Category Archives: Collectibles

A World’s Fair Birthday

Vintage 1939 New York World's Fair postcard.

Vintage 1939 New York World’s Fair postcard. From the collection of sjsu.edu.

Happy Birthday to me. And for my birthday this past December, Chris surprised me with a few souvenirs from the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Due to personal circumstances I have not be able to do much driving for deco this year. But to my surprise Chris was quietly picking up 1939 New York World’s Fair goodies for me throughout the year.

An Admission Ticket

Its not quite the “Golden Ticket” from Willie Wonka and Chocolate Factory, but I would be more than willing to use it to get into the fair. Well, that is, if someone would loan me a time machine.

1939 New York World's Fair admission ticket.

A 1939 New York World’s Fair admission ticket. From the collection of the author.

 

Glass Bank

This piece was new to me. While I had seen and own the Esso glass block bank, this one was surprise. It is in great condition, and it even came with two pennies (one from 1937 and one from 1939) inside of it. Three bands of ribbing around its center gives it extra strength. And it has a small flat bottom to keep it from rolling away. Embossed on one side with the Trylon and Perisphere, the other side has the year and a banner reading “the New York World’s Fair”.

 

Syroco Wood Ashtray

Syroco Wood was a synthetic product of the Syracuse Ornamental Company (Syroco). The upstate New York company producing pieces molded from wood pulp with flour and other materials for binders, the finished products looked and felt like carved wood. Many 1939 New York World’s Fair souvenirs were made in Syroco Wood, and I have several, including bookends and a necktie rack. Even though I’m not a smoker Chris picked up this small Syroco Wood ashtray. The glass bowl is removable for easy cleaning. And like most World’s Fair souvenirs it has the Trylon and Perisphere on it.

 

Small Syroco Wood ashtray.

Small Syroco Wood ashtray with removable glass bowl. From the collection of the author.

 

Textolite Letter Opener

This was another piece that was new to me. And the one that I found the most interesting. This letter opener is in the shape of the Trylon and Perisphere (of course) and has GE stamped on one side and TEXTOLITE on the other.

 

Textolite souvenir letter opener.

Textolite letter opener souvenir from the General Electric Pavilion. From the collection of the author.

The exterior of the General Electric pavilion.

Exterior view of the General Electric Exhibit at the World’s Fair. (Photo by ? Bettmann/CORBIS/Bettmann Archive)

Textolite is a phenolic material similar to Bakelite that General Electric first developed for electro-insulation. Eventually it came to be used for other purposes, such as counter tops. At the General Electric pavilion these letter openers freebie souvenir made right there on the spot.

Textolite souvenir letter opener making machine at the World's Fair.

Textolite letter opener machine in the General Electric pavilion. Image from the NYPL Digital Collections.

Copy tag on back of the Textolite letter opener machine photo.

Copy for the Textolite letter opener machine photograph. Image from the NYPL Digital Collections.

 

Reverse side of the Textolite letter opener.

Reverse side of the Textolite souvenir letter opener. From the collection of the author.

 

So, thanks to Chris, this ended up being a good birthday.

Anthony

Sources:

Antique Trader; New York Public Library; San Jose State University

 

 

Weekend Finds – A Close to 2022

Every year, there is a point where outdoor flea-marketing for our weekend finds is just not comfortable. So as a close to 2022 antiquing, at least outside, I present our collection of recent treasures. Outside and in.

The Golden Nugget Flea-market Finds:

The first of our first weekend finds? A Rebajes Ubangi Woman pin at the Golden Nugget Flea Market. It needs to have the pin replaced, but it was a bargain at $3.00.

Rebajes

Rebajes African Woman Pin – circa 1940

On an unusual outing to the Golden Nugget on a Wednesday, (ok, not the weekend but…) this dealer sure had a bunch of pretty items. I would have bought up the lot of it. But through prudence, and discussion with Anthony, I managed to relieve the vendor of only a few items.

One of our finds? This is a copper letter holder made by Revere. We haven’t found anything about it – yet!  And no, I didn’t pay $25.00,

Revere copper

Vintage letter holder by Revere

Here’s a chrome Art Deco Samson Egg cooker. Ironically, it was made in Rochester, NY – where Anthony lives.

This unusual weekend find is a car flashlight. It plugs into a car’s cigarette lighter. I did try it but the plug is just a tad big for the modern plug. And I didn’t want to force it in.

Art Deco Plug-in Flashlight

Art Deco Plug-in Car Flashlight

Art Deco Flashlight

An inside look – the cord is about 3′ long.

A nice little glass and chrome powder box.  It’s unmarked but in mint condition.

Deco powder / trinket box

Chrome glass and bakelite powder / trinket box

A different vendor had a section dedicated to 1939-1940’s World’s Fair memorabilia.  I sent Anthony this picture. And, while there were pieces he liked, he decided to pass.

1939-1940's World's Fair memorabilia

1939-1940’s World’s Fair collection

I also passed on this lovely Whiting & Davis handbag.  Our friend Nancy liked it, but it was not the right time for her. I should have gotten it. But at $100.00, I wasn’t sure it was worth the money. It is, and more.  I kick myself over this one.

I wish we had a place for this beauty. But we don’t. And so it stayed.

Art Deco lighting

Brass and polychrome chandelier I wish we had room for it

This collection of Chase is a real and reasonably priced find.  The Sparta pitcher, designed by Walter Von Nessen and a sugar & creamer set with matching tray was originally priced at over $95.00. The dealer didn’t want to take it home and offered it all to me for $30.00. Cha-ching!

Chase Copper and Brass

Chase chrome collection

This Manning Bowman Thermos and Tray has issues.  We always caution you NOT to purchase a rattling thermos unless it is just for display. This thermos rattled.  And the stopper is badly chipped. However, the tray is an extremely difficult piece to find so after a little bargaining, both home it came for $25.00.

Manning Bowman thermos and tray

1930’s Manning Bowman thermos and tray

A bit of déjà vu and another of our finds? This is another Manning Bowman thermos, sans tray.  It doesn’t rattle and is in good condition.  This was from another dealer who just wanted everything gone. And for $10.00 I was happy to take it off her hands.

Manning Bowman thermos

Manning Bowman thermos – this one doesn’t rattle!

I loved these ceramic puppy extension cords. But at $125.00 each, with damaged cords imbedded into the ceramic bodies, I couldn’t justify the price. Had the cords not been imbedded or at least accessible for repair, I may have been persuaded.

Art Deco extension cord

Art Deco extension cord

Can you guess what it is? The dealer didn’t know. I didn’t know either. But with some intuitive thinking, I figured it out. I think.

Deco Optical instrument

Deco Optical instrument

See how well you do with these clues:

            Bakelite handle

            Non-prescription glass

            Total length about 8 inches long by 4 inches wide

            Marked Bausch and Lomb on the handle

Good Stuff Thrift Store Finds:

We’ve had good luck at the Good Stuff Thrift Store.  No brand silver-plate cocktail shaker purchased for $4.50.  This unusual item dates to the 1930s. The cork stopper both in the lid and also in the pour spout cap are more common features at that time.  It’s amazing what a little elbow grease (and a good polish compound) can do.

Although missing the chrome lid, I picked up this cute divided dish for $3.99. It is by Farber Brothers / Krome Kraft.

Deco divided dish

Farber Bros. divided dish – circa 1930

This 1930s Hall ball jug in the Crocus pattern is in mint condition. It is also the only time I got into an argument with another customer.  The short version; I put it down in front of me to look at another pitcher. A woman walks up, asks me if I was buying it to which I responded, “Yes”. She proceeds to pick it up and walk away!??? I again told her I was buying it and she responded, “Well, you didn’t have your hand on it. It’s mine now.” Details are so messy.  Let’s just say – I won!

1930's Hall ball jug - crocus

1930s Hall ball jug – Crocus

2nd Avenue Thrift Store:

This pair of silver-plate candle holders is designed by Carl Deffner, They could be anywhere from the 1930 to the 1960s. And they have a no-polish finish. The pair cost $2.50.

Carl Deffner candle holders

Carl Deffner candle holders

Savers:

Here is a Chase bon-bon / nut dish. Chase appears to be getting harder to find in the wild. Anthony picked this up  at Savers for $3.99.

Chase chrome dish

Chase dish – perfect for serving afterdinner mints or nuts

GoodWill Finds:

I love the GoodWill! This little fellow is an example of ceramics Made in Occupied Japan. While we don’t know a great deal about this category, I do know items like this were massed produced between 1945 through 1951.  Though difficult to find, these are not generally worth a great deal. This would be a good collection for someone on a budget.

I wasn’t able to find an exact match to this in my research. I did find that the more and better the details, the better quality. And therefore more desirable. Compared to the one found online, this is a better-quality piece.  Why? The hand by the hat is separated from the hat and is well defined.  Cost – $3.99.

Occupied Japan Statue

Occupied Japan Statue

This little lady is another example of Made in Occupied Japan. She’s a cutie and cost 2.99.

Occupied Japan Statue

Miniature Occupied Japan Statue

It’s time to say goodbye 2022 and our weekend finds. But I can hardly wait to see what we’ll find in 2023!

So, did you figure out the mystery item? It’s a Pince-nez sizer. It is used to measure the width of the bridge of the nose to assure your armless glasses stayed put! I think!

You just never know what you’ll find when Driving for Deco!

Chris & Anthony (The Freakin’, Tiquen Guys)