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The Collectors Newsletter #319 April 2005

The Collectors Newsletter #319 April 2005

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In this issue, you will read about....
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1. "Snakes" and "The Fishing Room"
2. Finding Families
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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After 10 years selling online, you can trust TIAS.com for the best
in antiques and collectibles. Looking for a special gift? Our merchants
have items in every price range. With over 560,000 items for sale
online, why shop anywhere else? Stop by today and see the latest
listed merchandise at: http://cache.tias.com/showcase/browse.fcgi
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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.

Snakes
Dear TIAS, I enjoy the newsletter very much. I read the tips for bottle
digging in issue #312
http://www.tias.com/newsletter/stores-tiasstuff-collectors-newsletter/4622
with great interest and I have a question--why won't there be snakes
under an old house if there are glass bottles under it? Very interesting.
We own a wonderful old farmhouse in West Virginia's northern
panhandle--and those things live under the shed just outside the kitchen.
I have never seen any sign of one in the house, not even the basement,
but I'd just as soon they move away from the shed. Too close for
comfort and they do not meet my criteria--it's gotta have feet!

I love animals, and wild animals, including my bullfrog Leonardo, who
lives happily in our lily pond. I name the goldfish in the pond, and feed
possums, raccoons and especially skunks at night. But they must have
feet--warm and furry is a plus, and that includes.mice, bats and other
sometimes-unloved creatures. (To the snake lovers out there: At some
level, I do know that they are harmless, have heard that they are afraid
of me (I'm not convinced) and gotten other recommendations of their
good character. I just won't probably be able to turn this around in my
lifetime.) I am ready to put bottles everywhere if it will help. Thanks for
sharing, Nancy Ray

PS: I already have a bottle tree, does anyone else love those? They
are wonderful pieces of what I call "yard art". My husband does not
share this passion, but he helps with it, all the while hoping no one will
see it from the road!

-- Another Story --

The Fishing Room
I was reading about the man who collected fishing lures and framed
them. The story reminded me of what my sister and I had done for my
Dad several years before he passed.

My Dad was an outdoors man. Hunting, fishing etc. till he fell and had a
double dislocation of the ankle and could no longer walk on uneven
ground. This broke his heart.

My sister and I got together and decided to do a room just for him. We
wallpapered ( neither of us had ever done this before so you could
imagine the laughter that came out of that room ) and put an outdoors
wide border around the middle. One with trees and mountains and a lake.
Years before this Dad lovingly presented me with his fishing equipment
because my sister wouldn't touch a worm much less a fish. I brought in
his favorite cane pole ( complete with his fathers wooden bobbers
hanging from it )and hung it on the wall, then framed quite a few of his
most treasured lures along with a picture of him with a string of fish that
would make any fisherman drool.

He loved the room and the fun we had that weekend. He would sit in
there for hours and remember us... thanks for reading... R.Z.
--
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) Finding Families
In this section, once a week, we are going to try to assist LT Robert V.
Sanchez of the Navy's POW/MIA Branch to track down missing
families of deceased military personnel. Read the story and if you can
help, give him a call or drop him an email.

Family Found!
LT Sanchez wrote back to us regarding "The Aviators" story, which can
be viewed online at:
http://www.tias.com/newsletter/stores-tiasstuff-collectors-newsletter/4695

"The sister of Robert F. Keller was found in Denver, Colorado!! Thanks
for the help! She was found thanks to Patti Carter and Dave Berry. Other
people were able to send me info that pointed in that direction but the
efforts of those two individuals led to finding the exact address and phone
number of Mr. Keller's sister. I would like to thank your readers, specifically:

Cindy Mullet
Terri Saunders
Becky Sailor
Drew Cottril
Capt. Royce Williams
Diane Butler
Stan Wheeler
Pat Smith
Elaine Branham
Carol Sharp

There was also an email contributer but they didn't leave their name."
---
Looking For Family
If I can ask for your help on another case:

On a routine flight near Seattle, Washington, on 15 Feb 1945, LT Jess
Battenfield and ENS Matthew McFarland went missing. Their plane was
eventually discovered in the Three Queens Mountain in Cle Elum Ranger
District but no viable remains were found. A team from the Joint
POW/MIA Accounting Command is excavating the site this year with
hopes of finding remains for either of the personnel in the plane.
Lt Battenfield was in the Medical Corps and was a passenger on the flight.

Information:
Name: Jess Raymond Battenfield
Father: Jesse Raymond Battenfield Address at the time of the incident:
Kansas City, MO
Mother: Margaret C. Battenfield
Birthplace: Rosedale, KS
Birthdate: 4 Apr 1916

Again, thank you for your help and compassion!!

If you have any information on the location of any family members of
Jess Raymond Battenfield, please contact

LT Robert V. Sanchez
POW/MIABr, CasAsstDiv, NavPersCom (PERS-624)
E-mail: robert.v.sanchez@navy.mil
Phone: 901-874-2666, DSN 882
Fax: 901-874-6654, DSN 882
Toll free: 800-443-9298
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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

Vintage Hand-Carved Ivory Oriental Theme Cameo
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1356466/PictPage/1922625923.html

The Online Auction Color Chart™
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1663046/PictPage/1922623152.html

Generous Grab Bag Of Collectibles
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1411436/PictPage/1922592935.html

Generous Grab Bag Of Collectibles
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1411436/PictPage/1922592935.html

SPRING FAIRE AT TIAS!
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1370583/PictPage/1922615261.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 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.
--
Found Item
My husband has been looking for a copy of his Great Grandmother, Martha
Everts Holden, book "A String of Amber Beads". She wrote under the pen
name of Amber. She was one of the first women journalists and had a
column that ran in many newspapers. Last week in the newsletter I spotted
an Antique Book Store ad and I emailed a request to look for the long lost
book. It was published in 1894 and is a collection of articles that she wrote
for the newspapers.. Sure enough, a book store in Oakland,CA had the
book. We immediately purchased the book and it was mailed to us. The
book is a lovely little edition and wonder of wonders, it was signed by the
author. The book was in top notch condition and the frontispiece had a
picture of Great Grandmother Holden. It's just like finding a long lost
treasure. I can assure you that "A String of Amber Beads" will be treasured
by the family for years to come. Now, we would like to find some of the
articles that she wrote for horse magazines in the 1880's....Sallie
--
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
Folk art dolls don't have to be old to attract eager collectors and high
prices according to the April issue of Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles
newsletter.Cornhusk dolls made by May Ritchie Deschamps of
Swannnanoa, North Carolina, in the late 1970s to the early '80s recently
sold for prices ranging from $69 up to $288. The dolls originally sold for
about $10 to $40. Cornhusk dolls were made as playthings by American
Indians for hundreds of years. The dolls made by twentieth-century folk
artists were not meant to be played with. They were designed as display
pieces and were exhibited and sold at craft fairs.

For more information on the Kovels' newsletter, click on:
http://www.tias.com/stores/kovel/specialnews.html
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7) Newly listed items for your online shopping pleasure for Wednesday
April 20, 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.
---
Chrissy E's funny story about the "Woo Den Eggs" made me remember a
funny story about my husband.

My husband has been an avid crossword fan since he was a child, and
he's now in his 60s. As many of you are aware, we tend to lose touch
with current trends as we age and our children age.

Bill was having trouble with a crossword answer, and he thought he had run
into a situation where something NEW had hit the market that we had never
heard of. He said, "Here's something else that new -- Clue: Favorite
beverage / Answer: HIC."

Something sounded familiar about what he had said, so I looked at his
crossword puzzle. What he saw as "HIC" is in most of our grocery stores
as "Hi-C". We still laugh about HIC drinks!

Perception is a funny thing! ... Pennie in Maine
---
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.
-------------

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: Tiffany & Co. China
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355837/PictPage/1922623881.html

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
-------------

10) A Vintage Recipe
In the last issue Sandy A. requested a recipe for "the best beef
enchiladas" 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.
--
Enchiladas -- By Linda Ellis, Pierre, SD

2 doz. Soft corn tortillas
3 lbs. Ground chuck fried and seasoned with salt and pepper

Gravy for Enchiladas
2 -3 cans either Chicken or Beef broth or a combination of both
1 T. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1-2 tsp. cumin
½ tsp. coarse ground black pepper

Add the powders to the broth and heat; as the broth is heating, mix
¼ - ½ cup cornstarch with about ½ cup water. Mix until smooth then
add to hot broth and stir constantly until gravy is thick. Add 5-6 slices
broken up Kraft Deluxe cheese (don't substitute - this melts the best)
stirring constantly until the cheese is melted. Turn off heat.

Assembly of Enchiladas
Dip corn tortillas in hot gravy, then fill with seasoned hamburger, roll
tortilla, seam side down. Put ½ slice of Kraft Deluxe cheese on each
enchilada, top with gravy. I usually microwave for about one minute
to make sure all ingredients are hot. Serve with shredded lettuce,
diced tomatoes, green peppers, salsa, avocado, whatever you like best!

Chili Verde
1 lb. Ground chuck - fried
½ c. chopped onion
3-4 diced potatoes
1 - 2 T. chili powder
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. - 2/4 tsp. cumin powder
Coarse ground black pepper to taste
2 or more jalapenos or some type of hot pepper (have even used salsa
and crushed red pepper)
1 quart canned tomatoes with juice (may have to add some water if
too thick)

Simmer until potatoes are done. Add 4-5 slices broken up slices of
Kraft Deluxe cheese. Stir until melted. Serve with tortilla chips or
alongside the enchiladas. Some like to serve the Chili Verde in a soup
bowl before even serving the enchiladas.
--
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
-------------

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 (like most people) had 2 Grandmothers. My Mother's Mother shared
all of her recipes but My Dad's Mother refused. My Mother and I are
constantly asking each other for her Mother's recipes, but my Dad's
mother had no relatives and no way to "find" a recipe. My Dad loved
her chocolate chip cookies. They were drop cookies that were light
and fluffy and raised up about 3/4". They were also very white in
color, no nuts, just small chocolate chips. My Mom says that Grandma
made everything out of Bisquick, but I can't find the recipe for these
cookies. Can anyone help? Marna F., Burbank, CA
--
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
-------------

12) New Online Merchants
These merchants just opened shop online. Stop by and check out their
fresh inventory.

Saltaire Farm
http://www.tias.com/stores/saltairefarm
has antiques, memorabilia, and collectibles that range from cast iron to
sterling silver, from primitive to art deco, from architectural to industrial.

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
-------------

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)
--------------------------------------------------------

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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