Antiques & Such

2011-04-17T21:46:00.004-04:00

We Started As Collectors

2011-04-17T12:04:00.008-04:00

Before we opened Hourglass Antiques & Collectibles, we were collectors. Bill was learning decoy carving and got interested in knives (folding pocket). That led to straight razors, and then, shaving mugs and barber bottles. As a boy, he collected comic books and rocks & minerals.

I started with Steiff animals, mostly teddy bears. Eventually I sold my other species and concentrated on bears. That led to children's storybooks about bears, post cards of teddy bears, and miniature creamers of every type to display with the bears. As a youngster, I had several nice dolls and a collection of dog figurines.

As any collector knows, this can become addictive. On occasion, you'll see something in a magazine, at a yard sale, or in an antique shop that will call out to you. Generally speaking, if it's within your budget and you have plenty of room for it, our motto is, "Do you take VISA?"

Calling All Fine Artists

2011-03-15T04:48:00.004-04:00

I'm a member of IAntiqueOnline, a community for learning about, how to buy, how to sell, and sharing stories about your antiques and collectibles. With 6500 members and growing, they are now branching out to include fine art. Here's a quote from the editor, C. Dianne Zweig:

"Wanted: More Artists To Join Our Community And Share Their Paintings, Drawings, Assemblage ETC.

If you are an artist or know other artists, please tell them that IAO is a great place for them to promote their artwork. We welcome artists to come aboard and start more groups about art. We also will feature original artwork on our main page slide show. So if you know any artists out there...tell them that now is the time to build a Profile Page on our site and to share their artwork with others. We will help them promote their art."

The site is completely free, so fine artists - give it a try!

Evie,
Hourglass Antiques

My eCrater Store

2011-03-15T04:36:00.012-04:00

2009-10-20T19:56:00.007-04:00

Autographed 1930’s Sports Pen & Ink Drawings For Sale

In the early 1930’s a timid young sign painter and would-be commercial artist in New York City became enamored with all types of sports figures who were popular during this period. After a day’s work and on weekends, he would retire to his room in his parent’s home and go to work at his drawing board. He would render the players’ action poses in charcoal and pen & ink and then label the drawings by hand with the player’s position and team name. Living in New York was the perfect opportunity for the young man to eventually come in contact with his heroes. When a team would come to town he would take his drawing to the game and seek out the subject, sometimes in the dugout, at other times in the locker room. His goal was to acquire the signature, but more importantly, he wanted to meet the player and perhaps, just perhaps, have a short chat with him about the ‘game’, whether it be baseball or boxing. Many times he would take his artwork to a game or match simply to go home with nothing. But over the space of two years, he was able to successfully connect with a hundred or so of his idols.

This shy young artist was my father. As a child growing up in Miami, Fla., it was thrilling to hear the stories he would tell about his successes meeting his favorite players, but it was also fascinating to hear about the times when he struck out. Just once, in 1935, he trusted a friend to take a drawing to a locker room in order to have it signed by Joe Louis. “I’m going that way anyway” his friend said. “Let me take it for you.” This drawing was unique because it was the first (and only) one my dad had done in color. He never saw the drawing again. Another story involved a hockey team. My dad had done several drawings of team individuals from the Chicago Blackhawks. He was standing outside the locker room, when a player came out to look at what my dad had brought. The man was amazed. And why, for goodness sake, have each player come to the door to see their image? My dad was invited into the inner sanctum of the locker room. About 45 minutes later, he left. The guys had all marveled at my father’s artistic ability and then invited him to stay awhile to shoot the breeze.

One of the drawings is of Honus Wagner when he was the coach of the NY Yankees. My dad was in the stands, just beside the dugout, asking for Wagner. Instead, a player offered to pass the drawing to his coach. Wagner autographed it with a black ink pen, then noticed he had signed in the wrong place, and partly on top of his black jacket. (My dad would leave a white space or make a ‘box’ for the player’s signature.) And so the old man did the right thing – he signed it again!

My father passed away in 1999 at the age of eighty-seven. Yes, he did eventually become a commercial artist, working as a sign designer for the Electro Neon Sign Company in Miami for thirty years. His sports drawings were willed to his daughters. Now 24 of them are being offered for sale at Hourglass Antiques & Collectibles at eCrater. My husband and I were part of TIAS (The Internet Antique Shop) for 10 years. We have been antiques dealers for 20 years altogether. As always, your purchase may be returned (in it’s original condition) for any reason for a full refund.

And now a few words about the drawings themselves. Having been done in the 1930’s, most of them have an Art Deco feel. They were done on heavy weight drawing paper, and may have been sprayed with a fixatif. They are signed and dated by my dad. Some of the sports figures available in this offering are: Howie Morenz, Chuck Klein, Honus Wagner, Mel Ott, ‘Gabby’ Hartnett, Jack Dempsey, Jimmie Foxx, Sam Rice, Lorne Chabot, Pie Traynor, Waite Hoyt, Bill Dickey and Freddie Spencer.

Unlike sports cards or photographs, these are unique and one-of-a-kind! Even so, we are pricing them as if they were an autographed 8 x 10 photo, since my dad was an unknown artist. All have been hand-signed by the subject within 12 to 18 months of their completion.

2008-11-18T23:18:00.006-05:00

2008-08-06T02:37:00.010-04:00

Collecting Candlestands

In the 1850's the humble candlestand could be found nearly everywhere in the American home. They were eventually used to hold everything from wine glasses to teapots, in addition to candlesticks. Their small scale design and light weight made moving them from room to room an easy task.

In the 17th century (1600's), early models were made of wood or wrought iron. France is credited with inventing the candlestand and they were sometimes referred to as Torcheres. At first the tops of candlestands were stationary, but as they grew in popularity they were made with tilting tops. This made them easier to fit closely against the wall when not in use.

The 18th century models typically stood three to four feet tall, and had a flat, round top on a three-legged base. At first, there was room for only one or two candllesticks. Gradually more elaborate models came into use. By 1750, examples with deep shell carving, five-claw feet, and gilding (the application of gold leaf) were made. The legendary cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale felt that candlestands, like picture frames, should showcase the skill of carving and not the cabinetmaking.

In 1760, the book The Society of Upholster's Household Furniture in Genteel Taste, is said to have inspired craftsmen in Williamsburg, Va., who later provided candlestands for the George Washington home in Mount Vernon. From the 1770's into the early 1800's, striking candlestands were made in the upper Connecticut River Valley. These stands were often made of cherry and tiger maple. One such stand from the 1790's was crafted with a cherry hexagonal-shaped top crested by an inlaid compass of walnut.

By 1820, several versions of the tilt-top candlestand were being made in New England, New York, Philadelphia, and the Carolinas. Tops were seen in oval, rectangular, and octagonal shapes in addition to the traditional round shape. Some stands had double-ended drawers which were accessible from two sides. These drawers were just the right size for candle storage. Cherry and mahogany were the most popular choices of wood at this time, but candlestands could be had in maple, pine, and other regionally available woods.

By the 1830's, the Shaker communities accepted the 'worldly' candlestand as worthy for use in their households, and they gradually modified the Federal style to suit their simpler tastes. Whether Federal, Chippendale, or Shaker, there are antique candlestands to suit every taste available on the market today. Those with smaller budgets can acquire an early 20th century reproduction - at that time still made with skill and great attention to detail. You may check out our early 20th century candlestands here.

~ Evelyn

2008-07-02T13:49:00.011-04:00

OT: A few days ago I found out my friend Bob Swanson had died at the age of 52. Bob was a co-founder of Genentec and was responsible for making lives better for perhaps millions of people.
The synthesis of human insulin, human growth hormone, and a drug that restores blood flow after heart attacks were just a few of the many successes for which his company was responsible. He was named one of the 1000 important figures of the millennium, as the "entrepreneur who launched the biotechnology revolution." *

I met Bob at Miami Springs Junior High. We were in the same mechanical drawing class. He was one of the "brains" of the ninth grade Class of '61. But more than that, he was a warm and gentle, soft spoken guy. If you looked up the word 'nice' in the dictionary, Bob's picture would be there.

In high school we drifted apart as he pursued science and I pursued art, but we were able to come together as members of the German Honor Society. He came to my home for the annual party in 1965. After that, we spoke after school several times while I waited for the bus. He was friendly and caring, always.

Three years later, Bob was home for the summer from MIT and he gave me a call. That was the last I heard from my friend. At the age of 27 he had his now-historic meeting with Dr. Herbert Boyer, his future business partner. At the same age, I had a life-altering experience, too. I saw the Rocky Mountains for the first time and my eyes were opened by the majesty of it all. I wanted to paint and photograph, which I considered noble, and Bob wanted to take genetic engineering to the marketplace and help millions of people. I think Bob won the toss on that one.

Eight years ago, my friend succumbed to brain cancer. He had changed the lives of countless numbers of people for the better, and the irony that he was unable to help himself is overwhelming.

~ Evelyn

* Book, 1,000 Years, 1,000 People: Ranking the Men and Women Who Shaped the Millennium, authors Agnes Hooper Gottlieb, Henry Gottlieb, Barbara Bowers and Brent Bowers.

Collecting Decanters

2008-06-11T17:12:00.006-04:00

Have you considered collecting antique decanters? Decanters, jugs, and carafes are not only practical, but sometimes very inexpensive. You can find them at auctions, yard sales, and estate sales for under $50. The least expensive are pressed & cut crystal (no color) decanters from the Victorian period.

Carafes and jugs have been with us since ancient times, but decanters arrived on the scene in the 15th century. The term 'decanter' was first used in England in the early 1700's. In the 1830's, decanters with matching wine glasses were introduced.

There are a wide variety of shapes, which changed over the years. In all countries, shape and decoration followed the prevailing shapes of the period: neoclassic and Georgian, for example. Some are barrel-shaped, cut with flutes to imitate hoops and staves. Others are tapered, or square, or are 'shaft and globe' (bulbous with long necks). The claret jugs have graceful looped handles and lipped mouths. Then there are ship's decanters, made with wide bases to add stability at sea.

The more expensive decanters are made of colored glass, and/or mounted with silver. In Germany and Bohemia, enameled designs were used. In Ireland, decanters were deeply cut and engraved. In the early nineteenth century, in America and England, the strawberry diamond pattern was very popular. In the 1830's, the Boston and Sandwich Glass Co., known for it's lacy pattern glass, turned out decanters in several blown mold patterns.

In the 1870's, elaborate cut glass became the fashion. In America, the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876 inspired patriotic motifs and symbols. Around 1900, the popularity of colorful art glass extended to decanters and wine goblets. The Art Nouveau period, 1890-1915, produced designs in silver deposit on colored glass. Decanters became status symbols when they sported silver mountings from Gorham or Tiffany.

Reproductions are out there, but a little research will go a long way. Pressed diamond and strawberry decanters have been reproduced; the originals have a gray cast. Repros of the early three-ring English decanters exist, as well as cranberry and cut glass color-overlay.

The Daisy & Button spirit decanters shown are available in our web store: Hourglass Antiques at eCrater

~ Evelyn

New Items at Hourglass Antiques!

2008-02-14T23:21:00.002-05:00

We've added vintage magazine ads including 1964 automobiles (Cadillac, Lincoln, Pontiac Bonneville, Chrysler, Thunderbird), 1963 Volkswagon Beetle, and 1970 Jaguar. Also, you'll find a nice Jerry Lewis & Wembley ties ad, Camel cigarettes, and MOD sportswear from 1970. One full-page full-color ad we have for Lee denim (men's jacket & flared pants) was actually featured as a poster in the motion picture "The Ice Storm", set in 1973, as Tobey Maguire stands waiting for a train.

Advertising: New Items

Also new to the site are many non-fiction books, including SUPERSTARS of BASEBALL by Bob Broeg, CAMERA and LENS, by Ansel Adams, A HOUSEWIVES' GUIDE to ANTIQUES, First Edition, 1959, and 100 YEARS of the U. S. OPEN, 1995.

Non-Fiction: New Items

After your visit, give us your feedback! Thanks for reading. . .

~ Evelyn

Collecting Children's Classic Books

2008-01-27T03:00:00.000-05:00

What is the allure for a children's book collector? For some it's the superb illustrations, for others, the well-written stories. Adults may continue to reflect with sentiment, affection, and even awe on the books they read as children. When they were read to us, we would ask Mom or Grandpa to "please read it again".

A best bet for the collector is the classic stories - the one's we have all heard of, and hopefully have already read. Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, illustrated by John Tenniel, was first published in 1865. Shortly after it was printed it was withdrawn by the author because he was disappointed with the quality of the printing. Only a few copies kept by Carroll escaped the fate of the rest, which were destroyed. The copies still remaining today are considered extremely rare.

Another story well-known to children is Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit (1893). The author created all the drawings, which continue to enchant today. Many children learned to read with the stories of Peter Rabbit and developed a kinship with Mopsy, Flopsy, and Cotton-Tail.

Kate Greenaway was a shy and often ill child with a talent for drawing. She started her career designing Christmas cards and Valentines. Her self-illustrated stories evoked fragments of childhood memories - rural England, pretty gardens, and frolicking children in idyllic settings. The Victorians loved her works, as we do today. Her first picture book, Under the Window (1878), was an immediate success not only in England, but in the rest of Europe as well.

Few stories are more popular than A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh (1926) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928). These books were illustrated by Ernest Shepard, whose black and white drawings helped make the stories a success. Shepard also illustrated Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows, created in 1908 as bedtime stories for Grahame's son. This masterpiece introduced us to conceited Toad, sympathetic Water Rat, shy Badger, and other small animals residing along a riverbank.

Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island (1911), Kidnapped (1913), and Robinson Crusoe (1920) were all first illustrated by N. C. Wyeth. The illustrations in these books created a demand that delighted Scribner's, the publisher. Wyeth also illustrated The Boy's King Arthur (1917) and Robin Hood (1917) with colorful, life-like paintings. All of these titles are eagerly sought after today.

Children's illustrated books is such a rewarding field of collecting, so rich in scope - it could be daunting for a beginner. My suggestion would be, start with a book you knew and loved as a child and build from there. And don't just lock your newly found treasures away. Read them to your children, or your grandchildren. Hopefully, they'll be asking you to "please read it again".

~ Evelyn

Beautiful ANTIQUE DINNER RING Circa 1890

2007-01-19T19:06:00.001-05:00

We just added a stunning diamond dinner ring to our site! It has a platinum setting and a 1.5 carat center stone. In all, there are 17 diamonds, creating a beautiful dome. This special piece is a true antique, dating from about 1890. We are asking $12.500.00 for this beautiful ring. Make this beauty a part of your life, to enjoy and to hand down as a family heirloom. Ring size is 7½.

More Antiques Care Tips

2005-12-12T00:04:00.000-05:00

Never touch the surface of a daguerrotype or an ambrotype. The perspiration will stain the image.

To clean wax from glass candlesticks, scrape with a wooden stick, then wash off the remaining wax with rubbing alcohol.

To remove white water stains from wood, put a piece of blotter paper over the spot. Press with a warm iron. The spot should vanish. If it doesn't, rub it with lemon oil.

If you receive a package of glass antiques during cold weather, let it sit inside for a few hours before opening it. The glass must return to room temperature slowly or it may crack.

If a piece of paper becomes stuck to the finish of a dresser top, soak the paper with mineral oil. Let it sit a few hours, then rub with a rough cloth. Repeat until the paper is removed.

To remove dirt or pencil marks from a vinyl doll, wrap doll so only the marked part shows. Rub mark with solid vegetable shortening and place doll in the sun for the day.

Stains on porcelain can be removed by soaking in a mixture of two tablespoons of Polident denture cleaner in a quart of tepid water.

Stained glass windows are more stable than they look. Small cracks in the glass, even a bowed window, is usually not a problem. Cracked solder joints between pieces of glass should be repaired.

A hair dryer set on cool can be used to blow the dust off very ornate pieces of porcelain.

Enjoy these tips, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS Everyone!

Recent Additions at Hourglass Antiques & Collectibles

2005-09-21T12:16:00.000-04:00

New this week is a set of Frankart chariot horse-head bookends from 1934. With manes flying and nostrils flaring, they cry "Art Deco" in a bold way! They are a golden color over gray metal, and have developed a fine bronze patina over the years. They're marked, "Frankart Inc. Pat. Appld For" on the base. According to the "Collector's Guide To Bookends", these are considered very hard-to-find.

Another rare find is our Royal Copley "Stuffed Animal" elephant planter. Reminiscent of the poem, "The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat", these pieces have prominent 'seam stitching' and colorful patterns. This fella is off-white with lime green polka-dots and has his original foil sticker. He's circa 1940's and in excellent condition.

Also seldom seen is our Doranne of California circus elephant cookie jar. She's decorated with curlyQ swirls and wears a ruffled collar. With her trunk pointed straight up and her ears straight out, it's hard to believe she's survived in such great condition.

We've also added an amber Depression glass beverage set in the "Old English" pattern, a milk glass swung vase with hand painted Magnolias, a circa 1880 hand painted glass oil lamp, a pair of intricately carved cinnabar urns on wooden stands, a Lenox Belleek mug with dragon handle, Nippon, Czech, and German porcelain, and miscellaneous Barberiana.

Our special this month is a coupon for $15. off any order of $55. or more, or $40. off any order of $150. or more. These are good through October 15, 2005, and can be used with regular priced AND sale merchandise! We back all purchases with a 7-day money-back satisfaction guarantee. So kick off your shoes and pay us a visit real soon!

New Additions at Hourglass Antiques & Collectibles

2005-08-16T00:07:00.000-04:00

We've just added 15 vintage purses, including a carved Lucite box purse with allover cross-hatching. Even the bottom and handle are cross-hatched. And it's in excellent condition! Another purse we're proud to offer is an 800 silver fine mesh purse with bottom fringe. It's origin, judging from the hallmarks, is probably London, England, circa 1890. Other purses include Corde', Whiting & Davis Alumesh with Bakelite frame, tapestry, hand beaded, and tooled leather.

Royal Doulton's "Pomeroy" pattern was produced from the original Davenport engravings of 1793. The rims are slightly scalloped and fluted with an intricate flowers and fruit border. When there is a center motif, it's of a floral bouquet in an urn which sits on a wall. Doulton made this pattern in several styles, including all blue, all red, blue or red with multi-color border & no center design, and red with multi-color floral center. We've just listed several pieces of this latter style. What's interesting is that the center floral of the dinner plate differs from the center floral of the bread and butter or the soup bowl ~ each center is different. We have dinner plates, flat soups, bread and butters, tea plates, and cream soups and saucers.

Our glass hat selection has just grown from five to nineteen. We've added Fenton opalescent, cranberry optic, Blenko crackle glass, a black glass advertising, and others in milk glass, crystal, amber, and green.

We've created a new category named "Johnson Brothers" under the main heading "Dinnerware". This was to accommodate the newly added "English Chippendale" china. This pattern features an allover red design of Cabbage Roses, stems & leaves, and other blossoms on a white ground. The rims are scalloped and embossed. This is a popular pattern because it resembles the chintz designs so in demand today. We have dinner plates, bread and butters, fruit bowls, cups and saucers, platters, sugar bowl and creamer, and a wonderful round covered vegetable.

Other new items include Wade whimsies (nursery rhyme characters and wild animals), advertising playing cards (airlines, cruise ship, and Joe Camel), and a 7-piece pattern glass berry set in amber (ca. 1892). Everybody's heard of the Poky Little Puppy, but how many Poky figurines have you seen? We have one! Wouldn't he look cute displayed next to your childhood Golden Book?

Our Anniversary Sale is ongoing, and although newly listed, the items in the preceding paragraph are all marked down. The sale marks our 14th year in the antiques and collectibles business. Including internet auctions, we've satisfied over 1000 online customers, and hundreds before that locally. We back all our items with a money-back satisfaction guarantee. So visit our shop soon! Sale ends August 31st.

Antiques Care Tips

2005-07-23T12:39:00.000-04:00

I promised you more tips to care for your antiques, so here we go.....

Large, old paintings look great above a mantelpiece, but if there is a working fire beneath, damage from heat, smoke, and dust can be damaging.

Overcleaning plated silver wears through to the base metal over time. Sheffield plate should not be replated, while electroplate can be. Liquid dipping solutions are not recommended for tarnish removal.

A wall-hung textile should be backed with linen and hung on a wall that is flat and free from moisture, an not facing a window. Hang with the warp running verically to take the strain, as the wefts tend to stretch and distort.

Vintage hats should be gently shaken out regularly. Dust can also be removed by using a blow dryer set on cool. Never leave hatpins in as they leave rust marks and holes. Store in acid-free boxes. While replacement feathers can be found, some are from extinct species, so look for spares at antique shops or markets.

Never set the time on an antique clock by moving the hands backward. Before moving a pendulum clock, the pendulum must be removed or locked in place. Tall case (Grandfather) clocks should be screwed to the wall, as they are top heavy and could topple over.

Never keep old metal toys in a kitchen or bathroom; humidity hastens the natural degradation of the tinplate or diecast alloy. It's best to display them in a glazed cabinet, using sachets of silica gel to control humidity.

Never display pewter, lead, or diecast collectibles in an oak cabinet. The acidic atmosphere will cause decay.

Until next time......

Hourglass Antiques is celebrating our 14th Anniversary!

2005-07-12T23:53:00.000-04:00

We are celebrating our 14th anniversary this August, and we want to include YOU! The Big Anniversary Sale begins July 15th and runs through August 31st. Don't miss this event!

Bill and Evelyn Mancino started their antiques & collectibles business in August of 1991. They had been collectors themselves for more than fifteen years when Bill retired from his executive sales position at a major computer firm. His dream, and Evelyn's too, had always been to have an antique shop. But first, they decided, they should get their feet wet by becoming part of an antique mall.

The first mall they became involved with was Tri-City Antique Mall in Largo, Fla. They rented a 12' x 12' space up front with a window. To describe their feeling at this time as 'excited' would be an understatement. Next they opened a 10' x 20' store in the newly opened Floriland Antique Mall in Tampa, and another smaller space in South MacDill Antique Mall. They would go on to be part of two more malls, including Lyon's Head Antique Mall in Holiday, Fla.

By 1999, only one of these malls still existed ~ Lyon's Head. Bill & Evelyn were left with plenty of inventory, and not many options to display it. Their hope of turning their home, built in 1926, into a shop was dashed in 1998 by the local zoning board. That's when they turned to the internet. They became a part of TIAS, The Internet Antique Shop, and have not regretted it for a moment.

With over 1,000 items sold and 665 customers satisfactorily served, Hourglass Antiques is proud of their record at TIAS. They have over 2,500 items on display, ranging from perfume bottles to walking sticks. The anniversay sale will involve the entire store, with discounts up to 50%!

2005-07-05T00:07:00.000-04:00

Happy Fourth of July to everyone in the U.S.!

We're having a Sizzlin’ Summer Jewelry Sale! All costume jewelry and fine estate jewelry reduced 15%-30% through July 15th. Don’t miss this event!

This sale includes fine estate jewelry with gemstones, pearls, and cameos in 14kt & 18kt gold, vintage signed and unsigned costume jewelry, and sterling gemstone jewelry.

We've been providing quality antiques and collectibles for over 14 years and have hundreds of satisfied customers. In addition to jewelry, we offer English, European, and Japanese porcelain, art pottery, art glass, Depression glass, carnival glass, vintage prints, perfume bottles, figurines, American dinnerware, advertising collectibles, ephemera such as magazines, postage stamps, and postcards, teddy bears and other toys, all types of books, kitchenware, quilts and dresser scarves, barbershop items, vintage clothing and accessories including handbags, hats, shoes, and spectacles, Black Americana and other memorabilia, watches, furniture, LP's and 45's, and much more!

In addition to a wide range of collectibles, we offer a 7-day money-back satisfaction guarantee. Returns are accepted for any reason, as long as the item is in the same condition as when we shipped it. Quality customer service is a high priority at Hourglass Antiques!

We add to our inventory on a regular basis, so each visit will bring new opportunities for you to add to your collection. Our homepage has a "Newest Additions" link for viewing items added within the past 60 days. We encourage questions, offers, and special requests. So come visit us soon!

2005-06-26T23:21:00.000-04:00

Collecting Teddy Bears

One of my passions is collecting antique teddy bears. There are sub-categories within this category: miniature bears, Steiff only, and bruins on wheels, to name a few. I wish I had the "geld" to collect only Steiff bears!

I have a few Steiff bears, including a Panda, which isn't a true teddy bear, according to some people. "True" teddy bears are ones that resemble the first teddy bear, made in 1903. To each his own, I say!

A Brief Teddy Bear Timeline

In 1902 President Theodore Roosevelt makes national news when he refuses to shoot a bear cub while hunting in Mississippi.
The Washington Post publishes a cartoon of the incident in November of 1902. An American, named Morris Michtom, sees the cartoon and his wife, Rose, designs a toy stuffed bear. Mr. Michtom writes to President Roosevelt, asking for permission to name his bear after him. The President agrees, and "Teddy's Bear", the most commercially successful toy ever, is born.

In 1903 an American toy buyer, at a German trade show, purchases 3000 upright bears made by Steiff. Strictly by coincidence, Steiff had produced a line of upright bears in 1902, which did not catch on in Germany. The Steiff bruins, which stood on all fours, were very popular there, however. As the legend goes, Steiff was ready to discontinue the upright bear line when the 3000 bears were purchased for the burgeoning American market.

In 1906 other American toy manufacturers get in on the action, including Horsman. (The Michtom's endeavor becomes The Ideal Toy Co.) In Germany, Hermann and Bing become notable competitors with Steiff, and all three companies export bears across Europe. About 1915 the Teddy Bear catches on in England, and notable firms like Farnell and Chiltern lead the way. A decade later, Chad Valley and Merrythought maufacture beautiful teddies.

This period is known as the Golden Age o

Victorian Calling Cards

2005-06-20T01:55:00.000-04:00

In Victorian times, calling cards were used for announcing one's arrival at the home of a friend or acquaintance. The maid would bring the card to the mistress of the house. The cards for gentlemen were different than those for visiting ladies. Ladies' cards were decorated with die-cuts, embossed, or fringed. Men's were more plain.

Here is an exerpt from Harper's Bazaar, ca. 1868: "Visiting cards for the coming season are of unglazed card board, large and almost square. Tinted cards, especially buff, are fashionable. The lettering is in old English text, or in script. The expense of fifty cards is $3.50.

One corner of the card is turned down to denote the object of the visit. In different cities a different signification is attached to these broken cards. We give the custom of New York society. On the left hand upper corner the word Visite is engraved on the reverse side. This corner is turned downed, displaying the word on the front of the card to signify that an ordinary call is made. On the right hand corner is Felicitation, to be used when making a visit of congratulation on some happy event, such as a marriage, or the birth of a child. On the left lower side is Conge, or Good-by. The remaining corner is marked Condolence."

Calling cards fall into the antique category of "ephemera", or paper collectibles. Related categories are calling card cases and calling card receivers. Card receivers held cards left by visitors who called while the mistress was out or 'not receiving'.

2005-06-19T22:22:00.000-04:00

Hi Folks,

Did you know that marble or granite countertops should be washed with distilled water, soft soap, and a bit of ammonia? Mix in a plastic container and apply. Traces of acid or iron in tap water will cause deterioration or stains.

We recently had our old formica countertops replaced with granite. I love the look! You can put hot pots on it.... Yea! And you can chop on it.... Yea, again!

I'll be adding more tips, so check back again! Or you may find them on the homepage of my website: www.hourglass-antiques.com. Happy antiqing!

~ Evelyn