Subscribe
Categories
Archives
Blog
Category Archives: Household items
Pink: A Collectible Color
Some collectors are passionate about pink. In fact, one could argue it’s the most collectible color. Pink became a color marketing brand in the late 1940s; that’s when designer Elsa Schiaparelli introduced “hot pink” to western fashion. By the 1950s and 60s thousand of products were offered in pink like this Bell telephone. Join a [...]
Also posted in Uncategorized Tagged collecting pink telephones, pink collectibles, using color in marketing Leave a comment
1940s Dress Patterns
The United States was at war for the first half of the 1940s. Much of the clothing from this time reflects the way Americans lived: Practical, frugal and hardworking. This pattern is a great example of what working women during World War II may have worn. Many of these women would have worked in factories [...]
Pitcher designed by Adolf Loos
Adolf Loos was a 20th-century architect who hated ornamentation. He wrote about his disdain for it in a 1908 essay; in English it was translated as Ornament and Crime. This pitcher is a perfect example of Loos’ aesthetic style. Straight lines, simple curves and smooth surfaces. Adolf Loos designed it in 1931 for Viennese glassmakers, [...]
Also posted in Family Items Tagged 20th century modern design, famous Viennese architects, glass designed by Adolf Loos Comments closed
Goebel Friar Tuck Monk Collectibles
First, there were Hummels. Then, came the Monks. The Goebel company introduced Hummel figurines in 1935. These handcrafted, decorative collectiblies sold by the millions. Collectors just couldn’t get enough. In the early 1950s the company introduced the Friar Tuck and Red Cardinal series. And before you could say, “Holy Smokes!” Monks and cardinals were flying [...]
Also posted in Family Items, Food/Drink Tagged History of the Goebel Company, monk collectibles 3 Comments
NASCO China set (USA)
I’m having a hard time finding anything about the NASCO company. If you know please send a comment and I’ll post it. In the meantime, here’s how this set ended up in the family. It was most likely the 1940s and Bendikte Olsen and her daughter Helen went to a neighborhood social in Brooklyn, New [...]
Also posted in Family Items Tagged NASCO china set, NASCO silver garland and triangles pattern Comments closed
Sessions Mantel Clock
As the year winds down, I thought it appropriate to write about this clock. It was made by the Sessions Clock Company in Forestville, Connecticut. The Sessions Clock Company has a long and sometimes confusing history, so let me tick off some of its more interesting facts: 1 – Opened for business in 1831 as [...]
Charlie McCarthy ‘The Detective’ Spoon
Seventy years ago this month The Detective hit the silver screen. This comic caper starred Edgar Bergen and his wise-cracking sidekick (both literally and figuratively) Charlie McCarthy. To commemorate the film’s release a silver plated spoon came out. As you can see the spoon has McCarthy dressed like Sherlock Holmes. This spoon originally belonged to [...]
Also posted in Family Items, TV/Movies Tagged collecting silver spoons, famous ventriloquists, movie collectibles and memorabilia Leave a comment
Gurley Novelty Pilgrim Candles
Before Franklin Gurley entered the candlemaking business his company made novelty candy like wax lips! Gurley owned W&F Manufacturing in Buffalo, NY. The switch to candle production started in the 1930s. In 1949 the business changed its name to a more appropriate one: Gurley Novelty Candle Company. In addition to Pilgrim candles, Gurley produced Indians, [...]
Also posted in Holiday Themed Tagged Candle companies in the United States, Thanksgiving candles 1 Comment