Checkerboard

October, 2019

In This Issue

Editor's Note: In the November, 2018 issue of the Checkerboard, Evy Mayer wrote a delightful article entitled "Packrat" to introduce our readers to her extensive collection of miniatures. The article was adapted from a well-received seminar that Evy conducted at the 2018 AAAA Convention in July. While advertising plays a major role in her collection, the well-organized assemblage is actually a celebration of all things diminutive. In that article, we presented a number of photos of her enormous collection, along with the promise that we would share more at a later date. That time is now and we hope you enjoy seeing these little delights. Use your zoom function to appreciate the details. The commentary below was provided by Evy. Enjoy your tour of Lilliput!

Left Image Below: A Standard Products display that I use for some of my Disney items. The bendable ones can hang onto the top and sides.

Right Image Below: Curtiss Candies display with glass doors, holds my manicure items.

The case below was made for golf balls but is perfect for my Andres Quandelacy Zuni Mt. Lion fetishes

A panoramic view below of trolls in soda crates, and my late Aunt’s old furniture piece. I had a light put into the glassed-in section.

Two old battery displays with vintage batteries in them.

I am a musician. I once was learning to play Cajun rhythms on a washboard. I was advised to get some thimbles to put on my fingers to play. I found some with a colored strip with advertising on them. Surprise! A new collection.

Here’s how I display some of my aluminum cookie cutters. 

This is my duckie bathroom

These are shelves in my dinette area that I put together to hold my bouillon cube tins, milk glass salt & peppers and spices, spice tins, cookie tins and other food-related items. More trolls are sneaking in.

One of my two baker’s shelves. I love the finger hooks.

My first ever display came out of a pet store that was closing. It is for Fido Dog Supplies. Great for displaying hanging things. In front is my collection of sprinkles, cake decors, or jimmies (whatever you want to call them.)

Some old shopping reminders. One came from a Hoosier Cabinet.

My Kitchen

By Dave Hirsch

Over the past 7 or 8 years, I had the privilege of spending my Thursday mornings with a special man…Jim Challenger. I would bring my cup of coffee and sit with him and talk about business, collecting, family and sports. We would bicker and debate politics and everything else under the sun. I am truly blessed to have called him my friend. Through my personal experiences, I found Jim to be the most honest person I have ever met. I valued his friendship and miss our Thursday mornings.

Jim was not always an easy person to be with, although he was admired by many and considered godlike by others. I knew him to be very giving and when conventions were in the Chicago area, he and his wife, Timmey generously opened their home to share their collections with TCCA and AAAA members.

Jim and Timmey were Indy dealers for many years. He was arguably considered to have amassed the largest collection of antique advertising tins and signs in the world. However, he scoffed at this, saying “I’m just a caretaker; a collector of history.” As a collector and a key founding member of AAAA, Jim was the original editor of PastTimes Newsletter. In establishing AAAA, he set forth his philosophy of fairness for all officers, directors and members to follow. Jim was a visionary. Aside from the tins and signs, he collected almost everything…baseball cards, paperweights, pottery, ink wells, Toby mugs, ephemera, postal history and coins…the list goes on and on. And when he ran out of “old” things to buy, he changed his focus to more modern collectibles…McDonald’s, Beanie Babies and Fossil.

Jim passed away on August 30, a few months shy of his 94 ^th birthday.

He was a legacy we will all miss. 

In the December, 2018 issue of PastTimes, the cover article featured the outstanding collection of Jerry Phelps. At the time, Jerry was entertaining the possibility of selling, as one lot, all of his collections, his home, log cabins and the land. Unfortunately, he was unable to keep this remarkable village intact. Therefore, he is now open to conducting private sales of individual items or groups of items from his collections.

If you are interested in exploring a purchase from this incomparable collection, you can contact Jerry at (502) 859-4063 or: [email protected].

Click here to download a PDF copy of the issue of PastTimes that featured this collection. While far from complete, the images will give you a taste if what is available for purchase.

The Fall, 2019 installment of the Indy Ad Show took place September 21-22. Show owners Nona and Mark Wilson of Northstar Collective reported that a total of 318 dealers participated in this event, an increase over previous shows. As always, a vast array of vintage advertising was displayed in all genres. Rare and beautiful items could be found at every turn. However, signage appeared to be particularly strong at this show and tins were less in evidence.

Both dealers and buyers continue to report that they greatly prefer the new venue at the County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Indiana to the old one in Indianapolis. Improvements to the Lebanon Fairgrounds are constantly underway. Parking lots were recently paved and a brand new exhibit hall will be ready for occupancy when the Spring show is conducted.

Attendees appreciated he broader food selections that were available at this show. The brisket sandwich is to die for!

In addition to the Indy Ad Show, the Boone County Treasure Hunt includes an Antique Market and a Gas & Oil Show. One $8.00 admission gets you in to all three shows (a 2 day pass is $10.00). In addition, an auction is held Saturday night, conducted by 326 Auctions. This expansive event can keep you busy all weekend.

This is a must-attend show for any fan of vintage advertising. The 2020 calendar will include shows on May 2-3, 2020 and September 19-20. Mark your calendars!

Additional images from the show appear below.

In a recent editorial, I discussed the important contributions made to our hobby by various “trade” publications. I even encouraged readers to consider becoming subscribers.  Now I would like to introduce you to another publication worthy of your attention: The Journal of Antiques & Collectibles. This publication offers much of value to enthusiasts of antique advertising. It is a monthly magazine, approximately 60 pages in length, and is published by Weathervane Enterprises, Inc. in Sturbridge, MA.

 

First of all, the Journal is a sight to behold, boasting a monumental 10½” by 14¼” format. The glossy full-color cover, oozing with panache, is always a visual delight. A special theme is featured in each month’s issue and several articles relating to that theme are included. The writing is lively and engaging and yet scholarly and highly informative. In addition to theme-based content, the Journal presents a variety of other features, some re-occurring, such as “What’s Selling on eBay”, “Gavels ‘n’ Paddles” (recent auction results), “Tips and Trends”, “Sports Scores!”, “Appraisers Corner”, “Collecting Old & Rare Books” “Publisher’s Corner”, and “World Marketplace News”.  Photos generously appear throughout each issue. Resource articles are also regular offerings, such as: Continuous Shows, Flea Market Guide, Antique Shop Finder, Antique Shows & Auctions, The Great Exchange, Collector Clubs, and Advertising Directory. Ads for a variety of antique shows, auctions, and other services appear in each issue.

AAAA members will be particularly interested in the theme of the recently-published August, 2019 issue of the Journal: “The Old General Store”. Even veteran collectors of general store antiques will find something of interest or value in that issue.  Relevant articles include:

 

For those interested in the contents of that “must-read” issue, the publishers of the Journal have graciously provided AAAA with a free on-line link.  Click here to check out the entire issue.

The theme of the September, 2019 issue of the Journal will also appeal to many AAAA members: “Enthusiastic About Ephemera”. Among the contents are articles on “Printers and their Trade Cards” and “Victorian Scrapbooks”.  

While not every issue of the Journal contains articles about antique advertising, relevant material and ads are certainly to be found. Those with broader antique interests will find much to delight in. The editors do an excellent job of selecting fascinating and varied topics to present to their readers.

The Journal is noteworthy in that it has extended a friendly hand to collector clubs. It is the only publication I know of with a special low-cost advertising section for collector associations. Approximately 30 clubs regularly run business card type ads on those pages. 

With all the Journal has going for it, one might think it would be costly to subscribe to. In actuality, a one year publication (12 issues) to the Journal costs only $28.00.

I am excited to announce that the Journal has agreed to be a 2020 AAAA Convention Sponsor! AAAA and the Journal will also be exploring other mutually beneficial opportunities together. With all the Journal has going for it and the new relationship AAAA has entered into with them, I am happy to encourage you to subscribe. Click here to learn more about becoming a subscriber to the Journal of Antiques & Collectibles

This is a new re-occurring feature to report on those extra-special acquisitions that make their way into our members' collections. Click here to let us know what fabulous and fun items you have recently purchased.

John Geoghan reports that he made a couple of great scores at the 2019 AAAA Convention. Above-left is a handsome Penn Stove Works pot scraper that was manufactured in Reading, PA, the location of the Convention. To the right is a very scarce Sir Walter Raleigh "one-liner" tin that he has been seeking for years. He was thrilled to purchase it as the convention. John said he was "very impressed with the excitement and energy on the opening night of room buying".

Tom Licouris is excited about a couple of his recent acquisitions, shown above. The gorgeous Dannemiller spice bin was p urchased at Renninger's after the AAAA Convention. The tin has great graphics and is in very good condition. Tom values it at $550. The charming and rare Ferry seed box was originally bought from Bill Morford as a re-sale item but he recently got it back in a 3 way trade. It's only the second one he's ever seen. Condition is very good. Tom estimates its value as $950. 

Robert Ray has been adding to his fantastic collection in diverse ways recently. The beautiful sign, (above-left) was purchased at the AAAA convention this year. It currently measures 20" x 26". He stated, "We will have it re-framed and re-matted. We were looking for something to fill a spot in our kitchen".  He reports that birthday cash given to him by his daughter and son-in-law was used to purchase the unusual Roi-Tan cigars car. (upper-right). His son gave him a baking powder tin that Robert said he has never seen before and, in his own words, “I’ve seen a lot of tins”. 

By Gary Moeller, Director

The National Bottle Museum is located on Rte. 50 in the heart of the Village of Ballston Spa, New York. Ballston Spa is the site of many once-famous mineral springs and was a popular “watering hole” for the rich and famous during the hey-day of the mineral water industry. 

The worldwide mineral water industry was just one of many industries creating a tremendous demand for glass bottles. America was the world’s largest producer of fine essence oils. The West was being settled, creating a demand for millions of whiskey flasks and spirits bottles to help men cope with loneliness and hardship. Every pharmacy, every producer of patent medicines, every brewery, dairy farm and manufacturer required hand-made glass bottles. Machine-made bottles were not manufactured until Michael Owens patented his inventions in 1903.

One entire wall of the museum’s first floor is covered with approximately 2000 bottles of many colors, shapes and forms. This is considered “open storage,” and all of these bottles are accessioned into the collection to be held in trust for the public. When creating interpretive exhibits, borrowed bottles and related objects are often combined with those from the collection. In some cases, all exhibit objects may be borrowed. The museum has access to collections all over the United States, and borrowing objects from members makes frequent changes and more spectacular exhibits possible. 

Every year, usually in June, the museum sponsors its own annual antique bottle show and sale. Advertised nationally as “The Saratoga Show,” it draws visitors and antique bottle dealers and collectors from coast to coast in the United States and Canada, as well as area residents. The general public is welcomed and urged to join participants in enjoying this once a year spectacle. All proceeds benefit the National Bottle Museum and its programs. The museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational institution. 

If you wish to become a member, a membership form is available on the museum’s website ( click here). Membership starts at $20.00 a year in the U.S., and $25.00 a year for residents outside the U.S. Members receive an online quarterly newsletter including news of museum programs and activities, well-researched articles on antique and collectible bottles and their history, For further information, you may call the museum at (518) 885-7589, or e-mail  [email protected]. You can also find it at www.facebook.com/NationalBottleMuseum/ 

The museum’s mission is to preserve the history of our nation’s first major industry; bottle making. Each year, millions of glass bottles were manufactured by hand for the mineral waters of Saratoga County alone, enabling the area to participate in world commerce during the early 1800’s. A glassworks set in the wilderness above the nearby town of Greenfield employed hundreds of workers and glassblowers from the 1840’s to the 1860’s. In that era, all bottles were manufactured exclusively with hand tools and lung-power. 

AAAA is still looking for somebody to help us with our web site. Ideally, we would like a member to volunteer to fill a Board position as Webmaster and be responsible for reviewing, updating, and enhancing the content and functionality of the site.

However, we would be open to considering somebody who could provide basic maintenance and technical services until a new Webmaster is found. AAAA would be wiling to pay a modest monthly fee for those services if the person is properly qualified.

If you or somebody you know might be interested, please click here to contact us.

Well, it isn't exactly "cash" but it really is free money! The new AAAA Membership Recruitment Campaign pays you to bring NEW members into AAAA. Recruit just one NEW member and you will receive 6 months of FREE AAAA membership (worth $20). Recruit two NEW members and you will receive a full year of free AAAA membership (worth $40). For EACH new member that you recruit beyond two, you will receive $20 in "Buyers Bucks" that can be used just like cash at AAAA Conventions. So it really is like FREE MONEY!

To receive credit for your efforts, simply have the new recruit write your name in the designated space at the bottom of the AAAA Membership Card. You can use the printed Membership Cards that we have made available from time to time (please be sure it is the current form) or you can download a PDF version of the current form for printing or emailing by clicking here.

Membership Coordinator Amy Vehling will manage this campaign and will announce awards just prior to the AAAA Convention in July 2020. If you have any questions, please contact Amy at [email protected].

Why wait? Start calling your buddies today and start racking up some FREE MONEY!

In this column are those sought-after items of desire that seem to be elusive. If you know where any of these items can be acquired or if you have one available, please click the link to reply directly to the seeker. To place a listing in this column, click here . There is no fee for AAAA members. Up to three listings per member are permitted.

Advertising Thermometers Pin-Up Girls: Only 1900 to 1960 with or without the calendars. Any information on these thermometers would be welcome since I can not find any books, articles catalogs or anything relating to these advertising pieces. Trades and purchases sought. To reply, click here.

Looking for 3 vintage tins: American Eagle "Oriental Mixture" tobacco (dimensions approx. 6.5" long, 2 3/4" wide, 1.5" tall; 1 Gal. Indian Head Hydraulic Brake Fluid; and Packham´s Caramel Toffee. Any offer is welcome. To reply, click here .

Morton Salt, older items, and also Pacific Coast Borax, especially a crate or box. email [email protected] or call Peggy Dailey 612-522-9211

Comic Book-Related Advertising Items: Must be from before 1980. To reply, click here .

Clarke’s Vegetable Sherry Wine Bitters, Sharon, MA & Rockland, ME: All sizes, variants, smooth/pontil base. Especially need labeled Clarke’s any size! Also, any Clarke’s ephemera…trade cards, almanacs, newspaper ads, etc. Charlie Martin Jr., 781-248-8620. Email: [email protected]

George Petty: Advanced collector looking for unique or rare items. Photo’s, store displays and non paper items. NO Esquire pages. Pete Perrault. To reply, click here or call (502) 290-7661.

Ice Cream Advertising: Mr. Ice Cream desires better graphic ice cream advertising including: postcards (Advertising and RPPC), trade cards, letterheads, billheads, booklets, poster stamps, blotters, magic lantern slides, pinbacks, watchfobs, and pocket mirrors. Allan Mellis, 1115 West Montana St. Chicago, Illinois 60614-2220. [email protected] To reply, click here.

Wanted Top Condition: “Totem” (25 count) square upright cigar tin , Continental Cubes tobacco tin (medium size kidney shaped slide lid) 6” tall, Continental Cubes tobacco tin (larger flip lid pocket tin) 5” tall, Convention Hall Coffee tin (Kansas City tin) one pound GREEN and/or YELLOW version, Bob White tobacco tin small box (Ginna) size 3” by 4” by 2.5”. To reply, click here.

Stock food, poultry food, veterinary advertising wanted.  Posters, medicine packages, give-aways. Email [email protected] or call (256) 520-5211.

White Plastic 7" Tall "Pole Sign" Thermometers advertising local/regional gasoline/oil/service station brands such as: SPEEDWAY 79; SUPER 98; TOPCO; ROCKET; HANCOCK; BELL; OKLAHOMA. NOT the major national brands like Texaco. Peter Capell. To reply, click here.

Singer Sewhandy Model 20-Green-regular paint, not hammertone. To reply, click here.

National Biscuit Company, Nabisco, Uneeda Biscuit, Uneeda Bakers, Muth Bakery, NBC Bread toys, signage, tins, containers, displays, historical items. Please Email [email protected] or call (937) 205-2232.

Early Cigarette Rolling Papers: Pre-1940’s - American, Zig Zag, Braunstein Freres, Bambino, and Ottoman papers wanted. To reply, click here.

Antique/Collectible Banking and Financial System "Give-a way" and advertising items. Specifically from Pennsylvania. Alarm devices and such. To reply, click here .

Unusual one pound peanut butter tins . Tin litho or paper label. To reply, click here .

Marshmallow Tins, Smaller than 5 Pound Size. To reply, click here .

American Cookie, Biscuit and Cracker Tins and Boxes . To reply , click here .

Columbian Stove sign made by the Keeley Stove Co. in Columbia PA To reply, click here or call 717-572-3108.

 

VITAMINS advertising, displays, signs, bottles, and anything related: Hadacol is an example. Most would come from the 1930’s thru the 1970’s. Also anything related to cod-liver oil and WEIGHT-LOSS, REDUCING, ANTI-FAT, and OBESITY ITEMS. To reply, click here .

 

Early tin signs lithographed by Tuchfarber, Wells and Hope, Worcester Sign Company, Sentenne and Green, etc. I can pay more for good condition, but would be interested in any condition. Don Lurito  [email protected] also in the directory. To reply, click here .

 

Dwinell-Wright Co. Royal Ground Spice Cardboard Spice Boxes. One side displays horizontally. Approximately 3.75" by 2.25". Any type of spice is OK. To reply, click here .

 

ENSIGN Perfect and ENSIGN Perfection vertical pocket tobacco tins to enhance my collection. Feel free to contact me at 614-888-4619 or [email protected] to see if you can help fill the voids.

 

Tall 1 lb. Mallard Coffee Can - Shows duck taking off. To reply, click here .

 

Chewing gum packs, sticks, wrappers, full boxes, lifesavers, candy bar wrappers, displays, and boxes.  Anything candy related. To reply, click here . 

 

Pre-1900 advertising items related to: barbed wire, farm fence gates, tools for erecting or mending wire fences, and farm fences. Only primary material please--no ads from newspapers, etc. Larry W. Love. To reply, click here .

 

Armour Foods Signs, Cardboards, Store Displays, Die-Cuts Wanted. To reply, click here .

 

Cigar advertising tip trays, pinbacks, or any unusual cigar advertising items. Harry Cohn: To reply, click here .

     

Edmands Coffee Company, Edmands Tea Company, 1776 Coffee, American Beauty Tea, Japan Tea, Devonshire Tea, (imported by Edmands, Boston/Chicago):  Any items such as tins, signs, paper, or anything else related to the Edmands family of companies in Boston is desired. To reply, click here .

The AAAA Checkerboard is a monthly e-newsletter that is made available to all AAAA members at no cost. The mission of the Checkerboard is to increase knowledge about antique and collectible advertising among AAAA members. The Checkerboard also provides news and updates about AAAA. It is produced each month with the exception of the four months per year when the award-winning PastTimes print newsletter is published. Paul Lefkovitz ( [email protected] ) serves as the Editor of the AAAA Checkerboard. Copyright, 2019, Antique Advertising Association of America