Why Collect Antiques -- Why NOT?!!

The Antique Trader has my 'Letter to the Editor' up online, and it will run in the print edition, too. I wrote about the fun of finding my ancestor's image on an antique cigar box label.



The letter is basically an excerpt from my recent GREEN HEIRS blog post, that I sent in in reponse to their request for "Do you collect family related items?" stories.

I am glad they are running my little story. I hope it'll spur a little interest in:

• Joining the GREEN HEIRS conversation -or-
  

• Finding out more about CIGAR LABEL COLLECTING -or-
  

• Finding out more about Charlotte Cushman on my Mom's theater history blog, STAGE WHISPERS.
  

• Looking for vintage goodies with your family's name.

Oh, heck -- any reason to collect antiques is fine with me!

And if you haven't yet, be sure to sign up for the Antique Trader's wonderful FREE e-newsletters -- lots of articles about antiques, along with show and auction info -- a wonderful collectors resource! Read the latest A.T. e-newsletter here.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Do You Hear the Call of the Old - or Are You A Memorist?

For those of you who may have read my recent post, Antiques Collectors Buy More Than Memories, here is a postscript/addendum.

While you may not think about coming back to a post to see if there are any comments or replies added, I have found that sometimes the most interesting part of the post is in the conversation that follows.

My original post discussed Harry Rinker's comment "There is no collectability without memory." I want to share with you the comment that artist Dave Dubet (of the Old Paper Art site) wrote, along with my response.


2 comments:

MrCachet said...

Okay. I have to toss my two cents into this thing, simply because - I do.

I have no idea who Mr. Rinker is and had never read his column until this AM. I would have to agree with you Marianne, and strongly disagree with him.

I too am now hooked on old paper. It has gone beyond my desire to make art. When I first began seriously looking for old paper in February, I had one thing and one thing only in mind - putting my art work on it. There were products and advertising from my early youth that carried strong impressions and real memories - but they were images. I had no idea why I was attracted to them. Those, I think are the memories of Mr. Rinker.

I'm now going back even further looking for old paper which talks to me - products I know nothing about, but their names are intriguing. I realize that some of the images I'm now chasing (like packaging) will be rare finds. That has not stopped me from buying some of the paper I'm buying! I have more than enough to keep me busy for thirty years, but find myself returning again and again to eBay or local dealers who may have a piece of paper that I simply must have.

I too am hung on early litho because I know (and knew) the process involved in getting the image onto the paper. Those colorful images were originally attractive to me from the artist's perspective in me, but they had already passed into history by the time I came on the scene. By the late 40's, advertising was no longer illustration but had lost out to the quicker process of photography. I won't say that there wasn't still illustration being used (Coca-Cola for instance, or Post Magazine covers), but for the most part - illustration was dead. I have no memory of Zu-Zu the Clown or the Uneeda Biscuit Boy. Those are images I discovered only recently, and came to understand why they were attractive and why they sold their products.

So - on this one I think Mr. Rinker is dead wrong.

--------------------------------------------------

October 21, 2009 5:23 AM

Marianne Dow said...

Dave - thanks for taking the time to write such a great comment. While I certainly understand the attraction of old paper, I hope it doesn't distract you from your wonderful art! The search for buried treasure is addicting.

You mentioned the way the old lithos were made. When I started collecting cigar box labels, I learned about the stone litho process, which is incredibly detailed - I am in awe when I think of how they drew those images, the artistic talent that went unsigned. I have seen several cigar label stones, but never one for sale. Yet!

I popped an email out to Mr. Rinker, and he wrote back a nice note. Here's a bit of it:

"...[My]writing has always been designed to get people in the trade to think -- something my most recent Ruby Lane blog has done since I received several e-mail from readers. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. --Harry L. Rinker

PS: One final thought -- beware of considering yourself typical when you may be atypical. ..."

Well, I don't think I am atypical, based on several comments and conversations I have had. But there certainly are many people who collect just to buy back their childhood memories, or to create their idealised childhood.

I guess I just objected to Rinker's saying there was the one definitive collector, when there are plenty of both types of collectors - "Memorists" and those of us who choose to hear the "Call of the Old".

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Aladdin Lamp Show / Convention / Gathering is July29 - Aug. 1

I was visiting with a friend recently, at the Muncie Fruit Jar show, and we got to talking about his collection of Aladdin lamps and glass figurines. He shared some of his special finds. He brought out a different Aladdin Lady figurine to show me, but this is the one I want to find someday! Isn't she gorgeous! She's pictured on the Aladdin Collectors website.

It just so happens that annual lamp collector's show, 20th International Antique Lamp Show & Sales is coming up the end of this month.

Public Invited

Crowne Plaza, Louisville Airport, 830 Phillips Ln.Louisville, KY

July 29 - August 1st, 2009

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

It is sponsored by the "National Association of Aladdin Lamp Collectors", and is held in conjunction with their Gathering (convention) which begins July 29th. The lamp show is open to registrants on Friday, July 31st.




It's your chance to enjoy:

"... Largest display of antique coal-oil lamps in the world manufactured from 1870 to 1940. Victorian hanging lamps, student lamps, GWTW lamps, table lamps, wall lamps, bracket lamps--lamps of all kinds including the world famous Aladdin kerosene and electric lamps! Plus shades and parts galore! Several antique lighting clubs will be present. Dealers from U.S., Canada and England. ..."

• Information:(270) 488-2116 Bill Courter, Kentucky, brtknight@aol.com

The Gathering activities include:

Opening reception: on Thursday evening.

Room Sales: Registrants display their lamps and items for sale in their rooms and keep their door open. This fun event is friend-making throughout the Gathering.



Auction on Thursday: The auction is the first official event of the Gathering where price trends are often established. All items must be Aladdin which are sold to the highest bid without reserves.

Educational Seminars: on Friday and Saturday; cover various subjects such as repairs, tips on reproductions, rare items, talks of other kinds of lighting, how to light a kerosene Aladdin lamp, and much more.

Display Room: The Display Room is devoted to different Aladdin themes and usually shows the rare and scarce Aladdin tems, and often with short "how to tell" talks.

International Lamp Show & Sale: The Show opens to registrants on Friday afternoon and is open to the public on Saturday from 9 - 3. Noted dealers from many states as well as from England and Canada feature outstanding antique lighting of all kinds.




Community Table: The Community Table in the Show is manned by volunteers. Registrants can put up to 5 lots to be sold on this table. This is a service to those who do not have enough to warrant Show table or do not want to sell out of their room.


Raffle: Raffle tickets are sold throughout the Gathering for $1 each. Income helps pay the Gathering expenses. Everyone is invited to donate items. The greatest raffle prize is the Aladdin Quilt.



Aladdin Quilt: There is a group within the Aladdin Knights who are lovingly called The Ladies of the Knights and a select few men called The Knights of the Needle. These ladies and men volunteer their talent and countless hours to hand embroider Aladdin lamps on squares that make the annual one-of-a-kind, handmade Aladdin Quilt.

Banquet: Saturday evening is enjoyed by a delicious meal, program, raffle winners, and camaraderie with friends we may not see for another year.


These lamps aren't bottles, but they are glass, and oh so pretty, too! I have some other friends who collect Aladdin glass lamps, too, and I've seen some of their collection. They are beautiful, especially when there is a group of them. I am sure the show will be breathtaking.

My favorite info resource site, Collectors Weekly has an ALADDIN LAMPS page -- lots of info, pix, and eBay completed prices.



A little info about Aladdin Lamps from CW:

"... Originally founded in Chicago in 1908 as “The Mantle Lamp Company of America,” Aladdin Industries Inc. was considered the maker of the finest non-electrical lamps in the world. Their oil lamps were so bright, the company offered a thousand dollars to anyone who could show them an oil lamp that matched the brightness, and no one ever did. Aladdin was unique in its use of so-called “moonstone” glass, a milky white glass that shone like the moon when the lamp was lit. ..."

Here's the ebay search widget for Aladdin Lamps:

And here's the Most-Watched List, for items in ebay's Collectibles>Lamps, Lighting> Lamps:Non-Electric category.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Just released my new e-book - Start 2 Blog Now

I have written my first e-Book -- titled START 2 BLOG NOW by Marianne Dow -- and have set up another blog with the same name to sell the book, and support the new-bloggers.

You can check out the blog, and read all about my book, at start2blognow.com

I am so happy to have this e-book finally ready to unveil -- just in time for Independence Day! This holiday weekend is the perfect time for anyone -- you? -- to start your new blog!

I have written the manual that will take you step by step through the entire process of setting up your first blog. It's 115 pages, with screen shot illustrations and detailed instructions.

Please have a look at the page. It will tell you so much more. And feel free to email me with any questions.

Then click on the page if you've decided that it's time for you to START 2 BLOG NOW!

I can't wait to see everyone's new blogs!

And please tell your friends about this -- thanks!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com