Proud Partner of
Winter 2018 Volume 18
Collector’s Magazine Plus Antique Shops, Malls & Show Directory
Cookie Jar Collecting
Double Bubble Clocks
Boudoir, Bedroom & Bathroom Bakelite Russian Matryoshka Dolls
A STACKABLE HOBBY - MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE RUSSIAN MATRYOSHKA DOLL I remember when I saw my first Russian Matryoshka doll as a child. I was immediately captivated with its design, meticulously painted body, and historic cultural significance. The word Matryoshka (pronounced Ma-trowshka) comes from the popular female name Matryona, which was derived from the Latin root “mater” or mother. The dolls are also sometimes called Babuskas, as the word is used in Poland and Russia to mean old woman or grandmother. They are also commonly referred to as stacking dolls or nesting dolls. I purchased my first doll, a little blonde maiden dressed in pink, at a retro shop in my native Des Moines, Iowa.
being made in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin and designed by Sergey Malyutin — a set of eight dolls consisting of a girl in a traditional dress holding a rooster, with smaller dolls inside.
The Marta Doll Stacked Out
The dolls grew in popularity after Mamontov’s wife presented them at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900, sparking international interest in these carved wooden dolls. My hope is to someday see this original set of dolls at the Sergiev Posad Museum of Toys in Russia.
My First Matryoshka Doll
During my pre-teen and teenage years, I slowly added to my collection. When I hit my early 20s, my interest in stacking dolls was reinvigorated. Soon I found myself with a collection of around 50 dolls, all displayed on tabletops in my home. The dolls have their origin at the turn of the first millennium, with the Chinese invention of nesting boxes. Hundreds of years later in China, this technique was applied to dolls. In Japan, a similar style of wooden doll was fashioned into the image of Fukurokuju, the Japanese god of longevity. As the story goes, the Japanese doll caught the eye of Savva Mamontov and his wife, who were wealthy Russian art patrons, who established a Children’s Education Workshop in Moscow to make toys aimed at highlighting Russian art and culture. This led to the first Russian stacking dolls
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Set of Three Dolls
Matryoshka dolls are carved from blocks of wood, and meticulously hand-painted. Even ones that are mass-produced have no twin in the world. Most dolls depict maidens wearing dresses and head coverings, painted with accompanying floral patterns. Long eyelashes, rosy cheeks and expressive features are key aspects. Some dolls have hands painted at their sides, while others hold instruments or baskets of fruit. The skill is in the complexity of the designs. I love dolls decorated with images of historic Russian architecture, especially of the onion dome
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A STACKABLE HOBBY - MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE RUSSIAN MATRYOSHKA DOLL cathedrals, and my favorite, St. Basil’s Cathedral. I love wintery scenes showing horse-drawn carriages and snow-blanketed fields.
Front and Back of Doll
Through the years, stacking doll themes branched out to include portraying world leaders, sports figures and musicians. I once came across a set of five Beatles-themed stacking dolls. Paul was the largest main doll, followed by John, George, Ringo, and for the final fifth doll, what else but a teeny doll painted to look like an actual beetle. I once bought my husband Andy a colorfully painted set of stacking dolls depicting one of his favorite jam bands — the Grateful Dead. Some dolls are a bit in poor taste — such as a Bill Clinton doll with his mistresses stacked one inside another. Custommade dolls are readily available for purchase on the Internet. I’ve seen family-styled ones with the husband or wife as the main doll, followed by the kids and pets stacked within. I often browse the internet looking for one-of-a-kind collectables. I’m a ridiculously big fan of Dame Angela Lansbury, (especially for a 27-year-old woman
Winter Dolls
Different Dolls in my Collection
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A STACKABLE HOBBY - MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE RUSSIAN MATRYOSHKA DOLL from the Midwest). One night I stumbled upon what I first thought was a stacking doll rendering of Lansbury, but it turned out to be a cloth doll (and not a very good likeness of her either). But the seed had been planted. I found several artisans that work on commission, charging based on size and number of dolls per set. I ordered a six-inch tall single doll. The artist, Olga Kechedzhy who runs the store DollladyUkraine, crafted a black, white and gray rendering of Lansbury during the height of her television career. It’s particularly special to me having a one-of-a-kind doll. I’m always on the look-out for what I feel are
more distinctive dolls that break out of the blonde hair and blue eyes mold, and ones other than the most recognizable Matryoshka style — the Seminov look — which is more minimalist in approach. I have brown and green-eyed dolls, redheads, one made to look like a woman from India, complete with a head scarf and nose ring, a stacking doll that opens to reveal a bottle of Vodka, and a special doll marked Hotel Baltschug Kempinski that perhaps at one time contained some Russian chocolates or other souvenirs given to guests. Whatever you collect, make it your unique passion. Sara Jordan-Heintz works as the features writer at the Marshalltown, Iowa Times-Republican newspaper and a freelance writer for many magazines. Follow her on Twitter: @SaraEliz90 or email her at:
[email protected]
Free Copies of Our Antique Back Roads available at these Quality Antique Shops!
ALABAMA
OHIO
SOUTH DAKOTA
TO ARMS ANTIQUES & YE OLDE POST OFFICE ANTIQUES & MILITARIA 15296D Country Rd. Fairhope, AL 36532
MR. DARBY’S ANTIQUE EMPORIUM 8574 Market Street Boardman, OH 44512 330-953-3226
SECOND IMPRESSIONS PALACE ANTIQUE MALL 412 N. Main Street Mitchell, SD 57301 605-996-1948
GEORGIA
WIZARD OF ODDS 10966 Mahoning Ave N. Jackson, OH 44451
ANTIQUES IN OLD TOWN 93 Main Street NW Lilburn, GA. 30047 770-279-1300
INDIANA
A WILD HARE ANTIQUE MALL 401 W Maumee St, Angola, IN 46703 260-665-9920
OHIO ANTIQUES & UNIQUES 30200 Euclid Ave. Wickliffe, OH 44092 440-944-0133
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WIZARDS OF ODDS 2 1739 S. Raccoon Rd. Youngstown, OH 44515
PENNSYLVANIA
TIME MATTERS ANTIQUE MALL 2664 N Reading Rd Reinholds, PA. 17569 717-484-1514
VIRGINIA
ANTIQUE VILLAGE 10203 Chamberlayne Rd. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 840-746-8914 BELLWOOD FLEA MARKET 9201 Jefferson Davis Highway North Chesterfield, VA 23237 800-793-0707 STUDEBAKERS GARAGE & GENERAL STORE 24554 Coastal Blvd. Tasley, VA. 23441 757-894-1678
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THE BEST OF INTENTIONS In 1988 my spouse and I located and eventually purchased a vintage property (circa 1900) in a tiny and sparsely populated community on the North Shore of Eastern Long Island. Good layout, large rooms and essentially one level living – enough about real estate. It was the first home we owned with a spacious library with capacity for hundreds of books. At that time we were working and living in Manhattan during the week and our home in the country was essentially where we spent free time, weekends, vacations, etc. That situation essentially sparked out interest in antiques. We decided to haunt New York City book stores (most significantly The Strand – widely known for miles of books – new, old and rare). We spent countless hours accumulating books for our new library limiting purchases to volumes published at least 100 years ago. Spine graphics – often most attractive on books of this era – interior illustrations and condition figured prominently in our choices. The library has been full now for many years but we occasionally find something special to add – particularly the St. Nicholas-bound volumes of the illustrated magazine for boys and girls. We’ve come to appreciate the opportunity to display these wonderful books in the appropriate setting and this pattern has largely dictated our subsequent antique acquisitions. All of the antiques we have accumulated are on continuous display in our home in the rooms in which one would expect to find them. I’m sure this is a common practice - “old kitchen” in the kitchen, “old laundry” in the laundry, etc. This was an easy strategy to pursue at first, but became more challenging as our areas of interest began to diversify to include “old tools”, “old pharmacy”, “old barber shop”, to name a few. We also have a number of “old butter churns” of various eras – some quite large, others quite compact. The inclusion of these
collections in a decorator theme that makes sense, has required that we “push the limits” of our original intention. In some cases the strategy has been abandoned entirely as we have dedicated a large dining room, spacious entry foyer and hall space to our growing collections. Shown are a few exposures in these rooms. Other collections and their respective locations in our home may be the subject of future articles of possible interest to others afflicted with the same addiction and desire to decorate with their finds.
Hand blown French Bulb Apothecary w/Pontil Base
Bruce Feller
[email protected]
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BEAUTIFUL BOUDOIR, BEDROOM & BATHROOM BAKELITE Whether you know it as Bakelite, Catalin or Faturan, no article on this groundbreaking synthetic plastic polymer should begin without acknowledging the pioneering efforts of Chemist Leo Baekeland. His years of relentless research and experimentation eventually unlocked the secret of synthesis of his aptly named Bakelite. Leo Baekeland’s invention of Bakelite essentially ushered in the beginning of the modern plastics industry supplanting Celluloid as the world’s first nonflammable, very stable synthetic plastic. Unlike labile Celluloid, it was not only nonflammable, but also resistant to acids, oils, solvents and weather.
versions bare their corporate names to this day. Colorful old Bakelite has such a distinctive, attractive appearance quite often one does not need to conduct the pink to yellow “Simichrome Test” or run it under hot water to provoke its characteristic acrid odor to prove its authenticity. While Bakelite and its licensed derivatives found a myriad of household applications such as electrical outlets, radios, kitchen utensils, dice, poker chips, ashtrays, buttons, cameras, clocks, knobs, handles, jewelry and more, we also find it in our most intimate household environments. So let’s have a look at some Beautiful Boudoir, Bedroom & Bathroom Bakelite.
Left to Right Fuller, Stanhome, Stanley Shaving Brushes
Exquisite German Shaving Brush Presentation
An irreversible reaction product of Phenol and Formaldehyde under heat and pressure, this miracle molecule could be cast, sawed, sheared, shaved, sanded, bored, reamed, planned, punched, polished, drilled and threaded. Patented in 1909 and licensed worldwide, its versatility extended far beyond its superior electrical insulating properties. In spite of a century of plastic polymer advancements since Bakelite’s invention, this primitive plastic is still manufactured today, finding numerous applications in our complicated, contemporary world. Originally an opaque compound, licenses Catalin, Faturan and others often took a more translucent approach. Omitting Baekeland’s fibrous opacifiers and employing different mineral fillers, they produced crystal clear and pretty pearlized and marbleized versions of Bakelite, and their visually enhanced
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Gem Razor & Ever-Ready Shaving Brush Set
Keen Cutter Razor
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BEAUTIFUL BOUDOIR, BEDROOM & BATHROOM BAKELITE
Mirror & Small Rouge Pot Marked Elizabeth Arden Larger Pot Yardley Complexion Creme
Rear: Mini Brushes Foreground: Brush inscribed Keystone - Correct Curve
Three Different Vanity Jars
Ever-Ready Shaving Brushes
Nail File and Razor
Left: 1939 New York World’s Fair Perfumes One with the iconic Trilon Right: Suspended Perfume Presentation Rare Ring Presentation
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Article by: Chuck Friedman
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INTERESTING VERSIONS OF DOUBLE BUBBLE CLOCKS Collecting things that were different is something that has always thrilled me. I had a paper route in my early teen years and I would keep all the 1943 steel pennies that I received in change. During World War II, copper was used for the war effort so pennies were made of steel. Later, I collected buffalo nickels and had jars of those nickels plus the steel pennies. This was the beginning of my collecting days. Like most guys I had a love of old cars. The 1958 Chevrolet Impala was always my dream car. Years later while attending car shows and swap meets looking for car parts, I began to notice people were selling a lot of collectible items, especially advertising clocks. This was where I first became acquainted with the double bubble clocks. There was a fascination because of their uniqueness. While out looking for “stuff”, I came across an old “Mom and Pop” store. It had been run by three generations and the third generation grandson had closed the store. I spoke with him about just looking around in the store. There was a Phillips Ice Cream double bubble clock laying on the counter which I inquired about buying. I purchased it for $10. That was the beginning of a 25 year plus obsession. As I look back over the years I have had as many as 300 these unique clocks. Through time I have bought, sold and swapped double bubble clocks…some of them returning home several times! All advertising is designed to sell a product. As product slogans and logos change, so do the items that the company makes to get you to buy their product. Most collectors know that there are six Pepsi Cola double bubble clocks. Each has a timeline…as the slogans changed, so did the clocks. However, most collectors I know are unaware of so many versions of other double bubble clocks. Several years ago
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I bought some clocks from a collector in Texas. One of those was a Hester Battery clock. The man mentioned he had two Hester Battery clocks. I told him I only wanted one of them because I was not interested in duplicates. To this he replied they were not duplicates…there were two different versions. This was my first knowledge of there being two different ones.
Shown above are two of three known Hester Battery clocks.
Another interesting clock is the Grand Prize Beer. Two versions are identical except for the color…one is yellow and one is blue. The third version is yellow and shows Pale Dry Beer. This is by far the rarest of the three clocks.
Home is where the heart is and so is collecting.
INTERESTING VERSIONS OF DOUBLE BUBBLE CLOCKS The A&W Root Beer clocks are ones of great interest also. There are four known to me. Approximately 20 years ago, I purchased the A&W Root Beer Ice Cold Bulls Eye clock from a lifelong picker. He said to me, “Jack if you ever find the same clock with an arrow through the Bulls Eye…buy it…steal it…whatever you have to do to get.” Twenty years passed and I never met anyone else who has ever seen one. Recently I received a phone call from a collector in Alabama. He informed me that he knew where this clock was, and connected me with the owner in Missouri. I was able to purchase the clock over the phone, but having experienced receiving clocks through shipment that were broken, I drove 2200 miles round trip to get the clock.
I recently learned that there are two versions of the Oldsmobile double bubble clock.
This one shows just Oldsmobile.
This one shows Oldsmobile Service. Other than this, they are identical.
These are just a few samples of the many different versions of clocks. There are many double bubble clocks out there. It has been and continues to be a learning process. Some of the businesses advertised with the double bubble clocks no longer exist. Finding those can be a real challenge but also a real thrill. By the way, I have never bought another double bubble clock for $10. Jack P. Gibson
[email protected] Double bubble clocks have been reproduced. Be sure to purchase from a seller who will guarantee it is original. I have seen old cases used with both a new face and new outer lens. However I have found, in some cases, the can and the inner lens is original but the outer lens was broken and replaced. You can normally spot a new can as it is bright and shiny, while an old can shows its age. Many of the reproductions are so good, you will need to look inside at the back of the lens. With the florescent clocks, you will need to take them apart. If the clock has the access doors, just swing them open. Look inside the can. If the back of the lens is white, it is a reproduction. That is a sure way to tell the old from the new. Happy collecting!
Home is where the heart is and so is collecting.
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COOKIE JAR COLLECTING OLD AND NEW My cookie jar collection may have started with one that my mother had when I was a child. She kept my special homemade treats for me in it, and I often got caught with my hand in the cookie jar! Perhaps you also remember those times from your childhood too! Now days, most cookies are store bought in a plastic bag that shows calories and total fat. A far cry from what was made with dough and love from days past. In 18th century Europe, the biscuit barrel was commonly made of glass with a metal lid. Cookie jars in the United States became popular in the late 1920’s when mothers made their special treats and needed a safe, dry place to keep them. It wasn’t until after WWII that the idea of having a cookie jar became popular. The idea was that a cookie jar was to remind you of a soldier or sailor. Popeye was popular in the newspaper funnies, so he became a cookie jar.
Shawnee Puss and Boots Cookie Jar
Cookie jars were figural and were made by companies such as McCoy, Abingdon, and American Bisque, just to name a few. Some of the most expensive jars that have been sold are the McCoy Bareheaded Cookie Jar, the Red Wing Aqua Cabbage Cookie Jar, an Andy Warhol American Cookie Jar, and Herman & Katnip American Bisque Cookie Jar.
Two Lefton Christmas Cookie Jars
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1940’s Cattail Cookie Jar & 1960’s Enesco Prayer Lady Cookie Jar
In the 1990’s we had the pleasure of seeing a woman’s cookie jar collection. Sha had over 300 jars in her living room, hallway, and kitchen. She said that she gets “countless hours of pleasure” caring for her collection. Just as many things that become a “hot collectible”, companies saw the demand for and started to produce new cookie jars. There were literally thousands of styles and shapes produced in the 1990’s, from Miss Piggy to Darth Vader. For the cowboy and wild west fan, there are jars with Roy Rogers by himself, one with Roy and Trigger, and one for Dale Evans. ME productions had planned to release 2,500 of each cookie jar, however the production was cut short for each of these jars. Roy had a real production of 1,100 with Roy and Trigger having 1,933, and the Dale Evans jar was cut to less than 300.
Two Recent Cookie Jars
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COOKIE JAR COLLECTING OLD AND NEW Being a Pepsi Cola collector also, we so have Pepsi and Pete, the Keystone Cops, by Pottery by J.D. These are number 14 of 250 produced.
Pepsi Cola Keystone Cops
As with any collection, proper care is a must! Since NO cookies are in these jars, there is no need to open and close them. Even when we were selling cookie jars, I would tell people that there were no cookies in our jars. Still some had to look, and the sign posted, “If you break it, you bought it” only had to be enforced once. No matter if you collect older or the newer jars carefully check for cracks or chips that will devalue the jar. Never expose the jar to direct sunlight or extreme heat changes (the attic is no place to store a cookie jar!). The high heat of summer and the cold of winter will cause “crazy crack” and take a $400 jar to a $25 jar. Always use extreme care when washing or dusting your collection. Always take time to enjoy with pride if you have five jars or five hundred jars.
Bill Evens
[email protected]
Common Abbreviations Used to Describe Collectibles Abbreviations are often seen in a description or condition area. Every category or collectible has different abbreviations. Here are a few are the most seen. B&W: Black and white DST: Double sided tin - usually a sign EXC: Excellent – 80% to 89% of its original mint condition G: Good – Below 70% of its original mint condition HB: Hardback book HC: Hardcover book HP: Hard PlasticDoll HTF: Hard to find M: Mint – Unused, just as produced MIB: Mint in box MIJ: Made in Japan MIMB: Mint in mint box MIMP: Mint in mint package MIP: Mint in package MNB: Mint no box MNT: Mint. In perfect condition (a subjective term) MOC: Mint on card NM: Near mint NOS: New Old Stock – note the word “OLD”. Stock from old inventory that has never been displayed. Some use would grade 97% of original mint condition NRFB: Never removed from box SC: Softcover book SSP: Single sided porcelain sign SST: Single sided tin sign VG or VGC: Very good condition 70% to 79% of its original mint condition VHTF: Very hard to find VR: Very rare
Collectors Wanted! Are you a collector? Do you want to share your enjoyment of collecting? We are looking for short articles to include on our new “Collector’s Corner”. Email us a couple of paragraphs and include pictures. We will NOT include your name or email, just what you enjoy collecting. Check it out: https://icollect247.blog. Email us:
[email protected].
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