Broadmoor Pottery

October 28th, 2011

In October of 1933 P.H. Genter, J.B. Hunt, Eric Hellman, and Cecil Jones formed the Broadmoor Art Pottery in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Most of the pottery they produced was not elaborate, and only a handful of pieces were decorated. It is believed that in 1936 this plant was closed and moved to Denver, Colorado.

Broadmoor pottery features various marks. One is an Egyptian type label depicting two potters (one at the wheel and the other at a pressing machine) and the word Broadmoor. Another is an ink-stamped “Broadmoor Pottery, Colorado Springs (or Denver),
Colorado. The thirds mark is an incised version of the latter. Smaller pieces such as small animals, each about
2” high, are not be marked at all.

The bottom of all Broadmoor pottery is white and can be either glazed or unglazed. Both matt and high gloss finishes were used as well as a variety of glaze colors.

The company produced many advertising items for local businesses around Denver and as far away as Wyoming.

 

 

 

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Kentucky Derby Glasses

October 28th, 2011

Kentucky Derby glasses are the official souvenir glasses sold at Churchill Downs, filled with mint juleps on Derby Days. Lots of folks
from all over the country who attend the Derby Days take home the souvenir glass, and the collecting begins. The first glass appeared in 1938 and the tradition of the Kentucky Derby glass continues today.

The 1956 glass has four variations to collect. On some 1956 glasses one of the two stars which were meant to separate the words “Kentucky**Derby” is missing.  All three of the horses on the 1956 glass were meant to have tails, but on some glasses only two of the horses have tails.

Collectors for the 1974 Kentucky Derby glass also have four variations to find.  Some of the 1974 glasses incorrectly listed the 1971 winner Canonero II as just Canonero. Some 1974 glasses contain the embossed logo, a small shield with an F inside, of the
Federal Glass Company, maker of the glasses. The correct glass will not be marked. The marked glasses were used for extra glasses for the 100th running in 1974.

The Derby Day glasses are produced long before the Kentucky Derby winner is determined. In order to identify pre-1969 glasses, since the year did not appear on the front of the glass until then, you simple add one year to the last date listed on the back of the glass.

For interested folks there is an excellent price guide available for collecting Kentucky Derby glasses.

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Insulators

October 28th, 2011

The telegraph was invented in 1844. The devises developed to hold the electrical transmission wires to the poles were called insulators. Invented in 1876, the telephones intensified the insulator’s usefulness; andbuy the turn of the century; thousands of varieties were being produced in pottery, wood, and glass of various colors. Many insulators are embossed with patent dates.

There are more than 3,000 types of insulators known to exist, and their worth is evaluated by age, rarity of color and  condition. Aqua and green are the most common colors in glass and dark brown is the most common color in porcelain. Threadless insulators, though very hard to find, were made between 1850 and 1865 and are the most sought after by today’s collector

 

Glass Insulator

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B & G Collector Plates

August 25th, 2011

The Bing & Grondahl Porcelain factory was founded in 1853 and soon began manufacturing those items for which the factory is primarily known today. The figurines with under-glaze decorations and the many different dinner and coffee services of porcelain. The trade mark of the factory, with the three towers, is taken from the coat-of-arms of the city of Copenhagen and is known all over the world as a symbol of Copenhagen porcelain. In 1895 B & G introduced the first Christmas Plate in the world, later to be followed by other collector’s items such as  the world’s first Mother’s Day Plate, which came out in 1969. All collector’s items are issued in limited quantities and without possibility of their manufacture being resumed later, since all moulds are destroyed. B & G Collector Plates are still being produced today and the older pieces are sought after by today’s collector.

1960 Christmas Plate

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Trader’s Market 4th of July Antique/Collectable/Flea Market

June 28th, 2011

Odds & Ends Enterprises will be exhibiting at the Trader’s Market, Minnesota’s largest July 4th Antique/Collectable/ Flea Market, May 28-30.  Trader’s Market is located on 35W (South) and County Rd. 2 (Elko/New Market) Exit #76 . Hours: Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and Monday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Check out our show schedule for more shows.  If you are in the area stop by for a visit.

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Anoka Antique Show & Flea Market

June 2nd, 2011

Odds & Ends Enterprises will be exhibiting at the 13 Annual Anoka Antique Show & Flea Market June 4-5  at the Anoka CFounty Fairgrounds, 1/2 mile north of Hwy. 10 on Ferry Street (Hwy. 47) Anoka, MN. Hours: Saturday 8 am – 5 pm; Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. Admission fee charged.  Check out our show schedule for more shows.  If you are in the area stop by for a visit.

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Graniteware

May 20th, 2011

Graniteware, made from a variety of metalswith enamel coatings, derives it name from its appearance. The speckled, swirrled, or mottled effect of the various colored enamels may look like granite. It was not  especially durable so if you plan to collect graniteware you should expect at least minor chipping.

Graniteware was featured in 1876 at the Phily’s Expo and is still being produced today. Many of us will remember the dark blue graniteware canning pots our mothers used for canning all sorts of food.  It was mass produced in quantity so there are still lots of older pieces on the market today.  Condition, color, shape, and size are important to consider when looking at a piece of graniteware. Many collectors use pieces of their graniteware collection in the  kitchen for cooking everyday. Graniteware whether new or old is also used by RVer’s for food prepearation as well as tableware in their campers.  Cobalt blue & white, green & white, brown & white, and the older red and white swirled items are fairly unusual and therefore more expensive. Pieces of heavier weight, seam constructed, riveted, and those with wooden handles and tin  or matching lids are usually the older pieces. The traditional gray graniteware has been collected for many years and is still popular with collector’s today.

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Trader’s Market – Elko/New Market

May 20th, 2011

Odds & Ends Enterprises will be exhibiting at the Trader’s Market, Minnesota’s largest Memorial Day Antique/Collectable/ Flea Market, May 28-30.  Trader’s Market is located on 35W (South) and County Rd. 2 (Elko/New Market) Exit #76 . Hours: Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and Monday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Check out our show schedule for more shows.  If you are in the area stop by for a visit.

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Sun Colored Glass

May 20th, 2011

The term “sun colored glass” has been given to older glassware items that have been turned purple by the sun. This purple tinted glass was manufactured as clear glass between after  1864 until approximately 1920. During this period the glassware was produced with various materials to make it clear. One of the chemicals used was Manganese. This, when exposed to the ultraviolet rays from the sun causes the glass to turn a lovely shade of purple.

This coloring of the glass can also be accomplished by using a fluorescent germicidal lamp. Some of these items have been so exposed to the germicidal lamp because it takes less time to color the glass as well as the process is done inside rather than risk esposure to the chance of being damaged outside. There is no difference in the end result. This purple coloring of the older glass ensures that the age of the glassware is guaranteed!

So far, newer glass and reproductions have not turned purple  using either of these methods. Some new glass may react to radiation treatment, as used on food to destroy bacteria. None  of the older purple glass has been treated by radiation.

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Faberge’ Imperial Easter Eggs

April 20th, 2011

A total of 56 Imperial Easter eggs were produced for the Russian Imperial Court beginning in 1885 when Tsar Alexander III commissioned Peter Karl Faberge’ to fashion an Easter gift for his wife , Empress Marie Fyodorovna. Easter is the most religious holiday celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated with an exchange of painted eggs and three kisses. The magnificent egg was so well received by the Empress that the Tsar commissioned one every year thereafter.  When Nicholas II, Alexander’s son,  assumed the throne in 1894 he continued the tradition until 1917 with one exception.  Nicholas II commissioned that two eggs now be created, one for his wife, Alexandra Fyodorovna, and another for his mother, Marie, the Dowager Empress. Each Easter Faberge’ himself would present the egg to the Dowager Empress while his assistant would present the second egg to Empress Alexandera. In all, 56 of these fabulous Imperial Easter Eggs were produced, however, only 10 of these eggs have remained in Russia.

Each of these astounding creations, all of enameled gold and jewels, often included delicate mechanisms , a tiny coronation coach, wind up animals, and other unique surprises. The subject and form of each imperial Easter egg was unique. Some celebrated intimate family themes, while others honored notable events in the life of the Russian state and the imperial family.

There are books available which contain pictures or sketches of the 56 eggs created by the Faberge’ Company, as well as an interesting history of these gorgeous Easter creations.

Spring Egg

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