Posts Tagged ‘antiques’

While it may be collectible, it’s not really ‘old’ if you find the following:

POSTAL CODE
1943:  The postal service implements postal zones for large cities.
                John Hancock
                28 Main St.
                Boston 24, Massachusetts
July 1, 1963:  Non-mandatory 5-digit ZIP codes are announced for the whole country.
                John Hancock
                28 Main St.
                Boston, Massachusetts 02124
1967: ZIP mandatory for second- and third-class bulk mailers, and soon adopted generally.
1983: USPS begins using an expanded ZIP + 4

 
TELEPHONE NUMBER
(Actual dates vary widely, as determining factors such as region, company, population, etc. could mean a delay of years before innovations were implemented.)
1878:  First commercial switchboard begins operation.  Callers request connections by name.
1879:  First numbers/letters are assigned; no particular order or number of digits.
ca. 1928:  Letter prefix and digits begin, number of characters vary with region, etc.
1947:  Three-digit area codes, called the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) including the United States and Canada, go into effect.
1958:  ANC, or all number calling begins.
(note: in old advertisements you may find a name before a number that is not an exchange. Areas with competing telephone companies did not provide interconnecting service.  Therefore a business might list two phone numbers—Bell 1234 and Atlanta 4321—so customers using either Southern Bell or Atlantic Telephone could call.)

 
BAR CODE
Late 1960’s: Two early systems are installed – one in a General Motors plant and the other in the General Trading Company’s distribution center in New Jersey. The barcodes held only 2 digits of data.
1972:  A bullseye symbol and scanner are installed and operating in a Cincinnati Kroger. Printing problems with the bulls-eye barcodes and scanning problems limited its usefulness.
June 26th, 1974:  A 10-pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum was the first product logged in a grocery store by a barcoding system using the modern UPC code.
1994:  The QR (quick response) code is created to track parts in vehicle manufacturing. Since then it has become more widely used, and is rapidly expanding.

Hi! My name is Donna and I am a newby at this!  I’ve been a collector and crafter most of my life, just like my mother before me.  I retired a couple years ago and my collecting and crafting increased! I’ve collected things that say something to me.  I have native made and inspired items from North, Central and South America.  I, also, have things I’ve gotten just because it was something I liked or thought was interesting or different.  I love Christmas and Christmas tree ornaments.  I really like anything handmade.  Someone had the inspiration and ability to actually take one thing and make it into something else, amazing!  I’m a Viet Nam veteran of the USAF and my son, Chris, is currently on active duty, also with the USAF.  If it supports or honors our troops, I’m all for it!  What will you find in my little shop? Handmade /painted pottery, Mola’s from the San Blas, wall art from the Americas, handmade Christmas ornaments, native American made or inspired objects, one of a kind pillows to items honoring our troops, almost anything!  Thanks for letting me share space at “Laura’s Emporium”.  It feels like home!

Editor’s note:  Donna’s booth #22 is upstairs toward front of the building.

 A Hug . . . isn’t that appropriate?  Lucky Bears Limited is a UK company, understandable since England’s manufacturers of collectible Teddy Bears outnumbered many other countries.  Although Lucky Bears offers a few new bears for children, they specialize in vintage and antique bears for the collector and new collectible bears are available from selected manufacturers.

Steiff is probably the most well-known maker of Teddy Bears and auction prices confirm its collectibility.  But there are several other companies that produced (some still in business) high quality bears.  As part of their Encyclopaedia, Lucky Bears gives us the history, popular bears, and means of identification for companies spanning five countries.  While many may think ‘one size fits all,’ the characteristics of each company’s bears shows just how unique these creations are.

Browsing the antique and vintage bears for sale, one is struck by the personality of each.  Many were created to commemorate events and people.  Paddington Bear is a classic example of bears who were born from storybooks.  And who doesn’t remember Smokey telling us “Only YOU can prevent forest fires”?

Lucky Bears tells you how to care for your bears – storage, cleaning, pests, etc.  Especially important when adding a vintage bear to your Hug.  Not just for antique bears, this is applicable to the numerous bears your children have been given over the years.  The glossary is well done and includes ‘when’ and ‘why’ explanations.  Vastly more understandable than just a quickie definition, which often leaves one no wiser than before.  If you’ve come across a Teddy Bear term not mentioned, Lucky Bears encourages you to email them and they’ll add it to the glossary.

Just as we have a diversified group of friends, Teddy’s circle includes dogs, frogs, rabbits, beavers and more.  Collectible on their own, Teddy would invite them all to a party.  And don’t forget to dress appropriately; from a casual backyard barbecue to the president’s inauguration, the well-dressed bear is ready for any occasion.  You can find accessories here or inspiration to make your own.

How much is your bear worth?  Lucky Bears gives us an in-depth look at what makes a bear valuable.  Condition is primary for any collectible, manufacturer is important, but size, color and other factors also contribute to value.  Take a close look at your Teddy Bear while reading “How Much is MY Antique Bear Worth?” and you may move him from your bed to a glass case.

Lucky Bears Limited <http://luckybears.com> is a friendly, informative, easy-to-navigate site.  They gladly share their considerable knowledge and have superb photos.  And don’t forget to check out the Links page for clubs, current manufacturers, magazines, and more.

Tell ‘em I sent ya’
Victoria

P.S. For those not familiar with the metric system an easy, one-step conversion is http://www.worldwidemetric.com/measurements.html

We’ve added new photos to our flickr page.

Check it out ~ you might see just what you’ve been looking for!

Hull, Bradford, Dunhill, Longaberger, Moppets, Holly Hobbie, Rachel Pringle, McCoy, Hazel Atlas

Art, Ceramics, Glass, Handmade, Marbles, Miniatures, Thimbles, Tintypes, Toys, Trumpet

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49058893@N05/

My son’s really into music and always downloading songs to his iPod.  Whenever I’m reminded of an old and favorite song, I’ll mention it so he can check it out.  Recently, I thought of “In The Ghetto” and as soon as the words were out of my mouth, he said “You mean Elvis’ song?”  My heart went pitter-patter and I silently yelled “Yes, I did raise him right!”

Thousands of fans will be making the pilgrimage to Graceland for Elvis Week August 10-16.  34 years after his death, he’s still with us.  I was browsing through Elvis websites and there are zillions.  But for fun and insight and collectible info without sales pitch, this was my favorite.

Meet Tom Willett is a long-time fan and collector of all things Elvis and, arguably ‘world’s worst Elvis impersonator’.  With more than 50 years in show business, Tom has an insider’s perception of the entertainment industry.  And as he states – Everything on this site is free. There is no membership. There are no fees. You do not have to register. Enjoy your visit.

If you follow Wandering the Web, you know I usually choose sites that have lots of categorized information.  Elvis Collectables is different.  It’s like a fantastic story with all this great collectible stuff woven in.  Tom makes connections that many collectors may not have recognized.  He tells us about the people and places Elvis was involved with, how these associations are also collectible.

If you love Elvis, if you collect Elvis, if you just want to revisit your past (or your parents’!), check out Elvic Collectables at http://www.elviscollectables.com/index.html.  It’s a trip you will enjoy.

P.S. Elvis’ first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show September 9, 1956 – was watched by 60 million U.S. viewers, roughly half of the population who had TVs at that time.

Customers come from near and far to shop at Laura’s Emporium

Some of the most beautiful items you will run across will be made, at least in part, of wood. Furniture, figurines, carvings, clocks, gun stocks, humidors—the list is endless.  It stands to reason, then, that the variety of woods used to create these works of art is nearly endless as well.  Rosewood, cedar, mahogany or teak, common or exotic—they all have an inherent warmth and beauty that captures the eye and makes us want to surround ourselves with wood.

There are several websites with information and images of thousands of woods, and I’ve used all of them over the years.  But I’d recommend Paul Hinds’ woodpics, a “non-commercial site focusing on color-correct pictures of exotic and domestic woods” at http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/index.htm as your first stop in identifying a wood.

With most wood identification sites you access a photograph of the wood by clicking on the name.  This process works great IF you know what kind of wood you have.  If not, you can spend hours clicking, viewing a photograph, going back, clicking on next name, etc.

Paul Hinds’ site has photos of over 500 different types of wood in a single column on the main page, making it easy on the eyes and surprisingly quick to go through.  By scrolling down you can view about five at a time.  If you see one that’s similar to what you’re looking for, you can click on it.  A new window (yay! you won’t lose the main page) pops up with—at the very least—general info and a larger photo.  In almost every case, you’ll find many additional photos displaying different cuts, veneers, raw wood, planks, finishes, etc. and divinely detailed close-ups.  Amazingly, the website has over 22,000 photos for you to peruse!

An ILLUSTRATED glossary gave me an understanding of many industry terms, an added bonus when previous readings had left me scratching my head going “huh?”  The glossary covers not only what the average person might want to know, but also targets woodworkers and carpenters.  With specific wood terms, wood toxicity, common and botanical name lists, articles, and new information added frequently, nothing is overlooked.

Presented in a conversational style, it’s easy reading. Donations are accepted to keep it commercial-free.  If you’d like to know your woods, be sure to bookmark Paul’s website—you’ll find it extremely useful, and the woods are breathtaking.

Tell ‘em I sent ya’
Victoria