Saturday, March 13, 2010
RANDOM 341 OBJECT
Black Americana FISHING LURE ADVERTISING Card
Yes, it’d be nice if the action lure were still with the card.
But the advertisement on the card is worthwhile in itself.
The lettering says “Compliments…Kerr Sport & Novelty Co…Lima, Ohio.” So maybe it was a giveaway to special customers.
The lettering says “Compliments…Kerr Sport & Novelty Co…Lima, Ohio.” So maybe it was a giveaway to special customers.
Remember cane poles? And there’s a can of worms ready for sacrifice.
Does anyone fish like this anymore…fishing pole & can of worms? Of course they do. Nothing is more relaxing than sitting on the banks of a farm pond and watching a bobber.
RANDOM 341 OBJECT
Antique CHILD’S DRESSER w MIRROR, COTTAGE MUSTARD PAINT-$762
Shoulder up your gun and call up your dogs. Fill your tank, check your tires and hit the road with the intent of finding an authentic 1870s/80s Cottage Style child-size dresser in this condition. But be sure to be back before this auction ends. You’ll want to bid on it because you’ll likely find nary a one. It is truly of investment quality with an honestly worn surface – the kind the fakers try to fake.
A friend of mine down in East Tennessee has one he’s really proud of. He’s had it for years sitting on a long table in his living room – displayed like England’s crown jewels. I wasted an entire evening years and years ago trying to talk him out of it. Finally, I went hoarse and gave up.
It stands 46 ½” tall – perfect for a little girl’s room, of course. The case is 23” wide and 12 ½” deep. It is, of course, made of good old American pine.
What impresses me most about this piece is the state of preservation. All three escutcheons and all three lock remain in place. That’s very unusual. But even more unusual is the condition of the three scenic paintings on the drawers. You’d look long and hard to find nicer.
Each scene is a little different, but sailing on a lake is the main theme.
And let’s not forget the two hankie boxes or compartments. They add so much charm, and they’re a great place to stash jewelry and this that and the other.
Other than give it a gentle bath and a coat of good quality wax, there is but one thing you’ll want to do. See the dowel at the bottom of the mirror frame? There is one on either side, and over the decades they become loose, which makes the mirror unstable. The easiest way to deal with it would be to glue the mirror yoke in place, but I wouldn’t. It would be better, and very little trouble, to drive new dowels into the two holes – then drill the proper size hole that would allow the dowels on the yoke to fit snuggly in place. It is very easy to do.
Although there are some round nails, the piece is primarily constructed with square nails – and that’s as you’d expect from the period.
The dovetailing technique is called “pin and cove,” and it is almost always found on this authentic cottage furniture. Many years ago I found a piece or so in about every other estate I tried to buy. But nowadays, it’s becoming very scarce. And child size furniture?! Fugetaboutit! Those danged collectors snapped most of it up a long time ago.
The back is just exactly what you’d expect – more pine with the proper color, oxidized over the years.
You know what? You’re going to be absolutely thrilled. But be warned: You may feel an uncontrollable urge to build a little vine-covered cottage on a lake.
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Friday, March 12, 2010
RANDOM 341 OBJECT
Antique TE-OH NIPPON LEMONADE Pitcher & 6 Mugs VIOLETS-$152+
"... I SEE thee better in the dark,
I do not need a light.
The love of thee a prism be
Excelling violet ..."
Like the little poem? I just made it up off the top of my head.
OK – So Emily Dickenson made it up first. What Ever!
I found this old set over in Columbus, Indiana quite some time ago, and I’d forgotten it was out on the porch – still wrapped in newspaper.
Naturally, it is all hand painted. They even painted the ice lip.
When poor Emily was laid to rest, one of her favorite things put beside her angel-white coffin: “a knot of blue field violets.”
