Blue Dog -Gracie, a timeless piece, a cup of decadence and a question.

Poor Gracie, she hates to wear clothes. I can't get her to budge...she just squats...her legs don't work...I have to drag her on the leash...so I gave up.

So I did the photo with a blue overexposure...it fits her mood perfectly in this pic. NO! she is NOT for sale! Just sharing...

But I also wanted to share with you my latest finds...now posted to My Attic's Charms OPEN LINK! .

Lefton China Tea Cup Saucer and Dessert Plate RARE– NO SHIPPING! OPEN LINK!

First I have this oh so decadent Lefton China Tea setting. I love this delicate

and super sweet set... all hand painted and in perfect condition, no chips or cracks...BUT a bit of the hand painting is worn here and there.

But it still is strikingly in tact and beautiful!

Next I want to show and tell you about this wonderful old "Travalarm" by Westclox!

It works great and is in almost mint condition. Metal works wrapped in bakelite with a roll top style cover, this fab clock pre-dates 1948! Read how I know that here:

Pre-1948 Westclox “Travalarm” Alarm Clock ~ Works! NO SHIPPING! OPEN LINK!

Franciscan Ware Aqua Relish Dish NO SHIPPING! OPEN LINK!

And last but not least this simple Franciscan Ware dish-let cutie...that I cannot get a handle on the pattern name. If you know please let me

know. I have researched and searched. But don't see the pattern anywhere. I also am not sure what to call this dish either: a relish dish? a butter dish?, an olive dish? What say you?

That's it for now! so many more great items will be posted. I will never get them all posted as I keep going to more estate sales and yard sales (Tis the season!) and generally being a magnet for the old, soon to be old, and the oddities from the past! Don't you just love it!

Toodles...

Royal Doulton Shakes it up at Mardi Gras with Fiesta Ware!

My clever little title is meant to peek your interest! Did it? Hopes so..it is a combination of the last 4 items I posted...

First I have listed a very large and in perfect condition Royal Doulton Serving Platter in the

"Old Leeds Sprays" pattern. Lovely!

And then I posted these darling Lusto-Ware Salt and Pepper Shakers that are made of plastic and only 2" tall! Adorable and very clean and shiny and the lettering is still in perfect condition!

From there we travel to Mardi Gras Festive Ware OPEN LINK! to be reminded how wonderful it was to dring ice cold water from Moms aluminum brightly colored cups!

A set of 2 in fuschia and bright red!

Last but most definitely not least...I love this beautiful Fiesta Ware Sugar Bowl (or onion soup bowl). I remember I had a box of Fiesta Ware stored in the garage and somehow they disappeared!

Check all of these out at http://myatticscharms.ecrater.com/

A Poem by Audrey Hepburn

A Poem By Audrey Hepburn

Below is a wonderful poem Audrey Hepburn wrote when asked to share her 'beauty tips .' It was read at her funeral years later.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.
Posted by The Vintage Scarf at 5/24/2009 01:17:00 PM 0 comments

USA and "Doris"

USA Rippled Vase J3008

Just wanted to let you know I have just posted 2 beautiful new items...we are going with the classical look today...Simple elegance in a pale grey vintage USA vase in pristine condition!
USA Rippled Vase J3008

"Doris" by Roberts China Creamer Pattern # 6230

Also in pristine condition, and beautiful... pink and white flowers accented with platinum all hand painted "Doris" by Roberts China Creamer Pattern # 6230

Free Shipping ALWAYS!

Tom Clark Gnome Sculptures and a "Kwicky"

I have recently discovered the world of Gnomes...they literally have invaded my garden! Unbelievable, magical, adorable, they are digging in my planter boxes and keeping my plants strong. They are welcoming my visitors at the front door and they are riding those nasty snails right out the gate!(and yet they tell me that really those little snails are really very tasty). One of these gnomes is even measuring rainfall for me!

During a storm recently, a couple of them fell over and broke their hand and feet etc...but you know they didn't even seem to mind that! They just burroughed themselves back in the dirt and sit there proudly ignoring the weird looks my friends and neighbors give them.

I am beginnning to like these little guy's spirits!

But when I realized that 2 of them had made there way into my living room I was shocked and at first taken aback...they sat there staring at us, watching as we watched TV or ate dinner or played with Gracie... all the while smiling and acting very smug gnowing the outside gnomes were... well......outside... and they weren't! Whatever.




Then I started looking closer at these 2 gnomes I noticed MY God! they were sculpted by the famous Tom Clark...(of course I didn't know he was famous until I started researching him...remember this gnomey-ness is all gnew to me!)..I noticed that the piece is etched with his signature and dated and gnumbered and has a British coin tucked in his pocket with Queen Elizabeth's image on it! Apparently all gnomes carry a coin for good luck.

look what I found out in my research! : http://hatteraslight.com/tomclarkcairn/tomclark.html OPEN LINK!


My first visiting gnome is Called "Forest Gnome" and he is a full 10" tall! and very solid (gnot hollow) and weighty. I learned that the brown clay used in this remarkably detailed work of art is made from a mix of pecan shells and resin.

I learned that Tom Clark has made 1000's of these characters and other subjects over the years, that Tom Clark is a very gentle and kind a quiet man who loves his art and people.

Read here what the artist says about Forest Gnome himself: "1978 was the year when I created my first Forest Gnome. Standing upright with his hands clasped behind him, he was in the classic pose associated with an anonymous forest gnome. I've seen statues and drawings of gnomes that date back over one hundred years and they all share certain characteristics: short stature, large head, full beard, medieval tunic, and tall, pointed hat (usually red). My first version was approximately 12 inches tall, with his tunic tightly stretched across his chest. Then in the early 1980's I revised the statue and reduced his size to approximately 10 inches and wrinkled his tunic a bit. The third version, in 1991, reflected my style change by being more realistic, and its height was back to 12 inches. Except for having shaved his moustache (well, Betty Crocker changes her hair style!), his pose was still traditional. Now, for 1997, this fourth version is shorter and yet has the tallest gnome hat thus far. He's grown back his moustache and in his beard you can spot at least 2 more faces than could be found in the beard of Forest Gnome '91. As the leader of the clan, Forest Gnome oversees hundreds more Gnomes and Woodspirits (who wear less traditional clothing). With his five senses that are keener than those of humans, he is a wonderful caretaker and babysitter. No wonder he is often the first housewarming gift for a new home. This Gnome is where the heart is!" Artist: Tom Clark Release Date: July, 1997.

Also visiting is Ty Gnome. a fun loving baseball enthusiast, who either struck out or is just taking a break while watching his other teammates. Either way he looks to be quite happy and all-knowing. He is only 6" tall but quite large in spirit.


Forest Gnome tells me they have to go...he gnows not where but their work here is done. It's true, I feel he and Ty Gnome have opened my awareness to my permanent residents outside. While "Forest Gnome" and "Ty" are far superior to the others outside, (they would gnever let on to that in their presence, as they are very kind and fatherly in spirit), they have awakened my eyes to their magical and fun qualities...I gnow welcome more gnomes to my garden. Perhaps you would like Forest or Ty to come visit you? They are well worth the looks you will get from your friends too! Meet them here http://myatticscharms.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4396147 (sold!) and here TY Gnome OPEN LINK!



Also remember when Mom used to make fresh squeezed orange juice?

She probably used one of these Kwicky Juicers OPEN LINK!. This vintage reamer from the 50's is in excellent shape! and for sale at My Attic's Charms


ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING!

From Atniques on the Go: Mini Flea Bride and Groom dress and tux

Dressed Fleas and Flea Circus are Not Necessarily for the Dogsby Maggie Turnipseed (05/11/09).


Lisa Townley’s great grandmother’s bride and groom “pulgas vestidas” or dressed fleas.
One of the most unusual and interesting Ask A Worthologist questions that we have come across was posed by Lisa Townley, a WorthPoint member from Texas, regarding a small matchbox that contained miniature wedding dress and tuxedo—worn by a flea bride and groom. Lisa told me that she remembered the small box from when she was a child; she was told it had belonged to her great grandmother. Lisa further remembered that when she was a child, the flea groom had a top hat and the flea bride a veil, which have since disappeared. Oh, the things that people did for entertainment before radios, TV and computers. Women sewed and dressed these fleas in very elaborate costumes. One can only imagine the hours spent laboring on the itty-bitty costumes. It’s an unusual form of folk art that has all but disappeared, and I wonder who had the job to catch the fleas. Mike Wilcox, one of WorthPoint’s Generalists Worthologist, did the valuation for Lisa.

Dressed fleas from the Tring Museum.
“Flea brides and grooms (dressed, but dead) were popular collector’s items in the 1920s,” Mike reported. “In Mexico during that period you, might find “pulgas vestidas“—or “dressed fleas”—for sale. Fleas were dressed in tiny costumes. The history of flea art appears to have originated in Mexican convents, and was later taken up by the general tourist trade during the early 1900s.” There were also traveling shows, carnivals and flea circuses that went from town to town, where the audiences were amazed by that they saw. Or, might I say, what they thought they saw. Trained fleas were pulling and pushing objects much larger and many times the flea’s weight, as well as performing other amazing gymnastic triumphs. There were many tricks of the trade that gave the illusion of the fleas doing these tricks and performing. The curiosity for the flea circus died out in the 1930s, due to the general public’s increase knowledge of hygiene. The dressed fleas survived on as folk art souvenirs a while longer, until around the 1960s. To take a look at this short video to see a flea circus in action, watch this video.

A poster for Profesor Likonti's Flea Circus.
Mike Wilcox placed a fair market value for the dressed fleas at $75. The dressed fleas ranked a rare factor of 5 on our scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being most rare. Lisa’s wedding fleas remind me of one of the great pleasures of being a collector: to put yourself, if even for an instant, in the mind set of the people who created and treasured things long ago. Although we will never know who sat sewing these tiny costumes, we do know that flea circuses were bringing pleasure and entertainment to people as early as 1833, as they were advertised in England at that time. And we can imagine that the fleas belong to Lisa’s great grandmother, who probably took this little couple home, and kept them as a reminder of a very special trip to the circus. I always think how fortunate it is when family members hold on to special mementos and pass them on to younger generations. This is one of those little things that so easily could have been tossed away and forgotten about, but thanks to Lisa’s relatives, we all got a little look into the past. Dressing fleas belongs to a bygone era, but you can still see videos of flea circuses and how fleas are “trained” in the Internet. While the idea of flea circuses is fun and nostalgic, the way the insects were “trained” is a different and less-pleasant story. You can read about some of training techniques here. You can also find a list of current flea circus performers.

Popeye the Sailor Man! and Mickey Mouse Mix it up!

Just a quick note to let you know that I have just posted 2 for the price of one Big Little Books from 68 and 69! Remember these???

Popeye in "Danger Ahoy" OPEN LINK! is in excellent condition but Mickey Mouse in "Adventures in Outer Space". has just been having way too much fun! Since Mickey is in below standard condition I am selling both of them together...both good, complete and colorful reads. They are both for $25...remember, as always, My Attic's Charms ALWAYS pays full shipping!

"Eats ya spinach!"

Miniature Chinese Hand Painted Art and the Gospels!

Wow! I have just posted very darling little bookmarkers in an upholstered box, that is a vintage souvenir item. The box has 10 beautifully hand painted images of landscapes and bridges, pagodas, and mountains, etc on tiny wooden almost paper thing bookmarkers. On the reverse side of them is Chinese characters. I would love to know what they say! Anyone know? Please let me know. Here's the full post: http://myatticscharms.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4370174

I also posted this sparkling Beunilum Aluminum Tray OPEN LINK! with a Cut Glass insert. I love it. Handwrought and in great condition, the metal is almost flawless, which is unique for a piece like this from the 40-50's. A bit about the popularity of aluminum ware:

Aluminum was more expensive than gold or silver until the 1850s. Chemists learned how to refine bauxite to get aluminum. Jewelry and other small objects were made of the valuable metal until 1914, when an inexpensive smelting process was invented. The aluminum collected today dates from the 1930s through the 1950s. Hand-hammered pieces are the most popular.

The 3 sectioned cut glass insert is in pristine condition!

http://myatticscharms.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4369128

And finally, my recent post includes these 2 fabulously old Hymnals dated the 40's!

Harvest Call OPEN LINK!

And Beacon Light OPEN LINK!

They are in very good condition for paperbacks from the 40's. Amazing Grace!

http://myatticscharms.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4370375

http://myatticscharms.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4369755

Amen!

Been out of town for a week....

Unexpected death in the family took me away last week...But I am back and rethinking and gearing up and glad to be back.

It was good closure for Randy, (his brother passed away), and we both got caught up on both of our families at the same time. Mom, (coincidently in the same town as the funeral), is fairing very well after her open heart surgery.

But now time to get to work...if you can call this work...I don't...but I am editing my next photos and preparing for the next package to process. I literally have a couple hundred items I still need to post, and get into my store!

I can show you one item that I did just before we left for the drive to Washington State (from California).

It is a fabulously retro "Coral M Rhubarb" OPEN LINK! serving dish dated 1951. Amazingly detailed isn't it?

This evening I need to catch up on my American Idol recordings...."only 3 guys left".
So let me get busy...and I will check back here in the next day or so...
Toodles