Antique Trader Blog - kitchen antiques

Star of the North Show this weekend at the Minn. State Fairgrounds

Karen — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:09:06 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Townsend Promotions, Inc., is pleased to announce the Star of the North Antique Show will be returning this weekend (June 25-27) to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Townsend promoters hear many, many positive comments from customers and exhibitors about the show as well as the location and, of course, the free parking.

The Star of the North has something to offer for every collector from beginning to advanced. You will see an exciting array of antiques in every category from Civil War, historical, political, advertising, coins, vintage toys, fine art glass, fine porcelains, flow blue china, paintings, Moser glass, jewelry, sterling silver matching service, art pottery, holiday collectibles, prints, decorative antiques, carnival glass, cut glass, Fenton glass, Cambridge, Royal Bayreuth, Royal Doulton, Nippon, hatpins, napkin rings, match safes, bookends, door stops, notary seals, postcards, ephemera, furniture, primitives, old books and much more.

New to the show – verbal jewelry appraisal services available at the show daily from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. This is in conjunction with a Vintage Clothing Show held in the Fine Arts Building and a Book Fair in the Progress Building.

The show will again be held in the Education Building which is located near the entrance of the fairgrounds and free parking. Hours of the show will be: Friday: 10 am – 6 pm; Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday 11 am – 4 pm.

Admission is $6 and is good all three days of the show – mention this news release on the Antique Trader blog and receive $1 off one admission at the door.

For show information, call 641-832-2700 or 507-269-1473 or email us at Townsend Promotions.

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-posted by Eric

RWCS sponsors latest Antique Trader sweepstakes

Karen — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:31:25 GMT

We’ve been very busy working up new ways for readers to interact with fellow collectors and collections. One project in particular is a great opportunity for lovers of Red Wing stoneware and art pottery ceramics.

Antique Trader is teaming up with the Red Wing Collectors Society to bring you a whopper for our monthly, online-only Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes. In exchange for signing up to receive our two, free weekly e-newsletters through the sweepstakes, entrants have a chance to win a $150 prize package through the month of June.

The Red Wing Collectors Society is one of the oldest most active, engaged and knowledgeable clubs in the United States. You can lean more about this great group of people at www.redwingcollectors.org, which incidentally is the No. 1 source of Red Wing Pottery knowledge in the world. Its famous national convention is scheduled for July 8-10, 2010, in — where else — Red Wing, Minn.

The prize package includes a one-year membership in the RWCS, which includes the official newsletter six times a year, a rare 2009 RWCS convention commemorative advertising bean pot (available only to RWCS members and limited to 3,600 pieces) AND a 2010 RWCS convention commemorative, yet to be released, that’s only available to members at the July 8-10 convention.

You can enter at http://sweepstakes.antiquetrader.com/. This is the first time we’ve ever offered such a prize package and we’re proud to partner with the RWCS. Remember, this is an online only sweepstakes.

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• Enter the Antique Trader Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes.

Antique Trader is giving a free antique appraisal to attendees of the Chicago Antique Market

Karen — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:59:13 GMT

Own an antique or collectible?
Of course you do!

Want to know its value?
Absolutely!

Come meet Antique Trader at Chicago's largest antiques and collectibles festival May 29-30! Every attendee to the Chicago Antique Market at the Randolph Street Market Festival will giving free antique appraisals at the inaugural Antique Trader Appraisal Fair. After shopping from aisles and aisles of more than 300 vendors inside and outside Chicago’s historic Plumbers Hall, regional and nationally-known antiques experts will answer your questions on family heirlooms and rare items from your collection.

Situated under the big top tent, every attendee is eligible for a free appraisal of an antique or collectible with additional appraisals (as time allows) available at $10 each. Appraisal fair hours are limited to 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 29 and from 11 to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 30.

Among the experts scheduled to appear:

* Mark Moran, appraiser and senior editor of Warman's Antiques & Collectibles 2011 Price Guide, 44th Edition antiques and collectibles books for Krause Publications and an appraiser for PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow.”

* Brett Benson owner of Jewel Sphinx Extraordinary Objects and Jewels

* Daryle Lambert, founder of the 31 Corp., and author of the book 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles.

Among the unique “show within a show” features at the Chicago Antique Market include:

* The Indie Designer Market, the lower level of Plumber’s Hall, features the hottest young designers creating avant garde and one-of-a-kind fashion, art and jewelry.

* The Vinyl Swap Meet, where thousands of collectible records from 45’s to LP’s, jazz to rock and show tunes are availabel to buy, swap or sell.

* The Fancy Food Market, offering all types of chocolates, cakes, breads, spices, olive oils, salsa to bring home or enjoy during the event.

More Info:

Chicago Antique Market at the Randolph Street Market Festival Saturday & Sunday, May 29-30, 2010

1350 Block W. Randolph Street & inside Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington Street, Chicago.

Free pickup and drop off from Water Tower Place, 835 N Michigan Ave.

Show hours

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 29
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 30

Antique Appraisal Fair Hours

1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 29
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 30

Tickets

$10, available at the gate or in advance online

Chicago Antique Market
312-666-1200
info@chicagoantiquemarket.com
www.chicagoantiquemarket.com

-Posted by Eric Bradley

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Blue & White Pottery Club to convene in June

Karen — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:49:03 GMT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Blue & White Pottery Club was founded in 1981 by a handful of Blue & White Stoneware pottery enthusiasts and collectors, principally in the Midwest. The Blue & White pottery interests include Blue & White, Uhl, Blue & Gray (Utica/Flemish), Sleepy Eye, Spongeware, Red Wing, and other stoneware. The Blue & White Pottery Club now has more than 300 members reaching from coast to coast and border to border.

The principal goals of the Blue & White Pottery Club are to share information, encourage learning, and foster an appreciation of the distinct history, wide variety, and increasing collectability of Blue & White Stoneware pottery. Equally important goals are the promotion and nurturing of friendships with fellow collectors and to further the equal opportunity for all to participate in new discoveries and exciting information about Blue & White pottery.

Attending the Club’s annual convention each June is a highlight of membership; this year it will be held June 10-12, 2010, at the Cedar Rapids Marriott in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. One of the highlights of the convention is the Club Consignment Auction consisting of approximately 120 pieces of premium stoneware including Blue & White, Sleepy Eye, Red Wing, Western, Whites Utica as well as others.

To join the Blue & White Pottery Club, a membership form can be found on their website at www.blueandwhitepottery.org and you will also find this years convention agenda along with more information about convention and the Blue & White Pottery Club.

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Antique Trader has two cover features this week

Karen — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:57:33 GMT

The first feature we have is on funky and functional vintage aprons. A trendy sensation: Vintage aprons inspire a generation by Geets Vincent.

The second is on vintage magazines and the political cartoons therein, which are just as relevant today as they were 70+ years ago. Political cartoons predict the future by Suzanne Meredith.

As always, feel free to let us know what you think!

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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Now's the time to invest

Karen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:24:06 GMT

This week's issue had a few articles devoted to 'affordable' collections as well as a column on how to collect without cash.
The two themes were the subject of this week's editor's note. They reminded me of our current economic crisis and how it should not deter veteran and novice collectors from getting out and enjoying the hobby.

You can’t escape the economy no matter how hard you try. Unemployment. Rising prices. Store closings. It’s to be expected that people are worried more about their mortgages than they are about adding a new gem to their collection.

This week’s issue is devoted to the idea that a quality and interesting collection does not require a seven-figure bankroll. Now more than ever collectors need to be reminded that the precious objects in their home are a source of escape, education and excitement.

As Mark Roeder explains in his column on page 14, to be a collector is not synonymous with being a ‘horder’. Being a collector means to be inquisitive, a researcher or an aficionado of fine design, among other things. Nor should ‘affordable’ be translated as ‘cheap.’ Many important collections were started with rather modest means. Important collections are built by people willing to spend time learning about their collection and preparing for the next purchase. That means reading reference books, talking with experts and inspecting items you already own.

“Most are so busy seeking out new additions that they don’t pay attention to what is right there in front of them,” Roeder writes. “Enjoying what you already have can not only be just as enjoyable as adding a new piece.”

Rearranging your collection or putting others away to make room for long forgotten treasures is a fulfilling way to get reacquainted with your items. Everyone has an item or two (or more) that could use a bit more research. Perhaps it’s time to weed out a few items.

Our cover this week focuses on two diverse, yet similar, collecting areas that are seeing ‘green shoots’ among collectors.

Nostalgic ceramicware items from the 50s and 60s can be found at most every antiques show, country auction or flea market. As you’ll see in Walter Dworkin’s piece, excerpted from his book “Price Guide to Holt-Howard Collectibles,” every collector can afford many vintage pieces. While it is true values for Holt-Howard’s Pixieware collectibles are on the rise, an afternoon at any one of the nation’s larger flea markets or antiques malls will result in a find. Remember to take Dworkin’s advice when shopping: Never pay top dollar for a chipped or damaged collectible.

Melody Amsel-Arieli’s article on canning labels is an interesting look at the history and art of a relatively new collecting genre. Most labels can be found in every price range and a majority of them are valued at $10 or less.

Canning labels are just now entering an era of their own. Amsel-Arieli writes that collectors are charmed by their beauty or historical value. Like vintage ceramicware, can labels can be found here and there however an Internet search will generate many more leads.

No matter what your collecting passion may be, don’t let a temporary economic downturn steal your enjoyment in antiques and collectibles.

Get out and enjoy the hunt.

Eric Bradley
Editor

Regional collectors club conventions

Karen — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:01:10 GMT

American Cut Glass Association Annual Convention to be in Vienna, Va.

The American Cut Glass Association will hold its ACGA Annual Convention on July 24-26, 2009, at the Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner Hotel, in Vienna, Va.

The convention gives ACGA members a great opportunity to learn about glass and extra time for sight-seeing in the area. There will be a spectacular display of some of the world’s most elegant cut glass, plus lectures by leaders in cut glass and related fields.

For additional information on joining the American Cut Glass Association or about the Annual Convention, visit www.cutglass.org.

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Fenton Glass Collectors to meet in August for convention

The 19th Annual Convention of the National Fenton Glass Society will be held on Aug. 1-3, 2009, in Marietta, Ohio.

The convention headquarters will be the Comfort Inn. Glass displays and seminars are open to the public. Members and their guests will enjoy a dinner cruise aboard the Valley Gem Sternwheeler, participate in Glass ID, attend the NFGS annual meeting, play Fenton bingo, and enjoy the banquet followed by a whimsey auction.

For more information on the NFGS convention or the National Fenton Glass Society, visit www.fentonglasssociety.org.

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Carriage Association of America to hold 2009 conference in Leesburg, Va.

The Carriage Association of America will hold its 2009 CAA Conference on June 17-20, 2009, at the Morven Park Equestrian Center in Leesburg, Va.

For additional information on The Carriage Association of America or the upcoming 2009 conference, visit www.caaonline.com.

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Sewing Machine Collectors to meet in Charlotte in 2009

The International Sewing Machine Collectors’ Society will hold their annual convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 17-18, 2009.

The convention will include a sewing machine auction and row upon row of sales tables, plus tours and other activities.

For additional information visit www.ismacs.net/events.html or e-mail Graham Forsdyke at graham@ismacs.u-net.com.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
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Antique Trader, June 17, 2009 issue

Karen — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:50:59 GMT

Here's a peek at the cover of the newest issue of Antique Trader:

What do you think?

New Antique Trader sweepstakes launches today

Karen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:06:42 GMT

Yes, that's right! Your chance to enter for the fan-bird carving and postcards has passed.

But don't worry ... we've launched another sweeps starting today, June 1, that runs until the end of June.

This month we're taking sweepstakes entries for the Price Guide to Holt-Howard Collectibles and related ceramicware of the '50s and '60s. If you're of a certain age, I'm sure you're familiar with the look of these fun and funky collectibles, and we'll be giving away a wonderful resource for identifying and valuing these ceramic cuties.

Don't miss out! Enter today - and every day - for this great prize!

CLICK HERE or on the banner to enter the Antique Trader Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.

• Learn more about Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
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Feature articles from the latest issue of Antique Trader

Karen — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:21:58 GMT

Check it out all:

Ask Antique Trader: Shedding light on dolphin lamp

Light My Fire! Zippo the first name in lighters

Chair tourist attraction opening in Stone Mountain Village

Hey buddy, got a light? (collectible vintage lighters)

Life down on the farm—Farm collectibles (share your farm memories with us ... and if you collect anything farm related)

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.

This week's Antique Trader

Karen — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:01:25 GMT

Here's a peek at the cover:

As you can see, this week we have features on farm collectibles and vintage lighters. And, we have a bonus feature on Zippo lighters!

Click on the magazine cover to go to www.antiquetrader.com and read these great antiques and collectibles features and much, much more.

AntiqueTrader.com article links

Karen — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:09:25 GMT

Hello shortcut lovers!

Here are quick links to some of this week's Antique Trader articles:

Former owner gets carried away with old mill

From accident to innovation: Celebrating the craftsmanship and artistry of ancient Roman glass

Ask Antique Trader: Seldom-seen Cincinnati dog table is valuable Victorian piece

The mischief makers (naughty children on postcards)

Once upon a time: The history of Little Golden Books®

Sew there! Buttons can be a window on history

Collecting classic cookbooks: Repasts from the past

Rich Penn auction prices are rock solid at Spring Spectacular in Stone Mountain, Ga.

Rare Seminole shoulder sash is top lot in Cowan’s auction

Seven major Crowell decoys in Copley’s July 15-16 sale

Robin Starr named director pro tem of Skinner’s fine paintings department

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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Falling in love with old paint

Karen — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:49:49 GMT

A few years ago I had the chance to pick up a set of three painted cupboards. I remember thinking $400 was a lot to spend on these three less-than-perfect pieces. But I thought about it for a few days and ended up buying them.

Two of the cupboards (I know some of you will cringe at this ... I do myself!) I repainted. They were painted a light green color and they had the original green glass pulls. I simply cleaned the two smaller cupboards up, sanded them, and painted them white. They are striking with the green glass knobs too.

They look nice, and they're very functional. But sometimes I think I should have left them wearing their green paint.

The largest piece is a Hoosier-type cupboard with a base cabinet and a hutch. I didn't do anything with that one right away because I didn't have a place for it in my house. Recently we finished our dining room, which is the room I earmarked as the home for this cupboard. All I did with this piece was clean it with a weak detergent/bleach solution and painted the insides of the drawers in the base cabinet. I couldn't bring myself to paint over the green paint with the scrapes and character marks.

And I'm glad I did.

I think it lends my dining room charm and warmth. Granted, the room is still quite empty - I have to go through my treasure storage to properly fill it - but I like my cupboard in its "as-found" state.

What do you think?

I even found my 5-gallon Red Wing sippin' jug!

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
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FREE online classified ads

Karen — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:52:03 GMT

Collect.com offers free classified ads

Everyone wants to get something for nothing, and now that's possible, thanks to Collect.com’s free classified ads.

“The classified ads are completely free — no gimmicks, no strings attached and no limit to the number of classified ads that can be placed,” said Dianne Wheeler, the community leader for collect.com. “This is a great way for collectors to sell the items that they don’t love anymore — and shop for new ones that they will — without pricey consignment fees or drawn-out bidding wars.”

Placing an ad is easy. Just visit www.collect.com, click on the collectibles area that applies to your item (Comics, Music, Sports, Militaria or Antiques and Collectibles), and add in the details. The Ad Wizard walks you through every step of the process, including writing the description and adding a photo of the piece that’s for sale.

The free classified ads are the first of numerous improvements that are scheduled to come to collect.com this year, Wheeler said.

Produced by F+W Media, the world’s largest hobby and collectible publisher, Collect.com is an online community where collectors can discuss and display their finds, keep tabs on the value of their collections, connect with buyers and sellers, read about the latest hobby news and more.

CLICK HERE to sell your collectibles (or post a wanted ad) with Collect.com free classified ads.

How much are these cookbooks worth?

Karen — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:43:12 GMT

Just how much are these cookbooks worth?

Well, it really doesn't matter, I guess, because someone's going to win them for free! Yes, that's right — FREE!

You see, for the March Antique Trader Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes, we're giving away a selection of cookbooks along with the Antique Trader Collectible Cookbooks Price Guide.

I have to tell you, it was a lot of fun sitting down and looking through all these books. Just so there's no misunderstanding: these books are NOT new. Most of them were purchased at auction. And now, someone who enters the Antique Trader sweepstakes in March is going to win them, along with the price guide and a copy of The Tasty Trader, which was published in 1998 and is subtitled: Culinary Delights from the Employees of Antique Trader Publications, Inc. It makes me hungry looking through it, and it may just become a favorite book for the winner.

Make sure you enter once each day for your best chance of winning!

You can click on the banner below to enter the sweepstakes.

GOOD LUCK!

Have a kitschy Christmas

Karen — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:15:15 GMT

I have nothing but fond memories of my childhood Christmases. And some very distinct recollections of our holiday decor, which can pretty much be summed up in one word: Kitsch.

When I recall our decorations, it was like a big elf regurgitated “retro” all over the place. And I mean no offense. In fact, if they hadn’t been so unique, I probably wouldn’t remember them as clearly as I do. Back then, I didn’t know any better. I just thought yuletide kitsch was cool. These days, I know some of it was a bit tacky – but I still think it was pretty far out.

I mean, who doesn’t love a plastic tree with a three-bulbed “disco lamp” underneath that lights up red, then blue, then green, then all three colors? I loved that. I bet my parents still have it, unless the cheap plastic cone was cracked or crunched in the Christmas box at some point over the years (highly likely).

Speaking of lights, we certainly had enough of those electric plastic candles with the “dripping wax” and screw-in bulb on top. The orange bulb flame looked so authentic, didn’t it?

Remember the days before white mini-lights? Those colorful screw-in light strings were pretty but quite the fire hazard. Those bulbs would get so hot, I’m surprised our trees stayed intact – especially towards New Year’s when they weren’t getting much water.

I still see ornaments in stores that look like the “satin” ones with tons of thread wrapped around a Styrofoam ball, but nothing like the glamorous ones with ribbons and sequins held in place with pearl-topped straight pins. How beautiful, right?

As a little girl, I enjoyed playing with our little stuffed Rudolphs. These were pre-Beanie Baby days, mind you, and these velvet (that’s debatable) deer were actually stuffed with sawdust. Don’t let the “Made in Japan” sticker convince you these were not quality, though. These were built to last – and did last after years of not-so-gentle handling by us kids.

My favorite item was not even a decoration. It was our ceramic Santa mugs. There were eight different mugs with eight different expressions. (Have I mentioned there were eight kids in our family?) Those mugs were only used for two special occasions: our Christmas dinner milk and our Christmas Eve cup of eggnog. It’s no wonder I love eggnog to this day. It was a special experience to have it each Christmas! And yes, my mother still has those mugs in her cupboard. Those we actually handled with care!

If you are a Santa fan, take a look at the collecting feature on page 6 of this issue of Antique Trader, too. Do you save Santas or collect Christmas? Do you place your gifts under an aluminum tree or one that looks like a gigantic bottle brush? Do you still hang your honeycomb paper bells? Antique Trader would love to know if you are trimming your tree with antique, vintage or retro decorations.

Drop us a line at robyn.austin@fwmedia.com, post a reply on the AT blog, or visit the Antique Trader Message Boards and post a reply to the Christmas Collectibles thread. And send pictures! Some of this stuff is hard to believe without seeing!

OK. I gotta go. I heard a fast-food joint nearby has eggnog shakes!

Click here to discuss this story and more in the AntiqueTrader.com message boards.

The D.C. Big Flea

Karen — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:23:44 GMT

For nostalgia lovers young and old, the D.C. Big Flea promises two days of treasure hunting Sept. 20 & 21, 2008.

The D.C. Big Flea is held at the Dulles Expo Center.

Whether your area of interest is general store collectibles, vintage advertising, folk art, vintage toys or anything old, if you're in the area, it's worth checking out.

Hours for the show are: Saturday Sept. 20th 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday September 21st 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Admission is $8, good for both days. The address: Dulles Exposition and Convention Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center Chantilly, VA 20151.

Only 10 minutes from the Dulles Airport.

I'm not the only character in the kitchen

Sandra — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:47:37 GMT

Shredding potatoes, and carrots, and onions, oh my!

As I was preparing breakfast yesterday, it occurred to me as I took out my well-used Mouli to make homemade hashbrowns, that I prefer using this little mid-20th century marvel to the electric, dishwasher-safe food processor that I received as a gift a few years ago. For some reason, I don't even think about using the electric food processor. The Mouli is just so simple and easy, whether I use it to thinly slice potatoes, or grate nuts or chocolate, or shred potatoes or carrots; I know I sound like a commercial, but I just love it!

I was fortunate to find my Mouli somewhere along the way, shortly before I set up house back in the early '90s; I think I found my little kitchen treasure at a garage sale during one of the local favorite "city-wide rummage" sales. I know I didn't pay very much for it ... I want to say it was less than $10 ... but in my opinion these little beauties are worth their weight in platinum. And you can still find them today, both new and old. (Here's an old one listed on Ruby Lane; this one's in much better condition than mine.) I think the old ones have more character.

Image courtesy Charming and Cheap Vintage Collectibles, a Ruby Lane shop.

I remember seeing the commercials for these early food processors in the 1970s, though I know they've been around much longer than that (the one shown here is marked with a 1950 patent date); I've been a fan since I was a small child and watched my Mom use hers on occasion. It seems to me she used to use hers when making homemade carrot cake (now she just uses a cake mix when she has a hankering for carrot cake ... it's just not the same) but I don't remember her ever letting me do it. I don't know if she was afraid I would hurt myself or if she just wanted to have the fun task of doing the shredding. Yes — that's right — fun. The Mouli makes shredding/grating/slicing fun!

Hmmm. I think I'll make a fresh, homemade carrot cake and take it over to my parents' house and see if she remembers (and still has) her Mouli. I'll let them provide the coffee ...

Do you remember the Mouli? Or still use yours? Is there another vintage kitchen gadget that you just won't retire? Post a reply and let us know.

— Karen