I've been having fun going through my Patriotic postcards, and getting some of them into my Scrapbook Art Antiques shop, since the 4th of July is right around the calendar's corner.
I thought I'd share a few of them today:
I'll finish of today's post with the TOP 10 LIST of ebay's Most-Watched Patriotic Postcards:
Well, I had my big garage sale this weekend. We get lots of traffic as our nearby tiny town of Harrod has their traditional Memorial Day Flea Market.
I got rid of lots and lots of "junque" -- I priced most of my stuff $1 or less. I try to make it a real garage sale, not an antique show booth.
The best part, after the now almost-cleared out garage (I'd forgotten how big it is!), was seeing all the friendly folks who have been coming to my sales year after year. I love to chat with everyone about their lucky finds of the day.
When I was going through stuff to put in the sale, I came across a box full of vintage sewing patterns I had tucked away a few years ago, planning to list them on ebay someday. Which reminded me of an article on Vintage Patterns that I had read recently. It has lots of great references if you want to learn more.
I sewed alot "back in the day", and it's always fun to look at pix of clothes I made, and then find the patterns now. Really brings back memories. After school, my best friend and I would stop at TG&Y (the local 5 and Dime store), each buy a pattern and material, then go home and race to see who could get the garment sewn, hemmed, and wear it to school the next day!
I think it's time to get my box of patterns out and list some on ebay. They aren't mine from my youth, I didn't save those. These are ones that I picked up at a local estate sale. I haven't even given them a thorough look-see yet, but I looked at some recent ebay pattern auctions, and found that they can bring a nice price. And I love that they're easy to ship.
I've shown some pix of patterns that were on ebay recently. They brought $50-$100 -- can't wait to see what mine do!
I'll finish this post off with the TOP TEN LIST of Most-Watched Women's Patterns auctions on ebay now.
In honor of Memorial Day, here's a fun image from a 1905 postcard, with a prettyy lady wrapped up in a flag, and sitting on an exploding cannon - I'm sure they intended a little risque sub-text. Or is a cannon just a cannon?
See all my PATRIOTIC Cards and Gifts in my online shop.
I went to a truly unusual auction yesterday. They sold off a true Collection-Macabre! Real skeletons in real caskets, and other Funereal and Mortician memorabilia. Wild stuff!
There were catalogs of caskets, and even garments that the funeral home could order to bury the deceased in. They had a couple pairs of Slumber Slippers, with lace-up backs to fit multiple sizes.
There were some small child's caskets, and several adult size caskets with real skeletons inside. The skeletons sold from $250.00 - $800.00 -- each!
Lots of casket handles and hardware, too.
I really liked the little folk-arty diorama of a cemetery. Perfect if you are really into decorating for Halloween!
I doubt I'll ever see such a grouping at auction again. I didn't buy anything. I don't have room for such large objects, not to mention that I don't think I'd want a skeleton in my living room! Yikes!
The auction generated lots of excitement, and reporters came from all around -- here's the Toledo Blade article, and here's the Lima News article. The local TV-35 news even showed some video of the auction that night -- too bad it's not on their website! Just check this google search to read some of the other newspaper articles.
I had hope that there would have been some death-related and post-mortem postcards and photos, but no. Here's the link to some post mortem items on ebay now.
I've shown some of the skeletons from the auction, as well as a few interesting post-mortem photos (not from the auction).
Last Friday we went to the Springfield Antiques Show. The fairgrounds were muddy, but at least it didn't rain on us. The Country Home magazine gift subscription with our early-bird admission was a nice touch.
But I'd have to say that was about all that the partnership with the CH mag provided in the way of bringing anything "Extra" to the show. Sure, they advertised, and there definitely seemed to be a lot more shoppers, which is a good thing. But they seemed to me to be buying from the many, many "shabby-chic/garden-decor/crafty-junque" dealers who were there en-masse! Those dealers just kinda filled some of the growing number of spaces that had been vacant at the last several "Extravaganzas". There were still too many unsold spaces, and way fewer dealers than there were, say, 4-ish years ago ("back in the day").
The CH mag had a tent, but I can't tell you why. I peeked in a couple of times, said HI, and got NOTHING in response. The ladies manning the booth were not friendly or "working it". I sure hope the "Ladies Who Shop" bought from real antiques dealers, too, so that the antiques dealers will keep setting up at the show. Let's think postively, right?!
I didn't take many pix. I am just not a morning person, and we were up at 5am, on the road a little after 6am, and at the show by 8am. By the noon-time, when I was more conscious, my arms were too full of treasures to take pix. But I saw lots of nice things, and talked to lots of nice folks, and had a great, though tiring, time. I even was lucky enough to buy 3 more of the hand-painted Bauer plates that I wrote about for Cinco-de-Mayo.
I did meet an Ohio glass artist who is making these wonderful stained glass faux-windows with actual bottles embedded in them. He doesn't have website yet, but his name is Brian Winters, and you can reach him at 937-372-8172.
Well, time to start cleaning out the garage and get ready for Harrod's big community garage sale day on Memorial Day. Although, I'd much rather go garage-sale-hopping than actually work mine... hmmm... sounds like Evil-Marianne has a good idea this time! I guess we'll see!
Well, time to catch you up on my recent antiquing activities. I'll start with the MANSFIELD BOTTLE SHOW, which was on Mother's Day weekend. I had a lot of fun, and really enjoyed seeing everyone. Lots of visiting, some selling, lots more visiting, and some shopping, too. The show had a great vibe, and a pretty good turn-out. I heard about some pretty nice bottles being sold, and saw a lot of happy shoppers.
I added one neat soda NOS Sun Valley Orange pop bottle to my Lima collection, and Jeff bought a really nice HTF Ohio fruit jar, the DP Bedell, Cleveland. (You should be able to click on the pix to see a larger view.)
Here's a pic of my sales table at the show.
The passing of Rev. Phil Robinson, and the sale of his Fruit Jar Museum
There was some sad news a few days before the show. The antiquing world lost Rev. Phil Robinson, of Muncie, Indiana.
He had been a fruit jar collector since 1971. As a minister, he even used fruit jars to illustrate one of his best-loved sermons.
A big part of his collection was BALL JARS, so the Ball Collectors Community have written several posts about Phil.
Here's an article that ran in the INDY STAR about Phil and his fabulous FRUIT JAR MUSEUM. Here is a link to his obituary.
You can read more about Phil, his jars, and his museum on Greg Sprugeon's website, and see lots of pix. Greg will be auctioning off the jars from Phil's museum over the next couple of years.
Here are just a few pix that I took when I visited the museum in January, 2008, when we went to the MUNCIE FRUIT JAR SHOW. You should be able to click on the pic to see a larger view.
It was my first time at the museum, and I am so glad that I had a chance to meet and visit with Phil. He had an amazing collection, and knew so much about fruit jars. He was so gracious and welcoming. I am sad that I won't see him next time. My heart goes out to his family. He will be missed, and long remembered.
I am so sad to tell you that we've lost another Lima-area long-time antiques dealer. Tim "Burky" Burkholder has just passed away. Tim was a collector of Lima memorabilia, and a bottle collector and dealer for many, many years. He will be sadly missed, and fondly remembered. My heart goes out to his wife, Kathy, and their family.
Tim was burky145 on ebay.
Just a reminder -- the MANSFIELD BOTTLE SHOW is this weekend -- Friday May 9 for dealer set-up and early bird -- and Saturday may 10th for the show.
Then the following weekend is the SPRINGFIELD EXTRAVAGANZA. More details here. I just found out that your early bird admission will include a one year subscription to Country Home Magazine!
I'll be at the Mansfield Show, and then celebrating "The Moms", so "see" ya next week!
Just a quick note:
Ebay is having another listing fee sale. This one runs May 7-14, and is just on FIXED PRICE listings. Any price, only 50 cents to list it, no matter how expensive. It sems like a good deal. But it's not an auction, so you have to pick the price, instead of the bidders, so you are limiting your upward potential... and your FUN-potential! No crazy sniping at the end! No auction fever! No newbies pushing the bid up! Just not as much fun. There's a whole psychology of auctions vs. set prices. But this is what Ebay is changing to-- fixed prices, and no more auctions. Slowly but surely... I guess this is as good a time as any to experiment, and see if it is what the buyers really want. Of course, that's what ebay wants us to think... Oh, what to do, what to do?
FELIZ CELEBRACIÓN DE CINCO DE MAYO !!
Today is CINCO de MAYO. There's plenty of info out there about this day, and its importance to Mexico. 
vintage Mexico-themed tablecloths, and set the table with my colorful vintage Bauer Pottery dishes, and have a PARTY! I'll bet you thought I'd say FIESTA, and then show you pix of vintage Homer Laughlin "Fiesta" dishes.
But I don't collect Fiesta. I used to collect Bauer, and still have some of my collection. 
Bauer was one of the great "CALIFORNIA POTTERY" companies and is highly collectible. And I'll finish off with the TOP 10 LIST ~ Most Watched BAUER Pottery Auctions.
I have some sad news. My friend and long-time Lima, Ohio-area Fenton Glass dealer, Sharon Bragg has passed away. She was a lovely person, always upbeat and positive, and passionate about her beloved Fenton glass. I will miss my chats with her, when she would be re-stocking her beautiful mall booth display. And I won't see another piece of Fenton glass without thinking of her. My thoughts are with her loved ones at this sad time.
Her husband, Chuck, has put a lovely note up on their Fenton Shop website. Here's an excerpt:
As each of you peruse your china cabinets
or shelves, I am sure that you will see a piece of glass
that will remind you of Sharon ...... remember her with a smile,
as that is how those who knew her well will remember her -
and know that she thought the world of each of you
and was glad that you had touched her life in whatever way you did.
Some of you have requested the name of a charity
where you could send a rememberance for Sharon....
If she could, she would tell you that she would like it to go to her church.
Bluelick Bible Church1138
Bluelick RoadLima, Ohio 45801
On behalf of myself and our son Charley,
we would like to thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts.
Chuck Bragg
Here's the MOST WATCHED listings in the FENTON GLASS category on ebay NOW -- if it's on everyone elses radar, you'd better watch it too!
Well, here it is May 1st! Happy May Day! Another celebration day for us all to enjoy, and another chance for me to play with my pretty antique postcards and photographs.
Here's a lovely lady all decked out to celebrate this Rite of Spring. Isn't this hand tinted photo postcard gorgeous!
There are many rituals, generally including women and children. There are several traditions behind the day, and many people have written about it.
Read about the MAYPOLE DANCE.
Read about the crowning of the lovely MAY QUEEN.
Lots of pretty images of May Queens and Maypole Dancers abound, from Victorian era cigar box labels...
To 1920's paper doll magazine pages...
To stereo-view cards...
And of course RPPCs (real photo postcards) ...
Check out this site -- this woman has the most amazing collection of May Day postcards-- all showing MAYPOLES!!
Here's the site of another gal who is having too much fun with the whole May Day scene!
Hope you enjoyed these few pretty May Day images.
Please visit my online shop, Delightfully Vintage -- you'll find all kinds of antiques and vintage treasures from my many & varied collections, now for sale.
My name is Marianne, and I am a collecting addict! And I don't want to be cured. I love everything about antiquing, collecting, and selling. I'm a born-and-raised California Girl, which changed when, after visiting hubby's family back here in Ohio, we got hooked on antiques.
