or Dinner, they are amazing! (no Liqour) The hot dip is to die for and the Tacos al Carbon... (drool). OMG I want it still! You have just gotta go, cut up through Crockett and visit the Antique stores and the two resale shops on the main drive right past the north side of the square. The ability to shop is endless, just map out a trip and hit the road. We are heading to Houston this weekend, first the heights then Westheimer shops and finally Carolyn Thompsons. We hear they are moving to the old JC Penny store at the mall near by. We are excited for them and we cant wait to start shopping, I hear they have 20 new dealers... Exciting! Look out world, here we come.

Mckinney Texas Red Lumberyard & Downtown Mckinney

2011-06-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

Mckinney Texas has one of the best shopping places on earth! These Dealers sell cheap, from a set of glass door knobs and hardware for $10.00 to the great furniture, shabby chic dressers for $30.00 and the water faucets for $1.00 each.

These two outdoor photos are where it is at! This is the Red Lumber Yard and the Prices are amazing... It is almost as if the cool shops downtown have been shopping here all along, and I am sure that is not the case. There are amazing buys and so worth the drive! The Dealers are so personable and awesome for ideas, they are really cool. On my facebook several dealers gave me their cards, I put their websites out there for you to see.

The Red Lumberyard in Mckinney!

The indoor photos are all from the largest antique store in Mckinney, they are so nice in there and referred us to the Mexican Restaurant across the street to eat, Good Choice. We bought so much stuff from that area, it will take us two weeks to price it all. Thanks Mckinney!

Awesome finds at local venues...

2011-06-15T19:33:00.001-07:00

This is a very nice set that I found at the Good Shephard. It is a burl oak set which includes a bed, dresser and a dressing table. It is in very good shape, with the matress, all for the low price of $250.00.

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Barber Shop Collectibles Salon or Barber?

2011-06-13T08:25:00.000-07:00

This year we have found it harder and harder to fing quality Barber Shop memorabillia. Over the last few years we have seen the decline of old Razors, Strops, very few Barber Chairs and the price of barber signs has hit the roof. You can find the occasional sterilizer in brown for around a hundred dollars and the white ones for around one fifty.

The days of the Barber Shop has really changed from your Fathers Barber shop days. They used to use warm foam, straight razors sharpened on the strop, hot towels and some powder and aftershave. Now you get a buzz and the bill. My last barber shop cut two months ago and was not what I had imagined, but now I am thinking it was the last. Why should I go to the Barber Shop for a dry cut and a bill, when I can go to a salon for a cut, shampoo, some gel and clean conversation. They use a tape roller on your neck to get the loose hair, give you a razor cut or scissor or clipper cut, edge it up and sell me the correct product for my new style. Why oh why are the Barber shops dying off? I wonder...

My friend David has a barber shop and offers almost everything! When you go in there you can even get a massage, treatments and friend up on Facebook for the latest deals in the shop. You can book on line, through email or just pop in. They are srtiving to stay alive in these me me me times. To stay on top, you must evolve into the needs of the client. I can reach my stylist on facebook, their personal phone, even leave a message and have it returned in an acceptable time frame. This is what I personally desire, not having to wait or get there early to get in, and the salons stay open much later in the day. hit me up, let me know what and why you choose.

Texas Antique Shows

2011-06-08T14:29:00.001-07:00

Huntsville Texas has one of the Greatest shopping experiences with over six antique shops around the square and one out HWY 190 towards Livingston TX.

Our annual Antique show is always held the third full weekend of September, right before Round Top and Warrenton Shows. The attendance last year was overwhelming, our Dealers were very happy and so were the shoppers. With the show coming up so soon, we are a few booths from being completely full this year. We really have an awesome group of Dealers, from as far away as Wisconsin, Arkansas, Arizona and all over Texas and Louisianna. We are expecting a killer crowd, with the addition of the new Billboard on the south side of town, the already existing Billboard on the North of Madisonville, all of our radio and Antique magazines, news papers.... we are definately over exposed.

The antique booths downtown have already picked way up in sales. We just redid the window at Sam Houston Antique Mall and have had a huge response in sales thus far. If you can, get to Huntsville, visit Big Sam Houston, Bring the whold family... spend time at the State Park, shop downtown, go see Sam Housotn's Grave, eat downtown and shop! There is so much to do locally, you really need to explore Huntsville again. Welcome, and God Bless.

Texas Antique Shows Huntsville is making it to the Top of the List...

2011-05-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

We are very excited about the show this year, it is our 8th show and we have had a huge response already! Our booths are really filling up with some amazing Dealers, some from the past and some are new this year. Our show had over 1900 shoppers last year and the addition of the new Billboard, it will hopefully bring our total to aver 2500 shoppers. We have been experiencing a larger amount of sales in the antique stores lately and are very happy about that! There are five Antique stores downtown and a huge variety of items, you can literally find anything you are looking for. With the eating places around and the square and the clothing and shoe shop, jewelry and foo-foo shops, you can make a day of it. The Sam Houston Museum, Big Sam Statue and Visitor Center, Sam Houston's grave site and the Sam Houston State Park can fill the day and the kids will learn some History and love it! Come visit Huntsville, TX and see what you are missing.

Montgomery Antique Show 2011 is April 30th, May 1st.

2011-04-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

The Montgomery Antique Show has been a blast in the past, with Dealers from all over. We have really enjoyed setting up there and always prefer an outside booth. This is going to be very diffucult for us this year, although we are trying to get there. Our up-coming Estate Sale is on the 7th of May, the weekend before, we have to really bust bottom to make it happen. Then we have to finish before the next weekend. I still have to take pictures, post it all on http://www.estatesales.net/ and advertise it in the paper. I am trying to work this out in my head, Greg is working on Friday till five and I am working on Friday till eight pm. If I could hire some help for Greg to get the booth set up in Montgomery... I might be able to pull this thing off. We are so eagar to get our mew items out there to sell. Greg's Mom just handed us almost all of her McCoy Pottery collection and all of her Fiesta to sell. We are going to have the best spring and summer garden and pottery booth ever, if we can make it happen. Pray for good weather, and not too hot please. Thanks for reading, and keep an eye on Facebook for updates.

Bendix Radios... a thing of the past...

2011-04-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

Radios are becoming a thing of the past with the xm radio and Sirrus radio systems out there. Bendix was one i had not heard of in the entire time I have been doing this Antique thing.

Bendix was know as the Radio to have back in the day, this is one that I found locally. Bendix started making domestic radios and phonographs for the retail market after the war as an outgrowth of its production of aircraft radios. Bendix also built television sets from 1950 to 1959. Production of radios for the retail trade stopped in the mid fifties, but in 1948 Bendix started to sell car radios directly to Ford and other auto manufacturers. This market rapidly grew during the 1950s, but shrank just as fast in the 1960s when Ford, GM and Chrysler started producing their own radios.

April is the Month for Estate Sales

2011-03-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

Round top has nothing on this Estate Sale... There are so many wonderful things in this sale, from Capidomonte, Waterford, Tiffany silver, Royal Daulton Figurines, Italian Figurines, Crystal, Sterling flatware (Prelude, and more), Furs, Nippon, Prussia china, Jade flower arrangements and Art, Etched Stemware, Antique Furniture, Texas History, Mambe, Marble top Dressers and nightstands, tools galore, Christmas decor, some never opened... there are Ribbon rolls they originally paid over $100.00 for them. This is going to be a sale remembered for some time. We are very excited about the amount of Vintage Jewelry, Cameos, Jellies, Jade, sterling, not to mention the beautiful linnens, (sheets and pillow case sets, awesome table cloths and napkins) and more. There will be a line, so get there early and bring a box, you will need it at these prices.

"A" is for Anna Lee Dolls

2011-02-21T18:26:00.000-08:00

www.Annalee.com
Annalee Dolls, Inc., also known as Annalee Mobilitee Dolls Inc., and AMD Holdings Inc., is a company located in Meredith, New Hampshire, that manufactures collectible dolls. The company was founded by Barbara Annalee Davis (later Thorndike) who died in 2002. At the company's height, it filled over 14 acres (5.7 ha) of land dotted with seven buildings containing 34,000 square feet (3,200 m2) of space, and had US$15 million in sales with 300 employees. The popularity of Annalee Dolls led R. Stuart Wallace to write that "the most famous manufactured item to come from New Hampshire in the 20th century is the Annalee doll."Annalee Dolls have reached up to $6,000 at auction. In 2008, the company closed its museum and sold its Meredith factory while as of 2006, there were only 30 employees.
History
Barbara Annalee Davis was born in Concord, New Hampshire, in 1915, and grew up at 113 Centre Street in the same city. Originally interested in puppetry as a young girl, she began creating dolls at a young age along with a friend. When her friend went off to college in the early 1930s, Annalee, as she was called, continued to create dolls and began to sell them through the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. She soon moved to Boston and continued to sell her dolls, most notably to S.S. Pierce and Co.

Former Annalee Dolls Gift Shop in Meredith, New Hampshire
In 1941, Annalee met Harvard graduate Charles "Chip" Thorndike. Soon thereafter, the two married and moved to Meredith, New Hampshire, where they raised a family and opened Thorndike's Eggs and Auto Parts, which survived until 1950. With the fall in price of eggs and poultry, Annalee wanted to see if she could make money selling her dolls again. The Thorndikes sold off a section of the poultry farm and used the profits to create a small line of skier dolls. The line was a success, and slowly the Annalee doll "Factory in the Woods" was born. This continued until, in 1955, Annalee Mobilitee Dolls was incorporated as a company.
During the 1950s, stores in Manchester and Boston started buying Annalee dolls to decorate store windows, and Annalee was hired by New Hampshire to create dolls to be featured in tourism material. These dolls were on display at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts, and at the Rockefeller Center in New York City, both to advertise the state. These promotional dolls were extremely popular; so popular in fact that by 1960 Annalee dolls were being sold in stores in forty states, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
In 1964, the day-to-day operation of doll making became too big for the Thorndikes' house. At this time they moved the operations out of the house and into a "factory in the woods". Over time, the factory expanded to eventually fill over fourteen acres of land dotted with seven buildings containing 34,000 square feet (3,200 m2) of space.
Annalee Dolls came into the spotlight again when, in 1975, a New Hampshire state legislator gave then-president Gerald Ford a selection of dolls to decorate the White House Christmas tree. In 1990, Annalee Dolls became the headgear sponsor for Christopher Pederson, a member of the United States Ski Team. The Annalee logo was placed on all of his headgear (helmets, hats, etc.), and in exchange the company sold a special "Victory Ski Doll" of which five percent of the sales went to the ski team.
In 1992, Annalee and Chip gave each of their sons, Townsend and Charles, 48 percent of the doll making company, and in 1995, Charles took control of the everyday operations of Annalee dolls.

Annalee corporate offices and outlet store in Meredith, New Hampshire
During the later part of the 1990s, the market for collectibles began to fall, and many companies began to outsource their operations. Annalee was one of these companies. In 2001, all construction of dolls and other collectibles was outsourced overseas, while the design and marketing departments stayed in Meredith. A short time after this switch in business model, on April 7, 2002, Annalee Thorndike died.
In 2008, after a string of lawsuits between the two sons of Annalee Thorndike over ownership of the company, including a case heard by the New Hampshire Supreme Court, Annalee Dolls was acquired by David Pelletier, Bob Watson, and the Imagine Company of Hong Kong, the company which builds the dolls. This same year, the company decided to sell their "Factory in the Woods". The Winnipesaukee Playhouse, a small 84-seat theater located in the Weirs Beach section of Laconia, purchased the Annalee Doll Factory site for 1.05 million dollars. The Playhouse plans to renovate the property to create a "Tanglewood type of setting" for their theatrical endeavors. The plans are to move the theater from its current site in Weirs Beach to the site of Annalee's former gift shop. Annalee operates out of its corporate headquarters, a former chicken farm building on site. This same year Annalee auctioned off a selection of dolls from their museum.

Annalee Dolls is planning on moving its outlet store and offices to the site of a former grocery store located in the Old Province Common, on Route 104 in Meredith, and vacate the "Factory in the Woods" for good. The company hopes to "be in its new location and open by mid-July with the full move-in anticipated in September or October." Annalee Dolls' creative director stated that "With all the construction going on around us for the Winni Playhouse, it was just time for us to make the jump to a new location." David Pelletier, chief executive officer of Annalee Dolls, claims that “We can be wherever we want to be,” but since Annalee dolls has been associated with New Hampshire and especially Meredith since its beginnings, there "was value in terms of continuity of identity in remaining in Meredith."

The storefront Annalee Dolls is moving to contains 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2),
2,500 square feet (230 m2) of which will be a retail store, with the rest being offices and warehouse space.

Dolls
Annalee dolls are bendable felt-bodied dolls, with a painted face that is similar to the face of Annalee Thorndike. The dolls can range in height from a few inches to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. The taller dolls were usually used as store displays, while the smaller ones were sold directly to consumers. Dolls can range in theme from elves, to one of many different types of animals, to clowns. Originally, the wire frame inside the doll was crafted by Chip Thorndike, while the rest of the doll was sewn and painted by Annalee herself. Chip also would create small wooden props (such as skis, ski poles, boats, etc.) for the dolls to hold or appear to be using in some way. Starting in 1986 the label sewn onto each Annalee Doll included the year the doll was made.
As the company grew Annalee and Chip could not deal with the volume and hired workers to help create the dolls, but in 2001, after a switch in business model, the construction of dolls and other collectibles moved from New Hampshire to overseas.
Since Annalee's death, the dolls have been designed by designers who take "inspiration from Annalee’s earlier dolls to evoke memories and sustain tradition." These designers work in Meredith at Annalee Doll headquarters which also contains sales and marketing departments as well as an outlet store. After design work is complete, the dolls are built by the Imagine Company of Hong Kong then shipped back to New Hampshire for distribution. When asked about the moving of operations overseas, David Pelletier, chief executive officer of Annalee Dolls, responded, “We’ve always had home workers and the only difference is now they are 8,000 miles away.”
In 1992, at the annual Annalee Doll Society Auction, a 10 inch tall Halloween girl doll created in the 1950s was auctioned off for a record $6,000. Due to the high price and collectability of Annalee dolls, there have been instances of people creating counterfeit dolls.

Factory in the Woods
The Annalee Doll "Factory in the Woods" was located on Reservoir Road in Meredith. At the company's height, it filled over fourteen acres of land dotted with seven buildings containing 34,000 square feet (3,200 m2) of space. In addition to being the location where the dolls were made, it was a major Lakes Region tourist destination, including, among other things, shaded picnic and play areas, a display of antique cars, a covered footbridge, the Annalee Doll Museum, and a gift shop.
The Annalee Doll Museum was originally housed in a large building on the "Factory in the Woods" site, whose exterior facade was a reproduction of then Barbara Annalee Davis', later Annalee Thorndike's, childhood homestead. In 2008 a selection of the Annalee Doll Museum's holdings were auctioned off. At the same time, the museum moved online to a digital form where one can view the dolls in the collection without visiting New Hampshire.

Estate Sale for Great Finds

2011-02-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

We have been swamped with sales this year thus far. This past Saturday we had a sale and was sold out of almost everything including all of the appliances by 10:00 am. It was crazy good, and the next sale is on the 5th of March, we are hoping for the same.

The Antique stores in the area have really picked up on sales, ever since August of last year. It has almost been as good as five years ago, when you could actually make money doing this. The clientele are different and the merchandise has to change with the ever growing changes. The items from the 60's, 70's, and even the 80's are really hot right now. We are trying to grow with the demand, we have a really hard time not shopping for what we have sold in the past and the older the better idea. That has to change in order to really make money in this business. "Vintage" is the word that describes the items that the shoppers are looking for, along with "repurposed". That is one of my favorites, repurposed, that is the use of any item being used for some other purpose. I have seen egg baskets upside down with light fixtures in it, lamp shades torn apart and fixed as the lamp, you can only imagine... There is no wrong way to use the items, or so it seems. If you get over to Round Top and La Bahia this spring, look around, it is not hard to see where the trend is heading for now. The shabby in "Shabby Chic" just got shabbier, and the chic got left behind. Happy Hunting out there, and we will post again soon... we have an Awesome French Antique Estate Sale coming up in April, so keep an eye on http://www.estatesales.net/ and Huntsville.

The Big Red Barn Show and Sale... TX

2011-01-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

We were very excited to go to the Big Red Barn sale this past weekend, it opened at 9:00 am and we were finished by ten... There were aeveral dealers from our show there and several more that I woulod love to see at our show. We actually bought very little and visited a lot, then headed off to Belton to the City Wide Garage sale there. There were a lot of good deals there and we loaded up.

The best thing was the trip we took on Monday to Lufkin and Nacogdoches, then to Tyler... We loaded down the truck on that trip! Gotta go for now!

Antique Shows in Texas....

2011-01-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we went to the Brenham Show and was very excited to see a lot of fresh dealers. There were different dealers than we normally see and they were all spry and eadgar to start the show. We talked to several Dealers that do the Huntsville Show and visited with some others.

The next stop was Austin City Wide Garage Sale, at the Palmer Center by the river. That show is always hopping, shoppers galore and all kinds of neat items. We always load up in Austin and seem to find some great lunch places too.

The picture is from Uncommon Objects, on Congress just south of the Bats at the Bridge... there are so many cool things in this one shop and it stays full of clients all day. We love their repourposed feel and how they are using their finds. This sghop actually inspired us to do ao booth with the same feel in Huntsville. Come and see us soon, or we will come and see you!

Huntsville Antiques @ Sam Houston Antique Mall

2011-01-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

The new Year has brought a New Window full of goodies. There is nothing like a fresh new start for many parts of our lives. God is good enough to give us a new day and a new light, thank him and rejoice.

We are very excited about the new year and the Antique Show this year. We have already signed up a new booth this morning and only have twelve to fill this year. We had over 1900 shoppers last fall and are expecting over 2000 this year. We are heading out to two different shows this coming weekend 1/8 & 1/9: the first is in Brenham and then over to Austin City Wide. We will be out promoting the show all year, join the blog to see when and where we are at all times. You can even join us ion Facebook for minute by minute photos and great buys of the day.

We want to wish all of our friends and Followers a Wonderful and Prosperous New Year.

Weller Found in Willis Texas Shopping Locally!

2010-12-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

This wonderful peice of Weller was one of our many finds while out and about this past weekend. This weller peice is from the Hudson line about the 20's. we were fortunate enough to find this for $10.50 minus the 20% off sale... a litttle over $8.00. We were excited to find that it booked for over $400.00... This just goes to show you that shopping locally really does pay off! Thanks Candy, we love your shop and the atmosphere is always nice. Happy Holidays to all and all a good deal.

Christmas Decorations Antique Decorations

2010-12-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

We have really had a blast this past year, saving up old ornaments and flooding this Christmas tree with them.

Can you see the two new ornaments? We had tyo add the ones form Disney World, just to say we were there a few months ago...

We also went to Athens this past weekend to Winnie and Tahlulah's. They had a great display window!

Shopping for Antiques in the area...

2010-11-15T07:14:00.000-08:00

We had the best time this past weekend, just driving around and shopping locally! We started out HWY 190 toward Livingston, stopped at Kate's Guilded Lilly and bought a lot of Christmas stuff, really affordable. Then we went to livingston and shopped downtown and bought a few things, had some lunch at the Mexican resteraunt, just a little south of Downtown, it was a pleasant surprise. We headed back to Huntsville through the Cold Spring area and very surprised.... there was a new owner of one of the downtown stores and they were making deals! We had to go to the "ATM" twice, we just kept finding stuff. Each store had some really hard to find items and some unusual items, we can't wait to get them in our booths in downtown Huntsville Texas. We had the back of the truck full and the back seating area was flowing over with good deals. I found an old mission shelf for $65.00, an old cast iron baby bed for $40.00 and an entire set of 50's dishes, over 100 peices for $50.00! These are just a few examples, it is definately a trip worth taking. The New Waverly Auction is this Saturday, the 20th at 6:00, viewing is at 4:00. I always pick up items there, for about one fifth their value. I last bought a head Vase for twelve bucks! You have to get on their mailing list! They are just getting back from a trip up north, I can't wait to see what they are bringing back. In short, it really pays to shop locally, come and see for yourself! Love and God Bless!

Vintage Halloween is all the Rage this year!

2010-10-29T10:22:00.001-07:00

There are all kinds of Halloween collectors out there today! you can find sites that advertise Vintage Halloween items, right beside new ones. We were just at Disney World and bought some Halloween items there too. This is my favorite, Mickey Mouse!

Round Top and Marburger Farms and The Red Barn Sale

2010-10-06T13:11:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of our Pictures from Marburger Farm out in the Round Top Area. There was this wonderful Lady that had Rabbit Corner, it was a very cute booth, really cool clothes and vintage looks, she does personal orders too. The next photo is of older pieces painted with western scenes and fishing scenes, really cool stuff. The third picture is of a western booth, full of framed knives, buckles, guns, badges and much more. The fourth picture is of awesome butcher blocks and all kinds of old country store stuff, like this wonderful paper tape cutter. The roll of paper is in the back under the thing, you feed the paper through the pan at right (full of Water) and up left on the measuring scale and hit the right blade on top to cut it. SSOOOOOO cool! Almost bought it, just to see if anyone knew what it was. We had a Blast and the weather was great, but the shoppers were on the light side. We will hope for a better Spring Show for that area, and hope you all have a wonderful time where ever you are shopping.

Round Top and Marburger Farms and The Red Barn Sale

2010-10-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

The Big Sale is on! We had a wonderful time with our dealers from all over the countryside. We went traveling all over Round Top and Carmine, La Bahia and Cole's Antique Shows and several others. We were out last weekend shopping and signing up a few Dealers on Saturday, the shows were all full. The weather was awful on Saturday but was much better Monday when I passed back through from Austin. There was a Hair Show in Austin that I had to attend and pick up the new fall looks. On my way back through Round Top I visited with several of our Dealers and was surprised to hear about the slow sales... We are going again this weekend and are hoping they all have better news this weekend. I hope to drag back some new pictures of a few new dealers that we are going to see to sign up for next year. I am happy to say that we are acquiring them from an Oklahoma Show the same weekend as ours. We are very happy with our wide variety of Dealers and wish them all a prosperous year ahead!

We just signed up for a very exciting Estate Sale with Candlewick serving Pieces and a Candlewick Punch Bowl and Cups and Cake Plates. There is Silver Flatware, three Dining Room Sets, one is Queen Anne from a well known maker... (can't remember right off hand). He he he.
There is a house full of Hard Rock Maple, all Name Brand and smalls like you will not believe. We will post pictures and Dates soon! Make sure you are on our email list, and signed up for estatesales.net.

Antique Dealers From All Across The Country

2010-09-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

This year we had a lot of out of State Dealers and some very special in state ones! The show was a huge success with the help of some of our favorite dealers, here are just a few pictures of the dealers booths while they were setting up. We loved the Christmas display designed by Mark and Bonnie from Nacogdoches TX, thank you for setting the tone at the door! If you came in the door and looked left you would have found this lovely glassware of all colors and Estate Jewelry, thank you Wanda and "Poor Bob." As you turn the corner in the right front you could have seen all of the Fostoria Glass and Wonderful Transfer ware... you have to go to Facebook and see the Photos! we actually had three Coin Dealers and they all signed up for next year... they all did very well! Thanks Garrow's, Texas Ray's and Mr. Hughen! The Lovely Vintage Turquoise and Very nice Vintage Ladies Boots were by the Holmes, awesome booth guys! There was a Dealer from Minnesota and this was his second year, we were very happy to see him join again for next year, Shout out to Craig! We want to thank all of our Dealers for a Wonderful Show and don't forget the Kitchen... Country Kitchen signed up again, yes mam! What a wonderful experience that was... thanks to the kitchen! We will post more later in the week!

The Huntsville Antique Show Sept 2010

2010-09-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

2010 was a record year! We had over 1900 people through the door and they were buyers! There was a line out to the road, the dealers were working so hard they were loosing business due to the inability to get to them! You can check out the photos from the show on Facebook under Huntsville Antique Show! The transfer dealer told me he had never done a show for the first time where he had not gone into the red, but not the case with us! We want to thank Huntsville and our surrounding shoppers for making this year the best year to date!

New Waverly Tx has a Auction This Weekend

2010-08-31T07:25:00.000-07:00

There is an Auction this weekend in New Waverly TX, they have a lot of Blue Willow! I was sent an advertising yesterday about the sale, they seem to have quite a bit of stuff for sale. This is a new Auction and is off and running with a great start. They have an Estate Auction they are pulling from, I can't wait to get my hands on some new merchandise for the show. Get yourself on over there this Saturday and Help them get a good start! It is located on 150 right past the tracks going east! Thanks!

Martha's Bloomers in Navasota TX

2010-08-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

I set out to do some advertising in Navasota, get some fliers on doors, leave stacks of cards around.. and have a simple lunch. I started out at Martha's Bloomers and asked if I could leave some cards about the Antique show. The lady was very nice, and asked if I had ever been to their Tea Room. I searched it out and WOW! That quaint little tea room was just buzzing with folks, I was seated and quickly brought a fresh Blueberry Scone and a sample of the Citrus Mint tea. It was wonderful, I took my lemon and squeezed it in the tea and pow! what a flavor burst! I ordered the Tuna Salad with the cup of Tortilla Soup, and it came with a third side, so I got the Pasta Salad. The plate was back before I had time to finish my scone... and the presentation was beautiful. The soup just melted in your mouth, with chunks of chicken, so flavorful! The pasta was so pretty with the chopped cherry tomatoes and the green pepper and red onions, I hated to eat it (not!). Then the tuna with the touch of sage... and the nice side of crackers... come on people! All for under $10.00! I am a fan! Thank You Martha's Bloomers!

The Houston Glass Show in Rosenberg

2010-08-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

The Houston Glass Show in Rosenberg was this past weekend and it was really nice, I was able to acquire a lot of pictures with their permission... of course. There were several dealers there that are attending the Huntsville Antique Show in September. The building next to the Glass Show was full of Antique Dealers with all kinds of wares. The people were buzzing and deals were being made, it was great to see people out beating the heat! this is the address for the Glass club... www.houstonglassclub.org you can always find out more through this site. To see all of the photos... go to Facebook and become a friend of the "Huntsville Antique Show". Thanks.

Georgetown Antique Mall was one of my Favorites!

2010-08-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we were in Georgetown and came across the Georgetown Antique Mall... WoW is all I can say! The Lady's were so pleasant and helpful, it was a real pleasure shopping there. I personally love the way the store is laid out, from every angle you just have to take your time and really look to see it all. Thank You for the warm welcome and God Bless!

Antique Shoppe in Bartlett TX

2010-08-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

Antique Shoppe is in Bartlett TX, a great store, a true Diamond in the rough. The store had a wide variety of items, with the warmest couple to greet us. Visit Old Town Bartlett with it's early 1900's atmosphere, quaint old buildings and brick streets. There gift shops, a bakery, florist and other unique shops. There is a Museum and red brick school house and great eats! You simply must do Bartlett!

2010-08-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

Antique Queens in Rockdale TX is a beautiful store with wonderful dealers. We arrived five minutes before closing, they let us shop and were happy to see us, not always the case in some stores. You have to realize as much as we go, we always encounter the disgruntle clerk... and you must always try to put yourself in their shoes. You have no idea what they are going through and what is on their plate. Pray for them, "God's Will" and move on, try to leave a smile as you exit. Thank You Antique Queens.... we had a wonderful time in your shop!

Fostoria Century Punch Bowl With Cups Beautiful!

2010-08-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

When in Austin at the City Wide Sale, I bought this wonderful Punchbowl! A client has already purchased it, and life goes on... We are heading back to Austin this weekend to City Wide Garage Sale to again fill up the back of the SUV! We love traveling around, picking up great deals and putting out info about the upcoming show in September... See you guys out there!

HISTORY OF THE FOSTORIA GLASS COMPANY 1887 - 1986

The Fostoria Glass Company began operations in Fostoria, Ohio, on December 15, 1887. This site was chosen because natural gas at a recently opened field in the area had been offered at a very low cost to attract new industries. However, the field was so short-lived that in 1891, Fostoria moved to Moundsville, West Virginia, where there was an abundance of gas and coal, and other needed materials were close by.

During its first ten years, Fostoria made pressed ware, but early in the century Fostoria realized the importance of developing fine quality blown stemware.

In 1924 the company was one of the first to start a program of national advertising, and the first to produce complete dinner services in crystal. Besides their regular line of blown, etched and pressed patterns they did custom work such as providing glass with government seals for officials in Washington. All the presidents from Eisenhower through Reagan ordered glassware from them. At one time Fostoria was the largest maker of handmade glassware in the United States, employing nearly 1000 people. The AMERICAN pattern, introduced in 1915, is still being produced by Lancaster Colony (who bought the Fostoria company in 1983), making it the most successful pattern in the history of glass making. Fostoria's business peaked in 1950 when they made over 8 million pieces of glass.

In 1986, after struggling with an outmoded plant and foreign competition, Lancaster Colony was forced to close the Fostoria Company, ending nearly 100 years of glass making.

Historical Flask Blue Green Eagle Grapes President

2010-08-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

I found these four bottles out and about in the Huntsville TX area. I Was just wondering if they are any good or not?

This is where I found my info:

http://www.sha.org/bottle/liquor.htm#Historical%20Flasks

Figured Flasks

Figured flasks is a generic name for the large class of liquor flasks primarily produced between 1815 and 1870. They are also variably referred to as "historical", "pictorial", or "decorative" flasks. The most simple classification of figured flasks are the "historical" flasks which are those with portraits of national heroes, presidents, personages; emblems or symbols of sovereignty, political parties, societies; inscriptions related to various subjects, famous sayings, or popular slogans; and "pictorial" flasks which bear purely decorative motifs (Munsey 1970; McKearin & Wilson 1978). Figured flasks were quite popular during this era because they were both functional and decorative typically having ornate embossing, designs, and/or molded features. Due to their esthetic and decorative nature, these flasks were infrequently discarded unless broken so many survived to the present day.

Generally following McKearin & Wilson (1978), figured flasks are loosely categorized in this section into the following groups: Decorative (e.g., scroll [a grouping of colorful scroll flasks to the above right], sunburst, cornucopia, geometric designs); Masonic; Historical (emblems/symbols of the U.S., heroes and celebrities, Presidential candidates, shield & clasped hands); Agriculture, Commerce, and Transportation; and Others (sports, Pike's Peak). Figured flasks also include calabash bottles (example below), which are covered separately here because of their distinctive shape, and some flasks that fit the form description but are just embossed with lettering, i.e.,, glassmaker or purchaser name/location.

Unlike most other types of liquor bottles which are generally more common without embossing, figured flasks are by definition embossed since the embossed motifs and molded designs are what defines them as figured flasks, though many shapes are also unique to this group (e.g., scroll flasks, calabash bottles). Unembossed flasks with shapes similar to some of the later (1860s primarily) figured flasks are considered generically in the "Flask (not considered figured)" category.

The figured flasks described here represent a small cross-section of the hundreds of different types made during their heyday. These type items are occasionally found on historic archaeological sites though usually as fragments since they were not usually discarded until broken. Most of the classification and dating information for this section is from McKearin & Wilson's epic work "American Bottles & Flasks and Their Ancestry" (1978). This book is the source of information on figured flasks and contains by far the most comprehensive listing (with illustrations) and is the accepted classification system for figured flasks. The listing of figured flasks - pages 521-677 - was an update and expansion to the original listing found in McKearin & McKearin (1941). An alternative classification for figured flasks in McKearin & Wilson, which is pertinent to their dating, is a section entitled "Bottle Form or Shape Groups" (pages 512-517). Here the authors divide figured flasks into 9 distinct "Form Groups" and includes dating ranges for when that form group was first produced. The book also covers most other types of 18th and 19th century American bottles and is an almost mandatory reference for serious students of American made bottles of the 18th and 19th century.

Note: Because of the beauty - and possibly the intrinsic value - of figured flasks, many have been reproduced at various times during the 20th century. Some of these reproductions are very hard to discern from originals to the inexperienced eye. These reproductions are not covered here but are discussed in McKearin & Wilson on pages 678-696, through the 1978 publication date. The bottles pictured in this section are all early to mid-19th century originals.

Decorative flasks

The decorative group of flasks is a category of "pictorial" flasks made up of four primary types: scroll, sunburst, cornucopia, and geometric. These are categories from McKearin & Wilson (1978) and are covered in that reference on pages 420-436.

Scroll flasks: The figured flask pictured to the left (and the colorful group of five to the upper right) is commonly referred to by collectors as a scroll flask, though in the early days of collecting (and probably even now) they were referred to as "violin" flasks. What 19th century glass makers called these is lost to history. This style of flask was introduced around 1830 and were extremely popular through the 1840s and 1850s. Popularity apparently waned by the beginning of the Civil War (early 1860s) and it appears that very few if any were made after that time. Most scroll flasks were likely made by Midwestern glassmakers, though most do not have makers marks to allow for precise attribution. Scroll flasks are covered as Group IX in McKearin & Wilson (1978).

Scroll flasks were primarily made in half-pint, pint (most common size by far), and quart sizes, though smaller and larger examples are known, including a gallon size. Scroll flasks almost always have some type of pontil scar, i.e., glass-tipped, blowpipe, and iron pontils primarily; non-pontiled bases are rare in scroll flasks indicating that they likely do not post-date the early 1860s. The range of colors possible in these flasks is almost unlimited, though they were by most commonly made in shades of aquamarine - like the example above. Finishes found on these flasks included primarily the following: straight (sheared) and cracked-off (or subtle variations like the rolled, flare, or globular flare) sometimes with re-firing but often just left rough (example pictured to the right); rolled; double-ring; and champagne. If of interest, the details of scroll flask morphology nomenclature are discussed and illustrated on pages 422-423 of McKearin & Wilson (1978).

The aqua scroll flask pictured above is very typical in design and likely dates from the late 1840s or 1850s. It is classified as GIX-12a in McKearin & Wilson (1978) and has a straight flared finish (sheared/cracked-off with and some re-firing), blow-pipe pontil scar on the base, and was made in a two-piece key mold. Click on the following links for more images of this pint scroll flask from different views: side view; base view; shoulder/neck close-up view. To the right is pictured a very similar pint scroll flask (GIX-15) in an unusual yellow green color with a cracked-off and non-refired finish; click thumbnail image to enlarge. Click quart scroll flask to view a picture of a quart sized scroll flask with a double-ring finish. This quart scroll also has an iron pontil scar, is classified as GIX-1 or 2, and likely dates from the mid to late 1850s. (A colorful grouping of five scroll flasks dating from the late 1840s to late 1850s is also shown at the top of this section above.)

Sunburst flasks: Another very popular style of early figured flask is referred to as the "sunburst" flask, which encompasses various types based on the molded design on the body. Sunburst flasks are among some of the oldest of the figured flasks dating as early as 1812 to 1815 and as late as the 1840s for a few. Most are believed to have been primarily made by various New England glass works. Sunburst flasks are covered as Group VIII in McKearin & Wilson (1978).

Sunburst flasks were made in only pint and half-pint sizes. They all have pontil scars - either glass-tipped or blowpipe types - indicating early manufacture. Colors can vary somewhat widely, though the large majority are in shades of olive green and olive amber, various other true greens, shades of amber, and aqua. Finishes are typically straight (sheared) or cracked-off (or subtle variations like the rolled, flare, or globular flare) typically with with obvious re-firing; and occasionally with hard to classify variations of the double ring, mineral, or others. For more information on sunburst flasks check out the following external link: http://www.glswrk-auction.com/142.htm

The olive amber half-pint flask pictured above is a typical 1820s to early 1830s design from the Keene-Marlboro Street Glass Works, Keene, NH. It is classified as GVIII-10, has a blowpipe pontil scar on the base, globular flare finish (sheared/cracked-off with tooling marks and re-firing), and was produced in a key mold. Click on the following links for more pictures of this flask: shoulder and neck/finish view; base view; side view. As an example of how a given type of bottle can be used or re-used for a non-type typical product, click on the following links: sunburst with label; close-up of the label. This shows an example of this same type sunburst flask that was used (or more likely re-used) for "SPTS. CAMPHOR" by a Pennsylvanian druggist. Spirits of camphor was historically used internally (an expectorant) and still is used externally (muscle aches and pains) though is now considered to be a more or less hazardous substance if ingested. It is definitely not a liquor though it has "spirits" in the name.

The pint, clear green sunburst flask pictured to the right is an earlier product of same Keene, NH. glass works as the flask above and is one of the earliest figured flasks dating from between 1815 and 1817 (McKearin & Wilson 1978). It is classified as GVIII-2, has a glass-tipped pontil scar on the base, a straight (sheared/cracked-off) fire-polished finish, and was produced in a two-piece hinge mold. These flasks are often called "two pounders" by collectors as they are almost decanter-like with heavy glass weighing between 2 and 3 pounds. Click the following links to view more pictures of this flask: shoulder and neck/finish close-up; base view; side view.

Cornucopia flasks: Flasks with the cornucopia and/or urn with fruit were a popular theme on flasks between about 1820 and 1850. They are covered as Group III in McKearin & Wilson (1978). Some of these flasks have an eagle design instead of the urn on the reverse, but are otherwise very similar. The symbols of the cornucopia and urn were easily recognized during the time as symbolic of the young country's (U.S.) good prospects and was a favorite motif in arts and crafts through the first half of the 19th century (McKearin & Wilson 1978).

Cornucopia flasks were made in only the pint and half-pint sizes. These flasks seem to all have pontil scars - typically either a glass-tipped or blowpipe pontil - reflecting their early manufacturing dates; iron pontils are unusual. Colors are once again variable but dominated by olive green, olive amber, other shades of amber and green, and aqua. Finishes are almost always a of the straight (sheared) or cracked-off varieties (or subtle variations like the rolled, flare, or globular flare) typically with with obvious re-firing.

The pictured flask (both sides shown - cornucopia side to above left; urn to right) is a product of Coventry Glass Works, Coventry, CT. and is classified as GIII-4. It has a straight to slightly flared finish (sheared/cracked-off and fire polished), blowpipe pontil scar, and was name in a key mold. Click the following links to view more pictures of this flask: base view showing the blowpipe pontil scar; side view showing the multiple vertical ribs that are commonly found on this style of flasks which generally date between the 1820s and about 1850.

Geometric flasks: These flasks are very rare, very early (1810s or early 1820s), unusual, and unlikely to be encountered. Thus they are not covered. If interested in these types of flasks, refer to McKearin & Wilson (1978) page 436 (part of Group X: Miscellaneous flasks). Users can also find some information on these type flasks, including pictures, at the following link: http://www.glswrk-auction.com/144.htm

Masonic flasks

The flask pictured to the right is one of a relatively large and varied group of figured flasks that feature the somewhat variable Masonic motifs of the Freemasons, a potent political and social force during the first half of the 19th century. These could also be considered as "historical" flasks by some (Munsey 1970). Masonic flasks are covered as Group IV in McKearin & Wilson (1978). Most Masonic flasks have some type of design on the reverse that features an American eagle. These types of flasks are some of the earlier of the figured flasks dating primarily between 1815 and the 1830s though a few date as late as the Civil War. These later flasks have more simplistic Masonic-like emblems than their earlier ancestors (see McKearin & Wilson 1978:436-440). All of the Masonic flasks pictured/linked in this section are from the earlier era. (Note: One of the later type Masonic flasks is covered in the calabash section.)

These earlier Masonic flasks were only made in pint and less frequently, half-pint sizes. Like most figured flasks, the Masonic flasks can be found in a wide range of colors though most were produced in different shades of aqua, amber, and green (olive green, blue-green, olive amber). All of these earlier Masonic flasks are pontil scarred, usually of the glass-tipped or blowpipe type. Iron pontils are rare or possibly unknown (empirical observations). Finishes are usually straight (sheared), cracked-off, or rolled with occasional double ring or other simple applied finishes.

The above pictured blue-green Masonic flask has a stylized eagle embossed on the reverse and dates between 1817 and about 1825. It is classified as GIV-1 in McKearin & Wilson (1978) and was produced by the Keene-Marlboro Street Glass Works (Keene, NH.). It was made in a two-piece hinge mold, has vertically ribbed sides, and a glass-tipped pontil scar on the base. Click on the following links for various view images of this flask: reverse side view with eagle; base view. Click Masonic-eagle flask to view a somewhat similar Masonic pint flask that likely dates from the early 1830s and is classified as GIV-17. It was also made at the same Keene glassworks as the previous flask, though a decade or more later. It has a fire polished sheared/cracked-off finish, blow-pipe pontil scar, and was blown in a two-piece hinge mold. Click Masonic-eagle reverse to see the other side of this flask.

Another shape type variation of Masonic-eagle flask - and a common flask shape during the 1820s, 1830s and 1840s - is pictured to the right. These flasks were made by the Zanesville Glass Manufactory (Zanesville, OH.) around 1826-1828 (McKearin & Wilson 1978). These flasks are classified as GIV-32 in McKearin & Wilson (1978). Click reverse side view to see the beautiful and elaborate eagle design on the reverse of this flask and the embossed name J. SHEPARD & CO. (below the eagle) who was one of the owners of the glassworks; click side view to see the ribbed sides; and click base view to see the glass-tipped pontil scarred base that shows the straight mold seam indicative of a hinge mold. As noted, this shape of flask in pints & half pints with ribbed sides was a very common style for figured flasks made between about 1820 and 1850 and is found with various embossed designs, portraits, etc..

Historical Flasks

This grouping of flasks is quite varied as to embossing, design, and shape. The unifying theme of these flasks - and what differentiates these flasks from other groups - is their historical connection be it emblematic, symbolic, or human. The following sub-categories are taken from McKearin & Wilson (1978) where the historical flasks are covered as all or parts of Groups I, II, X, XII primarily; see pages 440-491 of that reference for much more information.

Emblems/Symbols of the U.S.: The most popular image on figured flasks is not surprisingly the American eagle - often embossed on both sides of the flask. Of the 323 flasks charted by McKearin & Wilson (1978), 159 are designated specifically as eagle flasks (Group II) with dozens more that have eagles on the designated reverse side. The diversity of different types of eagles is amazing, ranging from the bold and artistic eagles like shown to the right to stiff and simplistic eagles like shown at this link - Pike's Peak-eagle flask reverse view. In general, the more detailed and artistically pleasing eagles are on the earlier flasks (1820s to 1840s) and the more simplistic ones on the later flasks (1850s and 1860s) though there are exceptions of course (Munsey 1970). Other emblems/symbols found much less commonly include American flags, stars, sailing ships, anchors, monuments, cannons, the Liberty tree, and Columbia/Liberty.

Eagles or other symbols of the U.S. can be found throughout the entire date range of figured flasks - 1815 to about 1870. Because of this shapes, sizes, finishes, mold types, and manufacturing processes vary as widely as the period allows with no particular diagnostic features unique to the group like some of the other figured flask types. It is recommended that users interested in this particular group of figured flasks consult McKearin & Wilson (1978) for more specifics.

The flask pictured above is a "beaded edge" Washington-Eagle flask (GI-2) that dates from the 1820s or 1830s and was likely made by an early Pennsylvania glass company. It has a sheared/cracked-off and fire polished straight finish, glass-tipped pontil scar on the base, and was produced in a two-piece key mold. Click on the following links to view more images of this flask: pontil scarred base; shoulder and neck close-up; beaded and ribbed side view. The reverse of this flask features a bust of George Washington and is pictured below.

Another variation of the American eagle were the quite artistic versions found on the flasks produced by several Connecticut glass factories. The pint flask pictured to the right above is a product of the Willington Glass Company of West Willington, CN. and is so embossed on the reverse. It classifies as GII-62, has a smooth cup-bottom mold conformation (a very unusual mold type for the era), and a crudely applied double ring finish. These flasks were produced using both pontil rods (pontil scarred) as well as a snap-case tools (smooth base). This company was in business from 1815 to 1872 with these flasks dating from the late 1850s and 1860s (McKearin & Wilson 1978). Click on the following links for more pictures of this flask: reverse side view, cup-bottom molded base view, side view, shoulder and neck close-up.

Yet another variation of the American eagle is found on highly ornate flasks that were likely first made by one of the many Louisville, KY. glass companies during the mid to late 1840s (pictured to the right). This pint flask (examples also were produced in the quart and half gallon sizes) has a blowpipe pontil scar, was blown in a two-piece key mold, and is classified as GII-24. Click on the following links for more pictures of this flask: side view, base view, shoulder and neck close-up.

Heroes, Celebrities & Presidential Candidates: The likeness of many people are emblazoned on the sides of figured flasks. However, none were as popular as George Washington with at least 72 flasks bearing his likeness. Other flasks have the likenesses of General Lafayette (Revolutionary War hero), DeWitt Clinton (Erie Canal), Zachary Taylor (12th President), Jenny Lind (singer), Andrew Jackson (7th President), Louis Kossuth (Hungarian Patriot), William Harrison (9th President), and others. Most of these flasks are referred to as "portrait flasks" and are included within Group I in McKearin & Wilson (1978).

Flasks in this category are a mixed lot with little physical commonality except that they are flasks and made during the figured flask period of 1815 to 1870 or so. Colors, shapes, sizes, finishes, and other manufacturing methods vary as widely as the period allows. There are even a few late 19th century flasks that were produced for Presidential elections (Grover Cleveland, William Jennings Bryan, William McKinley) that are cataloged within this group.

The flask pictured above right is a Washington-Eagle flask (GI-2) that was discussed above with links to more pictures of the item. It is embossed GENERAL WASHINGTON encircling the embossed portrait of the first president.

Some of the most common flasks in this category are the Washington-Taylor series of flasks, which contains at least 37 different examples. The picture to the right is of a very common quart size version (GI-37) with General Taylor on one side (with the embossing GENERAL TAYLOR NEVER SURRENDERS - a reference to his Mexican War exploits in 1847) and George Washington on the other (with the embossing THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY). These flasks originated during Taylor's 1848 Presidential campaign but appear to have been produced up until about the Civil War. The pictured example has a smooth base (no pontil scar), a very crudely applied "packer" type finish (single collar) that was laid around the cracked-off neck end, and was blown in a two-piece hinge mold (straight mold seam dissecting the base). Click on the following links for several more pictures of this flask: reverse view with George Washington embossing; base view with dissecting mold seam. Most of the Washington-Taylor flasks were blown at the Dyottville Glass Works, Philadelphia, PA.

Shield & Clasped Hands: During the 1860s the struggle to preserve the Union was paramount in peoples minds and the images related to that struggle popular. The "shield & clasped hands" flasks usually have at least the following embossing pattern on one side (close-up picture to the left): clasped hands inside of a shield, stars embossed above the shield, branches with pinnate leaves to the side of the shield, and often the work "UNION" somewhere in the pattern. There are many embossing variations with additional items like the one pictured which has a Masonic-like compass below the clasped hands; others have makers marks incorporated into the pattern. Though variable, the reverse side of these flasks usually have a flying eagle with a ribbon banner in its beak (pictured in the next section on calabash bottles).

Although the pictured shield & clasped hands bottle is "calabash" in shape, most are flatter more typical flasks shaped similarly to the Pike's Peak flask noted later in this section ("Other Figured Flasks"). Click on the following links to see the front and reverse pictures of a typical shaped pint shield & clasped hands flask: GXII-17 front, GXII-17 reverse (photos courtesy of Jeff Noordsy Antiques). These type of flasks were made in quart, pint, and half-pint sizes. As these flasks date from the later end of the figured flask era (primarily 1860s), they are infrequently pontil scarred, and when pontiled they are usually an iron pontil. Finishes on these bottles vary substantially from sheared and/or cracked-off and fire polished, to champagne style, to an oil type finish like the pictured bottle. Most of the shield & clasped hands flasks are included within Group XII in McKearin & Wilson (1978), though a few are in Group IV like the pictured bottle.

The pictured bottle has an embossing pattern that is quite typical of the shield & clasped hands flasks, just a different shape - calabash. As noted, the embossing does include a Masonic type compass and is included within the Masonic flask group as GIV-42. These bottles were made by A. R. Samuels of Philadelphia, PA. (Keystone Glass Works) which was in business for a relatively short period from 1866 to about 1874 (McKearin & Wilson 1978). This particular bottle has a blowpipe pontil scar and was blown in a two-piece post-bottom mold. This is about as late as pontil rods were generally used on bottles but shows that they indeed did see use well into the 1860s on some items. Click on the following links for several more pictures of this bottles: reverse view, base view with pontil scar, side view, neck and finish close-up.

Calabash bottles

Calabash bottles are large, gourd or pear shaped bottles (sometimes called flasks also) which were quite popular during the mid 19th century, i.e., 1840s to around 1870. The name presumably originates from the resemblance of these bottles to the hard shelled, gourd-like fruits of the tropical American "calabash tree" - Crescentia cujete (Gilman & Watson 1993). Calabash bottles as a group are lumped together in most peoples minds by their shape but are actually classified in McKearin & Wilson (1978) by what is portrayed via the embossing so they fall out in many groups. The origin of this distinctive bottle shape is attributed to Philadelphia mold maker Philip Doflein who reportedly created the first calabash bottle mold in the 1840s (WheatonArts website - www.wheatonarts.org - 2009).

Calabash bottles are referred to as "quart" size, but usually held around 1.5 quarts, though different types do have varying capacities (McKearin & Wilson 1978). Most calabash bottles were blown in two-piece post-bottom molds, can be found with various pontil scars or with smooth (non-pontiled) domed bases, and virtually always have some type of applied finish - usually a brandy, bead, oil, or blob finish. Unlike most other groups of figured flasks, calabash bottles were not apparently made with straight (sheared or cracked-off) finishes.

The calabash pictured to the above right has an image of - and the words - JENNY LIND embossed on the front and is classified as GI-99. Jenny Lind, a singer who was know as the "Swedish Nightingale", was lured to the America by P. T. Barnum for a series of performances in 1850 and 1851. The reverse side has an embossed building with a smokestack and the words GLASS WORKS / S. HUFFSEY and was likely the product of the Isabella Glass Works (New Brooklyn, NJ). These bottles date from the 1850s though there is evidence that the mold was used as late as 1870 (McKearin & Wilson 1978). Click on the following links for more pictures of this calabash bottle: reverse side with glass works embossing, base with pontil scar.

The calabash to the right was described in the previous section on shield & clasped hands flasks, though this is an image of the reverse showing the eagle with the banner in its beak. It dates from the mid to late 1860s. Click on the following links for several more pictures of this bottle: base view with pontil scar, side view, neck and finish close-up.

Agriculture, Commerce, and Transportation theme flasks

This is another broad class of figured flasks that include embossing and motifs that deal with U.S. economic and social life such as agriculture, transportation, commerce, and even temperance! These flasks are a mixed lot with little physical commonality except that they are flasks and made during the figured flask period of 1815 to 1870. The do not have a group of their own, but are instead listed among several groups in McKearin & Wilson (1978). Colors, shapes, sizes, finishes, and other manufacturing methods vary as widely as the period allows. A couple flasks within this category are shown for examples representing the earlier and later ends of the period. For more information see McKearin & Wilson (1978) pages 491-495.

The transportation related flask to the right has a horse drawn wagon on tracks and the embossed lettering SUCCESS TO THE RAILROAD. The railroad flasks (there are several different variations covered as Group V in McKearin & Wilson (1978)) celebrated the burgeoning railroad system which began in the 1820s. The pictured flask was likely first produced about 1830 and has the same embossing pattern on both sides. It has a straight to slightly flared finish (sheared/cracked-off and fire polished with some tooling), blowpipe pontil scar, and was produced in a two-piece key mold. The pictured example classifies as GV-3 and was produced by the Keene-Marlboro Street Glass Works, Keene, NH. Click on the following links for more pictures of this very crude flask: base view showing the pontil scar, side view showing the vertical ribs, close-up view of the shoulder and neck.

The agriculture/commerce related flask to the right has a large ear of corn embossed and the embossed lettering CORN FOR THE WORLD. The reverse side has the Baltimore Monument embossed with the word "Baltimore." This quart size flask classifies as GVI-4, has a smooth (non-pontiled) base, applied double ring finish, and was blown in a two-piece hinge mold by the Baltimore Glass Works, Baltimore, MD. This particular flask likely dates from the 1860s, though other "Corn for the World" flasks also appear to date as early as the 1840s (McKearin & Wilson 1978; Hagenbuch 2005). Click on the following links to view more pictures of this flask: base view, reverse view with Baltimore Monument, side view, close-up view of shoulder, neck, and finish.

Other Figured Flasks

This category of figured flasks covers the flasks that do not fit into the previous categories. This includes flasks that have primarily sports related themes (hunting, fishing, horse racing, bicycling - mostly in McKearin & Wilson's Group XIII), those with just lettering (Group XIV & XV), and the large grouping of Pike's Peak items (Group XI). These flasks are also a mixed lot with little physical commonality except that they are flasks and made during the figured flask period. Colors, shapes, sizes, finishes, and other manufacturing methods vary as widely as the period allows. For more information on these variable flasks see McKearin & Wilson (1978) pages 491-495.

The pictured flask is one of the Pike's Peak assortment and is classified as GXI-17. This flask has a smooth base, an applied finish that is a cross between a packer and patent finish type, and was blown in a two-piece key mold. Click on the following links for more pictures of this flask: reverse side view, base view, close-up of shoulder, neck, and finish. This group of flasks typically have a prospective miner walking with a cane and stick/bag over his shoulder on one side and an eagle on top of an oval frame on the reverse. These popular flasks played on the excitement of the 1858-1859 gold rush to Colorado, which was then part of Kansas-Nebraska. Given that fact, we know that none of these flasks pre-dates 1859 which is confirmed by the majority being smooth based; pontils scars are known but very uncommon in these type flasks. The best source of additional information on the Pike's Peak flasks, besides McKearin & Wilson (1978), is Eatwell & Clint's book "Pike's Peak Gold" (2000).

The flask pictured to the right is listed in McKearin & Wilson (1978) as a figured flask (GXV-5), but has only embossed lettering (CUNNINGHAM & IHMSEN / GLASS MAKERS / PITTSBURGH, PA). This flask dates from between 1857 and 1867 (probably latter end of that range as it is not pontil scarred) and is fairly typical of this category of flasks, though they do vary a lot in form (McKearin & Wilson 1978). (See the "Flasks (not considered figured)" section below for a large assortment of other type liquor flasks, including this flask.)

Block Optic Green Depression Glass 30's 40's

2010-08-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

This is my personal Favorite!

I have been collecting this pattern since I first got into the business of collecting. I have so many pieces and still buy more! Just the other day on the way to Tyler, we stopped and I bought 6 or so things I already have. The only difference was the cups were etched, so I had to have those... Right?

Anchor Hocking

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Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation is a manufacturer of glassware that merged the AnchorCap and Closure Corporations with the Hocking Glass Company in 1937. Anchor Hocking is primarily located in Lancaster, Ohio. (Plant #44 is located in Monaca, Pennsylvania.) The first glassware they produced as the Anchor Hocking Glass Company was Royal Ruby in 1939. They manufacture many brands of glass including:

Fenton Art Glass Company

2010-08-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

Fenton Art Glass Company

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Fenton Art Glass Company

Type	Private company
Founded	Martins Ferry, Ohio (1905)
Headquarters	Williamstown, West Virginia, USA
Employees	120
Website	http://www.fentonartglass.com

The Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Originally, they painted glass blanks from other glass makers, but started making their own glass when they were unable to buy the glass they needed. They moved across the Ohio river to Williamstown, West Virginia, and built a factory in 1906. The first year for glass production was 1907. ^[1].

Frank Fenton was the designer and decorator. From 1905 to 1920, the designs made there were heavily influenced by two other glass companies: Tiffany and Steuben. But the many different colors were the work of Jacob Rosenthal, a famous glass chemist who is known for developing chocolate and golden agate glass.^[2] Towards the end of 1907, the Fenton brothers were the first to introduce carnival glass, which would later become a popular collector's item.^[3].

During the Great Depression and World War II, Fenton produced practical items (such as mixing bowls and tableware) due to shortages. At the same time, they continued creating new colors. Towards the end of the Great Depression they also produced perfume bottles for the Wrisley Company in 1938. The bottles were made in French Opalescent glass with the hobnail pattern. ^[4]

In 1939, Fenton started selling Hobnail items in milk glass. Hobnail milk glass would become the top-selling line and allowed the Fenton company to expand.

In the late 1940s, the top three members of Fenton's management died. Frank Fenton and Wilmer C. "Bill" Fenton immediately stepped in and took over the positions of President and Vice President, respectively. Over the next thirty years, they continued to expand Fenton Art Glass, despite a large number of glass factories closing down.

In 1986, George W. Fenton, Frank's son, took over as President of the company.^[5]

Dating Fenton

In 1970, the company added their logo to the bottom of some pieces to distinguish them from older pieces. In 1974, Fenton started putting their logo on all the pieces they made. Pieces made in the 1980s have the number eight under the letter "n" in the logo, and pieces from the 1990s have the number nine. ^[6]

Closure

On August 9, 2007, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating they would "cease... operations over the next few months."

Their plans involved laying off 25 employees immediately, and in the following weeks, the rest of their workers would be laid off. ^[7] However, on December 4, 2007, Fenton Art Glass released a press statement, saying that due an unexpected buying frenzy and internal restructuring, the company would stay open until at least the spring of 2008^[8]. In an open letter in August 2008, company president George Fenton said that thanks to the buying frenzy, the company had been able to institute some reforms, and wouldn't be closing in the foreseeable future. ^[9]

External links

References

^ "Fenton Art Glass". Glass Museum. http://www.glass.co.nz/Fenton.htm.
^ PHIL BERRY. "A Dazzling History:Fenton Art Glass". Fenton art glass. http://www.fentonartglass.com/news/fenton_wonderful6-06.htm.
^ Pamela Wiggins. "Carnival Glass Still Popular with Collectors". about.com. http://antiques.about.com/od/carnivalglass/a/aa071205.htm.
^ Michael and Lori Palmer. "The Wrisley Story, The early history of Fenton Hobnail.". fentonfan.com. http://www.fentonfan.com/Articles/Wrisley/Wrisley_1.htm.
^ "Our History" (HTML). http://www.fentonartglass.com/history/. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
^ Bowey, Angela. "Fenton Glass". http://www.theglassmuseum.com/Fenton.html. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
^ "Fenton Art Glass Says It's Closing" (in English) (HTML). http://www.wtap.com/home/headlines/9064516.html. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
^ "Fenton Art Glass Plans To Continue Glass Production" (in English) (HTML). http://www.fentonartglass.com/press_release_12_4_2007.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
^ "An open letter to friends of Fenton Art Glass" (in English) (PDF). http://www.fentonartglass.com/news/CollectorLtrAug08.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-15.

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Contemporary companies	Anchor Hocking · Arc International · Ardagh · Armashield · Asahi · Aurora Glass Foundry · Baccarat · Blenko Glass Company · Bodum · Corning · Dartington Crystal · Daum · Edinburgh Crystal · Fanavid · Fenton Art Glass Company · Firozabad glass industry · Franz Mayer · Glava · Glaverbel · Hardman & Co. · Heaton, Butler and Bayne · Holmegaard Glassworks · Holophane · Hoya · Kingdom of Crystal · Kokomo Opalescent Glass Works · Kosta Glasbruk · Libbey Owens Ford · Liuli Gongfang · Iittala · Luoyang · Johns Manville · Mats Jonasson Målerås · Moser Glass · Mosser Glass · Nippon Sheet Glass · Ohara · Orrefors Glasbruk · Osram · Owens Corning · Owens-Illinois · Pauly & C. - Compagnia Venezia Murano · Phu Phong · Pilkington · PPG · Preciosa · Quinn Group · Riedel · Royal Leerdam Crystal · Saint-Gobain · Samsung Corning Precision Glass · Schonbek · Schott · Shrigley and Hunt · Steuben Glass · Sterlite Optical Technologies · Swarovski · Tyrone Crystal · Val Saint Lambert · Verrerie of Brehat · Waterford · Watts & Co · World Kitchen · Xinyi Glass · Zwiesel

Historic companies	Bakewell Glass · Belmont Glass Company · Boston and Sandwich Glass Company · Carr Lowrey Glass Company · Cambridge Glass · Chance Brothers · Clayton and Bell · Dunbar Glass · Fostoria Glass Company · General Glass Industries · Alexander Gibbs · Grönvik glasbruk · Hazel-Atlas · Heisey · Hemingray Glass Company · Knox Glass Bottle Company · Lavers, Barraud and Westlake · Manufacture royale de glaces de miroirs · Morris & Co. · Old Dominion Glass Company · James Powell and Sons · Ravenhead glass · The Root Glass Company · Sneath Glass Company · Ward and Hughes · Westmoreland Glass Company · Whitall Tatum Company · White Glass Company · Worshipful Company

Glassmakers	John Adams · Richard M. Atwater · Frederick Carder · Irving Wightman Colburn · Henry Crimmel · Henry Clay Fry · Friedrich · A. H. Heisey · Libbey · Antonio Neri · Alastair Pilkington · Salviati · Otto Schott · S. Donald Stookey · W. E. S. Turner · John M. Whitall

Trademarks and brands	Bohemian glass · Bomex · Burmese glass · Chevron bead · Corelle · CorningWare · Cranberry glass · Cristallo · Duran · Endural · Favrile · Fire King · Gold Ruby · MACOR · Murano glass · Opaline glass · Pyrex · Ravenhead glass · Tiffany glass · Vitrite · Vitrolite · Vycor · Waterford Crystal · Wood's glass · Zerodur

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenton_Art_Glass_Company"

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Howard Products Restor-A-Finish Feed-N-Wax

2010-08-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

We love this stuff, we even started carrying it!

Howard Products, Inc.

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The Glass Show in Rosenburg Texas is the 21st, and 22nd this month!

2010-08-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

We will be attending and passing out out fliers, we still have a few booths that are open. In the spring show we signed up a glass dealer and we like to have just two glass dealers for the show. It makes for a better show for both dealers if they are the only ones coming. Antique glassware has really taken a turn, the clear glass is less desirable than the colored pieces. I remember when you could not keep cut glass, it sold so fast! Now you may have it for years before it moves, however its cousin (colored Glass) will shoot out the door in a heartbeat!

Depression glass

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Pink Sunflower patterned depression cake plate

Depression glass is clear or colored translucent glassware that was distributed free, or at low cost, in the United States around the time of the Great Depression. The Quaker Oats Company, and other food manufacturers and distributors, put a piece of glassware in boxes of food, as an incentive to purchase. Movie theaters and businesses would hand out a piece simply for coming in the door.

Most of this glassware was made in the central and mid-west United States, where access to raw materials and power made manufacturing inexpensive in the first half of the twentieth century. More than twenty manufacturers made more than 100 patterns, and entire dinner sets were made in some patterns. Common colors are clear, (crystal); pink, pale blue, green, and amber. Less common colors include yellow (canary), ultra marine, jadeite (opaque pale green), delphite (opaque pale blue), cobalt blue, red (ruby & royal ruby), black, amethyst, monax, and white (milk glass).

Although of marginal quality, Depression glass has been highly collectible since the 1960s. Due to its popularity as a collectible, Depression glass is becoming more scarce on the open market. Scarce pieces may sell for several hundred dollars. Some manufacturers continued to make popular patterns after World War II, or introduced similar patterns, which are also collectible. Popular and expensive patterns and pieces have been reproduced, and reproductions are still being made.

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Depression Glass Manufacturers and patterns

Anchor Hocking Glass Company
- Manhattan
- Oyster and Pearl
- Queen Mary
- Royal Ruby
Belmont Tumbler Company
- Bowknot
- Rose Cameo
Dell Glass Company
- Tulip
Diamond Glass-Ware Company
- Victory
Economy
- Round Robin
Federal Glass Company
- Colonial Fluted
- Columbia
- Diana
- Georgian
- Madrid
- Mayfair
- Normandie
- Optic Paneled
- Parrot
- Patrician
- Raindrops
- Rosemary
- Sharon
- Twisted Optic
Fry Glass
Hazel-Atlas Glass Company [1]
- Aurora
- Beehive
- Cloverleaf
- Colony
- Colonial Block
- Crisscross
- Florentine No.1
- Florentine No.2
- Fruits
- Moderntone
- New Century
- Newport
- Ovide
- Ribbon
- Roxana
- Royal Lace
- Ships
- Starlight
- Wagon Wheel
Hocking Glass Company
- Ballerina
- Block Optic
- Circle
- Colonial
- Coronation
- Fire-King dinnerware
  - Philbe
- Fortune
- Hobnail
- Lake Como
- Mayfair
- Miss America
- Old Cafe
- Old Colony
- Princess
- Ring
- Roulette
- Spiral
- Vitrock
- Waterford
Imperial Glass Company
- Beaded Block
- Diamond Quilted
- Laced Edge
- Little Jewel
- Molly
- Twisted Optic

Indiana Glass Company
- Avocado
- Cracked Ice
- Indiana Custard
- Lorain
- No.610, Pyramid
- No.612, Horseshoe
- No.616, Vernon
- No.618, Pineapple and Floral
- Old English
- Sandwich
- Tea Room
Jeannette Glass Company
- Adam
- Cherry Blossom
- Cube
- Doric
- Doric and Pansy
- Floral
- Hex Optic
- Homespun
- Iris
- Sierra
- Sunburst
- Sunflower
- Swirl
- Windsor
Jenkins
- Ocean Wave
Lancaster Glass Company
- Jubilee
- Landrum
- Patrick
Liberty Works
- American Pioneer
MacBeth-Evans Glass Company
- American Sweetheart
- Chinex Classic
- Cremax
- Dogwood
- Petalware
- S Pattern
- Thistle
McKee Glass Company
- Laurel
- Rock Crystal
Paden City Glass Company
- Cupid
- Gothic Garden
- Orchid
- Peacock and Wild Rose
- Peacock Reverse
L. E. Smith Glass Company
- By Cracky
- Mt. Pleasant
- Pebbled Rim
- Romanesque
U.S. Glass Company
- Aunt Polly
- Cherryberry
- Floral and Diamond Band
- Flower Garden with Butterflies
- Primo
- Strawberry
- Swirl
Westmoreland Glass Company
- Della Robbia
- English Hobnail
- Woolworth

Fluorescent Uranium Depression Glass

Elegant glass

Often confused with Depression Glass is Elegant glass, of much better quality, and sometimes referred to as Elegant glass, was distributed through jewelry and department stores. From the 1920s through the 1950s, it was an alternative to fine china. Most of the Elegant glassware manufacturers had closed by the end of the 1950s, and cheap glassware and imported china replaced Elegant glass.

Fostoria plate

Some Elegant glass manufacturers were:

Coin Collecting Antique Coins @ The Huntsville Antique Show

2010-08-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

This is just a few pictures of our Huntsville Antique Show Coin Dealer. They did the show last year and are back again for another smashing crowd, and good times! You will not believe the array of coins, and paper monies they have displayed. Don't worry, there is an armed Officer on premises 24/7. The Coin Dealer also buys coins, so bring some by and cash them in.

Ancient Greek coinage

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"Greek coins" and "Greek coinage" redirect here. For modern Greek euro coins, see Greek euro coins.

This article does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2007)


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The history of Ancient Greek coinage can be divided (along with most other Greek art forms) into three periods, the Archaic, the Classical, and the Hellenistic. The Archaic period extends from the introduction of coinage to the Greek world in about 600 BCE until the Persian Wars in about 480 BCE. The Classical period then began, and lasted until the conquests of Alexander the Great in about 330 BC, which began the Hellenistic period, extending until the Roman absorption of the Greek world in the 1st century BCE. The Greek cities continued to produce their own coins for several more centuries under Roman rule, called Roman provincial coins.

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Archaic period

Uninscribed electrum coin from Lydia, 6th century BC
Obverse: lion head and sunburst
Reverse: plain square imprints, probably used to standardise weight

The first coins were issued in Lydia in Asia Minor at some time before 600 B.C., either by the non-Greek Lydians for their own use or perhaps because Greek mercenaries wanted to be paid in precious metal at the conclusion of their time of service, and wanted to have their payments marked in a way that would authenticate them. These coins were made of electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver that was highly prized in that area. By the middle of the sixth century B.C., technology had advanced so far in Lydia that it became easier to produce pure gold, and so coins in pure gold and silver began to be produced, although some mints continued to use electrum.

Drachma of Aegina, 6th century BC
Obverse: Land tortoise
Reverse: ΑΙΓ[INAΤΟΝ] ("[of the] Aeg[inetans]") and dolphin within a geometrical drawing

The Greek world was divided into more than two thousand self-governing city-states (in Greek, poleis), and more than half of them issued their own coins. Some coins circulated widely beyond their polis, indicating that they were being used in inter-city trade; the first example appears to have been the silver stater or didrachm of island of Aigina that regularly turns up in hoards in Egypt and the Levant, which were deficient in silver supply. As such coins circulated more widely, coins of other cities came increasingly to be minted to the same "Aeginetan" weight standard of 6.1 grams, though marked with the symbols of the issuing city. This is not unlike present day Euro coins, which are recognisably from a particular country, but usable all over the Euro zone.

Athenian coins, however, were struck on the "Attic" standard, with a drachm of 4.3 grams of silver. Over time, Athens' plentiful supply of silver from the mines at Laurion and its increasing dominance in trade made this the pre-eminent standard. Tetradrachms on this weight standard continued to be a widely used coin (often the most widely used) through the classical period, by Alexander the Great and his Hellenistic successors, the large denomination being regularly used to make large payments, or saved for hoarding.

The word drachm(a) means "a handful", literally "a grasp". Drachmae were divided into six obols (from the Greek word for a spit of iron), and six spits made a "handful". This suggests that before coinage came to be used in Greece, spits were used as measures of value, perhaps for paying fines. In archaic/pre-numismatic times iron was valued for making durable tools and weapons, and its casting in spit form may have actually represented a form of transportable bullion, which eventually became bulky and inconvenient after the adoption of precious metals. Because of this very aspect, Spartan legislation famously forbade issuance of Spartan coin, and enforced the continued use of iron spits so as to discourage avarice and the hoarding of wealth. In addition to its original meaning (which also gave the euphemistic diminutive "obelisk", "little spit"), the word obol (ὀβολός, obolós, or ὀβελός, obelós) was retained as a Greek word for coins of small value, still used as such in Modern Greek slang (όβολα, óvola, "monies").

Classical period

A Syracusan tetradrachm (c. 415–405 BC)
Obverse: head of the nymph Arethusa, surrounded by four swimming dolphins and a rudder
Reverse: a racing quadriga, its charioteer crowned by the goddess Victory in flight

Tetradrachm of Athens, 5th century BCE
Obverse: a portrait of Athena, patron goddess of the city, in helmet
Reverse: the owl of Athens, with an olive sprig and the inscription "ΑΘΕ", short for ΑΘΕΝΑΙΟΝ, "of the Athenians"

The Classical period saw Greek coinage reach a high level of technical and aesthetic quality. Larger cities now produced a range of fine silver and gold coins, most bearing a portrait of their patron god or goddess, or a legendary hero, on one side, and a symbol of the city on the other. Some coins employed a visual pun: coins from Rhodes featured a rose, since the Greek word for rose is rhodon. The use of inscriptions on coins also began, usually the name of the issuing city.

The wealthy cities of Sicily produced some especially fine coins. The large silver decadrachm (10-drachm) coin from Syracuse is regarded by many collectors as the finest coin produced in the ancient world, perhaps ever. Syracusan issues were rather standard in their imprints, one side bearing the head of the nymph Arethusa and the other usually a victorious quadriga. The tyrants of Syracuse were fabulously rich, and part of their public relations policy was to fund quadrigas for the Olympic chariot race, a very expensive undertaking. As they were often able to finance more than one quadriga at a time, they were frequent victors in this highly prestigious event.

The use of coins for propaganda purposes was a Greek invention. Coins are valuable, durable and pass through many hands. In an age without newspapers or other mass media, they were an ideal way of disseminating a political message. The first such coin was a commemorative decadrachm issued by Athens following the Greek victory in the Persian Wars. On these coins the owl of Athens, the goddess Athena's sacred bird, was depicted facing the viewer with wings outstretched, holding a spray of olive leaves, the olive tree being Athena's sacred plant and also a symbol of peace and prosperity. The message was that Athens was powerful and victorious, but also peace-loving.

Hellenistic period

Gold 20-stater of Eucratides I, the largest gold coin ever minted in Antiquity.

The Hellenistic period was characterised by the spread of Greek culture across a large part of the known world. Greek-speaking kingdoms were established in Egypt and Syria, and for a time also in Iran and as far east as what is now Afghanistan and northwestern India. Greek traders spread Greek coins across this vast area, and the new kingdoms soon began to produce their own coins. Because these kingdoms were much larger and wealthier than the Greek city states of the classical period, their coins tended to be more mass-produced, as well as larger, and more frequently in gold. They often lacked the aesthetic delicacy of coins of the earlier period.

Still, some of the Greco-Bactrian coins, and those of their successors in India, the Indo-Greeks, are considered the finest examples of Greek numismatic art with "a nice blend of realism and idealization", including the largest coins to be minted in the Hellenistic world: the largest gold coin was minted by Eucratides (reigned 171–145 BC), the largest silver coin by the Indo-Greek king Amyntas (reigned c. 95–90 BC). The portraits "show a degree of individuality never matched by the often bland depictions of their royal contemporaries further West" (Roger Ling, "Greece and the Hellenistic World").

The most striking new feature of Hellenistic coins was the use of portraits of living people, namely of the kings themselves. This practice had begun in Sicily, but was disapproved of by other Greeks as showing hubris (pride). But the kings of Ptolemaic Egypt and Seleucid Syria had no such scruples, and issued magnificent gold coins adorned with their own portraits, with the symbols of their state on the reverse. The names of the kings were frequently inscribed on the coin as well. This established a pattern for coins which has persisted ever since: a portrait of the king, usually in profile and striking a heroic pose, on the obverse, with his name beside him, and a coat of arms or other symbol of state on the reverse.

Minting

Ancient Greek coins today

The best Greek coins are rare and expensive, and many can only be seen in museums, of which the National Numismatic Museum in Athens, the British Museum and the American Numismatic Society are among the finest. An active market in both high quality and common ancient Greek coins exists, dominated by on-line auction houses in the United States and Europe. Moreover, hoards of Greek coins are still being found in Europe and the Middle East, and many of the coins in these hoards find their way onto the market, often via the Internet. Coins are the only art form from the Ancient world which are common enough and durable enough to be within the reach of ordinary collectors.

Winnie & Tulula's in Athens, TX is NOT your Mothers Antique Shop!

2010-08-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

The Dogs in the window is not what's reflected inside! This shop is a great shop for any garden variety, shabby chic, or re-purpose fanatic! There are so many wonderful things, from pottery to iron, beds, cabinets, twine, furniture, you name it... they probably have it! They are opening up a Bistro (The Sweet Pea) soon & you can bet it will have a waiting list to bet in! We went in on Saturday on our way back from Canton, it was filled with great decorating ideas. Thank you for letting us visit and take pictures! We really enjoyed your store!

Royal DoultonTobacco Jar Vase sugar?

2010-07-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

We came across these wonderful pieces of Royal Doulton pottery a couple of weeks ago, over in Nacogdoches, TX. We found tham in a book and were very surprised about their values... Thank You Nacogdoches! You never know what you will find in the country! I found a wonderful display case in Tyler the other day, and we are really hoping to get some deals in Canton this weekend.

Royal Doulton

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The Royal Doulton Company

Type	Private company, part of a plc
Industry	Pottery
Founded	1815
Founder(s)	John Doulton, Martha Jones & John Watts
Headquarters	Stoke-on-Trent, England
Key people	Henry Doulton
Website	http://www.royaldoulton.com

The Royal Doulton Company is an English company producing tableware and collectables, dating to 1815. Operating originally in London, its reputation grew in The Potteries, where it was a latecomer compared to Spode, Wedgwood and Minton. Its products include dinnerware, giftware, cookware, porcelain, glassware, collectables, jewellery, linens, curtains, and lighting.

Three of its brands are Royal Doulton, Royal Albert and Minton. Together, the three brands make up Doulton Home, which is now part of the Waterford Wedgwood group. Most of the pieces in these three brands are today manufactured in the Far East and Indonesia.

History

Vase, 1874, Doulton Ceramic Factory V&A Museum no. 352-1874

The Royal Doulton Company began as a partnership between John Doulton, Martha Jones, and John Watts, with a factory at Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, London. The business specialised in making stoneware articles, including decorative bottles and salt glaze sewer pipes. The company took the name Doulton in 1853.

By 1871, Henry Doulton, John's son, launched a studio at the Lambeth pottery, and offered work to designers and artists from a local art school, including the Barlow family (Florence, Hannah, and Arthur), Frank Butler, Mark Marshall, Eliza Simmance, and George Tinworth. In 1882, Doulton purchased the small factory of Pinder, Bourne & Co, at Nile Street in Burslem, Staffordshire, which placed Doulton in the region known as The Potteries.

The pulpit in St. Alban's Anglican Church in Copenhagen, Denmark, donated and manufactured by Doulton

When the Anglican St. Alban's Church was built in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1887 with Alexandra, Princess of Wales as one of the driving forces, Doulton donated and manufactured an altarpiece, a pulpit and a font. They were executed in terra cotta with glazed details to the design of Tinworth.^[1]

By this time Doulton was popular for stoneware and ceramics, under the artistic direction of John Slater, who worked with figurines, vases, character jugs, and decorative pieces designed by the prolific Leslie Harradine. Doulton products came to the attention of the Royal family. In 1901 King Edward VII sold the Burslem factory the Royal Warrant, allowing the business to adopt new markings and a new name, Royal Doulton. The company added products during the first half of the 20th century while manufacturing fashionable and high-quality bone china.

The Lambeth factory closed in 1956 due to clean air regulations preventing urban production of salt glaze. Following closure, work was transferred to The Potteries.

Recent developments

On 30 September 2005, the Nile Street factory closed. Some items are now made in the parent company Waterford Wedgwood in Barlaston, south of the Potteries Conurbation. Almost all other Doulton pieces are made in Indonesia.

Royal Doulton Ltd (along with other Waterford Wedgwood companies) went into administration on 5 January 2009.

The future of the archives of Royal Doulton and Minton are unclear as a consequence of the acquisition of Waterford Wedgwood by KPS Capital Partners.^[2]

Canton Weekend First Monday Huntsville Antique Show

2010-07-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

We are going to head off to Canton this weekend to see about securing a few more Dealers for the Antique Show this September. We will offer air conditioned comfort and 1500 plus shoppers through the doors! One would think the outside Dealers at Canton would definately want to come on inside... The rent is cheap, the food is good, the shoppers are Hungry! Wish us Luck!

NEW BOOTH!!! We redesigned a booth this past weekend at ANitsch In Time!!!

2010-07-27T10:35:00.001-07:00

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After we were in Uncommon Objects in Austin... I just had to redo one of our booths! The whole re-purposed effect is awesome...

We have already increased our sales just since Sunday. We worked all night Saturday and half of Sunday to make it happen, thank you Marion Rogers for your input!

Bottle and Advertising Show in Houston was great!

2010-07-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we went to Houston to see the Bottle and Advertising show... it was awesome. I hope we acquire some of those dealers... what cool stuff... sorry no pictures. There were soda bottle dealers, cool advertising bottles, old coke stuff and lot s of advertising signs, the good old porcelain kind. Then Monday we went to Tyler TX, there is a great shop just across the tracks just off the square... lots of finds! You really must shop Tyler some time!

While in La Fayette LA the show and more!

2010-07-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

We went to the La Fayette show this past Saturday... it was a nice drive over and we stopped at a few places along the way. The best thing was in Sour Lake at Tumbleweeds. There were deals to be had! You simply must go and enjoy the pretty young lady that owns the place... you will be surprised at the wares. When we arrived at the show there was great parking and lots of fun looking at all of the jewelry dealers... we thought we had a great silver dealer signed up, but it was her vacation time... sorry! The silver dealer had some nice items and amazing silver. Maybe Next year! When you go... you have to drive up to Washington... there is an old school full of dealers with some nice and interesting items. There are several other nice antique stores in that town. You can't miss them, just Google the area for shops!

Vintage Boot Dealer Austin City Wide Garage Sale

2010-07-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

We met the Greatest Vintage Boot Dealer we have ever seen.... she is set up at the Austin City-Wide Garage Sale. Wow at the variety of boots! The pretty young thing is trying to get set up with the Rodeo Circuit. We are hoping she will be at the Antique Show this September!

Wow... Uncommon Objects in Austin is really hopping!

2010-07-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

We went to the Antique show in Austin this past Sunday, The Ralph Willard Antique Show in Austin is supposed to be one of the top twenty shows in the country! You will have to go and see for yourself... I am not in the practice of slander and that is all I have to say on the matter.

As for the rest of the trip... the Austin Citywide Garage Sale was pretty nice, lots of great dealers, lots of upscale garage sale dealers. It should be called Antiques and Garage Sale! We were able to sign up a few really great antique dealers and found some really great buys on SUNDAY!

Then we had to eat at the:

Gueros Taco Bar it was amazing as always!

While we were waiting, (it is worth the wait), we went to Uncommon Objects, the quaint little Antique and Collectible store just up the hill... What a great little store, lots of shoppers, cool items, a lot of re-purposed items. I immediately went home and started gathering items to mimic the look and effect. I really hope mine turns out as well!

Really Nice Antique Furniture For Sale

2010-07-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

A Gentleman allowed me to show off some of his antiques... he is offering them before the Big Sale. If you are interested, let me know and I will forward the info. Thanks.

Transfer Ware and Fostoria Dealer for September Show

2010-07-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of our new dealers we signed up for this year's September Show. Their Transfer Ware is bar none, some of the finest around.... they also deal in a lot of Fostoria American Pattern.

Montgomery Antique Emporium

2010-07-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

We really enjoyed shopping and visiting this past weekend in Montgomery Texas. We are always out shopping and we love shopping these local stores. That seems to be Greg Bahner coming out the door!

Liberty Bell Antiques In Montgomery Texas

2010-07-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

s

We love going in to the Liberty Bell in Montgomery Texas, there is so much to see. Here are just a few photos of the merchandise. Be sure to stop in when in town... or when you are just passing by.

Clover Patch Antiques in Montgomery is the Happening place to shop!

2010-07-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

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This is one of the Best Stores in Montgomery! There is a wide variety, open atmosphere, linens, military items, fiesta, glassware, furniture and much more! Be sure to stop by and see the latest items brought in!

Montgomery Antique Store Closing!!! Savvy Antiques!

2010-07-06T05:19:00.001-07:00

The owners of the Clover Patch in Montgomery Tx are closing their doors. They are happy to say that they are retiring after all of these years and are selling their things at or below cost! If you have any idea of the quality and grandeur of their inventory.... well you had better hurry over! They have already sold over half of their inventory by the time we came through! Best wishes and Happy Retirement!

Whimsical Frog Plates Old not marked

2010-07-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

If you have any information on these cute whimsical frog plates... it would be greatly appreciated!

Brown Transfer Ware LARA is the pattern

2010-07-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

We came across several of these brown transfer ware plates at the same little sale in Sour Lake..

Webb label.

Frank died in 1912, but the company soldiered on until the depression when the Pope family and others purchased the company from the many owners in Baltimore. The year 1933 saw sales of less than $350,000. The depression and war years had limited growth, but in late 1945 Roger W. Pope began to expand with new locations in Fitchburg, Greenfield, Hyannis, Pittsfield and Salem, Massachusetts, as well as their first location across state lines in Nashua, New Hampshire. At his death in 1962 the company had seven locations and sales in excess of $5,000,000.

Throughout the sixties the F.W. Webb Company muddled along, until the early seventies when they purchased Atlantic Pipe in Boston and Crane Supply with locations in Portland, Maine and Springfield, Massachusetts. These acquisitions were followed by startups in Dover, New Hampshire and Bangor, Maine. A major purchase in 1978 of Shepard Supply put new company locations in Barre, Rutland and St. Johnsbury, Vermont, augmenting startup locations in Williston, Vermont and Lebanon, New Hampshire. In 1978 F.W. Webb also built a 60,000 sq./ft. Central Distribution facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire. The early eighties saw additional growth, and the late eighties brought major increases in both business and locations as new branches were opened in Albany, Plattsburgh and Queensbury, New York.

The early 1990's saw not only tough economic times, but additional expansion into Syracuse, New York and Hartford, Connecticut. The middle and latter half of the nineties brought much more favorable business conditions resulting in many additions and new buildings for existing branches. Two major purchases during this time were Energy Control Systems in Woburn , Massachusetts and International Supply Company in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The former solidified F.W. Webb's presence in the HVAC business with the Bryant line and additional engineering services, while the latter gave Webb control valve capabilities and legitimacy in the more sophisticated world of PVF. Kentrol, Inc. and Sevco, Inc. were also purchased during this period, furthering Webb's involvement in the control and safety valve industries. in 1998, Webb purchased the W.L. Blake company in Portland, Maine, the oldest name in Maine's PVF industry, as well as Victor Mfg., an LP gas business which services the entire northeast.

The millenium came and with it additional opportunities as F.W. Webb created the Webb BioPharm division to service pharmaceutical and bio-tech markets throughout New England and New York. Webb also acquired Utilities Supply, a major player in the plastic PVF business. Recently new buldings have been constructed or acquired for locationa in Auburn, Brattleboro, Cranston, Dover, Lebanon, Lewiston, Queensbury, Rutland, St. Albans and St. Johnsbury. The company also constructed their first central pipe facility in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

F.W. Webb today is involved in some twelve different disciplines with a highly sophisticated Information Technologies department monitoring it all. F.W. Webb operates over 64 locations in seven states, employs over 1100 employees and has sales which exceed $500,000,000.

Brown Transfer Ware Tonquin E.M. & Co. China

2010-06-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

We were out shopping and came across some really nice brown transfer ware. This one is Tonquin, not to be confused with the ship.... it is in mint condition and will be available at the Bryan Antique Show next weekend... 9th, 10th, 11th. Thanks!

Fountain Pen Parker Imperial Eversharp Conway Vintage Writing Pens

2010-06-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

We found this nice little collection of pens at a local garage sale and are taking them to the Bryan Tx Antique Show next weekend.... come by for some good deals!

A fountain pen is a nib pen that, unlike its predecessor the dip pen, contains an internal reservoir of water-based liquid ink. From the reservoir, the ink is drawn through a feed to the nib and then to the paper via a combination of gravity and capillary action. As a result, the typical fountain pen requires little or no pressure to write.

Filling the reservoir with ink may be done manually (via the use of an eyedropper or syringe), or via an internal "filler" mechanism which creates suction to transfer ink directly through the nib into the reservoir. Some pens employ removable reservoirs, in the form of pre-filled ink cartridges.

BIG RED BARN

2010-06-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

The Big Red Barn has a sale and show this weekend that will blow your mind! There are dealers from all over the countryside, bringing their best stuff and amazing old country store displays! If you only go to one Antique Show in your life... Make it The Huntsville Antique Show in September! If you go to two... you must hit this one too! The sale is in Round Top Texas... Google it! There will be several of the Huntsville Show Dealers set up there along with some of the friendliest dealers around! We are very excited to head out tomorrow for the show and shopping Navasota along the way back!

Miniature House Village England Mudlen End Studio

2010-06-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

I first fell in love with this little round cottage in the center, then the white and brown one on the far left, then the tiny one on the bottom and then BOOM! This collecting thing really is a sickness!

Uneeda Bakers Tin Biscuit Box

2010-06-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

Love the Shadow Box of Yesterday!

Nabisco (pronounced /nəˈbɪskoʊ/; originally known as National Biscuit Company) is an American brand of cookies and snacks. Headquartered in East Hanover, New Jersey, the company is a subsidiary of Illinois-based Kraft Foods. Nabisco's plant in Chicago, a 1.8 million-square-foot production facility at 7300 S. Kedzie Avenue, is the largest bakery in the world, employing more than 1,500 workers and turning out some 320 million pounds of snack foods annually.

Its products include Chips Ahoy!, Fig Newtons, Mallomars, Oreos, Cameo, Premium Crackers, Ritz Crackers, Teddy Grahams, Triscuits, Wheat Thins, Social Tea, Nutter Butter, Peek Freans, Lorna Doone, Famous Chocolate Wafers and Chicken in a Biskit, used for the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico and Venezuela as well as other parts of South America.

Nabisco products are branded as Kraft in some other countries. All Nabisco cookie or cracker products are branded Christie in Canada; however, prior to the Post Cereals merger, the cereal division kept the Nabisco name in Canada. The proof of purchase on their products is marketed as a "brand seal."

Nabisco opened corporate offices as the National Biscuit Company in the world's first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building in the Chicago Loop in 1898.

The Nabisco colophon logo imprinted on an Oreo cookie

Nabisco's colophon, a diagonal ellipse with a series of antenna-like lines protruding from the top, forms the base of its logo and can be seen imprinted on Oreo wafers in addition to Nabisco product boxes and literature. It has been claimed in company promotional material to be an early European symbol for quality; it may be derived from a medieval Italian printer's mark that represented "the triumph of the moral and good over the evil and worldly."^[3] Oreo cookies in Canada do not have the Nabisco Orb, as they are branded as Christie in that country. Elsewhere, the packaging is branded with the Kraft logo.

History

Company time line

1792 - Pearson & Sons Bakery opens in Massachusetts. They make a biscuit called pilot bread consumed on long sea voyages.
1801 - Josiah Bent Bakery first coined the term 'crackers' for a crunchy biscuit they produce.
1889 - William Moore acquires Pearson & Sons Bakery, Josiah Bent Bakery, and six other bakeries to start the New York Biscuit Company.
1890 - Adolphus Green starts the American Biscuit & Manufacturing Company after acquiring forty different bakeries.
1898 - William Moore and Adolphus Green merge to form the National Biscuit Company. Adolphus Green is president.
1901 - The name Nabisco is first used as part of a name for a sugar wafer.
1971 - Nabisco becomes the corporate name.
1973 - Frank Tasco is listed as the chairman of Nabisco.
1981 - Nabisco merges with Standard Brands.
1985 - Nabisco Brands merges with R.J. Reynolds
1993 - Kraft General Foods acquires NABISCO ready-to-eat cold cereals from RJR Nabisco.
1999 - Nabisco acquires Favorite Brands International
2000 - Philip Morris Companies, Inc. acquires Nabisco and merges it with Kraft Foods, Inc.

Origins

Nabisco dates its founding to 1898,^[4] a decade during which the bakery business underwent a major consolidation. Early in the decade, bakeries throughout the country were consolidated regionally, into companies such as Chicago's American Biscuit and Manufacturing Company (which was formed from 40 Midwestern bakeries in 1830), the New York Biscuit Company (consisting of seven eastern bakeries), and the United States Baking Company. In 1898, the National Biscuit Company was formed from the combination of those three; the merger resulted in a company with 114 bakeries across the United States and headquartered in New York City. The "biscuit" in the name of the company is a British English and early American English term for cracker products.

Key to the founding of Nabisco was Pittsburgh baking mogul Sylvester S Marvin. Marvin arrived in Pittsburgh in 1863 and established himself in the cracker business, founding S. S. Marvin Co. Its products embraced every description of crackers, cakes and breads. Marvin was called the Edison of manufacturing for his innovations in the bakery business—by 1888 the largest in the United States—and the centerpiece to the organization of the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco). Marvin was also a member of the elite South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club of Johnstown Flood fame.

A Nabisco silo in Toledo, Ohio

Packaging breakthrough

After the consolidation, the president of National Biscuit Company—Adolphus Green of American Biscuit and Manufacturing Company—asked Frank Peters to create a package to distribute fresher products. This paved its way for In-Er Seal package, whose logo is a prototype for the "Nabisco Thing." The In-Er Seal package is a system of inter-folded wax paper and cardboard to "seal in the freshness" of the product. At the beginning of his presidency, Green decided the National Biscuit Company, often shortened to NBC, needed a new idea that grabbed the public’s attention. He got it when his employees created a new cracker that was flakier and lighter than any of their competitors’ versions.

The UNEEDA biscuit looked promising, but Green had to make sure it got to customers fresh and tasty, so it was the first to use the In-Er Seal package in 1898. Until then, crackers were sold unbranded and packed loosely in barrels. Mothers would give their sons a paper bag and ask them to run down to the store and get the bag filled with crackers. National Biscuit Company used this as part of Uneeda Biscuit advertising symbol, which depicts a boy carrying a pack of Uneeda Biscuit in the rain. In 2009 (after over 110 years), Nabisco discontinued the Uneeda biscuit out of concern that the product was not as profitable as others.

20th century

Early 20th century Uneeda Biscuit Ghost sign, Dubuque, Iowa.

The first use of "Nabisco" was in a cracker brand first produced by National Biscuit Company in 1901.^{[citation needed]} The firm later introduced—either through development or acquisition— Fig Newtons, Nabisco Wafers (early 1900s, now sold in one form as Biscos, a sugar wafer originally containing a variety of flavored fillings), Anola Wafers (early 1900s, now discontinued; a chocolate wafer with chocolate filling), Barnum's Animal Crackers (1902), Lorna Doones (1912; shortbread), Oreos (1912), and Famous Chocolate Wafers (1924; a thin wafer without filling).

In 1924, the National Biscuit Company introduced a snack in a five-cent sealed packet called the Peanut Sandwich Packet. They soon added a second, the Sorbetto Sandwich Packet. These allowed salesmen to sell to soda fountains, road stands, milk bars, lunch rooms and news stands. Sales increased, and in 1928 the company adopted and started to use the name NAB, which immediately won the approval of the public. The term Nabs today is used to generically mean any type of snack crackers, most commonly in the southern United States.

During WWII, the company manufactured K-Rations for US troops. The first use of the red triangular logo was in 1952. The name of the company was not changed to Nabisco until 1971; prior to that year, the company was often referred to as N.B.C. (unrelated to the broadcasting company; even though the logo could be said to resemble an antenna, this seems to be a coincidence).

The Nabisco unit that produces cookies and crackers was renamed the Nabisco Biscuit Company in the 1990s. That prompted advertising columnist Stuart Elliott in The New York Times to quip that since Nabisco stood for the National Biscuit Company, the unit should be known as the National Biscuit Company Biscuit Company (a modified RAS syndrome).

Old Sign Hereford Brand Tex Tan Western Leather Co.

2010-06-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

The Tex Tan Western leather Co. is famous for their saddles. They originated in Yoakum TX. their web address is www.textan.com and I can't seem to find out what year they started up or much else at this time... sorry, it is Friday and we are heading off! If you locate something, please add to this!

Aynsley Cake Stand Floral Cake Plate

2010-06-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

The company was started on a small scale as a hobby by potter John in 1775. Out of small acorns, oak trees grow, as they say.

It was when his grandson John Aynsley II took over that the company exploded to the pinnacle of fine bone china making.

He also became Lord Mayor of London in 1870. You always find there's a big character behind the success of a company that goes on to great things. In this case it was the grandson.

In 1861 a bone china factory was specially built.

Aynsley China is undoubtedly one of the best examples of antique bone china makers you will ever find.

Aynsley's most famous patterns include Pembroke, Cottage Garden, Little Sweetheart, Wild Tudor and Orchard Gold. Rich people and royalty choose Aynsley bone china for their homes. These luminaries include Elizabeth 11 the current Queen of England, her son, The Prince of Wales. Queen Victoria was partial to a bit of Aynsley too.

Interestingly, there are connections between the Aynsley family and the makers Paragon China and Royal Albert.

PEMBROKE PATTERN

Founder John Aynsley's son formed Paragon China which enjoyed much success and Warrants of appointment from Her Majesty, The Queen (Mary) in the 1920’s. Paragon was subsequently absorbed by Royal Albert, which, in turn was taken over by Royal Doulton.

Cigar Boxes Wooden Carboard Advertising

2010-06-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

There are supposedly 23 types of cigar boxes you are most likely to find.

Most of the wooden boxes were made from around 1800 to 1960.

There is a National Cigar Museum just google and you will see the great photos and information there is to finding more out about your box! or in our case... boxes!

We started collecting cigar boxes just to hold smaller collections all in the same place... I seriously can't tell you what is in any of the boxes, but we are up to about 125 boxes... and they all have something in them. It is kind of like a new surprise with every grad of the box... a grab-box if you will. We seriously need Hoarders to come take us away!

Old Optician Sign Advertising Sign

2010-06-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

This wonderful sign we found on our travels in the Huntsville area... A. M. Wentworth Scientific Optician all the way from Portland, ME.

http://books.google.com/books?id=ergMAAAAYAAJ

I found him on line... it is a very interesting site...
He is featured in Portland Past and Present! It has the same address as the sign, it is a nice find for me anyway...

Huntsville Antique Show

Antique Shows are Everywhere!

Love Valentines Day Gifts for Him & Her...

Christmas is Here! Christmas is here!

Thanksgiving Decorations, Christmas has Gobbled it up!

Sales for the Month are Crazy....

Huntsville Antique Show 2011 was at the Top of it's Game!

The Antique Show this year...

Cat Spring Antique Show San Antonio Antique Show Worlds Fair Hair Show

Houston Glass Show in Rosenberg Texas & Waco Zoo

The Latest Travels to Austin and Llano and Back to Huntsville... all in one day.

Dallas Trip I-45 Antique Stops & Information

Canton Weekend was full of Good Deals & Hot in August!

The Continental Antique Show in Bryan Texas Gambling for Deals

Uncommon Objects Austin Texas Road Trip

Longview, Tyler, Pandoras Box in Frankston and Palestine...

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Awesome finds at local venues...

Barber Shop Collectibles Salon or Barber?

Texas Antique Shows

Texas Antique Shows Huntsville is making it to the Top of the List...

Montgomery Antique Show 2011 is April 30th, May 1st.

Bendix Radios... a thing of the past...

April is the Month for Estate Sales

"A" is for Anna Lee Dolls

Estate Sale for Great Finds

The Big Red Barn Show and Sale... TX

Antique Shows in Texas....

Huntsville Antiques @ Sam Houston Antique Mall

Weller Found in Willis Texas Shopping Locally!

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Shopping for Antiques in the area...

Vintage Halloween is all the Rage this year!

Round Top and Marburger Farms and The Red Barn Sale

Round Top and Marburger Farms and The Red Barn Sale

Antique Dealers From All Across The Country

The Huntsville Antique Show Sept 2010

New Waverly Tx has a Auction This Weekend

Martha's Bloomers in Navasota TX

The Houston Glass Show in Rosenberg

Georgetown Antique Mall was one of my Favorites!

Antique Shoppe in Bartlett TX

Fostoria Century Punch Bowl With Cups Beautiful!

HISTORY OF THE FOSTORIA GLASS COMPANY 1887 - 1986

Historical Flask Blue Green Eagle Grapes President

Block Optic Green Depression Glass 30's 40's

This is my personal Favorite!

Anchor Hocking

Fenton Art Glass Company

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Howard Products Restor-A-Finish Feed-N-Wax

We love this stuff, we even started carrying it!

Howard Products, Inc.

Official Website

Devoted to providing solutions for the care and restoration of fine wood furniture and wood finishes.

The Glass Show in Rosenburg Texas is the 21st, and 22nd this month!

Depression glass

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Coin Collecting Antique Coins @ The Huntsville Antique Show

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