Antiques

Georgia Caraway

A continuation of “DAYS IN AMERICAN HISTORY” and Antiques and Collectibles that correspond to those dates:

SEPTEMBER 21, 1895 America's first automotive producer, the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, is founded by Charles and J. Frank Duryea.

Just to name a few automobilerelated collectibles: vintage automotive signs, vintage literature, vintage car parts like grills and hood ornaments, toys, bumper stickers, gas station attendant hats and uniforms, dealer and servicemen patches, touch up paint cans, oil cans, dashboard and back window figures, “necking” knobs, auto advertising from magazines, service station larges signs: the Mobil Oil flying horse, Exxon “tiger in your tank” signs, and license plates.

SEPTEMBER 22, 1789. First US Presidential inaugural ball for George Washington held in NYC Campaign and inaugural memorabilia: Autographs, campaign buttons and pins, posters re inaugural balls, presidential photograph, tickets and programs to balls, pennants, dinnerware, convention pamphlets and tickets, panoramic views of the inaugural parade and White House, advertising trade cards, Air Force One stationery; bobbleheads; presidential trinket gifts: money clips, coins, ballpoint pens, and souvenir plates

SEPTEMBER 23, 1884 American Herman Hollerith patents his mechanical tabulating machine, the beginning of data processing

Vintage computers aren't your typical collector's item, but some of the earliest PCs from the 1970s and 80s are already starting to command big bucks in working condition. This is particularly true of models that preceded the volume production IBM PCs and Apple Macintoshes, such as MITs Altair 8800 (1975) and 680 (1976) kit computers, Apple IIs with low serial numbers (1977), early Commodore 64’s (1982) and Apple Lisas (1983). Also, keep your eye out for vintage computer-related paper items and ephemera.

SEPTEMBER 24, 1957 Elvis Presley released his single “Jailhouse Rock (Billboard Song of the Year 1957).

Elvis is still king. We have lots of Elvis albums and 45s at Howe Mercantile.

SEPTEMBER 25, 1878 British physician Dr. Charles Drysdale warns against the use of tobacco in a letter to The Times newspaper in one of the earliest public health announcements on the dangers of smoking.

Although they have declined in desirability, smoking-related items are still collected. Look for advertising ashtrays, full-packs and cartons of cigarettes, vending machines, pipes, smoking advertisements featuring movie stars, cigar cutters and molds.

SEPTEMBER 26, 1774 Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman), born in Leominster, Massachusetts (d. 1845), American pioneer nurseryman introduced apple trees to Pa Ontario Ohio Indiana and Illinois.

An apple for the teacher? An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Not only teachers and health fanatics like apples, but so do collectors who like to feature this popular fruit in their kitchen décor.

SEPTEMBER 27, 1908 Henry Ford’s first Ford Model T automobile leaves the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan.

See September 21 above for auto collectibles. Some folks only collect Ford-related items. Come into Howe Mercantile to see Lee J’s booth of auto and tool-related collectibles.

Come see us at Howe Mercantile, located in beautiful downtown Howe, Texas. We have two great restaurants right across the street, Abby’s and Gabrielas’, famous for homecooked meals. And the newest addition to our eating establishments, a Chinese restaurant, Hana’s Café and Market, located right behind them. Make a day of it, eating and shopping. Let Us Show You Howe.

The Howe Ex-Students Association met on Saturday morning to discuss the upcoming Howe All-School Reunion which takes place every five years. Due to the pandemic and the uncertainty of availability of school property use, the group decided to cancel the event and move it to homecoming 2021.