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The Collectors Newsletter #315 April 2005

The Collectors Newsletter #315 April 2005

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In this issue, you will read about....
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1. "Barbie gets an extreme makeover" and "The Old Photo"
2. Get your stuff sold on TV
3. Your Classifieds
4. Improve your collection. (sponsors message)
5. Lost and Found
6. News from the Kovels
7. Newly listed items
8. Funny Old Stuff
9. Wanted ads. Can you help?
10. A Vintage Recipe
11. A Vintage Recipe Request from a Reader
12. New Online Merchants
13. Helpful Resources For Collectors
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TIAS Celebrates 10 years online!
The Internets' oldest and largest online antique and collectible mall is
celebrating our tenth year online. Merchants will be listing special
offers and great sales for the entire month of April. Be sure to stop
by and checkout the special spring event at:
http://www.geocities.com/poetswares/springfaire

The reputable merchants at TIAS offer quality merchandise at great
prices.
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1) After you read this story, tell us your interesting story. Send your
story to newsletter@tias.com and we may publish it here . We want to
hear any interesting or unusual stories you would like to share with us
that are related to collecting or anything vintage.
--
Barbie gets an extreme makeover
I WAS a collector. Now I combine what I've learned from some of the
notch "transformers" (those who make miracles transforming Barbie
dolls into celebrities) with my love for the old Disney "Zorro" series.

I belong to the GWFL--the Guy Williams Friends List (Guy played Zorro
on the series. Probably made Zorro a household name!) online. April
1, 2005 the list celebrated its 6th birthday. In that time, I've transformed
many Ken dolls into Zorro. And I keep learning to improve, etc. I
expanded the transformations to other characters in the series. Someone
wanted a Don Diego doll.

One year, the actor/director Britt Lomond, who played the first evil
commandante on the series, was having a birthday. Well I'd toyed
with the idea of making a Monastario doll (Britt's character), but finally
decided to hustle. The friends of the group were planning a get-together
out in California, so I had a time frame. I re-rooted the doll, and just
recreated his costume, did a collage of his character images on the back
of a display box...everything was just perfect. I was having trouble to
keep the box's front flap to stick. Between a glue gun and Elmer's glue,
I was still having trouble. (problem solved since then) But I wrapped it
up and sent it to a friend from the list who would be attending the get
together.

Britt was thrilled. A photo was taken of him reading my note and then
another holding the doll. He said it would have a place of honor on
his mantelpiece. It was all worth it. And I thought I'd been taking
pictures of the process of Ken to Monastario. Until we tried to get the
photos developed. No film in the camera. Thus a digital camera was
top on the next Christmas list.

Since then, I've transformed a Barbie doll into the character played by
Annette Funicello. The doll was sent to Shelley Fabares, being her best
friend, but I've never heard anything about it. I've transformed Barbies
and Kens into characters for myself.

Another actor on the series, Don Diamond, will receive a doll of his
character too. I've enjoyed doing these dolls for my friends and any
of the remaining actors/actresses from the series. There are a few to
go. I'm currently working on about three at the same time. And it isn't
easy with life in general as an obstacle. But it's been a way to keep in
touch with the dolls on the market without collecting them. I look for
prospective 'characters'! Hopefully one will end up in Greece!
Carolynn B.

-- Another Story --

The Old Photo
For over 25 years an old framed photo of a little girl around the age of
2 to 2½ has sat on my antique secretary. This little girl, Bertha Alice
would have been my great aunt. She died shortly after the picture was
taken of diphtheria or typhoid fever in the early 1900’s. I have always
loved this picture because somehow the photographer captured this
child’s angelic beauty. Recently while cleaning I picked up the frame
to dust and looked at the picture as I always do and nearly fell over, I
couldn’t believe my eyes, the little girl looks exactly like my
granddaughter Kailey who is now 2 years old, nearly the same age as
little Bertha Alice was when the photo was taken. The family
resemblance is that striking! Several weeks later, without telling my
daughter anything I handed her the photo and she looked at it and said
“Ok, what about it, I’ve seen this picture my whole life…Oh my gosh
…. she looks exactly like Kailey!” It’s true family genetics cross the
generations. Thanks for letting me share…. Laurie T.
--
Comments, thoughts? Post them online at:
http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/viewforum.php?forum=16&31
We collect interesting stories about collecting. Things like your best find,
unusual collections, bizarre collectibles. Anything and everything that is
interesting that has to do with collecting. We may publish it here. Send
your story to newsletter@tias.com .
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2) Get your stuff sold on TV
A TV production company is looking for enthusiastic families that have a
house full of hidden treasures. They will come to your home and rummage
through your boxes with an expert appraiser as well as help you to get the
very best price for your items at auction. For more information, take a look
at: http://www.leopardfilms.com/cita_usa.htm
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3) Your Classifieds...
Do you have antiques or collectibles you are just itching to sell? A simple
classified ad in this newsletter might just be your answer. Over 240,000
readers subscribe to this newsletter. One of them just might be able
to help you out. Place your ad today at: http://www.tias.com/classifieds

SPRING FAIRE AT TIAS!
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1370583/PictPage/1922615261.html

Mary's Porcelain and Pottery
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1360717/PictPage/1922585920.html

OAK HOOSIER KITCHEN
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1354830/PictPage/1922607692.html

Wedgwood Fine Bone China - Hathaway Rose - Dinner Set
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1410506/PictPage/1922606044.html
--
Want to know what our advertisers think? Check out the testimonials at:
http://www.tias.com/stores/tiasexchange/ads/boywithvase.html
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4) Improve your collection (sponsors message)
In many cases you can actually increase the value of your collection, by
keeping accurate records on the history of each piece. Accurate records
can help contribute to the overall value of your collection. There are many
ways to do this. The easiest is to get yourself some collection management
software from Collectify. Collectify is the only collection management software
recommended by Sotheby's to their clients. It works with EVERY type of
antique or collectible.

Order a free 30 day trial version of Collectify or you can even download
it from the Web. If you decide to keep it, as a newsletter reader you can
get a huge discount off the regular retail price. For more info, take a look at:
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/7283/PictPage/1920704600.html
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5) Lost and Found
We accept three types of Lost and found submissions for publication in this
newsletter.

1. You have a vintage item in hand and you are trying to find relatives of
the original owner(s). This could be an old photo album, baby book, diploma,
Family Bible, or other vintage items that can be linked to a specific person
or family.

2. You are looking for a fairly common vintage item that has deep personal
meaning for you or someone you know. I'm sorry, but we do not post
requests for "one of a kind items" that have been lost or stolen.

3. If you have a friend or relative that has been lost for at least 10 years,
maybe our readers can help you.

Remember to include as many details about the item(s) as you can. For
your story to run in this section, you must include your email address and
allow us to publish it. If this service helps you eventually track down the
relatives or find an item, please tell us about it in a follow-up story.
--
Items looking for their home
About 15-20 years ago, a friend of mine was asked to take a number of
boxes to the trash to help clean out a house where the old widow that
lived there had died or was moving into a nursing home or...

Due to dyslexia, he cannot read but he wondered if any of the stuff
might be valuable and asked me to look through the books etc, and see
what I thought.

There were boxes of old books and novels that had no obvious value
but there were also many items concerning the ladies life AND some
stuff from HER family back in Portsmouth OHIO.

I don't know what ever happened to the lady but thought that she
might have some family somewhere who might be interested in her stuff
so I have kept it for all these years without any good way of
locating any of her relatives. I have been reading your "Lost and
Found" for many months and thought I might finally have a way of
finding the ladies' relatives.

Her Name was Mrs. Helen R. Yates and her husband was Lewis C. Yates
who worked for Norfolk & Western Railway in Roanoke VA.

Her maiden name was Helen L. Rardin and her Father was J. S. Rardin
M.D. of 1206 Gallia St in Portsmouth Ohio.

I would guess she was born around 1900 to 1910.

I don't see any evidence of her ever having any children OR any
siblings but you would think there MUST be some more Rardins back in
OHIO who might care about Dr. Rardin's stuff/history and/or what
happened to his Daughter.

Write me at dlannning@bedford.k12.va.us if you can help...Thanks,
Dwight Lanning
--
How about you? Do you have some special vintage item that is in need of
its owner or are you looking for a special item or person? Maybe we can
help. Send us info at newsletter@tias.com
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6) NEWS FROM THE KOVELS
Here's a 21st-century collectible: MOUSE PADS! Kovels on Antiques and
Collectibles newsletter reports that the world's largest collection of mouse
pads belongs to a 10-year-old English boy who owns more that 2,600 pads.
The "mouse mats," as they are called in England, can be hung as pictures
or displayed on a tabletop.

For more information on the Kovels' newsletter, click:
http://www.tias.com/stores/kovel/specialnews.html
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7) Newly listed items for your online shopping pleasure for Tuesday
April 5, 2005 Stop by and check out today's fresh inventory at:
TIAS - http://www.tias.com/showcase
CollectorOnline - http://cgi.tias.com/showcase/?groupKey=7
AntiqueArts - http://cgi.tias.com/showcase/?groupKey=3
Earthling - http://cgi.tias.com/showcase/?groupKey=6
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8) Funny Old Stuff
This is our humor section. These are humorous stories and comments that
are sent in by readers. If you have a submission you would like to share,
please send it to newsletter@tias.com and we may run it in the next issue.
---
My brother and I were born in the 1960's, six years apart, in the same small
Missouri town, the same hospital, the same room, and probably the same bed
as each other. Our family moved out of state soon after he was born, but we
came back for frequent visits. On those trips it was a ritual for us to drive by
our old house and inevitably we would pass by the very small brick hospital
off of the two-lane highway. I, being the older sister, would point at the
hospital and my mother would say "Yes, there is where the two of you were
born, in the same room and probably the same bed". This happened every
time we were in town. Well, years went by and our family visits "back home"
had become much less frequent. By now, I was in college and my brother
was a teenager. We found ourselves as a family traveling through our home
town and once again passing by the hospital. Only this time my brother
pointed to the WHITE STEAKHOUSE next door and seriously asked "Mom,
isn't that where Shelly and I were both born in the same room?" It took a few
moments for us to figure out his confusion, but we soon realized the
steakhouse was whiter and more impressive than the little hospital and as a
small child, he must have thought we were pointing at it! All, but my brother,
laughed until our sides hurt. He defended himself madly, saying that we had
pointed all those years at that old steakhouse and not at the hospital. I believe
he still thinks we tricked him! Michelle
---
Do you have a funny story or joke you would like to share? Make someone
feel good by sharing it with us. Send it to newsletter@tias.com and we may
publish it here.
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9) Wanted ads. Can you help?
Here are the latest wanted ads from the TIAS Exchange. Can
you help someone out? To place an ad of your own take a look at:
http://www.tiasExchange.com

WANTED: WANTED: WANTED OLD FISHING LURES
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355837/PictPage/1922609031.html

WANTED: Pre-1950s Quality Costume Jewelry
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355837/PictPage/1922611940.html

Wanted: OLD GUITARS AND AMPLIFIERS
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355837/PictPage/1922608940.html
--
Looking for something? Place a "Wanted" ad in this newsletter. Over
240,000 subscribers. It's easy, go to: http://www.tiasExchange.com
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10) A Vintage Recipe
In the last issue Jan B.requested a recipe for "red gravy" Here is one
of the responses to that request. If you have a variation of this recipe
that you would like to share with our readers, please post it to:
http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=16
Be sure to also check out this weeks recipe request, below.
--
My grandmother made - Red (Tomato) Gravy

Ingredients:
2 tblsp. flour
2 tblsp. oil, bacon grease, or a mixture of oil and/or bacon grease
with butter.
1/2 onion, finely diced
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce (or use stewed tomatoes)
salt and pepper
1/2 cup milk or buttermilk

Directions:
Pre-measure all ingredients and set them next to the stove top. Heat the
oil or bacon grease in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Next make a
roux. Lower the heat and stir in the 2 tblsp. flour until all the bits of flour
have been mixed into the oil. Be very careful not to burn it. Continue to
cook, stirring constantly, until the flour and oil form a thick fluffy paste,
and stir constantly (10 minutes will do but 20 minutes makes a great
roux). If it smells scorched, start over. Add the onions and stir for 2
more minutes.. Very slowly pour the tomato sauce (or stewed tomatoes)
into the skillet. Keep stirring. Simmer for a few minutes until this mixture
begins to thicken and boil. Simmer for about five minutes. Season with
salt and pepper. Take off the heat and pour in the milk or buttermilk,
stirring constantly. If the gravy gets too thick, thin out by adding a little
hot water. If you want it thicker, add some cornstarch mixed with water
and cook it some more.

You can vary the gravy by adding garlic, thyme, oregano, bay leaves,
ground red pepper, green onions, or curry powder.
--
Did you know TIAS merchants have over 1000 vintage
cookbooks for sale online? They make great gifts. Take a
look at: http://www.tias.com/cookbooks
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11) A vintage recipe request from a reader
As with collectibles, people also have very strong feelings about foods
from their past. Sometimes these special recipes get lost. This section
is to help people who are looking for lost recipes from their past. If you
submit a request, please include the geographical region where
you had this recipe.
--
My mom used to make oatmeal cookies that were soft. Raised in the
center and light while the bottoms were brown. I know this has to do
with a dark cookie sheet. But I cannot find the recipe for the cookies.
they had ground cloves I am sure and nuts and raisins. I think you boil
the raisins first. Arnold
--
If you can help this reader with this recipe, please forward it to
recipes@tias.com . If you have a vintage recipe request send it to
recipes@tias.com and we might just publish it here.
--
Be sure to check out our vintage kitchen collectibles section online at:
http://www.tias.com/kitchen
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12) New Online Merchants
These merchants just opened shop online. Stop by and check out their
fresh inventory.

Kruck's Korner Kollectibles
http://www.tias.com/stores/kruckskk
We offer an eclectic accumulation of vintage collectibles and antiques.
From our Grandparents to our Parents to us the tradition runs deep. We
guarantee your satisfaction by offering quality items from yesteryear.
Stop by often, we update our site frequently.

Southern Specialties
http://www.tias.com/stores/fleamktfinds
Come visit us for some great southern hospitality. We carry everything
from a-z. If you don't find it in my shop, use the "contact" button, it's
probably in my storefront! Coffee's on........

For more new online shops, take a look at:
http://www.tias.com/news/index.shtml
--
This year, open your own online Antique & Collectible Shop.
If you have one or a few items to sell, try our classifieds at
http://www.tiasexchange.com. If you have more than a few items to sell,
open your own store at TIAS. It's easy and fun. Over 200,000 customers
visit us on an average day. It costs you nothing to get started. Take a
look at: http://www.makeashop.com
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13) Helpful Resources:
1. What's it worth? Try Kovels' free online price guide to over 300,000
antiques and collectibles. It can be found online at http://www.kovels.com

2. Looking for an expert to help you with repairs, or an appraisal?
Or just some help finding an auction house or a collectors club? Try this
free service at http://www.tias.com/stores/kovelsyellow/

3. Get an online appraisal
For just $9.95 from "What's It Worth To You?"
http://www.whatsitworthtoyou.com/tias.htm (Not affiliated with Kovels.com)
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Thanks for reading. Feel free to forward this to a friend. To subscribe to this
newsletter go to: http://www.tias.com/subscribe Please note that stories and
recipes from readers are not checked for accuracy. They may be edited
prior to publication. For questions or comments, you can reach us at
newsletter@TIAS.com ©1995-2005 TIAS.com Inc.

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