This book tells the powerful story of
savvy, feminist entrepreneur Beatrice Alexander, who founded the
Madame Alexander Doll Company and became one of America’s most
celebrated doll makers
This video discusses
the differences between real and fake cast iron toys. While a new
cast-iron toy may look similar, there are details in the casting
that give away modern reproductions. Click on the
title to view.
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HAPPY
HOLIDAYS
FEATURED
ANTIQUE
Cast-iron
Horse-racing Bank
AN-TIQUE (an-teek)An object having
special value because of its age, especially a domestic item, piece of
furniture or decorative arts object esteemed for its artistry, beauty,
mechanical ingenuity, or period of origin.
The
Antiques Almanac, a five-edition-per-year online magazine for beginning and
intermediate antiques collectors and those just interested in finding out about
old things, is your first stop on the Web in your search for information
about antiques and collectibles. Here, you’ll find articles on a variety
of American and international antiques, including furniture, china,
glass, silver, and other decorative arts from the Colonial, Empire,
Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco Periods, plus vintage and modern
collectibles, interesting historical facts, antique tips, and
recommendations for caring for your collections. Come back often to see
what's new. And be sure to tell your friends about us.
This
edition's
theme:
"Return to Toyland"
Volume 17 No. 5
This edition features articles about
toys from antiquity to modern times.
It All Began
with an Elephant When
someone mentions Steiff, the first thing that comes to mind
are teddybears. But actually Margarete Steiff first designed
a small felt elephant that she made both as a pin cushion
and a child’s toy in 1883. It wasn’t until 1903 that her
company began producing the stuffed bears for which it
became famous.
America's First Fashion Dolls
Dolls, in
one form or another, have been around a long time, but it
wasn’t until the early 20th century that dolls became
collectible. And the person who created their collectibility
was Beatrice Alexander, otherwise known as Madame Alexander.
Puff,
Puff, Puffing Along Live
steam-driven toys have always fascinated young boys and men.
It’s probably because of the power they produce and that
they’re often so close to the original devices that use
steam power to operate.
Are All Cast-Iron Toys Alike
Unlike
older toys, the lack of difference, baring signs of wear,
between older and newer cast-iron toys is minimal. Even
knowledgeable dealers often can’t tell the difference
between new ones and old ones. And it’s even more of a
problem for those buying cast-iron toys online.
Happy Meals for Happy Kids Happy Meals
and the toys included in them have been a part of McDonald’s
offerings for several decades. Kids loved them. But to be of
any value to a collector, Happy Meal toys need to still be
encased in their packaging and not used. There are some rare
pieces that have value even if out of their packages, but
generally, as with other toy collectibles, mint in package
is the rule.
Caring for Antique Dolls
Little girls love to play with dolls. Many have a favorite
that gets loved so much it literally falls apart. Some adult
women also like dolls, but to them they’re a cherished
collectible. More than any other antique, people wrap dolls
in an aura of nostalgia. And often that sentiment gets in
the way of common sense when it comes to caring for the
dolls in a collection.
Most young boys love
trains. And so do their dads and granddads. If there’s one place
that must seem like Nirvana to little boys and their dads it’s the
National Toy Train Museum in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, headquarters
of the Train Collectors Association. Located just down the road from
the Strasburg Railroad and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, this
museum doesn’t seem a bit out of place, even though it’s surrounded
by Amish fields of corn and wheat. Read more.
Children have
been playing with toys for thousands of years.
Archaeologists believe the construction of toys dates back
to at least the Pleistocene Era, with some Chinese
archaeologists suggesting early humans were making stone
toys from as early as 2 million years ago. An historical
study revealed evidence that Neanderthal children played
with toy axes. Read more
At the turn of the 20th century, the Kenton Hardware Company
promoted itself as "the largest factory in the USA exclusively
making cast iron toys." The factory produced a variety of toys that
were miniature versions of fire engines, circus wagons, carriages,
banks, trains, and stoves. From the 1890's to the 1950's, the town
of Kenton, Ohio, was a center of American cast-iron production. Read more
How to Recognize and
Refinish Antiques for Pleasure and Profit
Have
you ever bought an antique or collectible that was less than perfect and
needed some TLC? Bob's book offers tips and step-by- step
instructions for simple maintenance and restoration of common antiques.
Read an
Excerpt
BREAKING
NEWS
French bidders battle for rare ‘real
gold’ medal from Paris Exposition 1900
A remarkable solid gold
medallion created for the Paris Exposition Universelle in
1900 turned up at Jacobs & Hunt Auctions in Liss, Hampshire,
England. A local couple had brought it in together with some
inherited diamond jewelry
Fabergé Vesta Case
Sells High
This
Fabergé #jeweled gold-mounted #agate vesta case recently
sold for more than 15 times its estimate at $118,747. Queen
lead singer Freddie Mercury purchased it at #Sotheby’s in
Switzerland and kept it with the marked-up auction catalogue
close by.
This
Fabergé #jeweled gold-mounted #agate vesta case recently
sold for more than 15 times its estimate at $118,747. Queen
lead singer Freddie Mercury purchased it at #Sotheby’s in
Switzerland and kept it with the marked-up auction catalogue
close by.