Treasures | October/November 2015 by Pioneer Communications, Inc.

OCT/NOV 2015

BOWL

SEASON

PLUS

GEORGE NAKASHIMA MOSRITE GUITARS CHROME LIGHTING IROQUOIS BEADWORK VLADIMIR KAGAN

30 18

62 48

Features 18 MADE TO ROCK

48 ILLUMINATED

30 BOWL BLISS

54 SOUVENIR SENSATIONS: IROQUOIS BEADWORK

42 GEORGE NAKASHIMA

62 ALL OUT FOR FREEDOM: WORLD WAR II HOMEFRONT COLLECTIBLES

The Ventures and Iggy Pop played Mosrite guitars, the highly collectible instruments made in California starting in the late 1960s. Vintage bowls are useful, they’re beautiful, and they’re widely available. See some of our favorites from around the globe. Learn about one of the most celebrated furniture makers in U.S. history, including his time in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II.

Remember those round and groovy chrome-finished lights that were popular in the 1960s and ‘70s? They’re hot with modern collectors, and they still look fabulous. Between 1890 and 1920, three Iroquois nations provided beadwork souvenirs to tourists visiting Niagara Falls. The designs and colors have made them collectible to this day.

Collectors are scooping up ration books, posters, pamphlets, and other items that circulated during the war. October/November2015

TREASURES

Departments 6 BOOKS

German-born designer Vladimir Kagan emigrated to the United States in 1938. Czech-born designer Jacqueline Groag emigrated to Great Britain in 1939. In their new countries, these midcentury-modern design giants had successful and prolific careers. New book releases share the stories and works of both.

28 RETRO STYLE

36 SHOWS

10 STORES

Shopping for modern (old and new) at Home & Closet in Lincoln, Nebraska, and at The Good Mod in Portland, Oregon.

26 AUCTIONS

36 2

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Add style and color to your home with new products inspired by midcentury influences. Spring, summer, and fall aren’t the only seasons with antiques shows. New York City’s Winter Antiques Market, with 73 exhibitors and a loaned musuem exhibit, will make the cold season seem a little shorter.

38 CALENDAR

“Jupiter Robot,” a midcentury toy robot, stole the show at Morphy 72 Auctions’ May sale in Denver, Pennsylvania. It hammered at $36,000, while other space-age toys also fetched top dollar.

This issue’s event calendar covers U.S. antiques shows, flea markets, and collectibles shows through the end of January.

WHY I LOVE IT

Designer George Nelson is best known for his furniture. He designed clocks, too. Treasures editor Erich Gaukel loves the “Sunburst” model.

INTRODUCTION

New Ground to Cover Now that my twin daughters are off to college— one is going to school in Minnesota and the other in Massachusetts—I’m looking forward to all of the vintage shops, antiques shows, and flea markets I’ll be able to visit while we’re dropping off, picking up, or just visiting the kids over the next several years. While I’m on the road, I’ll be taking photographs and doing interviews for the magazine, so I guess you could say there will be some work involved. But, for me, it’s just fun to get on the road and see what kinds of places and treasures are waiting to be found. In our last issue (and in this one, too), you may have noticed that we now have articles that highlight the stores, shows, and auctions where our readers shop and buy. In this issue, we profile stores in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Portland, Oregon. In our August/September issue, we brought you information about stores in Phoenix and Chicago. Shoppers walk among We serve readers in all 50 states and Canada, so we have vendors during a a lot of ground to cover. That’s why we want to hear from you. Midwest antique market Please let us know if there are businesses in your area that you last year. See our would like to see us feature in the magazine. You can email me calendar on page 38. at the address below, or you can share your suggestions and comments at treasuresmagazine.com. Remember, we print a calendar of events in each issue that lists antiques shows, flea markets, and other events. In this issue, it begins on page 38 and covers events through February. Facebook shout-outs A special thank you to our friends at Broadway Antique Market in Chicago and to the 20th Century Cincinnati show for mentioning us on their Facebook pages. If you haven’t yet visited the Treasures Facebook page (facebook.com/ treasuresmagazine), please stop by and “like” us. Since we recently transitioned from a monthly to a bimonthly production schedule, this will be a convenient way for you to stay up to date on Treasures news, events, and special offers. Erich Gaukel Editor egaukel@pioneermagazines.com

INTRODUCTION TO

COLLECTING

Publisher

Editor

Creative Director

Copy Editor

Advertising

Polly Clark Erich Gaukel Ann Donohoe Paul Soucy Ronda Jans Becca Wodrich

CEO James Slife

Production Manager

Accounting Manager

Twilla Glessner Allison Volker

Subscription Services

Michelle Zeiner

VOLUME 5, NUMBER 2 October/November 2015 CONTRIBUTORS Megan Boettcher, Tom Gaukel, Donald-Brian Johnson, John Sayles, Neil Stoffregen EDITORIAL editor@treasuresmagazine.com 300 Walnut St., Suite 6, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: 877/899-9977, Fax: 515/246-0398 ADVERTISING advertise@treasuresmagazine.com 300 Walnut St., Suite 6, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: 877/899-9977, Fax: 515/246-0398 CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUBSCRIPTIONS For subscription services and change of address, visit TreasuresMagazine.com or call 800/765-1690, in Canada, call 319/234-8969 TREASURES: Vintage to Modern Collecting (ISSN 2162-3147/USPS 902-260). Published bi-monthly, $34.00 per year in U.S., $68.00 international PUBLISHED BY Pioneer Communications, Inc., 300 Walnut St., Suite 6, Des Moines IA 50309. TREASURES: Vintage to Modern Collecting is a Pioneer Communications, Inc. publication. PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID at Waterloo, Iowa, and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TREASURES: Antique to Modern Collecting, 316 W. Fifth St., Waterloo IA 50701 COPYRIGHT © 2015 by TREASURES: Vintage to Modern Collecting. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The opinions in articles written by contributing columnists and writers are solely those of the authors and not necessarily those of TREASURES: Vintage to Modern Collecting. HEADQUARTERS 300 Walnut St., Suite 6, Des Moines IA 50309 Phone: 877/899-9977, Fax: 515/246-0398 PRODUCTION FACILITY 316 W. Fifth St., Waterloo IA 50701 Phone: 319/234-8969, Fax: 319/234-8518 thepioneergroup.com 10% PCW Paper Made in the USA

facebook.com/treasuresmagazine

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

2015 Reed & Barton Sterling Cross

Now in it’s 45th edition, the Reed & Barton Cross has long been a cherished part of Christmas traditions. Sale Price: $74.94

Plique-A-jour JapanEsE tRanspaREnt CloisonnE

2015 Gorham Sterling Snowflake

Now in it’s 46th edition, the Gorham Snowflake imparts a sparkling beauty to any holiday tree. Sale Price: $109.94

2015 Wallace Sleigh Bell

For 45 years, this elegant series has created a tradition of holiday cheer. Sale Price: $34.94 In business since 1986, we specialize in both current and past edition sterling, silverplate, porcelain, and crystal ornaments. We sell only quality products and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and free Shipping on Orders over $99!

Call us Toll Free 1-800-636-4756 or Visit us online www.SterlingCollectables.com

Please Request My Illustrated List, #TCL

Bill EglEston 509t Brentwood Road, Marshalltown, iowa 50158 1-800-798-4579 • egleston64@mchsi.com

October/November2015

TREASURES

BOOKS

BYBOOKS ERICH GAUKEL

STORES

The Future Today AUCTIONS AUCTIONS By the late 1950s, Vladimir Kagan was producing furniture that seems SHOWS SHOWS futuristic even now

CALENDAR

STORES AUCTIONS SHOWS

CALENDAR

ADVERTISER INDEX

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE

WHY I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

Vladimir Kagan A Lifetime of Avant-Garde Design By Vladimir Kagan 2015, Pointed Leaf Press $85

Vladimir Kagan authored The Complete Kagan in 2004. Eleven years later, he’s still working and designing, so he and Pointed Leaf Press have teamed up again to produce Vladimir Kagan, an update to the earlier book. Kagan’s contemporaries in furniture design, such as George Nelson, Harry Bertoia, and Eero Saarinen, had all passed away by the late 1980s. What’s

BOOKS

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

striking about this book is the trajectory of Kagan’s designs from the 1940s until the present day. On Page 38, for example, you can see a circa-1946 rough sketch Kagan made of a “multi-functional cabinet with drop-leaf desk.” Then, on page 193, you can see a computer rendering of Kagan’s new “Gabriella” chair, which is slated for release yet this year. It’s a fascinating glimpse—and one

we’ll never get from Nelson, Saarinen, and Bertoia—into how their visions are projected onto today’s world. Kagan was born in 1927 to a Jewish family in Germany, where his parents had emigrated from Russia. In 1938, as German oppression of Jews mounted, Kagan’s family fled to the United States through France. As a student growing up in New Jersey, he became interested

Photography by Tom Gaukel

in art and design. His father, who had started a cabinet shop in Manhattan, brought the young Kagan in to learn the trade and help the business grow. “I considered that my mission as a furniture designer,” Kagan writes, “was to interpret my century, not simply to emulate the past. I moved away from my early romance with the classics and turned to more stringent

modern delineations.” Kagan’s early work—most of it made from wood—is forward-thinking and is similar to pieces that John Van Koert was designing for Drexel at the time. Then, in the late 1950s, when Kagan began working other materials, which would include upholstery, aluminum, and clear acrylic, his work took on a life all its own. The new designs had a space-

age look (and the Jetsons hadn’t yet appeared on TV). Kagan’s work—through the several decades since—has continued to evolve with changes in materials, shapes, and colors. But, as always, it remains ahead of its time and makes one wonder what Charles and Ray Eames would be creating if they were still working today.

October/November2015

TREASURES

BOOKS

BYBOOKS ERICH GAUKEL

STORES

Midcentury Texture AUCTIONS AUCTIONS The story and work of a pioneer in modernism’s two-dimensional world

STORES AUCTIONS

SHOWS

CALENDAR

ADVERTISER INDEX

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE

WHY I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

Jacqueline Groag Textile & Pattern Design: Wiener Werkstätte to American Modern

ADVERTISER INDEX

By Geoffrey Rayner, Richard Chamberlain, Annamarie Stapleton, 2009 (reprinted in 2015), Antique Collectors’ Club (U.K.) $55

In 20th-century modern design, most of the attention goes to male designers of buildings and objects (in just this issue of Treasures, I can think of several examples, including George Nakashima, Vladimir Kagan, Semie Moseley, Robert Sonneman, and others). In the newly released reprint of the 2009 book Jacqueline Groag, authors Geoffrey Rayner, Richard Chamberlain,

BOOKS

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

and Annamarie Stapleton present a compelling story of woman who pioneered decorative modernity, mostly in two-dimensional design in the forms of wall coverings and fabrics for furnishings and fashion. What makes the story fascinating is how she gained her foothold in the design world while facing significant obstacles. Born to a Jewish Czech family

in 1903, Groag came into her own as a designer in Vienna and Paris in the 1920s and ’30s. At the time, these cities were a hotbed for modern design, and highly influential architects Le Corbusier, Adolph Loos, and Mies van der Rohe were the stars of the show. They had their own brand of “modern,” however, which, the book’s author’s describe as “rational, reductive, and functionalist.”

Photography by Tom Gaukel

Groag’s decorative work didn’t fit the mold. In spite of this—and even though she married one of Loos’s assistants— Groag found clients and kept busy. In the late 1930s, just as her career started to bloom, anti-Semitism and the threat of German aggression forced her and her husband, Jacques, to flee to Great Britain in 1939. The war provided the final obstacle.

When it was over, however, she found a world of opportunity as Britain tried to move its economy forward, and the decorative arts found a way to co-exist with minimalism in midcentury-modern design. For the next 30 years, Groag became one of Britain’s most influential designers, mostly for her textile work for furnishings and fashion. Her work found other outlets

in areas such as corporate branding and advertising, wallcoverings, and aircraft and train interiors. Groag died in 1986, but design enthusiasts are still paying attention. This book is proof of that. Both the Phoenix Art Museum and Denver Art Museum recently hosted the “Pattern Play” exhibition of her work.

October/November2015

TREASURES

STORES

AUCTIONS

Vintage Vibe SHOWS

SHOWS

A college town vintage store keeps you, your home, and your wallet looking good

CALENDAR

BY MEGAN BOETTCHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERICH GAUKEL ADVERTISER INDEX

STORES

HO CLOMSHOWS E & Lin S coln E T , Ne CALENDAR

ADVERTISER INDEX

AUCTIONS

bra

ska

ADVERTISER INDEX

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE

WHY I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

f you find yourself in Lincoln, Nebraska, this fall, forget the football stadium. Instead, pay a visit to Home & Closet, a vintage furniture and clothing store. You’ll find authentic pieces at reasonable prices. “The great thing about the Midwest is that you can find really nice midcentury furnishings for a lot less than you’d pay on the West Coast,” says owner Clinton Collins. Fortunately for online vintage shoppers, Home & Closet sells and ships products across the country. Unfortunately, you have to live in or around Lincoln to have your goods delivered in the shop’s 1965 VW van. If you are in town, watch for the blue and white van at events across the city. Follow Home & Closet on Facebook and Instagram for more information on events they will be attending. Social media also gives you a sneak peek into their newly expanded showroom. “We recently doubled the size of our store,” Collins says. “Now

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Antique & Collectible Shows Oct. 24 & 25 - Portland Expo Center (Portland, OR) - 1,000 Booths

Nov. 7 & 8 - Puyallup Event Center (Puyallup, WA) - 400 Booths

November 6, 7 & 8, 2015 2015 National Farm Toy Show® Tractor:

International™ 4786

held at Beckman High School, the National Farm Toy Museum and the Commercial Club Park in Dyersville, Iowa Sponsored by Toy Farmer LTD.

Friday, November 6 - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Commercial Club Park Hours: 12 noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 7 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, November 8 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call: 1 (800) 533-8293 or visit our website at www.toyfarmer.com

A treasure hunt loaded with fun vintage items For hotel & other information visit www.christinepalmer.net

General Admission $7 Unless you have purchased a Floor Rights Pass Floor Rights: $25 for the Entire Weekend! The floor rights pass gets you in early all three days. Fri. at 2 p.m. Sat. & Sun. at 8 a.m. Purchase your floor rights pass before the show by calling 1-800-533-8293

2015 NFTS Treasures Ad.indd 1

5/5/15 2:13 PM

October/November2015

TREASURES

STORES

AUCTIONS

SHOWS

CALENDAR

ADVERTISER INDEX

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE

WHY I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

we can carry more inventory, and we have a lot more room to display large furniture pieces.” You’ll find the showroom stocked with high-quality furnishings that suit modern lifestyles at an affordable price. They also sell vintage clothing that is unique, cool, and on-trend. If you’re a Nebraska Huskers fan, you’ll especially like their section of vintage collegiate attire. So maybe you shouldn’t forget about the football stadium after all. Just swing by Home & Closet before you head to the Cornhuskers game. You’ll be the hippest cat on campus.

How to find it Home & Closet 1356 S 33rd St. Lincoln NE 68510 402/474-5407 Open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. homeandclosetvintage.com facebook.com/homeandcloset instagram.com/homeandclosetvintage

October/November2015

TREASURES

STORES

AUCTIONS

Higher Calling SHOWS

SHOWS

A downtown Portland loft is home to artists who unleash their creativity on CALENDAR CALENDAR restored and new furniture

STORES

Por

GO AUCTIONS D MO OSHOWS D

tlan

d, O CALENDAR reg on

ADVERTISER INDEX

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE

WHY I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

BY MEGAN BOETTCHER PHOTOGRAPHY ARTHUR HITCHCOCK AND THE GOOD MOD

freight elevator delivers visitors to The Good Mod on the fourth floor of a downtown Portland, Oregon, loft building. Rustic wood beams and concrete floors welcome guests with rough industrial charm. High-end vintage furnishings throughout delight the eye. The 20,000-square-foot space is part store, part repair shop, and part artist studio. “The true magic that lives in the space is a product of the people who make up our team: multifaceted creative makers who spend a good part of their free time here working on their own art and experimentation or simply just having fun playing music or hanging with their friends,” says Luke Christian, operations manager. What’s different about the products coming out of The Good Mod is that some are new designs, inspired by midcentury-modern and Danish-modern style, and some are vintage pieces that have been fully restored. “We are now able to create perfect replacement parts for incredible pieces of design history,” he says, “bringing them back to life when they were likely destined to become firewood. We take great pride in restoring the claimed unrepairable, preserving history.” Continued

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

ADVERTISER INDEX

“Established 1964”

FULLY AIR CONDITIONED

195 & 226 West Front Street Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 Exit 109 Garden State Parkway

Voted “Best Antique Center in New Jersey”

CORNER OF WEST FRONT STREET AND BRIDGE AVENUE

-Star Ledger

732.842.4336

COME CELEBRATE OUR 51ST ANNIVERSARY SAT., NOVEMBER 21

SALES, REFRESHMENTS, PRIZES AND FUN. OVER 100 DEALERS • New Inventory Arriving Daily! OPEN DAILY 11 - 5 • SUNDAY NOON - 5 TAKE $5.00 OFF ANY PURCHASE OF $25.00 OR MORE The Antique Center has been the destination for dealers, decorators, and collectors for 50 years. We have 2 buildings within a few hundred feet of each other. There are 100 booths of furniture, glass, pottery, tools, dolls, etc. We are in one of the stateʼs largest antique districts. There are many shops in the immediate area, also lots of eating establishments.

We are 1 block from the train & bus station.

www.RedBankAntiques.com

COMING EVENTS for

2015

ANTIQUE MALL SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Fall Open House

Thurs. - Sat., Sept. 24th-26th 10 - 5:30 pm

Holiday Open House Thurs. - Sun., Nov. 5th-8th 10 - 5:30 pm - Sunday hours: 1-5:00 pm

Antiques • Collectibles Glassware & China • Accessories New Items Arriving Daily

600 Booths & Cases

Thousands of Items to Choose From

Victorian to Country Advertising Signs to Artwork

ZURKO’S MIDWEST PROMOTIONS....46th SEASON!

ANTIQUE MARKETS ILLINOIS MICHIGAN WISCONSIN

ZURKOPROMOTIONS.COM 715-526-9769

– LAKE CITY, FL–

245 SW Webbs Glen 25 miles N. of Gainesville 1-1/2 hours N. of Orlando Exit 414, I-75 and on Route U.S. 441 & 41

386-758-5564

Open 10 AM to 5 PM EVERY DAY

www.webbsantiquemalls.com Visa, MasterCard, & Discover

Owners: Verlon Webb & Marcie Webb

Celebrating Summer at

Shupp’S Grove Antique MArket

Adamstown, PA

Open Saturdays & Sundays 7am–4pm • April–October October 3 & 4 Pepsi, Coke & Advertising October 10 & 11 Music & Lighting and Adamsburry Holiday Craft Show 8 am Special Section BOTH DAYS October 17 & 18 Vintage Tavern, Tobacco, Beer & Pewter and Micro Brewers Special Section October 24 & 25 Animal Collectibles & Memorabilia October 31 & November 1 Season Finale Yard Sale-Special Section, 1st Saturday of each month. Special themes every weekend. See you soon! 717-484-4114 • www.shuppsgrove.com Directions: PA Turnpike 176 to Exit 286. Turn R on 272N, then R on 897 S. Shupp's Grove is 1 mile on L.

October/November2015

TREASURES

Owners of vintage modern treasures can bring beloved pieces to The Good Mod for repairs or reupholstery. Likewise, shoppers looking for authentic vintage pieces can hunt through the warehouse for the perfect find. The other side of the business is focused on designing and creating new furnishing. A few favorites include a sleek ping-pong conference table and the TGM plywood lounge chair and sofa set. The artists at The Good Mod credit the inspiration for these new pieces directly to being surrounded by beautiful, high-quality midcentury-modern furniture. Even if you’re not in the market for one-of-a-kind modern piece, you owe it to yourself to check out The Good Mod’s digs if you’re in Portland. You’ll be inspired by the creativity—both the old and the new.

How to find it

The Good Mod 1313 W Burnside St. Fourth Floor Portland OR 97209 855/249-9238 Open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. thegoodmod.com facebook.com/thegoodmod instagram.com/thegoodmod

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

3RD SUNDAY MARKET

450 ANTIQUES COLLECTIBLES , CRAFTS & GARDEN VENDORS BLOOMINGTON, IL

INTERSTATE CENTER

2301 W. MARKET STREET EXIT 160 FROM I-55 & I-74 • RT. 9 WEST

2015

SEPTEMBER 20 OCTOBER 18

( formerly the Hillsborough Antiques Show)

COMPLETELY REDESIGNED AND UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

8 A.M. - 4 P.M. ADM. $6.00

(13 & UNDER FREE) FOOD - NO PETS - RAIN OR SHINE FREE PARKING

Mike Raycraft (217) 202-2847 3rd Sunday Market P.O. Box 396 Bloomington, IL 61702-0396 thirdsundaymarket@aol.com

US ON

FACEBOOK

www.thirdsundaymarket.com

Iowa’s largest antique mall north of Des Moines on Interstate 35. OPEN DAILY 10 am – 7 pm 1639 Broad St. Story City, IA • Exit 124 on I-35 515-733-9311

www.antiquesiowa.com

Great vintage at a great place!

Dept. 275CNW109

www.asheford.com October/November2015

TREASURES

made to Rock California-made Mosrite guitars helped shape the sound of modern popular music BY NEIL STOFFREGEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM GAUKEL

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

n 1956, Semie Moseley, a young California musician and luthier, started the Mosrite guitar company with his brother Andy Moseley. Semie was a visionary, designing and building instruments that would influence the sound and look of the 1960s and subsequent decades. Played by punk heroes and country crooners alike, Mosrite guitars would help create some of the twangiest surf instrumentals, most freaked-out psychedelic tirades, most devout gospel music, and most irreverent rock ’n’ roll of all time. Oklahoma-born Semie moved to the coast at an early age with his family. He began playing gospel and evangelical music on the guitar as a teenager. In his free time he enjoyed working on guitars with Andy. In the 1950s, Semie’s knowledge of guitars led to a brief stints with the Rickenbacker guitar company and with Paul Bigsby, a wellknown electric guitar innovator. Semie, determined to build guitars that reflected his own ideas, began by building a triple-neck instrument that featured a standard guitar, an octave-up guitar, and a mandolin. He also built a double-neck guitar for country

musician Joe Maphis, who was known as the “King of the Strings.” When Semie and Andy formed their guitar company, they combined their own last name with that of investor, minister, and friend Ray Boatright—to create Mosrite (pronounced MOZE-rite). Semie and Andy built and sold all of their guitars by themselves, and they struggled to keep the company going. In the late 1950s, Andy travelled to Nashville to promote Mosrite and sell instruments to session players and Grand Ole Opry performers. But their big break came from the Pacific Northwest, where an instrumental band called The Ventures was gaining popularity. Nokie Edwards, a guitarist for the band, grew fond of a Mosrite he had borrowed, and he decided he wanted to own one. After he bought his and played it for a while, all of the band members dropped their Fender-made instruments, picked up Mosrite guitars and signed endorsement deals with Mosrite. This led to a huge increase in demand for Mosrite guitars, and the Moseley brothers increased their workforce and opened a new factory in Bakersfield, California. Continued

October/November2015

TREASURES

The Mosrite company flourished throughout the 1960s, and the brothers broadened their manufacturing capacity, building many types of string instruments as well as effectspedals and amplifiers. The brothers even started a record label called Mosrite Records. The bubble burst in 1968, however, when Mosrite’s endorsement deal with The Ventures ended and the band members chose not to renew. Soon after, Mosrite entered into a distribution agreement with the Thomas Organ Company, a competitor that also handled distribution and manufacture of Vox instruments and music gear in North America. Thomas failed to sell many Mosrites, and Mosrite proceeded to file for bankruptcy in 1969. Once through the bankruptcy process, Semie restarted Mosrite in 1970 and continued building guitars with the Mosrite label until his death in 1992.

The Legacy

There is an ongoing debate among guitarists and collectors about what can be considered a real Mosrite guitar. Many will say the last true Mosrite was made in 1992, the year Semie passed away. A number of manufacturers are currently building replicas and reproductions. A select few have obtained rights to the brand name and are selling new guitars that bear the Mosrite name and markings. Some say these instruments possess the quality of construction and craftsmanship of a true Mosrite. One thing to consider when buying a newer Mosrite is resale value. A true vintage Mosrite will continue to gain value, while a newer one may not. 1970s-era Mosrites tend to be just as sought-after and collectible as the 1960s models made in the company’s heyday. Seventies models include the 300, 350, Stereo 350, and Bluesbender. Production of earlier models, such as the Celebrity and Ventures (minus the Ventures badging), continued into the 1970s as well. In 1976, the innovative Brass Rail guitar was introduced. These guitars featured a brass rail embedded in the neck for the purpose of increasing the sustain of notes and chords. Due to the fact that not many were built, these Brass Rail 20

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

guitars are quite rare and valuable. The 80s saw models like the M88 and V88, both of which made use of the Ventures body style.

Copies and Features

One of the most popular manufacturers of Mosrite copies was Univox, a Japanese brand that built copies of popular guitars by Gibson, Fender, and Mosrite in the 1960s and 1970s. Although these guitars don’t bear the Mosrite name, they look nearly identical to a Mosrite Ventures model, right down to the jagged headstock shape. Other guitar makers such as Guyatone also sold convincing Mosrite look-alikes. In addition, Mosrite’s influence on 1960s styling trends can be found in countless guitars made by Silvertone, Teisco, and others. Exercise caution when purchasing any of these guitars. While they may be visually appealing, many of these instruments were inexpensively built and will not play as well or sound as good as a true Mosrite. When searching for Mosrite guitars, keep in mind that there are always exceptions to any rule. This applies to date stamps on necks, parts used, specific finishes, and serial numbers. Mosrites have a distinctive “handmade” feel because they were never mass produced to the same degree as Fenders, Gibsons, or many other guitars. You get the sense that each Mosrite guitar was given personal attention in the factory. Guitars were constructed from parts that were designed and manufactured in-house, and it seems that the combination of parts installed on a particular guitar sometimes depended on what parts were close at hand on a certain day decades ago. There can be anomalies and inconsistencies from instrument to instrument. Values range widely depending on the model, but vintage Mosrites start for just under $1,000 and can range up to around $5,000 for highly collectible instruments. Before you spend big money on one, do some research and ask questions to make sure it is indeed a vintage Mosrite and not one of the reproductions or replicas on the market.

Popular and Noteworthy Mosrites Opposite page

The Ventures model

This is easily the most recognizable Mosrite model. When guitar players hear the name Mosrite, this is probably the one that comes to mind. There can be many variations present in this model. For example, the very first Ventures models will have an instrument cable jack located on the side of the body rather than on the pickguard. Early Ventures models will also have a glued-on neck instead of the later bolted-on neck. Semie switched over to the Moseley vibrato system around 1965, so models made before this year will be equipped with a Vibramute vibrato. Even after The Ventures endorsement ended, guitars with identical parts and design were still manufactured. Those guitars are simply missing the reference to “The Ventures” on the headstock. Earlier models typically demand higher prices.

The Joe Maphis model

There are two different Joe Maphis models. The first model was created before The Ventures endorsed Mosrite, and its design closely resembled what would become the Ventures model. These guitars are extremely rare and valuable. The later Joe Maphis model, while still a coveted instrument, is much easier to find and much more affordable. The model shown here has a hollow internal cavity and features a natural finish, spruce top, walnut back, and Moseley vibrato.

The Stereo 350 model

This early 1970s Stereo 350 model is unique because it allows a player to route the two pickups to different amplifiers when the stereo switch is enabled. Unlike the other Mosrite guitars pictured in this article, the Stereo 350 was built without a tremolo unit and has “humbucking” pickups, which eliminate hum caused by interference.

The Celebrity model

Celebrity guitars are hollow-body electric guitars equipped with the Moseley vibrato system. The bass version, shown here, does not have the vibrato feature (see page 22 for the Celebrity guitar with vibrato). All models have two f-holes (these are sound cutouts, shaped like a lowercase cursive “f,” in the body of a guitar) on the front. Later models were equipped with humbucking pickups like those shown on the The Stereo 350 model described above. Not shown: Combo guitars are semi-hollow-body electric guitars equipped with Moseley vibrato systems. The body shape and style are identical to the later Joe Maphis model, only the Combo has an f-hole. Note: These models, except for the the Stereo 350, came in guitar, bass, and 12-string guitar forms.

THE VENTURES

THE JOE MAPHIS

THE STEREO 350

THE CELEBRITY (BASS VERSION)

Mosrite guitars, including this Celebrity model, have unique features that provide a feel and sound that guitar players can’t find elsewhere. With the exception of the tuners on the headstock, Semie designed all the parts, which were manufactured in-house by Mosrite. This diagram explains each feature.

Pickups

Containing magnets wrapped with tightly wound coils of wire, electric guitar pickups convert string vibrations to an electrical signal that can be amplified. Mosrite pickups are quite powerful and, through an amplifier, produce extremely crisp and concise tones—from creamy and thick to twangy and biting.

Vibrato system

Knobs

The knobs on Mosrite guitars control volume and tone. Mosrite was one of the few guitar makers to craft them out of metal. Each knob also has a distinctive “M” stamped on its top. 22

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

A vibrato system (also known as a whammy bar or a tremolo arm) allows a guitar player to lower the pitch of a note or chord by pressing a bar. Semie Moseley designed a vibrato system that was first called “Vibramute.” It later became known as “Moseley” as he continued to improve the unit’s design. The mechanism, made up of a metal base, a string stop, a spring, and a metal bar, has a much lighter touch than other manufacturers’ vibrato systems. The high-quality “Roller Matic” bridge (the piece in which the strings are anchored) helps keep the guitar in-tune when the vibrato system is engaged.

Neck

Mosrites tend to have skinnier necks than many other brands of guitars. While neck thickness is a matter of personal preference among guitar players, many agree that a skinny Mosrite neck lends itself well to playing fast and effortless chords and rhythm parts.

Headstock Frets

Frets are the metal strips that run the width of a guitar’s neck. Mosrite guitars have short, low-profile frets that are sometimes referred to as “speed frets.” The frets themselves act as stops for each individual note. These shorter frets allow a player’s hand to effortlessly glide up and down the neck while easily playing fast runs or chord changes.

A guitar’s headstock is located at the top of the neck. This is where the guitar’s tuners are located, and it’s where the brand-name is usually printed. A genuine Mosrite headstock will exhibit a jagged “M” shape at its end.

October/November2015

TREASURES

Mosrite Players Here are just a few of many well-known artists who have owned and played Mosrite guitars.

The Ventures The best-selling instrumental group of all time (more than 100 million records sold), they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Their music combined elements of rock, jazz, and country and helped to create what would later be known as “surf” music. During the group’s endorsement deal with Mosrite, they released a number of albums, including The Fabulous Ventures and The Ventures, showing Mosrite instruments on the front or back covers.

Joe Maphis After serving in the U.S. Army in World War II, country guitarist Joe Maphis got his start playing on radio shows, including the National Barn Dance from Chicago and the Old Dominion Barn Dance from Richmond, Virginia. Maphis later settled in Bakersfield, California, where he met the young Semie Moseley. Maphis played his custom double-neck Mosrite extensively, and the guitar can be found on a number of his album covers, including Gospel Guitars.

Iron Butterfly Bring out the black light and incense. 1968’s near-mythical album In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida stands as a testament to the psychedelic overindulgence of the late 1960s. On the album’s cover, bassist Lee Dorman and teenage guitarist Erik Braunn can be seen playing Mosrite instruments. The Mosrite Fuzzrite effect is used on the album.

Strawberry Alarm Clock Los Angeles psychedelic rockers Strawberry Alarm Clock are best known for their organand fuzz-drenched 1967 hit Incense and Peppermints. Around the same time, the band commissioned Semie to build them three custom matching instruments—two guitars and a bass. The instruments were sent to famous California artist and automobile pin-striper Von Dutch for completion. Sporting oval-shaped wooden frames surrounding each guitar’s neck and body, the instruments resemble surfboards.

Glen Campbell Multi-platinum country artist Glen Campbell got his start working as a Los Angeles session musician in the early 1960s. Campbell played and owned a number of Mosrites and can be seen holding a 12-string model on the cover of his 1967 album Gentle On My Mind. The MC5 This Detroit band channeled 1960s political unrest and the general dissatisfaction of youth by pumping high-energy rock ’n’ roll through giant walls amplifiers. Lack of commercial success and problems with record labels led to the band’s breakup in 1972 after three albums. However, the short-lived band would go on to influence countless young musicians. The cover of MC5’s first album, recorded live at Detroit’s legendary Grande Ballroom in 1969, shows guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith playing his white Mosrite Ventures model. The Stooges Later known as Iggy and the Stooges when frontman Iggy Pop gained notoriety, this influential band’s music is often said to reflect Detroit life in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the early days of the Stooges, bassist Dave Alexander could often be spotted playing a Mosrite Ventures bass. Buck Owens Born in Texas, country artist Buck Owens later settled in Bakersfield, California. In the 1950s, Owens worked as a backup musician for artists like Tennessee Ernie Ford and Wanda Jackson. Owens enjoyed commercial success throughout the 1960s and co-hosted the CBS show Hee-Haw starting in 1969. Owens owned a red, white, and blue Mosrite acoustic guitar that he played on the show. 24

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Nirvana 1990s grunge icon Kurt Cobain was never associated with one particular guitar and used countless instruments throughout his short career. Many of his guitars ended up in pieces after Nirvana’s famous smash-up concert finales, including many cheap Univox-made Mosrite copies. However, Cobain had favorites that never met that grim fate. Among them: an extremely rare 1960s Mosrite Gospel model. The Ramones The Ramones were an extremely influential New York City punk-rock band that helped to redefine the sound of rock ’n’ roll in the late 1970s. The band’s guitar player, Johnny Ramone, commonly played Mosrite Ventures II models, which were similar to standard Ventures models but had slightly different body shapes. Johnny tended to play lots of bar chords, a type of chord formed by using one’s index finger to push down all 6 strings. The Mosrite’s skinny neck and low action are perfect for this type of playing. The B-52s These oddball new-wave rockers combined pop-rock with a distinctive retro-rock vibe. Guitarist Ricky Wilson’s blue Mosrite helped define the band’s sound and is shown on the back of the band’s 1979 debut album.

Burlington ANTIQUE SHOW Boone County Fairgrounds • Burlington, Kentucky

rating Celeb ears 34 Y

(10 Minutes South of Cincinnati) I-75, Exit 181

3rd Sunday of the Month • Show Hours: 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

Last show of 2015 Season:

October 18, 2015

KANE COUNTY ANTIQUE FLEA MARKET "Best In The Midwest Or Anywhere" – Antiques, Collectibles, & Fancy Junque –

KANE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS 525 S. Randall Rd. Between Rtes. 38 & 64

ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS

1st Sunday Every Month Mar.–Dec. Preceding Sat. Afternoon

Oct. 3-4 & Oct. 31-Nov.1 & Dec. 5-6 SAT. 12 Noon-5 p.m.; SUN. 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. Adm. $5 each day, children under 12 free Information: (630) 377-2252 www.kanecountyfleamarket.com

For information Contact: TONY PHAM, Manager P.O. Box 58367, Cincinnati, OH 45258 • 513-922-6847

Antiques & Collectables Only

www.Bur lingtonAntiqueShow.com

Share your Flea Finds #iFounditAtKANE @KCFMarket

,WI

STORMVILLE AIRPORT

ANTIQUE SHOW & FLEA MARKET OVER 600 EXHIBITORS

October 10 & 11

• • • • •

8AM to 4PM Rain or Shine Free Admission & Parking No Pets Exhibitor Space Available

Tomah.indd 1

Nothing beats a Great Day of Antiquing

7/23/14 11:13 AM

Visit the East Coast’s largest Antique Mall right there in Lewisburg PA. Three floors packed with antiques, collectibles, furniture, one– of– a– kind items, memoribilia and more. If you haven’t been here in awhile – you’ll be amazed at the selection of quality merchandise from hundreds of antique dealers LEWISBURG

www.stormvilleairportfleamarket.com

517 St. Mary St.

428 Rt. 216, Stormville, NY • 845-221-6561

570-524-5733 • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Now view & purchase Studio’s items on our Website!

aesthetic appeal and value In addition, call or write for your copy of catalogue.

Box 290, White Plains, NY 10605 www.teamantiques.com (914) 686-8147

October/November2015

TREASURES

AUCTIONS SHOWS Space Race

AUCTIONS

SHOWS

CALENDAR CALENDAR toys Collectors pay top dollar for space-related ADVERTISER INDEX

RRETRO LOOKS

obots and space toys landed at Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania, on May 30-31 with expectations of dominating prices realized, and they did not disappoint. The prized grouping of 115, highlighted by the Robert V. “Bob” Gallegos collection, claimed four positions within the auction’s top 10. In all, the 1,843-lot sale totaled $1.62 million. All prices quoted are inclusive of a 20 percent buyer’s premium. Occupying the coveted top slot was a rare “Jupiter Robot” with original box. As complete as it could possibly be, retaining its original sky blue plastic remote control, the domed space explorer with provenance from the Robert Lesser collection finished near the top of its estimate range at $36,000. A classic space vehicle that many a collector dreams of owning is the 12½-inch tinplate “Super Cycle,” a depiction of a well detailed, futuristic flying motorcycle with dark green rubber driver. The example offered by Morphy’s came complete with its vibrantly colorful original box emblazoned with Japanese writing and a realistic likeness of the toy, aloft and with rear jet blasting. Against an estimate of $1,200-$1,800, it was bid to an astonishing $21,000. Standing 15 inches tall, a skirted “Radicon Robot”—one of Masudaya’s famed “Gang of Five”—came with provenance from the legendary F.H. Griffith collection. Paired with its original remote control with vertical antenna, the austere gray metal robot with original box exceeded its high estimate at $15,600. Bright red with a fantasy face, sparking chest screen and radar dish atop its head, a “Tremendous Mike the Robot” by Aoshin Shoten was another legacy of the Robert Lesser collection. Accompanied by its extremely rare original box, the wind-up toy surpassed its high estimate with a

VINTAGE STYLE WHY I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

ADVERTISER INDEX winning bid of $13,200. Many other types of toys performed well at the auction. The ultimate crossover toy, a Tippco (German) lithographed-tin Santa Claus auto, combined 1930s roadster styling with Christmas toy graphics and an upright, illuminating feather tree as its cargo. At the wheel, a lithographed Santa figure was in charge, “dressed” for an open-air spin in his long red robe and cap. A beautiful, richly colorful toy, it came with very special provenance. Not only was it part of the late Peter Ottenheimer’s private collection, it was also featured in his now-classic book “Toy Automobiles.” Estimated at $12,000-$18,000, it glided to a $30,000 finish. With size on its side, a 20-inch Distler No. 85 tin-litho racer with helmeted driver was designed with illuminating headlights, faux vents at either side of its bonnet, and tin “balloon” tires marked “Dunlop Cord.” Bright red and in near-mint condition, the racer swept past its $8,000-$12,000 estimate to settle at $21,000. More than 50 lots of Popeye toys came out swinging, with a very rare Linemar battery-operated “Popeye & Olive Oyl Tank” leading the group. Entered with its profusely illustrated box in vivid red, yellow, and blue, the toy muscled its way past a $6,000-$9,000 estimate to reach $16,800. From a much earlier era, a boxed 1924 Nifty (Geo. Borgfeldt & Co.) tin wind-up toy depicting comic strip protagonist Barney Google alongside a jockey and his horse Spark Plug doubled its high estimate at $16,200. There were many buying opportunities for cast-iron mechanical bank fans. Among the favorites were a J & E Stevens “Perfection” registering bank and a Shepard Hardware Co “Circus” bank with original factory wood box and key. Each bank cashed out at $16,200.

CALENDAR Aoshin Shoten “Tremendous Mike the Robot” with original box, $13,200. Morphy Auctions images.

ADVERTISER INDEX

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE

WHY I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

Masudaya “Radicon Robot” with original box, $15,600.

WHY I LOVE IT INTRODUCTION

“Jupiter Robot” with original box, $36,000.

“Space Cycle” with original box, Japanese writing, $21,000.

MAQUOKETA, IOWA

Flea Market Antique And Collectible Show

Sun., September 20

TrUe JuNk OUTDOOR JUNK MARKET 224 Pearl St. Walnut, IA www.facebook.com/truejunk

JACKSON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Over 150 Sellers

Junk-tober Fest Oct 2–3, 2015 10am–5pm

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM • $3 ADM. 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM, $10 E.B. ADM. 319-462-0135 20,000 Sq. Ft. of Antiques

Auntie’s Antique Mall VINTAGE, COOL, COLLECTIBLE Art Metal Figurines, Replicas, Souvenir Buildings, Banks, Bookends, Busts, Paperweights, Lighters, and Mid-Century Modern Oddities… ONLINE AND ALWAYS OPEN

15567 Main Market (Rt. 422) PO Box 746 • Parkman, Ohio 44080 Located 1 mile West of Rt. 528 on Rt. 422

Geauga's Largest Treasure Chest! Phone: 440-548-5353 AuntiesAntiqueMall.com

Open 7 days a week • 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Antique Market of Michigan City, Inc.

2015

SHOWS HELD AT THE

DUBUQUE COUNTY Fairgrounds

What Cheer’s

TrueJunk_SOIowan_2015.indd 1

6/9/15 9:12 AM

Collector’s Paradise Flea Market Fairgrounds • What Cheer, IA

2015 Fri., Oct. 2, Sat., Oct. 3, Sun., Oct. 4 Opens at 7:00 a.m. Outside Dealer Space $45.00 Admission to fairgrounds before Sunday $2.00 Per Day. FREE ON SUNDAY For more Dealer Information - Contact: What Cheer Flea Market, Inc.

Bill Ludwig • P.O. Box 2362 • Waterloo, IA 50704 Phone: (319) 404-4066 Email: WhatCheerFleaMarket@gmail.com

www.whatcheerfleamarket.com Like us on

at what cheer flea market

COUNTRY SIDE ANTIQUE MALL

Holiday Sale: December 4, 5 & 6

140+ Dealers with Fine Antiques and Collectibles

SUNDAY 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

at I-94 and U.S. 421 Michigan City, IN 46360

Five Miles West on Hwy. 20

(access road South of Clarion Inn) Kyra Niegos, Manager Mon. – Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5

Phone 219-879-4084 Phone/Fax 219-879-2082

www.theantiquemarketmc.com

OCTOBER 11

DUBUQUE, IOWA

Adm. $1.00 (11 & under free) JFK Promotions

260 Copper Kettle Ln.E. Dubuque, IL 61025 815-747-7745 E-mail: jfkpromo@mchsi.com

349 Cases and Spaces to browse through!

“One of Southern Minnesota’s Finest Antique Malls!”

Located just east off Hwy. 52 on the southern edge of Cannon Falls, Minnesota OPEN: Mon.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

507-263-0352 • www.csamantiques.com

POLITICAL ITEMS

WANTED

Collector for over 45 years paying top $ for political buttons, badges, ribbons, and the unusual. Send photocopy to: Paul Bengston 1099 Snelling Ave N St. Paul, MN 55108 or call 952-200-7490 e-mail: paul@7cpco.com

October/November2015

TREASURES

RETRO LOOKS

RETRO LOOKS COMPILED BY ERICH GAUKEL

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE

WHY I LOVE IT I LOVE IT New Products,WHY Vintage Style

WHY I LOVE IT

Rooted in the style of midcentury-modern design, these objects INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION gracefully blend function and style

INTRODUCTION

Mid-Century Modern Mailbox

Inspired by mailboxes from the 1950s and ’60s, this two-tone design is available in multiple colors (all are drawn from exterior accent colors used by famed midcentury-modern architect Joseph Eichler). Post and numbers are sold separately. Made of 20-gauge cold-rolled steel, the same metal used in many vintage mailboxes. Powder-coated inside and out. Flag cap and door pull are anodized aluminum. 7 inches wide; 7¾ inches tall; 21¼ inches long. $259 for two-tone mailbox; $119 for post; $15 per address number. modboxusa.com.

Series 7 Chair

The Series 7 Chair debuted in 1955 at the H55 exhibition in Sweden and remains one of the most copied chairs of the modern era. The chair is ideally suited to the human body, its seatback has a comfortable “give,” and its waterfall seat edge doesn’t press into the legs. Arne Jacobsen, who was instilled with a love of materials, shaped the core of Danish design identity when he accommodated three different bends in one piece of plywood simply by narrowing the chair back. Once painstakingly made by hand, the Series 7 is now produced using automation methods borrowed from the German car industry and monitored by a team that ensures a perfect product every time. This is the authentic Series 7 Collection by Republic of Fritz Hansen. Made in Denmark. Choose from nine options of Colored Ash, a durable stain that keeps the wood grain visible, making each chair unique. Made from pressure-molded sliced veneer shell with outer layer in painted ash veneer; tubular steel frame with polished-chrome finish. Stacks six high. $528. designwithinreach.com or fritzhansen.com.

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Ceramics by Lindform

Swedish pottery maker Lindform’s inspiration comes from Scandinavian nature with its organic tones and simple shapes. Design, models, and colors are chosen to provide harmony to a room but also to catch the eye. Lindform’s designs, including pieces from the Athens line shown here, also have influences from Japan, whose minimalist style marries well with the company’s Nordic roots. Pieces start at around $20. scandinaviandesigncenter.com or lindform.se.

Eames Molded Wood Stool

The plywood molding technique perfected by Charles and Ray Eames led to a number of iconic designs for Herman Miller—in addition to laying the foundation for a major movement in modern furniture design. Yet in their lifetimes, the Eameses were unable to execute their single-shell chair design in molded wood. Decades later, thanks to a proprietary process of 3-D veneer manufacturing, the complex curves of Eames Molded Wood Shell Chairs were finally realized. The refined, enduring molded wood shell form is available as Eames Molded Wood Stools, which are available in several veneers. The 4-leg base comes in bar- or counter-height and offers its own choice of finish options. Counter-height model, $999 (add $10 for bar height). shop.hermanmiller.com.

Mido Teapot

The harmony and graceful simplicity of Asian style is the key influence for Alison Appleton’s Mido collection, named after the Japanese word for “green.” This elegant 25½-ounce porcelain teapot comes in warm red or a slate-grey, with a detachable blond wood handle. Mido has an integral stainless steel filter, which can be removed when your tea is perfectly brewed or it’s time to clean up. Mido is just the right size for two people. It’s right at home in a cozy fireside setting, and its minimalist good looks also suit the most modern kitchen counter. $48. londonteamerchant.com.

October/November2015

TREASURES

Bowl Bliss Vintage vessels and baskets from Japan, Europe, and the United States TEXT AND STYLING BY ERICH GAUKEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM GAUKEL

his collection of bowls from around the globe spans the second half of the 20th century. Their beauty comes from their emphasis on materials, color, bold graphics, and simple forms. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re functional, too. Use them for fruits, for vegetables, or for accents throughout your home.

Wood bowl Dansk International (Malaysia/Denmark) Designer: Jens Quistgaard 1960s or â&#x20AC;&#x2122;70s, $20-$30

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Small ceramic bowl Calart Ceramics (Japan) 1960s, $20-$30

Stepped metal bowl Alessi (Italy) Designer: Guilio Confalonieri 1970s, $40-$60

Sunflower enameled bowl Arabia (Finland) Designer: Kaj Franck 1960s, $80-$150

Blue nesting bowls Imported from Italy by Raymor, a U.S. distrubutor of pottery and other crafts 1960s, $60-$100 October/November2015

TREASURES

Green-glass bowl Blenko Glass Company (U.S.) 1980s, $50-$75

Round pierced basket Alessi (Italy) Designers: King Kong 1990s, $50-$100

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Ceramic bowl with wood base Maker unknown 1960s, $200-$250

Red enamel bowls Maker unknown 1960s, $30-$60

Nuutaj채rvi Flora bowl Arabia (Finland) Designer: Oiva Toikka 1966, $40-$50

October/November2015

TREASURES

Enamel nesting bowls with bird designs Hanova of Pasadena (U.S.) Designer: Charles Chaney Late 1960s, $200-$300

Enamel heart bowl Arabia (Finland) Designer: Kaj Franck 1960s, $50-$100

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Ultima Thule bowl Iittala (Finland) Designer: Tapio Wirkkala 1968, $15-$25

Wire basket Maker unknown 1970s, $40-$60

October/November2015

TREASURES

SHOWS

CALENDAR New York StyleCALENDAR

CALENDAR

The annual Winter Antiques

ADVERTISER ADVERTISER Show warms theINDEX city for a week

INDEX

ADVERTISER INDEX

ven if you’re not a buyer, the Winter Antiques Show RETRO LOOKS RETRO LOOKS (Jan. 22-31) at Park Avenue Armory in New York City is

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE

WHY I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

a can’t-miss opportunity. In addition to the 73 exhibitors with exceptional objects from antiquity through the 1960s, the show includes a temporary mobile museum for the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, which has been chosen to provide the event’s loaned exhibition, “Legacy for the Future.” The title of the exhibition is adapted from a 1936 public lecture given in New York City by former museum director Everett “Chick” Austin: “For we must have the great things of the past to enjoy and to study, but with that valuable experience and pleasure as guide and criterion, we must surely seek to live in the present and to try to create the new forms which are to be our legacy to the future.” Founded in 1842, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the oldest continually operating public art museum in the United States. The museum’s nearly 50,000 works of art span 5,000 years, from Greek and Roman antiquities to the first museum collection of American contemporary art. Thanks to the the generosity of generations of donors, the Wadsworth Atheneum is home to many significant works. It was the first museum in the United States to purchase works by Caravaggio, Frederic Church, Joseph Cornell, and Salvador Dalí, as well as the first to exhibit major surveys of works by Italian masters, Surrealists, and Picasso. Highlights of the collection include a strong holding of Baroque masterpieces, such as Artemisia Gentileschi’s Self-Portrait as a Lute Player, and an important collection of contemporary art, including works by Ellsworth Kelly, George Segal, Kiki Smith, and Kara Walker.

From Macklowe Gallery, this is a French 18-karat gold bangle bracelet with sapphires by Cartier. The form of this bracelet refers to gears and is a classic “Machine Age” design. The bangle bracelet has 48 round sapphires with an approximate total weight of 4.80 carats. Circa 1950s. Signed, “Cartier Paris” “8-03 (partial). 36

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

From Peter Fetterman Gallery, Audrey Hepburn with Flowers, Norman Parkinson (1913-1990), 1955 (printed later), archival digital C-print. Image Size: 20 x 16 inches. Edition of 21. Limited edition estate print. Titled, dated and numbered in ink on verso.

“We at the Wadsworth Atheneum are profoundly honored to have been chosen by the Winter Antiques Show Committee to present this year’s loan exhibition,” said David W. Dangremond, president of the museum’s Board of Trustees. “We hope that visitors to the Armory are surprised and delighted by the highlights from our collection and as a result will endeavour to visit the museum to see our offerings in their entirety.” Among the 73 exhibitors at the show, nearly a dozen specialize is 20th-century fine and decorative arts. Many of the show’s exhibitors are from New York City, but you’ll also find sellers from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, and throughout the U.S. The show is open noon to 8 p.m. daily except for Jan. 24, 28, and 31, when it is open noon to 6 p.m. The $25 admission fee includes the show catalog. The net proceeds from the show benefit East Side House Settlement (ESHS), which provides access to quality education and technology training as gateways out of poverty to students in the South Bronx. The goal of ESHS is to help motivated students graduate from high school, enroll in college, and build the skills necessary to secure good jobs. In 2016, ESHS will celebrate its 125th year. Visit winterantiquesshow.com for more information.

GRAINRY ANTIQUES & Other Needful Things!

Member: AADA, Inc. Buy with Confidence

415 East 4th Street, Huntingburg, IN www.grainryantiques.wordpress.com Email: grainryantiques@gmail.com 812-683-0234

Antiques & Collectibles

Visit us for a trip down memory lane & take home a little piece of history! Hours: 10:00-4:30 Daily (Closed Wed) Sun 12:00-4:00

WALNUT 34th Annual OldFashioned Christmas Walk • Nov. 27-28

walnutiowa.org Southwest Iowa, I-80, Exit 46

our Watch r on te fo websi ate sale d L L this FA

J-Display case Acrylic DisplAy cAses for your Collection

1-800-971-6276

www.displaycasej.com

D-TAILS Serving Department 56® Village Enthusiasts

4th Edition

28th Annual

Treasures Sept 2014 final.indd 2 al

7/23/14 10:32 AM

EASTERN IOWA DOLL-TOY-BEAR SHOW

n dA

NOVEMBER 8 • DAVENPORT, IA Mississippi Valley Frgnds., 2815 W. Locust St.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Adm. $5 (under 10 free) $1.00 off with this ad Antique, Modern, Collectible: Dolls • Toys • Bears • Comics Games • Hot Wheels • Cars Action Figures & More!!! On Site Doll Repair

A Reference Source and Secondary Market Guide

www.treasuresmagazine.com/online_store

FREE Doll Appraisals • Door Prizes!

Info: SHERRYL NEWTON, Ph. 319-610-3534

WWW.EASTERNIOWADOLLSHOWS.COM (Dealer Inquiries Always Welcome)

October/November2015

TREASURES

CALENDAR

OCTOBER

CALIFORNIAINDEX ADVERTISER

SEPTEMBER 27 Clovis, CA Old Town Clovis Antiques & Collectibles Fair, oldtownclovis.org OCTOBER 3-4 Pasadena, CA Antiquarian Book Fair, Pasadena Center, 300 E. Green St., Bustamante Enterprises, Inc. OCTOBER 9-11 Sacramento, CA Sacramento Antique Show, Sacramento Convention Center, Nancy Johnson Events Mgmt. LLC. PSMA. OCTOBER 9-11 Palm Springs, CA Modernism Show, Palm Springs Air Museum, Dolphin Promotions. OCTOBER 15 Beverly Hills, CA Entertainment Memorabilia Auction, 9478 West Olympic, Heritage Auctions. OCTOBER 18 Clovis, CA Glorious Junk Days, oldtownclovis.org

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE WHY I LOVE IT GEORGIA

INTRODUCTION

OCTOBER 8-11 Atlanta, GA Antique Show, Atlanta Expo Centers, I-285 Exit 55 (Jonesboro Rd.), Scott Antique Markets.

ILLINOIS OCTOBER 3-4 Fulton, IL Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market, IL Rte. 84 between Thomson & Fulton, Great River Road Antiques, sp. OCTOBER 3-4 St. Charles, IL Antiques, Collectibles, & Fancy Junque, Kane County Flea Market, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Rd. between Rtes. 38 & 64, KCF Market, Inc. WE NEVER CANCEL. March thru December, Sat. 12 pm-5 pm & Sun. 7 am-4 pm, Adm.: $5 Daily (children under 12 free) 630-377-2252 www.kanecountyfleamarket.com OCTOBER 10-11 Fulton, IL Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market, IL Rte. 84 between Thomson & Fulton, Great River Road Antiques, sp. OCTOBER 10-11 Grayslake, IL Chicagoland Premier Monthly Antique Market, Lake County Fairgrounds, Zurko’s Midwest Promotions. OCTOBER 17-18 Fulton, IL Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market, IL Rte. 84 between Thomson & Fulton, Great River Road Antiques, sp. OCTOBER 18 Bloomington, IL Antiques Market, Collectibles, Crafts & Garden, Interstate Center, 2301 W. Market St., 3rd Sunday Market. Mike Raycraft, mgr. OCTOBER 18 Countryside, IL Countryside Collectors Classic Toy Show, Park Place of Countryside, 6240 Joliet Rd., Unique Events. 262-366-1314, www.uniqueeventsshows.com OCTOBER 24 Wheaton, IL Spook-tacular Haunted Halloween Flea Market, DuPage Co. Fairgrounds, Zurko’s Midwest Promotions. OCTOBER 24-25 Chicago, IL Randolph Street Market Festival, 1340 W. Washington St., Randolph Street Market. Top source for 1stDibs and professional sellers. 10–5 both days. Outside season May–September (250+ vendors); indoor season Oct– April (75+ vendors). Tickets: $8 online, $10 at the gate. randolphstreetmarket.com OCTOBER 24-25 Fulton, IL Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market, IL Rte. 84 between Thomson & Fulton, Great River Road Antiques, sp. OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1 Fulton, IL Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market, IL Rte. 84 between Thomson & Fulton, Great River Road Antiques, sp. OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1 St. Charles, IL Antiques, Collectibles, & Fancy Junque, Kane County Flea Market, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Rd. between Rtes. 38 & 64, KCF Market, Inc. WE NEVER CANCEL, March thru December, Sat. 12 pm-5 pm & Sun. 7 am-4 pm, Adm.: $5 Daily (children under 12 free) 630-377-2252, www.kanecountyfleamarket.com

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

INDIANA INDEX ADVERTISER

OCTOBER 4 Lawrenceburg, IN Fairgrounds, Queen City Shows.

CALENDAR NEW YORK ADVERTISER INDEX

WHY I LOVE IT

OCTOBER 10-11 Stormville, NY Antique Show & Flea Market, Stormville Airport, 428 Route 216, Stormville Airport Antique Show. OCTOBER 14 New York, NY Illustration Art Auction, Manhattan at 445 Park Ave., Heritage Auctions. OCTOBER 29 New York, NY Timepieces Auction, Manhattan at 445 Park Ave., Heritage Auctions. OCTOBER 27 New York, NY U.S. Coins, The Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part IV Auction, Manhattan at 445 Park Ave., Heritage Auctions. OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 2 New York, NY U.S. Coins Auction, Manhattan at 445 Park Ave., Heritage Auctions.

INTRODUCTION

OCTOBER 24-25 Portland, OR America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Shows, Portland Expo Center, Christine Palmer & Associates. PSMA.

IOWA RETRO LOOKS

OCTOBER 2-3 Walnut, IA Junk-tober Fest, Outdoor Junk Market, 224 Pearl Street, True Junk. OCTOBER 2-4 What Cheer, IA Collectors’ Paradise Flea Market, Fairgrounds, What Cheer Flea Market, Inc. OCTOBER 3 Davenport, IA Flea Market, 4004 West Kimberly Road, West Kimberly Mall, sp., 563-391-1616 www.WestKimberlyMall@facebook.com OCTOBER 9-11 Cedar Rapids, IA Antiques Show & Collectors Fair, Hawkeye Downs Fairgrounds, 4400 6th St. SW (off I-380, Ext 17) Townsend Promotions, Inc. OCTOBER 10-11 Bentonsport, IA Craft & Antique Show, Art Festival along with county wide Scenic Drive Festival. OCTOBER 11 Dubuque, IA Flea Market & Antique Show, Dubuque County Fairgrounds, JFK Promotions. OCTOBER 25 Cedar Rapids, IA Midwest Antique & Art Show, Hawkeye Downs Fairgrounds, 4400 6th Street SW, (off I-380, Exit #17), The Collector’s Eye/Midwest Antique and Art Show. Hours: 10 am - 4 pm, Adm. $8.00 319-360-4301 Like us on Facebook! www.mwantiqueshow.com

VINTAGE STYLE

KANSAS OCTOBER 4 Hutchinson, KS Flea Market, Kansas St. Fairgrounds, Mid America Markets. OCTOBER 18 Wichita, KS Flea Market, Kansas Coliseum, Mid America Markets.

KENTUCKY OCTOBER 18 Burlington, KY Antique Show, Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Rd., Burlington Antique Show. 513-922-6847 www.BurlingtonAntiqueShow.com

MASSACHUSETTS OCTOBER 3-4 Brimfield, MA Arts & Crafts Festival, Corner Route 20 & Mill Lane Road, Hertan’s Antique Shows.

MICHIGAN OCTOBER 3-4 Davisburg, MI Antiques & Collectibles Festival, Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Rd., Michigan Antique Festival. PSMA. Classic Car Show - Free Entertainment Adm.: $6.00, Sat. 8-6 - Sun. 9-4 Early Bird Friday 10-5, $15 Weekend Pass, Dealers Welcome! Facebook.com/AntiqueFestival 989-687-9001, www.miantiquefestival.com OCTOBER 11 Centreville, MI Antique & Collectibles Market, St. Joseph Co. Grange Fairgrounds, Zurko’s Midwest Promotions.

MINNESOTA OCTOBER 3 Windom, MN 38th Annual Craft & Collectibles Show, Windom Community Center, Windom Area Chamber of Commerce, sp.

NEVADA OCTOBER 16-18 Las Vegas, NV Advertising & Coin-Op Auction, 4520 Arville St. #1, Morphy Auctions.

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE WHY I LOVE IT OREGON

INTRODUCTION

PENNSYLVANIA OCTOBER 3-4 Adamstown, PA Pepsi, Coke & Advertising Show, PA Turnpike (I-76) to exit 286, turn right on Rt. 272 North, then right on Rt. 897 South. Go 3/4 mile to Grove on left, Shupp’s Grove. OCTOBER 10-11 Adamstown, PA Music & Lighting & Adamsburry Holiday Craft Show, PA Turnpike (I-76) to exit 286, turn right on Rt. 272 North, then right on Rt. 897 South. Go 3/4 mile to Grove on left, Shupp’s Grove. OCTOBER 17-18 Adamstown, PA Vintage Tavern, Tobacco, Beer & Pewter & Micro Brewers Special Section Show, PA Turnpike (I-76) to exit 286, turn right on Rt. 272 North, then right on Rt. 897 South. Go 3/4 mile to Grove on left, Shupp’s Grove. OCTOBER 24-25 Adamstown, PA Animal Collectibles & Memorabilia Show, PA Turnpike (I-76) to exit 286, turn right on Rt. 272 North, then right on Rt. 897 South. Go 3/4 mile to Grove on left, Shupp’s Grove. OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1 Adamstown, PA Season Finale Show, PA Turnpike (I-76) to exit 286, turn right on Rt. 272 North, then right on Rt. 897 South. Go 3/4 mile to Grove on left, Shupp’s Grove.

TEXAS OCTOBER 10 Dallas, TX 20th & 21st Century Design Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. OCTOBER 21-24 Dallas, TX U.S. Coins, The Eric P. Newman Collection, Part VII Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. OCTOBER 24 Dallas, TX American Art Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. OCTOBER 24 Dallas, TX Musical Instruments Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions.

UTAH OCTOBER 17-19 Salt Lake City, UT Salt Lake Antiques Show, Utah State FairPark (Grand Pavilion), Nancy Johnson Events Mgmt. LLC. PSMA.

VIRGINIA OCTOBER 9-11 Fishersville, VA 57th Shenandoah Antiques Expo, Expoland, I-64, Exit 91, Heritage Promotions. Best Indoor/Outdoor Antiques Event/Market in the Mid-Atlantic. 300+ Exhibitors, Oct. 9th, 9-5; Oct. 10th, 8-5; Oct. 11th, 11-4, www.heritagepromotions.net

WISCONSIN OCTOBER 3 Eagle River, WI Antique Market, Downtown during Cranberry Fest, Zurko’s Midwest Promotions. OCTOBER 4 Shawano, WI Shawano Flea Market HarvestFest Event & Car Show, Shawano County Fairgrounds, Zurko’s Midwest Promotions.

OCTOBER 17 Menomonee Falls, WI 34th Annual Arts & Crafts Show, Monomonee Falls High School, W142 N8101 Merrimac Drive, Community League, Inc. 414-581-0352, www.communityleague.com OCTOBER 25 Milwaukee, WI Brew City Advertising Show, American Serb Hall, 5101 West Oklahoma Ave., Unique Events. 262-366-1314, www.uniqueeventsshows.com

NOVEMBER CALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 6-8 San Mateo, CA Hillsborough Antiques + Art + Design Show, San Mateo County Event Center, Dolphin Promotions. NOVEMBER 19-20 Beverly Hills, CA Comics & Original Comic Art Auction, 9478 West Olympic, Heritage Auctions.

FLORIDA NOVEMBER 20-22 Mount Dora, FL Antique Extravaganza, 20651 U.S. Hwy. 441, Antique Center, Renninger’s Antique Market, www.renningers.net

GEORGIA NOVEMBER 12-15 Atlanta, GA Antique Show, Atlanta Expo Centers, I-285 Exit 55 (Jonesboro Rd.), Scott Antique Markets.

ILLINOIS NOVEMBER 6-8 Rock Island, IL Antique Spectacular, QCCA EXPO CENTER, 2621 4TH AVENUE, Kimberly Schilling, Melting Pot Productions, Inc. PSMA. Show hours: FRIDAY 5PM-9PM; SATURDAY 10AM-6PM; SUNDAY 11AM-4PM, 712-326-9964, www.antiquespectacular.com NOVEMBER 7-8 Grayslake, IL Chicagoland Premier Monthly Antique Market, Lake County Fairgrounds, Zurko’s Midwest Promotions. NOVEMBER 15 Bloomington, IL Antiques Market, Collectibles, Crafts & Garden, Interstate Center, 2301 W. Market St., 3rd Sunday Market. Mike Raycraft, mgr. NOVEMBER 21-22 Chicago, IL Randolph Street Market Festival, 1340 W. Washington St., Randolph Street Market. Top source for 1stDibs and professional sellers. 10–5 both days. Indoor season Oct–April (75+ vendors), outside season May–September (250+ vendors). Tickets: $8 online, $10 at the gate. randolphstreetmarket.com NOVEMBER 22 Wheaton, IL Antique Flea Market, DuPage Co. Fairgrounds, Zurko’s Midwest Promotions. NOVEMBER 28-29 Chicago, IL Randolph Street Market Festival, 1340 W. Washington St., Randolph Street Market. Top source for 1stDibs and professional sellers. 10–5 both days. Indoor season Oct–April (75+ vendors), outside season May–September (250+ vendors). Tickets: $8 online, $10 at the gate. randolphstreetmarket.com

INDIANA NOVEMBER 8-15 Huntingburg, IN 30th Annual Christmas Stroll, Downtown Huntingburg.

IOWA NOVEMBER 5-8 Waterloo, IA Holiday Open House, 1022 Alabar Ave., Calico Hen House. NOVEMBER 6-8 Dyersville, IA Farm Toy Show & Auction, Beckman High School, The National Farm Toy Museum and The Commercial Club Park, Toy Farmer, www.toyfarmer.com

TEXAS NOVEMBER 7-8 Des Moines, IA Toys, Petroliana, Country Store, Soda Fountain & More Auction, Elwell Bldg., Iowa State Fairgrounds, Rich Penn Auctions. NOVEMBER 8 Davenport, IA Eastern Iowa Doll, Toy & Bear Show, Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust Street, Sherryl Newton, mgr. NOVEMBER 20-22 Des Moines, IA Antique Spectacular, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Animal Learning Center, East 33rd Street just off E. University (Exit At I-235/University), Kimberly Schilling, Melting Pot Productions, Inc. PSMA. Friday 5pm-9pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 11am-4pm. 712-326-9964, www. antiquespectacular.com

KANSAS NOVEMBER 1 Hutchinson, KS Flea Market, Kansas St. Fairgrounds, Mid America Markets. NOVEMBER 15 Wichita, KS Flea Market, Kansas Coliseum, Mid America Markets.

MICHIGAN NOVEMBER 21-22 Grand Rapids, MI Grand Rapids Antiques Market, Devos Place, 303 Monroe NW, November 21, 9 am to 7 pm, November 22, 10 am to 4 pm, 150 vendors of all things vintage and antique, Michigan’s largest all indoor show! www.grandrapidsantiquesmarket.com NOVEMBER 28 Kalamazoo, MI Circus Maximus Antique Toy & Collectible Show, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St., Unique Events., 262-366-1314 www.uniqueeventsshows.com

MINNESOTA NOVEMBER 1 Rochester, MN Mayo Civic Center Flea Market, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Townsend Promotions, Inc.

MONTANA NOVEMBER 13-15 Billings, MT Antique Show & Sale, MetraPark, Huff’s Shows.

OHIO NOVEMBER 28 & 29 Columbus, OH Antique Show, Ohio Expo Center, I-71 Exit 111 (17th Ave.), Scott Antique Markets.

NOVEMBER 5 Dallas, TX Sports Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 6 Dallas, TX American Indian Art Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 7 Dallas, TX Americana & Political Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 7 Dallas, TX Texas Art Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 12 Dallas, TX Fine Silver & Objects of Vertu Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 13 Dallas, TX Photographs Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 14 Dallas, TX Modern & Contemporary Art Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 21-22 Dallas, TX Vintage Movie Posters Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 23 Dallas, TX Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions.

VIRGINIA

NOVEMBER 21-22 Doswell, VA The Richmond Antiques Spectacular, Meadow Event Park, Exhibition Hall, Exit 98 off of Interstate 95, Renaissance Promotions, Inc., Sat., 10 am - 6 pm, Sun., 11 am - 4 pm 804-462-6190, www.renaissancepromotions.net

WASHINGTON NOVEMBER 7-8 Puyallup, WA Antique & Collectible Shows, Puyallup Fairgrounds, Christine Palmer & Associates. PSMA.

WISCONSIN NOVEMBER 1 Milwaukee, WI Scale Auto Hobby & Toy Show, American Serb Hall, 5101 West Oklahoma Ave., Unique Events., 262-366-1314 www.uniqueeventsshows.com NOVEMBER 14-15 Wausau, WI Antique Show, Marathon Park, East Gate Hall, 1201 Stewart Ave., AR Promotions. 715-355-5144 www.antiqueshowsinwis.com

NEW YORK NOVEMBER 4 New York, NY Historical Manuscripts Auction, Manhattan at 445 Park Ave., Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 4 New York, NY Rare Books Auction, Manhattan at 445 Park Ave., Heritage Auctions. NOVEMBER 14-15 New York City, NY Pier Antique Show, Saturday: 11am-7pm, Sunday: 11am6pm, Pier 94, Produced by U.S. Antique Shows. 239-732-6642, show.info@usantiqueshows.com PierAntiqueShow.com

October/November2015

TREASURES

CALENDAR

DECEMBER

CALIFORNIA ADVERTISER INDEX

DECEMBER 4-6 Pasadena, CA Antique Show, Pasadena Center, 300 E. Green St., Bustamante Enterprises, Inc.

RETRO LOOKS GEORGIA

DECEMBER. 10-13 Atlanta, GA Antique Show, Atlanta Expo Centers, I-285 Exit 55 (Jonesboro Rd.), Scott Antique Markets.

VINTAGE STYLE ILLINOIS

DECEMBER 5-6 St. Charles, IL Antiques, Collectibles, & Fancy Junque, Kane County Flea Market, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Rd. between Rtes. 38 & 64, KCF Market, Inc. WE NEVER CANCEL - March thru December, Sat. 12 pm-5 pm & Sun. 7 am-4 pm, Adm.: $5 Daily (children under 12 free) 630-377-2252 www.kanecountyfleamarket.com DECEMBER 6 Tinley Park, IL Holiday Toy Show, Tinley Park High School, 6111 West 175th Street, Unique Events. 262-366-1314 www.uniqueeventsshows.com DECEMBER 12-13 Grayslake, IL Chicagoland Premier Monthly Antique Market, Lake County Fairgrounds, Zurko’s Midwest Promotions. DECEMBER 27 Wheaton, IL Antique Flea Market, DuPage Co. Fairgrounds, Zurko’s Midwest Promotions.

WHY I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

KANSAS DECEMBER 6 Hutchinson, KS Flea Market, Kansas St. Fairgrounds, Mid America Markets. DECEMBER 13 Wichita, KS Flea Market, Kansas Coliseum, Mid America Markets.

MASSACHUSETTS DECEMBER 6 Dedham, MA Boston Toy Show, Holiday Inn, Blue Dog Promotions. Early Admission at 7 AM: $25 Adults $7, 9 AM - 3 PM, $2 OFF with AD Before 12 Noon FInd us on Facebook! 617-957-9296 www.BostonToyShow.com

MINNESOTA DECEMBER 6 Rochester, MN Mayo Civic Center Flea Market, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Townsend Promotions, Inc.

NEW YORK DECEMBER 13 White Plains, NY Train & Toy Show and Sale, Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., Westchester Toy & Train Assoc., Inc. PSMA. Look for us on Facebook. 518-392-2660 or 516-433-2135 www.westchestertoytrain.com

OHIO DECEMBER 19 & 20 Columbus, OH Antique Show, Ohio Expo Center, I-71 Exit 111 (17th Ave.), Scott Antique Markets.

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

TEXAS INDEX ADVERTISER DECEMBER 7-8 Dallas, TX Fine Jewelry Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. DECEMBER 9 Dallas, TX European Art Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. DECEMBER 11 Dallas, TX Civil War & Militaria Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions.

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE JANUARY

COLORADO

WHY I LOVE IT

JANUARY 1-3 Denver, CO Antiques At Wings, Antique Show, Wings Over The Rockies, Nancy Johnson Events Mgmt. LLC. PSMA.

CONNECTICUT

INTRODUCTION

JANUARY 9-10 Hartford, CT 69th “Papermania” Plus Antique Paper Show Plus Advertising & Photography, XL Center, Exit off I-84, Exit 32-B off I-91, Hillcrest Promotions. PSMA. 41st Year Sat. 10-5 & Sun. 10-4 Free Appraisels Sun. 11 am-2 pm Admission $8, With Ad $7.50 (860) 563-9975 or 529-2234 www.Papermaniaplus.com

FLORIDA JANUARY 14-17 Sarasota, FL Sarasota Winter Art & Antiques Show & Sale, Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, Dolphin Promotions. JANUARY 22-24 Miami, FL Miami Antique, Design & Art Show, Friday & Saturday: 12-7pm, Sunday: 12-5pm, Miami Airport Convention Center, Produced by U.S. Antique Shows. 239-732-6642 show.info@usantiqueshows.com MADAShow.com JANUARY 26-FEBRUARY 1 Miami Beach, FL The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, Thursday-Sunday: 12-8pm, Monday: 12-5pm, Miami Beach Convention Center, Produced by U.S. Antique Shows. 239-732-6642 show.info@usantiqueshows.com MiamiBeachAntiqueShow.com

GEORGIA JANUARY 7-10 Atlanta, GA Antique Show, Atlanta Expo Centers, I-285 Exit 55 (Jonesboro Rd.), Scott Antique Markets.

MINNESOTA JANUARY 24 Rochester, MN Mayo Civic Center Flea Market, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Townsend Promotions, Inc.

NEW YORK JANUARY 24 White Plains, NY Train & Toy Show and Sale, Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., Westchester Toy & Train Assoc., Inc. PSMA. Look for us on Facebook. 518-392-2660 or 516-433-2135 www.westchestertoytrain.com

CALENDAR ADVERTISER INDEX

DECEMBER 12 Dallas, TX Entertainment & Music Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. DECEMBER 13 Dallas, TX Arms & Armor Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions. DECEMBER 31 Dallas, TX Animation Art Auction, 3500 Maple Avenue, Heritage Auctions.

RETRO LOOKS

VINTAGE STYLE WASHINGTON

WHY I LOVE IT

JANUARY 16-17 Vancouver, WA 11th Annual Antique & Collectible Shows, Clark County Fairgrounds, Christine Palmer & Associates. PSMA. JANUARY 23-24 Puyallup, WA America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Shows, Puyallup Fairgrounds, (Puget Sound area), Christine Palmer & Associates. PSMA.

INTRODUCTION

FEBRUARY CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 5-6 San Mateo, CA San Francisco Antiquarian Book Print & Paper Fair, San Mateo County Event Center, Nancy Johnson Events Mgmt. LLC. PSMA.

FLORIDA FEBRUARY 19-21 Mount Dora, FL Antique Extravaganza, 20651 U.S. Hwy. 441, Antique Center, Renninger’s Antique Market, www.renningers.net

GEORGIA FEBRAURY 11-14 Atlanta, GA Antique Show, Atlanta Expo Centers, I-285 Exit 55 (Jonesboro Rd.), Scott Antique Markets.

IDAHO FEBRUARY 19-21 Nampa, ID Karcher Mall Antique Market, I-84 Exit 33A, 1509 Caldwell Blvd., Alee Marsters, mgr. 208-720-1146 haileyantiques@aol.com

IOWA FEBRUARY 14 Maquoketa, IA Flea Market, Jackson County Fairgrounds, 1212 East Quarry St., Callahan Promotions.

MINNESOTA FEBRUARY 28 Rochester, MN Mayo Civic Center Flea Market, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Townsend Promotions, Inc.

WISCONSIN FEBRUARY 5-7 Oconomowoc WI “Red Wing Collectors Society MidWinter GetTogether - Olympia Resort, 1350 Royale Mile Road. Stoneware & Pottery Show and Sale Sat. Feb 6 1pm - 4pm Auction at 6pm FREE & OPEN TO PUBLIC. Registered Member events include a Fri. night social, Sat. breakfast & education seminars.” http://www.redwingcollectors.org/rwcs-calendar-of-events/ rwcs-midwinter-gettogether FEBRUARY 13-14 Wausau, WI Antique Show, D.C. Everest High School, 6400 Alderson St., AR Promotions.

New Look. Vintage Appeal.

SUBSCRIBE call 800/765-1690 or visit treasuresmagazine.com

ADVERTISE call 877/899-9977 or email advertise@treasuresmagazine.com

“I feel that there is a spirit in trees that’s very deep. I am somewhat of a Druid that way…I do feel that in order to produce a fine piece of furniture, the spirit of a tree lives on. I can give it a second life, as something like the medical profession. But I think this is in a way even more realistic and deeper than what the medical profession can do because I can make an object that lives and can live forever, possibly, if used properly. So that’s my objective and that’s my happiness to find this relationship with a tree.” – George Nakashima

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

George Nakashima The late furniture designer’s “perfection in imperfection” philosophy made him and his works one of a kind BY MIKE MCLEOD “We are left in awe by the nobility of a tree,

Opposite: Circa-1980 Single-Arm “New” Rocker of American black walnut and hickory, 1980, sold for $4,375 by Sotheby’s New York in 2013. Photos courtesy of Sotheby’s.

its eternal patience, its suffering caused by man and sometimes nature, its witness to thousands of years of Earth’s history, its creations of fabulous beauty. It does nothing but good, with its prodigious ability to serve, it gives off its bounty of oxygen while absorbing gases harmful to other living things. …Its fruits feed us. Its branches shade and protect us. And, finally, when time and weather bring it down, its body offers timber for our houses and boards for our furniture. The tree lives on.” George Nakashima’s respect for trees translated directly into the furniture he designed, which can be described as earthy, unexpected, creative, often symmetrical and asymmetrical in the same piece, elegant, and definitely unique. His creations, which often incorporated slabs of irregular tree trunks or roots, are highly recognizable and appreciated. Nakashima was born in 1905 in Spokane, Washington, to Japanese immigrant parents. After earning a bachelors degree in architecture, Nakashima studied in France for a time before returning to America and earning a masters degree, also in architecture, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then traveled internationally and was hired by an architectural firm in Tokyo. One long-term project found Nakashima overseeing the building of an ashram dormitory in India. There, he became a disciple of the ashram’s leader, Sri Aurobindo, and he began to design furniture.  Continued October/November2015

TREASURES

“My father grew up in Seattle and was a Boy Scout,” Nakshima’s daughter Mira Nakashima explained to me recently. “He often went out by himself in the mountains and felt a wonderful sense of peace there. [At the ashram] he found the philosophy he was looking for in life. There are different types of yoga, besides the physical discipline, and this philosophy was the yoga of doing (Karma Yoga). It gave him the strength and courage to do what he did.”  George Nakashima returned to the U.S. and married Marion Okajima. They settled in Seattle, where daughter Mira was born. In the year following Pearl Harbor, Nakashima and his family were sent to a Japanese internment camp in southern Idaho. Despite the injustice of the situation and the hardship it created for his family, Nakashima made the most of the experience. At the camp, he met and was tutored by a carpenter trained in traditional Japanese woodworking. From him, he learned woodworking skills to pay attention to detail Mira Nakashima, only 6 months old when her family went to the camp, has no memories of being there. “When I went back to the site of the camp,” she 44

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

says, “I didn’t remember it specifically, but I felt like I’d been there before.” During that visit to the camp, she met a farmer who had employed her father to tend his field of carrots. The farmer related how Mira’s father had told him, with tears in his eyes, how grateful he was for the job. The farmer also said the authorities required him to drive out each day to pick up the work crew and then drive them home at day’s end. After a while, the farmer gave his keys to the men and told them to drive themselves. He was tired of the back and forth. Obviously, George and the men in the crew had gained his trust. In 1943, George and his family were released due to the efforts of his former employer, Antonin Raymond. The Nakashimas moved to New Hope, Pennsylvania, where they lived and worked on a farm that Raymond owned. From there, Nakashima began building furniture, and his design philosophy came to fruition and eventually to acclaim. Nakashima’s discipleship in the ashram and education in Camp Minidoka heightened his innate skills and aesthetic to yield a style of functional beauty. He sought purity in

design while highlighting the character of the wood, particularly its gnarled imperfections. His “yoga of doing” found the perfection in imperfection. “When he first started out and was working with a Japanese carpenter,” Mira Nakashima says, “he used found materials around the camp and bitterbrush from the desert.” Later, after leaving the camp, she says, “he didn’t have money for good wood but got cutoffs from the lumber industry and went from there. After Dad was able to get these cutoffs, he made friends with loggers in the area and got trees others didn’t want; then he oversaw the milling to get the right direction and thickness.” As Nakashima produced more furniture its appeal grew. Mira Nakashima says it caught the attention of collectors because it was different. “My father integrated life and work by not tying into the big-corporation mindset of mass production and making money,” she says. “To him, it was more important to make beautiful furniture; money would come later. He combined utilitarianism with beauty.” Nakashima died in 1990, but his work is carried on in Pennsylvania by

Left: Circa-1973 Slab Coffee Table of American black walnut and East Indian rosewood, 13 x 81.5 x 34 inches, sold for $32,500 by Sotheby’s New York in June 2015. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s. Right: A 1984 Table Lamp of American black walnut, East Indian rosewood, holly, and parchment, just over 24.5 inches tall, sold for $6,250 by Sotheby’s New York in 2013. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s.

the George Nakashima Foundation for Peace and by the George Nakashima Woodworker furniture studio. Mira Nakashima is involved in both. “I had a tour group through this morning, and they said they felt peaceful here and felt the furniture was alive,” she says. George Nakashima’s sense of beauty continues to enthrall collectors. “Dad always felt he was giving trees new life, and life continues. Not everybody understands this; it’s not for everyone, but if you are sensitive to it, you will sense life in each item we make. People realize this when they have sold their Nakashimas. It’s like selling a part of themselves.” His work can be found in the the homes of Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Julianne Moore and many others. A Nakashima Conoid Bench, Conoid Chair, Lounge Chair, and Minguren II Coffee Table are preserved for history at the Smithsonian.   In 2006, a Nakashima redwood burl and black walnut dining table sold for a stratospheric $822,400 at Sotheby’s. After the stock market crashed in 2008, prices reset, but they are again on the upswing. In 2012, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg bought a October/November2015

TREASURES

Left: Circa-1980 Conoid Bench of American black walnut, East Indian rosewood and hickory, 32 x 84.25 x 35.5 inches, sold by Sotheby’s New York for $25,000 in June 2015. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s. Below: Tsuitate (room divider) sofa. Photo courtesy of George Nakashima Woodworker.

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Above: Circa-1965 Conoid Dining Table of American black walnut and East Indian rosewood, 28.5 x 106.75 x 42.5 inches, sold for $143,000 in 2013. Circa-1980 set of six Conoid Dining Chairs of American black walnut and hickory, 35.5 x 20 x 20.5 inches, sold for $40,625 in 2013, Sotheby’s New York. Photos courtesy of Sotheby’s. Right: Conoid cross-legged end table. Photo courtesy of George Nakashima Woodworker.

14-foot Nakashima dining table for $130,500 at a Phillips, de Pury & Luxembourg auction.  Mira Nakashima has written a book about her father called Nature, Form and Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima. Of her father’s influence, she says, “Today, there is a strong legacy that lives all over the world in using the natural form of wood. The architecture he created on the property here [his workshop, studio, and home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania] now is a Historic National Landmark. Another landmark in his life was to leave the camp in the desert and start a legacy here in New Hope.” Coming from a generation embroiled in war, George Nakashima desired peace for the world. “My father had

a dream to make Peace Altars (large meeting tables) for the world,” she says. “If people could meet around them, we could get a little closer to world peace. …Sitting or standing around one has a unifying effect.” He planned to build seven Altars of Peace, one for each of the seven continents. To date, Altars of Peace have been built and installed in New York City, Moscow, and Auroville (in Pondicherry, India). A fourth is planned for Cape Town, South Africa. The New York Altar of Peace is made from two matching walnut planks. It measures 10½ x 10½ feet and weighs more than 1,000 pounds. Though Nakashima has been gone for a quarter-century, his legacy of beauty and hope for peace live on. October/November2015

TREASURES

Illuminated Chrome-finished lamps and light fixtures— staples in 1960s and ’70s interiors—continue to shine BY ERICH GAUKEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM GAUKEL

The reflective surfaces and clean lines that define vintage chrome-finished lamps took shape in the studios of designers such as George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman, Verner Panton, and Joe Columbo—and in the factories of companies such as Koch & Lowy. These lights are a hot commodit at midcenturymodern shops and at online retailers such as Etsy and 1stdibs. Here are 13 glimmering examples.

Table lamp with eyeball shade and detached acrylic base 1960s

Table lamp with glass globe Designer: Robert Sonneman 1970s

All lamps from the John Sayles personal collection 48

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Floor lamp with three eyeball shades Maker: Koch & Lowy OMI 1960s

Table or floor lamp with plastic globe Designer: Robert Sonneman 1960s

October/November2015

TREASURES

Chandelier with chrome-finish metal panels 1960s

Floor lamp 1970s

Swing-arm desk lamp 1970s

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Table lamp with eyeball shade and marble base 1960s

Floor lamp Maker: Koch & Lowy OMI 1970s

October/November2015

TREASURES

Space-age floor lamp 1960s

Tubular desk lamp Designer: Robert Sonneman 1960s

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Swing-arm floor lamp Maker: Koch & Lowy OMI 1970s

Chrome and smokedacrylic table lamp 1960s

October/November2015

TREASURES

SOUVENIR

Sensations

Iroquois Beadwork of Niagara Falls STORY AND PHOTOS BY DONALD-BRIAN JOHNSON

ou’ve made it to “the honeymoon capital of the world.” You’ve donned a floor-length rain slicker, complete with hood. You’ve boarded the Maid of the Mist tour boat and gotten drenched by the 3,160 tonsper-second torrents of gushing water. Now, what to bring back as a souvenir of your day at Niagara Falls? Often billed as the “original tourist trap,” New York’s and Ontario’s shared scenic wonder was first documented for Europeans in 1678 by the missionary and explorer Louis Hennepin. By the early 1800s, affordable rail travel meant that both domestic and international gawkers could be as dumbstruck as Hennepin by the Falls’ majestic grandeur. The tradition of Niagara Falls as an ideal spot for honeymooners had its start as far back as 1804, when Jerome Bonaparte, younger brother of Napoleon, whisked his American bride there. No word on whether they picked up any souvenirs, but if the Bonapartes had just waited several decades longer, there’d have been plenty to choose

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

from. By 1850, more than 60,000 honeymooners and other curious folk were visiting the falls each year, eager to experience its splashy splendor. And, as vendors quickly realized, not a one wanted to return home empty-handed. The earliest souvenirs were chunks of spar (gypsum), taken from the bed of the Niagara River and peddled to the unsuspecting as “petrified mist.” For the less gullible, there were more traditional mementos (lots of them) featuring images of Niagara Falls in all its varied glories. Among these: stacks of scenic postcards (still a best-seller in the souvenir shops); chinaware of all shapes, sizes, and conceivable uses; snow globes; paperweights; and tiny, barrel-shaped peephole viewers with colorful views of the falls just an eye-glimpse away. At the very top of the list were keepsakes that put all those mass-produced knickknacks to shame: the handcrafted beadwork creations of the Iroquois. It seems only natural that the Iroquois would contribute to the heritage of Niagara Falls. They were, after all,

familiar with its might and beauty long before Hennepin. Six nations made up the Iroquois confederation: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. Although all six are presumed to have engaged in beadwork, the greatest output, and the most readily identifiable vintage pieces, are credited to the Seneca, Tuscarora, and Mohawk. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, the Iroquois used natural materials, such as shells, stone, bone, quills, and antlers, to fashion beading for jewelry and clothing ornamentation. Glass beads, offered in trade by the Europeans, had greater visual and practical appeal. The sparkling, vibrantly colored beads caught both the light and the eye. And, with glass beads, the holes were already cut, the beads pre-strung. The laborious task of carving those openings into a shell or a shard of pottery was now a thing of the past. Although they eagerly adopted the use of glass beads, Iroquois beaders at first continued to use them solely for their own purposes, adorning leggings, or weaving them into sashes. With the onset of increased traffic from

the outside world, however, even the earliest explorers found it difficult to resist the lure of a souvenir of their journeys, and the Iroquois beaders complied. The earliest documented beaded piece, credited to the Seneca, is a pincushion with the date “1797 June” inscribed on its back by the original owner. Iroquois beadwork gained greater exposure in the 1840s, thanks to researcher Lewis H. Morgan, who collected two dozen examples of this artistry for display in the New York State Museum. In writings dating from 1850, Morgan marveled at the detail involved in the work: “They imitate natural objects, like flowers, with great accuracy. In addition to an accurate knowledge of the flower at the state in which it is to be represented, they must be able to imitate closely. In combining colors, they never seek for strong contrasts, but choose those which most harmoniously blend with each other.” Iroquois beadwork can be distinguished from that of other Native American artisans in both construction and use of materials. To shape the beaded item, fabric is stretched or glued over cardboard (or, in the case of a soft-sided piece,

Left: A haven for memories (and souvenirs): Niagara Falls. Vintage card depicting the Falls. $5-$10. Below: Clamshell needle case with “From Niagara Falls” lettering. 3 inches tall, $35-$65. Right: Reverse of “From Niagara Falls” needle case, with beaded bird.

October/November2015

TREASURES

Above: “Think Of Me” motto on clamshell needle case, 3½ inches tall, $35-$65. Right Reverse, “Think Of Me” needle case.

such as a purse, over a cloth lining). Seed beads (which increased in size over the years) are then sewn directly through the fabric and backing to create the intended design. The use of leather, bone, or shell—while common in other examples of Native American beadwork—is nearly nonexistent in Iroquois interpretations. White thread is often used, adding to the sparkle of the glass beads, with metallic sequins accenting single beads. Bead color choices remain fairly uniform within a specific design, although a rogue bead can often be spotted in an otherwise uniform array of color. Speculation has it that the bead-of-a-different-color is the signature of an otherwise uncredited beadworker. Although each piece is unique, reflecting the individual skill and talents of the beader, the beads are sewn over paper patterns, resulting in overall consistency in the style and size of the image being beaded. A careful eye can often detect remnants of the paper patterns peeking out from the edges of the beading. 56

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

A defining characteristic of Iroquois beadwork, particularly that of the Tuscarora, is raised beading. Instead of using just enough beads to fill out a pattern, additional beads are strung and added to certain areas of the design, creating a layered, three-dimensional effect. No flat-asa-pancake images here. Iroquois raised-bead flowers, for instance, in their jeweled and contoured styling, appear irresistibly bouquet-ready.

Beaded Beauty

In 1859, a souvenir stereopticon card titled “Group of Indian Women at Bead Work” carried this commentary: “Few can pay a visit to the Falls without carrying away some little article of curiosity as a remembrance thereof;

Clockwise from above: Pincushion with heavily beaded depictions of three forest animals. The single white bead at top right may be the “signature” of the otherwise uncredited artisan. 12 inches tall, $150-$175. Match holder dating from 1900. Each beaded piece was individually hand-crafted, as the “squeezed” lettering at right indicates. 8 inches tall, $50-$75. Patriotic tableau on six-lobe pincushion. 9-inch diameter, $150-$175.

October/November2015

TREASURES

hence, those who keep shop ‘under the shade of the greenwood tree’ drive a considerable and profitable trade. Amongst them, the Indian women are conspicuous, as seated on the sward they curiously contrive purses, pincushions, needle-books, slippers, caps, and other numerous articles in elegant bead work, which for beauty of design and neatness of execution is unsurpassed.” The types of beaded items created by the Iroquois reflected not only personal preference, but also a keen appreciation of what would sell. Beadwork was, at heart, a source of muchneeded revenue. Objects and themes were chosen that would appeal to the buying public—cozy remembrances just right for the Victorian boudoir. Among the earliest, popularized by the Seneca, were pincushions, often lobed. These globular 58

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

extensions added to the basic heart or circular shapes. Flowers, birds, and friendly forest creatures were favored visuals. Pincushion fill included sweet grass, sawdust, cotton, and even cattail fluff. For the stylish lady of the 1800s, extra large pincushions were created to accommodate massive hatpins. Over the centuries, pincushions have accounted for roughly half of Iroquois beaded items. However, a wide variety of other beaded objects awaited the discerning souvenir hunter: purses; picture frames; wall pockets; needle cases; dual-pocket matchsafes (accommodating both unused and spent wood matches); clamshell needle cases; calling card cases; various holders for pocket watches, scissors, eyeglasses, and mail; and hanging urns for dried flowers or feathers.

Opposite: A box purse, aptly labeled “box,” with visual of a duck. 3 inches tall, $45-$65. Above: Colorful flowers on black wall pocket intended for mail. 9 inches tall, $150-$175. Top right: Box purse with elegantly detailed depiction of a rose. 4 inches tall, $45-$65. Right: Reverse of flowered box purse.

Whimsies proved particularly popular. As the name suggests, these fanciful pieces had no purpose other than to provide visual pleasure. Among the many produced: horseshoes with the beaded slogan “Good Luck”; papoose dolls bundled up and ready for an outing; canoes; and hanging birds with beaded dates hidden under their tails. Beaded inscriptions added to the individuality of the pieces. These ranged from dates and place names to mottos and humorous sayings. Unlike with many handcrafts, it’s often possible to date Iroquois pieces. After all, on many of them the year and other information is right there in front of you, emblazoned in beads. Want to make sure you remember where you picked up that needlecase? Just check out its beaded

identifier, Niagara Falls. For your sweetheart, a clamshell needle carrier with the reminder “Think of Me” would surely score points. And for a person with the driest sense of humor, a souvenir pincushion simply reading “Souvenir” would definitely prove chuckle-worthy. As each piece was individually hand-beaded, the occasional error was bound to creep in. Freeform spacing of beaded lettering meant that final letters sometimes had to be jammed into any remaining space. And, as English was not a first language for the Iroquois, they sometimes relied on printed word patterns, now and then with unfortunate results. A famous example was due to an inadvertently reversed pattern. Instead of “MONTREAL,” the finished product read “LAERTNOM.” continued October/November2015

TREASURES

Above: Canoe whimsy, 7 inches long, $35-$45. Left: “Good Luck” horseshoe whimsy, 1901, 5 inches tall $40-$60.

Back To The Falls

In the 200-plus years of souvenir Iroquois beadwork, it’s estimated that over 200,000 pieces have been created, many during the peak years of 1890-1920. The Seneca and Tuscarora centered their sales efforts primarily close to Niagara Falls, where “the buyers came to the beaders.” Displays were set up daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when the tourist traffic was heaviest (and the spray from the falls less chilly). The Mohawk, their reservation located near Montreal, ventured farther, traveling with “wild west shows” and “medicine shows,” and to fairs and exhibitions, both domestically and internationally. That’s why authentic examples of Iroquois beadwork can also be found far from the falls. On any given day, a search of eBay will turn up 100 or so examples of vintage Iroquois beadwork. Prices generally range from about $25 to several hundred dollars, based on the intricacy of the 60

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

Above: Hanging bird whimsy dating from 1915, 7 inches long, $125-$150. Right: Tail-up view of hanging bird with date displayed.

design and beading and the overall condition of the piece. Often the beading remains brilliantly complete, while the base fabric, usually a velveteen or wool, has deteriorated due to age, or, in the case of pincushions, from daily use. And hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good news for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s explorers heading to Niagara Falls: Iroquois beaders are still hard at work, fashioning new creations using the same techniques and artistry perfected by their ancestors in days long past. The ideal souvenir of your day at the falls remains within reach. The beadwork in the images is provided courtesy of Rickie Engel, Maureen Maher, and Susan Phillips. Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of numerous books on design and collectibles, including Postwar Pop, a collection of his columns.

October/November2015

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

or F t u O All

FREEDOM World War II Homefront Collectibles STORY AND PHOTOS BY DONALD-BRIAN JOHNSON

“Remember Pearl Harbor.” “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.” “Loose Lips Sink Ships.” “V for Victory.” “Buy War Bonds.” “Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without!”

Seventy years ago, slogans like these rolled easily off every American tongue. Tiny tykes knew them as well as their “ABCs” (and, if asked today, could probably still rattle them off.) Even those of us who weren’t around in the 1940s have a nodding acquaintance with at least some of the phrases. They’ve become part of America’s collective memory book. They immediately recapture, with vivid clarity, an epic time in America’s history: World War II, which concluded in victory 70 years ago. While the fighting went on overseas, virtually every aspect of American life on the homefront was also touched by the war. Patriotism surged as citizens were encouraged to pull together toward a common goal. Morale-boosting songs filled the airwaves. Hollywood stars crisscrossed the nation promoting bond sales. And even the most humdrum elements of daily domestic life in the United States were significantly affected by the war effort. Memorabilia from the World War II homefront comes in many forms. There are sentimental favorites—the lovingly inscribed scarves, pillows, and “sweetheart” pins, bought by military men for the girls back home. There are household hard goods, such as illustrated milk bottles urging consumers to “Keep ’Em Flying” by investing in war bonds. Opposite: Johnny Zero sheet There are patriotic knickknacks. There music by Vee Lawnhurst and Mack David, 1943. $5-$10. are also recordings, sheet music, and

movies featuring such iconic figures as Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Kate Smith, and the Andrews Sisters—all of which offered a welcome respite from day-to-day uncertainty. The most prevalent homefront collectibles are paper goods. These cover the entire spectrum of 1940s daily life and provide a colorful, varied, and incisive look at what it meant to be an American during World War II. Among the items readily available and affordable: ration books, cookbooks, homemaking and fan magazines, photos, posters, and pamphlets filled with household tips.

Use It Up, Wear It Out

Wartime constraints meant an entirely new approach to domesticity. Riffling through paper memorabilia of the time is an eye-opening exposure to long-forgotten rules and regulations. Grocery shopping? Don’t forget your ration stamps (and make sure you have the right ones for meat and sugar). Planning a road trip? You’d better have enough gas points and enough rubber on those well-worn tires. Putting together the household menu? Be sure that the vegetables are fresh from your backyard “Victory Garden” and that you’ve checked your recipes for “Victory Meat Extenders” (in other words, filler) to make a little go a long way. Ration stamps were redeemable for specific items; the number of stamps required varied, based on a sliding scale of product availability. First up for rationing: tires, since enemy forces had halted rubber imports. Gasoline was next, followed quickly by almost every food and manufactured product imaginable, from sugar to shoe leather. Vices made the wartime sacrifice too, with alcohol and tobacco soon joining the ration stamp parade. Every World War II American needed a ration book. For October/November2015

TREASURES

Left: Hints for healthy “Victory Lunches.” Omar Bread offered this lunch-box-shaped booklet. $10-$15. Opposite, clockwise from top left: Nourishing recipes for war workers, courtesy of the “Packa-Lunch for Victory” booklet distributed by the American Gas Association. $10-$15. Wartime belt-tightening meant plenty of at-home food preparation. From the looks of the larder shown on this poster, mother and daughter have been working overtime! $75-$100. You never know who might be hitching a ride: an eerie poster design by Weimar Pursell promoting car-sharing. $225-$250. World War II ration books were numerous, and you couldn’t afford to lose one. This handy folder, courtesy of Roberts Dairy, holds eight. $15-$20.

the homemaker, household management became a daily journey through a dizzying maze: The gasoline book alone included more than thirty coupons to puzzle over. World War II leaflets and posters expanded on the domestic rationing theme. Postings in grocery stores, post offices, schools, businesses, and almost every public gathering spot reminded citizens of specific wartime needs. Many encouraged basic conservation practices: “Save Waste Fat for Explosives!” and “Hey—Turn Off the Light!” Others got their point across by employing frightening wartime images. A car-sharing poster baldly announced, “When You Ride Alone, You Ride With Hitler” and pictured a clueless driver sharing space with a ghostly Adolf.

For the Boys

In addition to keeping things humming on the homefront, civilians also kept busy boosting morale for America’s fighting forces. One of the most important ways was through regular, upbeat correspondence. Traditional greeting cards, popular at the beginning of the war, were soon replaced by “V-Mail,” a speedier means of keeping in touch with those stationed overseas. Letters written on special “V” (for “Victory”) mailers were reduced to 16mm microfilm for overseas transport. Printouts were made when the film reached its destination. All that was needed was a steady hand (V-Mail mailers were thin and notoriously prone to tear) and the ability to condense a 64

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

whirlpool of thoughts into a limited writing space. For members of the Armed Forces, V-Mail postage was free. And, thanks to at least one enterprising publisher, even the most bashful soldier could make his intentions clear to a sweetheart back in the States. The booklet How to Write Love Letters included helpful tips on plenty of important topics: How to Express Your Love, How to Make Her Miss You, and How to Say The Most in a V-Mail Letter. Did it work? Well, it did for the girl in the publisher’s ad, who exuberantly exclaims, “Why, this is wonderful! It’s the most beautiful love letter that Jim ever wrote me!” The censor, of course, always had the last word. Each V-Mail carried a spot for the “censor’s stamp,” indicating that the message inside was approved for transmission. Folks back home were encouraged to be on constant alert, since even the most innocent action could inadvertently prove detrimental to the war effort. A shush-ing Uncle Sam warning against “loose lips” is perhaps the bestremembered “message” image of World War II. For the militarily clueless, there were publications such as The War Dictionary to help them figure out just what their favorite G.I. correspondent was talking about. If he was doing time as a “pearl diver,” congratulations were not in order. According to the definition, that G.I. Joe was on k.p. (kitchen police) duty—washing dishes! Many Americans wanted to do something more for the enlisted men and women arriving in, departing from, or just passing through their communities. That desire to spread

October/November2015

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

good cheer gave birth to military-only “canteens” in towns large and small across America. Canteen postcards, photos, programs, matchbooks, and admission tickets are among the most nostalgic of World War II homefront papergoods. The canteen concept began in New York City with the American Theatre Wing’s “Stage Door Canteen.” Here, Broadway stars performed for, danced with, and served snacks to visiting service personnel. The canteens soon spread to California with the opening of the Hollywood Opposite: Screen star Canteen, a project spearheaded by Bette Dorothy Lamour, on the cover of the November Davis. On the West Coast, the format 1942 issue of Screenland, was the same, except that movie stars does her bit to boost assumed the functions of their Broadway the sale of war bonds. brethren. Canteens entered the national $25-$35. Top: Just for consciousness with movies celebrating the fellas: Male Call was a racy comic strip created both the New York and Hollywood exclusively for men in venues. Also a hit: Irving Berlin’s stage the military by “Steve revue This Is the Army, featuring the Canyon” artist Milton soulful ballad, I Left My Heart at the Stage Caniff. 1945 hardbound Door Canteen. collection, $50-$75.

Equally important were the small-town canteens dotting America, where everyday folk made the days brighter for transient troops. One of the best-known, the North Platte Canteen in Nebraska, offered coffee, sandwiches, and smokes to those traveling the Union Pacific Railroad. At its peak, the all-volunteer North Platte Canteen played host to over 8,000 visitors daily, once serving 2,000 soldiers within 30 minutes!

We Did It Before— and We Can Do It Again!

Of course, civilians needed morale-boosting too, and much of that came from what they heard over the airwaves and saw at movie theatres. Paper goods celebrating the lighter aspects of life on the 1940s homefront—movie and radio magazines, ads, and public service pamphlets featuring celebrities—radiate with positive energy. Patriotism and entertainment often merged as Hollywood stars donated their talents to Command October/November2015

TREASURES

Clockwise from left: Radio favorites such as Fibber McGee & Molly helped brighten the dark days of World War II. $25-$30. Wartime romance, as depicted on Vogue Picture Record #R 719, Have Told You Lately That I Love You? $75-$100. Glenn Miller, one of the most popular bandleaders of the 1940s big band era, transferred his group’s talents to the war effort with the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band, a 15-record souvenir folio with biographical insert. $40-$50; Opposite, clockwise from top left: Honoring America’s heritage in the midst of war: a Fourth of July poster from 1942, just seven months after the Pearl Harbor attack. $150-$175. Cliff Friend and Charlie Tobias’s 1941 rouser “We Did It Before And We Can Do It Again.” $20-$25. Souvenir song folio for Irving Berlin’s all-military revue, “This Is the Army,” which featured the hit ballad “I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen.” Among the show’s many cast members: Irving Berlin! $25-$30. The end of World War II also meant an end to the nylon shortage. Liberty cover from December 22,1945, illustration by Del Holcomb.

Performance broadcasts for the troops (“presented this week, and every week, until it’s over, over there”). Many stars tirelessly toured the country promoting the sale of war bonds. No stunt was too silly if it prompted bond purchases. Attend a rally, buy a bond, and anything could happen. Glamorous Dorothy Lamour might invite you onstage for a kiss, bubbly Betty Grable might ask you to jitterbug, or sultry Marlene Dietrich might enchant you by playing a tune on her musical saw! For much of America, radio programs served as the “comfort food” of the times. When days seemed darkest, 68

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

soothing on-air vocalists such Dinah Shore (“radio’s smallest waistline, but one of its loveliest voices”) and Kate Smith (who, at any rate, had a lovely voice) offered the promise of a better tomorrow. Comedians such as Bob Hope provided ongoing reminders that it was all right (more than all right, actually—it was your duty as an American) to laugh in the face of adversity. Nearly every radio program, even the comedies, eventually incorporated the realities of wartime life into their storylines. On Fibber McGee & Molly, for instance, the duo not only rented out a room to a war worker, but they also coped

October/November2015

TREASURES

Above: Restored World War II military planes offer the curious an opportunity to briefly experience the past. Visitors to the Wings of Freedom Tour, sponsored by the Collings Foundation, can tour, ride in, and even (for a hefty price) pilot Betty Jane, a P51-C Mustang (don’t worry, there are dual controls!). Left: Everybody needed one: Here’s a World War II ration book identification card, issued in 1942 to Richard Victor Peterson of Omaha. He was 8 at the time. $20-$25.

with Fibber’s flirtation with the black market. In case you’re wondering, Fibber finally recognized the virtues of rationing—just in time for the end of the episode! The message was clear: In the words of one radio promo, “No matter who we are, or where we hail from, we’re all Americans. We’re all in this together. Working together, we can succeed.”

Thanks For the Memories

Today, 1940s homefront memorabilia remains a prime collectible, as these items celebrate a particularly significant slice of American life. The industry and imagination that went into their creation also fueled and foreshadowed the creative energy of modern design, 70

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

which burst into full bloom during the unfettered postwar years. Although constant daily use means that many World War II items (paper goods, in particular) are now difficult to find in mint condition, tatters only add to their appeal and authenticity. For those who lived through World War II, the memories evoked, though often bittersweet, can be recalled with pride. For the rest of us, these collectibles are a revelation and an inspiration, laced with the optimism and determination that truly defined the Greatest Generation. Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of numerous books on design and collectibles, including Postwar Pop, a collection of his columns, and an upcoming second volume. He’s proud to be the son of two members of the the greatest generation, Pat Johnson and the late Charles M. Johnson Sr., USN. Photo restoration by Hank Kuhlmann.

ADVERTISER INDEX

RETRO LOOKS

The Antique Center of Red Bank................................................15

The Antique Market of Michigan City.........................................27 VINTAGE STYLE VINTAGE STYLE

Kane County Antique Flea Market.............................................25

VINTAGE STYLE

Maquoketa, Iowa, Flea Market.................................................27

The Antique Shoppe...............................................................25

Melting Pot Productions Antique Spectacular................................17

WHYAntiques I LOVE IT WHY I LOVE IT Iowa........................................................................17

Michigan Antique Festivals.......................................................11

Asheford Institute of Antiques.....................................................17

Mid America Markets.............................................................27

Atomic Mobiles......................................................................11

Modbox...............................................................................17

Auntie’s Antique Mall..............................................................27

Morphy Auctions......................................................................5

Bags Unlimited Inc..................................................................37

National Farm Toy Show.........................................................11

Beaverdale Vintage.................................................... Back Cover

Paul Bengston........................................................................27

Bill Egleston.............................................................................5

Renninger’s Flea Market and Antique Center........... Inside Back Cover

Burlington Antique Show..........................................................25

Replacements, Ltd...................................................................37

Calico Hen House..................................................................15

Rich Penn Auctions..............................................Inside Front Cover

Christine Palmer Antique & Collectible Show...............................11

Roller Mills Antique Center.......................................................25

Collectamania.......................................................................27

Shupp’s Grove Antique Market..................................................15

Country Side Antique Mall.......................................................27

Sterling Collectables.................................................................5

Dave’s Flea-4-All.....................................................................27

Stormville Airport Antique Show & Flea Market.............................25

Eatern Iowa Doll Shows...........................................................37

Team Antiques.......................................................................25

Fostoria Glass Society of America.............................................25

Third Sunday Market...............................................................17

Grainry Antiques....................................................................37

Tomah Antique Mall & Cranberry Country Mall............................25

Heartland Antique Mall...........................................................27

True Junk Outdoor Junk Market..................................................27

Hillsborough Antiques+Art+Design Show....................................17

Volo Antique Malls and Mercantile Mall.....................................15

Howard Orange Oil Wood Polish.............................................37

Walnut Merchants..................................................................37

Hummel Gifts...........................................................................3

What Cheer’s Collector’s Paradise Flea Market............................27

J-Display Case.......................................................................37

Zurko’s Midwest Promotions Antique Markets...............................15

INTRODUCTION

WHY I LOVE IT INTRODUCTION

JFK Promotions Flea Market & Antique Show................................27

October/November2015

TREASURES

WHY I LOVE IT

I LOVE IT BY WHY ERICH GAUKEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY CADY COLOSIMOWHY

INTRODUCTION

I LOVE IT

INTRODUCTION

George Nelson “Sunburst” Clock A

good friend of mine collects the full line of clocks (wall, floor, and desk) that George Nelson Associates created for the Howard Miller company starting in 1947. The one pictured here, listed as model 2202 by Howard Miller, is known by today’s collectors as the “Sunburst” clock, and it originally came in a few color variations. This version is my favorite because its spokes—or sun rays—aren’t painted black like the others. I also love the one playful splash of color at the end of the hour hand. When I buy a watch, I always look for one that clearly shows the time. If I have to work too hard to read it, I won’t bother wearing it. I feel the same way about clocks. They should be beautiful, but they need to clearly show the time. This clock masterfully combines beauty and function with the 12 spokes 72

TREASURES

treasuresmagazine.com

creating a calming and balanced design—at the same time, each one represents one hour! It doesn’t get any easier than that. Howard Miller stopped making these beauties in the 1980s. Vitra, the Swiss design giant, licensed the clocks in the 1990s and continues to manufacture them. In addition to owning the real things, there’s a big advantage to buying the original Howard Miller versions—they have power cords and can be hard-wired or plugged into electrical outlets. This means they operate smoothly and quietly, unlike the reproductions, which have cheap, batterypowered mechanisms that make a ticking sound. In 1964, Howard Miller’s suggested retail price for this clock was $30. On eBay, you can pick up an original for $200 to $300. Quite a treasure, when you consider Vitra’s new Sunburst clocks start at $460!