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The Collectors Newsletter #377 December 2005

The Collectors Newsletter #377 December 2005

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1. "Amosandra" & "Homemade Christmas"
2. Today's Headlines from News-Antique.com
3. Your Classifieds
4. Increase the value of 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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1) After you read these stories, 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.
--
The story about the search for the special bottles (The Collectors
Newsletter #376 November 2005) rang true for me. My wife talks about
childhood memories in her sleep. Our first Christmas, I faced the challenge
of finding a doll she had told me about one night.

One Christmas when she was 6 years old, she and her friends asked
Santa for the Betsy Wetsy doll so popular at the time. Her parents were
barely scraping by in the post war years. Christmas morning she didn't
find Betsy Wetsy like her friends did; instead she found a little rubber doll
of a black baby called Amosandra (her father loved the Amos and Andy
radio shows.)

She was very sad at first but when her parents told her that she would be
very special because no one else had Amosandra she came to cherish the
unique baby doll.

After moving here when we married, she found that Amosandra had
deteriorated and crumbled apart. She cried in her sleep the night she told
me the story of the doll. It took me several weeks on the internet to find
her; most of the rubber dolls of the 1950's have seen their better days.

I saved Amosandra for the last present and I thought the tears of joy would
never stop. Amosandra now resides, with dresses originally hand made by
her mother and wrapped in my wife's first baby blanket, in a basket on the
dresser where she in fondly caressed almost every day. Dennis S.,
Angola, Indiana

-- Another Story --

Back in the late 1970s, I was a single parent with 4 children, receiving no
child support and working at a minimum wage job. I was finding it hard to
pay the bills and Christmas was right around the corner.

My children came up with a solution. We would have a homemade Christmas!

Each child went through old magazines and cut out pictures of favorite
things their sisters and brother enjoyed-cars and trucks for my son, animals
for my youngest daughter, and good looking men for my oldest girl (she was
in her early teens and was becoming quite boy crazy at the time) They
took an old piece of plywood and made collages for each other. The
children were delighted with their gifts, which hung on their walls for many
years.

We also made a very large ginger bread house for their Grandmother.
She cried when it was given to her. She knew that there was much time
taken to put it together and had always loved them. She said it was her
favorite Christmas.

From that Christmas on, we have had a homemade Christmas. No one
is ever disappointed because LOVE is the gift that is given....Dianne

--
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) The Latest Antique News
Get the latest news about antiques and collectibles delivered once a week
to your email inbox. Sign up at: http://www.news-antique.com

Today's Antiques & Collectibles Headlines from http://News-Antique.com

- eBay auction for Pocketwatch.com name - http://tinyurl.com/c52ek

- eBay auction for Antiquewatch.com name - http://tinyurl.com/9gt2t

- The HOT LIST of Antiques & Collectibles - http://tinyurl.com/bwv65

- AuntEeksEstate celebrates 1 year as Inc. - http://tinyurl.com/bt9r9

- "Pop Culture King" Debuts has Online TV show - http://tinyurl.com/9wckc

- Collectors Universe Acquires Gemprint - http://tinyurl.com/7t2pm

- Antiques and Arts Company in the UAE - http://tinyurl.com/ay6qa

- Antiques Roadshow Ten Year Anniversary - http://tinyurl.com/aqoaf

- Dot-Com celebrates 8th Anniversary - http://tinyurl.com/7hmlz

- Wiw2u.com Authenticates eBay Listings - http://tinyurl.com/a9slh

- collect.at announces new features - http://tinyurl.com/8u95y

- Arte Fino has Estate Auction at iGavel.com - http://tinyurl.com/exynf

- Holiday Antiques & Appraisals At East Hills - http://tinyurl.com/9877m

- There are MANY more fresh news stories online at:
http://News-Antique.com/

Put the latest DAILY news about antiques and collectibles on your Web site.
It's easy to do. Go to http://javafeed.news-antique.com/ to get the code.
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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 200,000
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

Round Oak Quartersawn Claw Foot Table Ca. 1900
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1354830/PictPage/1922778158.html

free gift! all month long-get 25% off - renee's room
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1411436/PictPage/1922778901.html

Authentic BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Signed Albums
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1494745/PictPage/1922779076.html

Coca Cola Kid String Holder
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1465959/PictPage/1922779085.html

$5 Off Order $50 or More
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1370583/PictPage/1922779223.html

Looking For That Perfect Gift?
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1437210/PictPage/1922779229.html

Make Your Kitchen The Fun Place At Mama's Treasures
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1437211/PictPage/1922779256.html

WWII CHARM BRACELET - AIRPLANES
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1453359/PictPage/1922779308.html

Petticoat Lanes Picks
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1445370/PictPage/1922779648.html
--
Want to know what our advertisers think? Check out the testimonials at:
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4) Collectify makes a great Holiday Gift (Sponsors message)

Increase the value of their collection. In many cases you can actually
increase the value of a 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:
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5) Lost and Found
We have a new email address for lost and found comments and requests!
Send them to -- LostAndFound@tias.com

We accept two 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.

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.
--
Thanks!
Thanks to all those that responded to the search of Edna L Dutton’s family.
I received numerous inquiries, some with family history, some suggesting
sites to search. The book of recipes is now on its way home to a
correspondent that had numerous similarities of location and family so I
sent it to Peggy Dutton Spencer. I hope that the others that responded to
me as a relative contacted her to see if there is any connection. Thanks
for allowing me to help get an item home! Happy Holidays to All! Kim A.
Maytown

More Thanks..
Over a year ago I submitted a notice that I had civil war letters from Rev.
James Dill to his wife and other memorabilia pertaining to that family. I
received many responses, but all from different Dill families. Lee Powell
put the notice in a Genealogy. com and it was read from a descendant of
the Rev. Dill's sister who was doing a genealogy of their family. I am so
thankful for your newsletter and even over this great period of time, the
memorabilia is now on its way to the right family. Thank you again for the
great service that you supply in reaching out and connecting. I doubt that
I would have ever been able to have found this family if it had not been for
your newsletter. Joyce L.
--
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 LostAndFound@tias.com
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6) NEWS FROM THE KOVELS
NEWS FROM THE KOVELS

American Indian art with exceptional provenance and quality is selling for
exceptionally high prices. KOVELS ON ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES
newsletter reports that at a recent auction, a pair of late 19th-century, fully
beaded, Central Plains hide moccasins sold for $22,325.

Beads made from freshwater pearls, shells, wood, stone, teeth, bone,
and metal were worn and traded by North American Indians at least 8,000
years before Columbus arrived in 1492. Europeans introduced glass
beads to Indians in the 1700s, and within 100 years Indian women were
using seed beads and thin steel needles to create ornamental beadwork
designs for clothing, shoes, pouches, and bags.

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 Friday
December 2, 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 husband has been quite bald for many years, with only a small strip of
hair, around his head. One day, our grandson, Jay, who was about 4 at
the time, was sitting on his lap looking intently at him. He suddenly said,
"Papa, why is your hair sliding off?" We thought that was a rather
interesting observation ! Carol S., Hoffman Estates, Illinois
---
Do you have a funny family story 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: POSTCARDS & CALENDARS-
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355837/PictPage/1922777569.html

WANTED: COLLECTOR LOOKING FOR ARTWORKS BY L.C. TIFFANY
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/7283/PictPage/1922772848.html

WANTED: 1960 Early American Colonial Maple Wood & Brass Lamp
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1417432/PictPage/1922769432.html
--
Looking for something? Place a "Wanted" ad in this newsletter. Over
175,000 subscribers. It's easy, go to: http://www.tiasExchange.com
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10) A Vintage Recipe
Vickie W. was looking for a recipe for "the best fudge ever" which
was printed on the side of a can of Hershey's Cocoa. Several
suggestions came in. See below....
If you have a variation of either 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.
--
I think this may be the recipe Vickie W. was looking for. Hope it
works for you! Lauren W.

HERSHEY'S COCOA FUDGE

2/3 c. Hershey's cocoa
3 c. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Thoroughly combine dry ingredients in a heavy 4 quart saucepan;
stir in milk. Bring to a bubbly boil on medium heat, stirring constantly.
Boil without stirring to 234 degrees (soft ball stage). Bulb of candy
thermometer should not rest on bottom of saucepan. Remove from
heat add butter and vanilla. Do not stir. Cool at room temperature to
110 degrees. Beat until fudge thickens and loses some of its gloss.
Quickly spread in a lightly buttered 8 or 9 inch square pan. Cool.
3 dozen squares.

--Another Version--

My mother-in-law made this fudge for her three sons at birthdays and
holidays throughout the year. They all looked forward to this treat.
Hershey's Cocoa Fudge
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. salt
Combine ingredients and bring to a boil in a heavy pan. Simmer, stirring
occasionally, until mixture forms a soft ball when dropped into cold water.
Remove from heat. Add 6 tablespoons of butter and 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla.
Beat until slightly thickened. Pour into a buttered 6x9 loaf pan.

I've tried making this fudge several times and finally got it to come out
close to perfect. The secret is not to give up. It's really good fudge.
Good Luck-Pat P.

--Another version--

Concerning your request for a fudge recipe that your Grandmother use
to make, I had just contacted my mother this week for her recipe for
fudge that I remember her making (sometimes successfully) when I was
young. My mother's fudge is not "creamy" but harder than usual and
very unique. This recipe was originally on the back of a Hershey's
Semi-sweet Cocoa can. Maybe your favorite is my favorite. Here's
the recipe:

Because my mom and my dad had to take turns beating this fudge, I
named it: Mom's (Beat it to Death) Fudge

1/2 c. Unsweetened Hershey's Cocoa
2/3 c. milk - scalded
2 c. sugar
1 T. light corn syrup
3 t. butter
1 t. vanilla
1/2 - 1 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Melt chocolate in scalded milk. Add sugar & corn syrup. Cook slowly
(low to medium heat), stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil -
cover and cook for 3 minutes. Uncover and cook to soft ball stage
(236 degrees). Stir frequently. Remove from heat - add butter and
stir in. Cool to lukewarm without stirring. Add vanilla (and nuts if
chosen) and beat (by hand) vigorously until really, really thick (no
gloss). Quickly spread in greased pan. When firm - cut into squares.

After Mom put it in a greased pan, I got to scrape the bowl and eat
the good stuff!! That was the best part! I hope this is the one - enjoy!
Karen S., Piedmont, OK (Originally from Indiana)
--
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 grandmother, born and raised south of Boston, MA used to make an
incredible fudge for the holidays. It was a very light colored and
super-creamy peanut butter fudge. Her simple recipe included creamy peanut
butter and a jar of Marshmallow fluff (or marshmallow cream as it may be
known outside of New England.) When I was a child, I used to make it under
my grandmother's supervision and it always came out perfect. As I recall,
it was very simple to make and always set up perfectly without ever using a
candy thermometer or testing for soft-ball stage. I have tried for many
years to recreate this fudge with a number of different online recipes and I
always end up with a darker, denser fudge...and half the time it is frosting
consistency despite double-checking temp with a candy thermometer. I would
love to finally make and share this delicious fudge this Christmas. I would
welcome and deeply appreciate any recipes and advice on technique. Thanks
so much in advance!! Rebecca in NH
--
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
This merchant just opened shop online. Stop by and check out their
fresh inventory.

Reeds Glass & Antiques
http://www.tias.com/stores/michaelreed
Welcome to Reed's glass please feel free to look at the great items we
have up for sale. If you are interested in any item or have a question be
sure to ask ask.

This and That Collectibles
http://www.tias.com/stores/tatc
My store offers an eclectic assortment of collectibles--ranging from the
modern to the vintage; clothing to ceramics.

Sheila's Back Porch Sale
http://www.tias.com/stores/backporchsale
Straight from local estate sales and auctions offering quality and
satisfaction, in china, collectibles, vintage items and bargains! ~~
Come on in and browse my wonderful finds!
--
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
-------------

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. Looking for prices for antiques and collectibles?
PriceMiner.com has millions of them. Most items listed include color photos
as well. Sign up today at: http://tinyurl.com/c6oqc
(Not affiliated with Kovels.com)

4. 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)

5. The Latest News regarding Antiques & Collectibles
Take a look at http://www.news-antique.com
--------------------------------------------------------

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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