Archive for May, 2011

We’ve suspended our Spotlights for the time being.

Dealers are busy, vacationing, up north, etc.

Originally designed to promote saving among children, Mechanical Banks were produced from about 1869 until the start of World War II.  To make these banks appealing to kids, they were cleverly designed, often depicting historical, legendary or everyday events.  Each bank performed a stunt or an action.  The banks quickly caught on with children and adults alike and soon became a sought-after collector’s item.

The Mechanical Bank Collectors of America [http://www.mechanicalbanks.org/index.html] was formed in 1958 to meet the needs of collectors, by adding to the existing knowledge base and increasing availability of mechanical banks.  Members of MBCA have access to continually updated material including a thrice-a-year journal, price guide, annual convention, special reports, videos, references, and chat, among others.

But fear not, there’s a lot of great stuff for the non-member.  And after viewing these wonderful inventions, it would be very easy to get hooked!  From the simple to the unbelievably intricate, unadorned metal to eye-popping colors – MBCA’s slide show will have you entranced.  You can choose from several speeds or, as I chose to do, view one at a time.

Scrapbook is a collection covering, well, just about everything – who, what, when, where, and why.  If you’re looking for something specific a ‘search’ will check over 3000 pages in the public section.  Having been around for over 50 years, MBCA has managed to amass an impressive amount of documentation.  Since I wasn’t looking for anything in particular I spent a couple hours browsing.  (P.S. to history buffs – you’ll love this.) 

I discovered excellent images of advertisements and catalogs from as early as 1876.  Patent images and papers that will make your heart pitter-patter because there’s a good chance you’ll find your bank even if you don’t have a patent number or manufacturer or date or any information other than a mechanical bank sitting in front of you.  First time I’ve ever come across patent information listed this way and I can only wish it was this easy for other collectibles.

A section devoted to J. & E. Stevens Co., a premier manufacturer of mechanical banks includes photos, ledgers, account books, correspondence, designers, etc.  Not just the information, but almost always the original documents.  Note: throughout the website whenever a handwritten document was scanned there is an accompanying typed transcript since some handwriting can be difficult to interpret.

For those interested in the creation of mechanical banks (for the most part, anything metal), ‘The Foundry’ has it all.  How a design on paper becomes a three-dimensional object with moving parts.  A technical expose that should interest metal workers of all disciplines.

How much is your mechanical bank worth?  With MBCA’s auction results from three major auction houses, you can find out.  And once again, easy to look up since it’s listed by bank description.

There’s more to find at Mechanical Bank Collectors of America.  It’s an awesome website with a whole lot of free information.  Wouldn’t this be a great collection to start for your kids or grandkids?

tell ‘em i sent ya,
victoria

Scott Simmons recently visited Laura’s Emporium, and among the items he took away was this Byron bust mentioned in his weekly column.  “Look What We Found” and “Scott’s Tips” appears every Saturday in the Accent section of the Palm Beach Post.

Scott, who lives in Lake Worth, is an antiques dealer, writer and editor.  Check out his blog at scottsimmonsantiques.com which features more of his ‘finds’.

Just for fun, I thought I’d pass on some recipes and helpful hints from The New Home Cook Book.  Prepared by a Ladies’ Club and published by the Illinois State Register in 1927.

Vinegar Pie
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon butter
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Mix all together except vinegar, put vinegar into cup, fill remainder with water and add to mixture. Pour in unbaked crust; bake in moderate oven.

A little milk added to the water in which silver is washed will help to keep it bright.

New Sandwich
Add two tablespoonfuls of water to three tablespoonfuls of peanut butter.  Beat until creamy then add two tablespoonfuls catsup.  Mix well and spread on unbuttered bread.

When cream is hard to whip add some lemon juice.  It will whip quickly.

Sugar Cure for Meat
For 1000 pounds of meat
4 pounds of brown sugar
1 pound of pepper
1/2 pound salt petre
12 quarts of salt

It is really very simple to have the oven scrubbed out while it is still hot, after baking a joint, etc., and many disagreeable smells are avoided by this practice.  For the purpose a long brush, such as is used to clean carriage wheels, is useful.

Lice Powder
2 ounces carbolic acid
6 ounces gasoline
2 pounds of plaster paris
Stir plaster paris in mixed liquids until it would be dry enough to powder nicely.

When separating eggs if you drop a portion of egg yolk into whites, moisten a cloth with cold water, touch to yolk and it will adhere to it.

Harvest Drink
This is a drink that is relished in the hay-field. Take 1/4 cup vinegar, 1 cup molasses with 10 cups water, add level tablespoons of ginger, more or less, according to the fondness for the taste. Serve very cold.

Laura’s Emporium owner Carol Hade presents check for $588 to Shawn Hart of Humane Society of St. Lucie County.

In addition to having cats and dogs adopted on April 2nd, we’re very happy to report that we raised $588 for the Humane Society of St. Lucie County.

Thank you, one and all for your support!