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The Collectors Newsletter #381 December 2005

The Collectors Newsletter #381 December 2005

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1. "Cut Cut" & "Aunt Lynn" & "Iron lady" & "The Train"
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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GET YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING DONE TODAY AT TIAS.COM

TIAS.COM FOR UNIQUE ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE GIFTS
Serving Collectors on the Web for over 10 years. Get Your
Holiday Shopping done today. Visit us at: http://www.tias.com
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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.
--
Many years ago My younger brother and I saved our nickels and dimes
for a gift for our mother that loved to sew. We save enough to go to the
Singer Sewing Machine Store in our home town and purchased her a
pair of scissors, good ones. Our younger sister wanted to know what
we had gotten Mother, we refused to tell her but finally gave in after many
promises of I won't tell. Well she didn't before Christmas she goes to
Mother and says, Mother I can't tell you what my brothers got you for
Christmas but you can "CUT CUT" !!! She has never lived that Christmas
down. Tom in TN

--Another Story--

Back in the early 70's when my kids were little their Aunt Lynn always
sent them really neat Christmas presents. They were beautifully wrapped
and much handled when I wasn't looking. In order to get the kids to bed
on Christmas Eve we let them open one of Aunt Lynn's presents (she
always sent toys, never clothes or underwear). One year when my son
was about 8 years old Christmas Eve was filled with anticipation. What
had Aunt Lynn sent them this year? They both had two presents from
her so we let them choose which one to open. After much deliberation
on their part they selected the special present. My son's package was
heavy and on the small side. I remember my son really tearing into his
present when the tearing suddenly stopped and a look of disappointment
came over his face. We asked what Aunt Lynn had sent and he held up
a pack of rechargeable batteries. Quickly changing gears we handed
both of them the second present from Aunt Lynn. Disappointment was
replaced by glee when my son discovered an electronics kit that required
-- you guessed it -- rechargeable batteries.

In later years I always made sure he had a pack of batteries in his
Christmas stocking as a reminder of that Christmas. Any mention of the
Christmas of the Batteries always brings a smile to his face (and mine).
Linda Comstock-Teel

--Another Story--

About twenty years ago some friends of ours were helping clean out their
aunts house as it was being sold and she was going to a nursing home.
My husband and I stopped in to ask our friends if they wanted to play
cards that weekend like we always do, and while we were there we were
told to look around and make an offer on anything we were interested in.
Back then, money was always tight and my husband called everything I
collected "junk". The house was very plain and the contents mostly
common. However, attracted to unusual things, I dug around and found
an old lace hand fan and an incense burner.

The incense burner was made of what appeared to be cast iron, about a
foot long, and depicted an Egyptian lady lying on her stomach holding a
little pot with a lid. This is where (I guess) you put the incense. The finish
was a dull gold with black undertones. It was unique and I think I gave
about five dollars for both items.

Throughout the next several years, I hung on to that "iron lady" (as my kids
called it) even after moving and "de-junking" on occasion. Lots of times I
considered throwing her into the rummage sale pile, but didn't. Actually,
she came in handy. I can't count the times I used her as a hammer as I
hung pictures or curtains or needed to give something a good sturdy
whack.

Then one afternoon I was watching the Antiques Roadshow and my iron
lady was there! The appraiser said she was composed of some type of
pot metal, possibly originated from Bulgaria or Hungaria or someplace
like that. I watched carefully and noticed that the "iron lady" on TV had a
long braid on one side of her head and on the other side, her hair was
short. I thought- "She's different than mine." But on closer inspection,
mine was exactly the same- I had just never noticed the details.

I swallowed hard as the appraiser guessed the value at somewhere
between 400 to 600 dollars! Needless to say, I never used her as a
hammer again. She still sits on the entertainment center and all my kids
have asked if they can have the iron lady when I pass on. Rae

--Another Story--

50 years ago I was on the train from NYC to Philly to Carolina and
sat down wearily into a clammy seat..my eyes were killing me from
an infection. Soon I looked up and saw a pair of hands folded on a
lap..glancing upwards I beheld a young beautiful girl..and said 'Hello'
she smiled and said hello back and we began to chat.

I quickly noticed she was blind..I told her of my problems and
adventures in the service and she would just nod or smile..but then when
I said ..'will it ever end,,my eyes my sight are really going' she 'looked'
at me and whispered .."things could always be worse....things could
always be worse!.".I felt so bad at that realizing what she meant.suddenly
the conductor yelled.."next stop Philadelphia..all out for Philly.." she
jumps up.."thats for me"..then she whispers ..'may I ?.reaching out her
hand.she slowly traced her fingers down my forehead,nose ,lips and
chin.smiled a beautiful smile..turned.

I glanced down..looked up ..and she was gone..I never saw her again..
and so on a cold winters nite in December half a century ago,,a young
soldier has a brief encounter with a blind girl on a train...a 'blind' girl who
could see farther and more deeply and clearly then most others I have
met since then..and every Christmas eve I think of this mysterious gentle
wise creature who brought light into my world....Nino
--

SEND US YOUR VINTAGE CHRISTMAS / HOLIDAY STORIES
send them to newsletter@tias.com
--
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

- Some Libraries to Offer Antique Pricing Tool - http://tinyurl.com/9upgt

- Celebrity Collectors Resource Giveaway - http://tinyurl.com/7nraa

- £14 MILLION For Collection in Evening Auction - http://tinyurl.com/b8hre

- Record Year for Clars Auction Gallery - http://tinyurl.com/by83m

- King Kong Poster Worth Quarter Million - http://tinyurl.com/7v4y2

- Container of Antiques Arrives From Europe - http://tinyurl.com/8r9u3

- Del Mar Antique Show - http://tinyurl.com/e4c69

- 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

Figural Porcelain "Dresden" Lamps Gilt & Enamel Flowers
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1417432/PictPage/1922780606.html

Petticoat Lanes Picks
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1445370/PictPage/1922779648.html

Vintage Paper-Photos-Postcards-Ephemera-Christmas Gifts
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1450372/PictPage/1922788229.html

Modernist Paul Lobel Sterling Leaf Brooch
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1356466/PictPage/1922783276.html

Christmas and New Year's Special Sale
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1442533/PictPage/1922785964.html

Standard Square Inch Tailor System Sewing Kit
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355593/PictPage/1922786003.html

2006 Cloth Calendars 6 Different Styles
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1663048/PictPage/1922786172.html

Free Gift Wrap & 20% Off at Peppermints Collectibles
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1437210/PictPage/1922786214.html

Caring for your Vintage Christmas Ornament Collection
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1437210/PictPage/1922787132.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) 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:
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/7283/PictPage/1920704600.html
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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.
--
I have a wedding picture of the Isak - Rimer wedding one mile southwest of
Galchutt, ND 1894Either they were 2 HUGE families or everyone in town
came - there are over 100 people pictured.of all ages. It is mounted on
poster board of some sort. Miracle of America Museum, 58176 Hwy 93,
Polson, MT, or e mail museum@cyberport.net
--
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
Trolls were a collecting phenomenon of the 1960s, then again of the '90s.
KOVELS ON ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES newsletter reports they
are back again. Look for the vinyl trolls of the '60s by Dam of Denmark
and the new "Trolls" by Hasbro that are colorful and very feminine. Old
trolls sell for $5 to $50.

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 16, 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.
---
We always let our two boys know what we were getting everyone for
Christmas because like typical young children they wanted to be involved
in everything; unfortunately, they weren't real good at keeping secrets.

One year our oldest got out of the car at Grandma and Grandpa's and ran
into the house telling Grandma " I can't tell you what you're getting for
Christmas, but it's going to sit right there,'' pointing to the spot where her
old broken rocking chair was sitting. Yes, Grandma got a new rocker that
year.

It was a joke that Grandma and Grandpa always knew what they were
getting before Christmas came. One year my husband devised a plan to
fool Grandma and Grandpa. He sat down with the boys (they were about
4 and 5 years old) and told them that we were planning on getting Grandpa
a new red wig to cover his bald head to help keep him warm in the winter,
and to keep from getting the top of his head sunburned in the summer.

He explained that for Grandma we were going to get a new girdle. She
was getting older and putting on weight and a new girdle would help make
her look slimmer and feel better. Neither child liked the idea of the gifts.
They claimed to like Grandpa's bald head. They said he could just wear a
cap all the time, and they didn't like the thought of red hair. And Grandma
didn't need a girdle, they liked her nice and soft just like she was.

Needless to say, this turned into quite a conversation but they finally
agreed. The following Sunday after church we went to Grandma and
Grandpa's for dinner. As always, the boys were the first out of the car and
raced into the house. We were still outside the house when we heard
Grandma's scream. "You better not get me a girdle! I won't wear it!"
Grandpa didn't say a word until we we leaving and then he whispered to
my husband. If you get me a red wig, you don't want to know where you'll
be wearing it. We laugh about this nearly every year as Christmas
approaches. The boys are now 32 and 33 years old. Trudy
---
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: WANTED - CHINA, CUSTARD AND RUBY FLASH SOUVENIR ITEMS
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355837/PictPage/1922787385.html

WANTED: D.F.Comstock , Chester Comstock, Jennie Comstock Milner
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1450372/PictPage/1922784319.html

WANTED: *AUTHENTIC* OLD TIFFANY LAMPS WANTED BY COLLECTORS
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355837/PictPage/1922752797.html

WANTED: COLLECTORS BUYING **AUTHENTIC** ANTIQUE TIFFANY LAMPS
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355837/PictPage/1922780129.html
--
Looking for something? Place a "Wanted" ad in this newsletter. Over
175,000 subscribers. It's easy, go to: http://www.tiasExchange.com
-------------

10) A Vintage Recipe
quescraft@yahoo.com was looking for a recipe for "Sugar Cookies that
are A little crispy on the outside and soft and cakey, on the inside ".
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.
--

These are always a hit at our school functions. Renee rolls them out
about 1/4 inch thick. The parchment keeps them from burning and helps
produce the perfect cakelike texture.

Renee’s Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
granulated sugar, colored if desired

Directions:
Beat butter and shortening thoroughly wi th an electric mixer or pastry
cutter.
Add sugar, baking powder and a pinch of salt and mix until well combined
Beat in egg and vanilla then as much flour as you can with the electric
mixer
Stir in the remaining flour.
Cover and chill for at least 1 hour
Split the dough in 1/2 and roll one half at a time. Cut out with cookie
cutters
Keep the piece you aren't using in the fridge.
Bake on parchment-lined ungreased cookie sheets for about 7 to 8
minutes, until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned.
Bake at 325 degrees.

--Another Version--

Back in the 60's there was a recipe for Sugar Cookies in the Gold Medal
flour sack that was called ;Can-Do Cookies). My oldest son was just a
baby then and I was a newlywed. I thought this recipe would be a good
family tradition to start. And it was because all of the kids use it now.
Anyway, here it is. There were 3 or 4 variations using the same recipe,
but time has faded them....Alyssa

Can-Do Cookie Dough

2 eggs
2/3 cup of shortening
2/3 cup of butter
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
Cream together
Add:
3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder

Roll out, cut in favorite shapes. Or put through cookie press.
Bake at 375* for 8 to 10 min. Enjoy!
--
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.
--
I'm looking for a recipe my sister-in-laws mom used to make. It is sugar
cookies with a raisin sauce inside. I know you cut out 2 sugar cookies
place the sauce on one and then cover with the other.We don't know
how to make the sauce or how long to bake them at what temp. Sure
hope someone can help. Thanks alot. S.J. Rice
--
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.

Adourne Antiques
http://www.tias.com/stores/adourne
Home to one of the largest collections of fine antique porcelain on the
web. Specialists in Limoges, Pickard, RS Prussia, Nippon, Noritake,
Continental, English and other fine hand-painted china from the
Victorian through the Art Deco Periods.

A Walk Thru Time
http://www.tias.com/stores/awtt
Welcome to our little corner of Yesteryear. Where you will find vintage
items of Days Gone By as well as collectible plates, Beam decanters,
figurines, paintings and so much more. Come on in and stay awhile.
--

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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