4 minute read
Antiques
At a recent estate sale that I conducted, there was a book called “A Book of Days In American Georgia Caraway History.” I thought it might be fun to share some of this info on what was happening in history this week and try to tie it to antiques and collectibles.
AUGUST 17 1788. THE CITY OF CINCINNATI OHIO WAS FOUNDED BY A LAND SPECULATOR AND SETTLERS FROM NEW JERSEY. The famous Rookwood Pottery was established in 1880 in Cincinnati and its ceramic products became one of the most highly sought after by collectors of art pottery in the mid 1980s90s. It still commands high prices among collectors as art pottery has retained its value. There is a tie to Rookwood in Texas as Amelia Sprague, left that cosmopolitan city to become the first art instructor (in pottery making) at Texas Womans University in 1903. Beauregard and the twins Larabee and Lobelia. Elmer served as mascot for the company’s chemical division and the namesake of Elmer’s Glue. Nearly a century after her “birth,” Elsie remains one of America’s beloved mascots.
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AUGUST 20 1912. THE PLANT QUARANTINE ACT COMES INTO EFFECT, PLACING RESTRICTIONS ON THE ENTRY OF PLANTS IN THE U.S. While there are still restrictions of certain plants brought into the United States, we import some exotic plants into regions outside of their normal range as ornamental plants or as breeding stock, thereby generating benefits for consumers and producers. However, one of the unintended side effects of such introductions is that the exotic plant species may become invasive. Think Kudzu: introduced from Asia in the late 19th century as a garden novelty, but not widely planted until the 1930s, kudzu is now America's most infamous weed. So be careful what you bring into your plant collections.
AUGUST 18 1969. WOOSTOCK ENDS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK AFTER THREE DAYS OF ROCK MUSIC, CELEBRATION, AND THE INVOCATION OF THE SPIRIT OF THE DECADE. We still dance and listen to the music by Woodstock musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Richie Havens, Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, Arlo Guthrie, and Santana. In fact, vinyl vecords are being purchased by the current generation of music listeners and those of us from the Woodstock era who are nostalgia for the ”good old days” of peace and love. Those days seem innocent compared to today’s unrest.
AUGUST 19 1856. SURVEYOR AND FARMER, GAIL BORDEN PATENTS HIS PROCESS FOR CONDENSING MILK. INTRODUCED DURING THE CIVIL WAR AND POPULARIZED BY RETURNING SOLDIERS, CONDENSED MILK BECOMES THE BASIS FOR A NEW PROCESSED FOOD INDUSTRY. Milk jugs, jars, and bottle caps from various dairies are collected and displayed in our country kitchen décor. Between 1927 and 1930, Borden Company bought more than 200 companies around the U.S. and became the nation’s largest distributor of fluid milk. In 1936, Elsie the Cow was introduced as the Borden brand’s mascot. Elsie was an advertising fixture throughout the 1940s and was officially trademarked in 1951. Elsie became an American icon, bringing Borden nationwide recognition through contests and campaigns featuring Elsie and her expanding family: husband Elmer the bull, their calves Beulah and AUGUST 21 1888. WILLIAM BURROUGHS RECEIVES A PATENT FOR HIS ADDING MACHINE. The first machine was a nine-digit adding device with a printing mechanism, designed to record only the final result of calculation. After much trial and error, and several failures, Burroughs perfected and manufactured 50 adding machines that sold for $475 each! A huge sum for the day. Collectors who wish to decorate their offices, lovers of old business equipment (esp. typewriters), and geeks seek out these machines.
AUGUST 22 1851. THE YACHT AMERICA WINS THE INTERNATIONAL RACE SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL YACHT SOCIETY IN ENGLAND. THEREAFTER THE RACE WAS KNOWN AS THE AMERICA’S CUP RACE. Collecting yachting, boating, sailing, sea-related, and beach items is a hot area. Pictures of sea -going crafts are especially sought after and sell for high dollars.
AUGUST 23 1784. THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF FRANKLIN WAS ESTABLISHED SEEKING ADMISSION INTO THE UNITED STATES, HOWEVER NORTH CAROLINA TOOK OVER THE TERRITORY IN 1787. IN 1796, THE REGION BECAME THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. Tennessee is a great state to antique shop on your way to the even better states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. I am headed to PA for my annual visit to beloved family and to celebrate my 70th birthday. I guess I am considered an antique myself to the younger generation, but my family has assured me that I will not be relegated to the dustbin yet.
Come see us at Howe Mercantile, located in beautiful downtown Howe, Texas. We have two great restaurants right across the street, Abby’s and Gabriela’s, famous for homecooked meals. And the newest addition to our eating establishments, a Chinese restaurant, Hana’s Café and Market, is located right behind them. Make a day of it, eating and shopping. Let Us Show You Howe.
