May 2-6 Odds & Ends Ent. will be exhibiting at First Monday Trade Days – Canton Civic Center, 800 Flea Market Rd., Canton, TX. Hours: Thurs. – Saturday 9 am – 6 pm; Sunday 9 am – 4 pm. We will be displaying Russian Collectables, Depression era glassware and Life Magazines.
First Monday Trade Days in Casnton, TX
April 29th, 2012Jack-in-the-Pulpit Vases
April 27th, 2012Jack-in-the-Pulpit vases, which resemble the shape of the lily for which they are named, were very popular novelties at the turn of the twentieth century. These vases were made in every type of art glass produced. Some were very simple while other vases were elaborately appliqued and enameled. Even today many glass companies still produce Jack-in-the-Pulpit vases.
Murano glass Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase
Erphila
April 27th, 2012
One of the Erphila marks
The Erphila trademark was used by the Ebeling and Russ Co. of Philadelphia between 1886 and the late 1950′s. The company imported quality porcelain and pottery from European countries including Italy, Germany, Czechoslovakia and France. A large variety of pieces were imported such as figurines, china and pottery. Ebeling and Russ Co. also used a variety of marks on the pieces, but all of them contained the name Erphila. Although Erphila items generally are not easily found, pieces from Germany and Czechoslovakia are the most commenly found.
Canes and Walking Sticks
April 18th, 2012Fancy canes and walking sticks were once the mark of a gentleman. Made from a variety of materials as well as some exotic woods, hand-carved examples are collected and admired as folk art from the past. Canes and walking sticks featuring animal, character and other novelty handles, as well as handles made with precious metals, bone or antler, etc., are very collectible today. Gadget or container sticks, those canes which may contain something in them (ie. a sword or flask) are also very desirable. The glass cane or walking stick, which were never really functional, are unique whimsies of the glass-blower’s profession. Canes and walking sticks are not only beautiful examples of folk art but also have a practical use which enhances their collectibility.
Spear Fishing Cane
Blown Glass Cane
Cookbooks
April 17th, 2012
Cookbooks have been collected, read and enjoyed for many years by both men and women. Cookbooks for the ninteenth century, thought prertty hard to find, are a true delight for today’s collector both for their quaint formats and printing methods as well as their out moded , often humorous, views on nutrition. Recipes include instructions such as “a pinch of” or “the size of a walnut” as opposed to the current standards of measurment. Especially desirable are the figural cookbooks that were shaped like a jar of pickles, a slice of bread, or some other form relative to the product. Today’s collector also seeks out cookbooks with unique features such as illustrations by famous artists or references to famous people. Some collectors specialize in cookbooks for specific nationalities, types of food or those compiled by various organizations or communities. which contain some of the best recipes because they were submitted by everyday cooks and homemakers. Whether to read, cook or adapt the recipes to your own style of cooking, it is easy tro see why collecting cookbooks is so popular today.
Cacciaputl Ceramics
March 12th, 2012In all the history of Italian Ceramics the name of Cacciaputi, a family of Neapoliitan origin, is one of those that have been honoured most of all, through their work, Italian Artestry.
In the book published by Hopeli in February 1924, and dedicated to the *Amateurs of Falences and Porcelains*. It is recorded that, at the famous 1881 Paris International Exhibition, the works of the Cacciaputl factory, were adjudged to be amoungst the finest of all the best known artist of the period. This standard was maintained during the continuous development of the family, and confirmed by the awards gained many International Exhibitions afterwards.
From the first fore-fathers who produced the first art-ceramic at Capodimonte over one centuriey ago, to the present day, the signature of Cacciapuotl appearing on each piece has authenticated it as being produced in the finest tradition of Italian ceramics. The unequaled art of the old Cacciapuotl masters is maintained with great fidelity in the reproduction of original models and their style is perpetuated by the artists who are engaged by the factory.
Broadmoor Pottery
October 28th, 2011In 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.
Kentucky Derby Glasses
October 28th, 2011Kentucky 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.
Insulators
October 28th, 2011The 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
B & G Collector Plates
August 25th, 2011The 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