Things I Learned from Mommie Dearest

I seem to have this thing for old wooden coat hangers, especially from hotels. Dry cleaners and furriers not so much. But I do seem to have a fair number.

Geometric Sphere Model

We bought this from a family who had been math, physics and geometry teachers in a small town for three generations. A beautiful wooden segmented sphere, secured by leather, that opens to demonstrate the segments. We also bought cone and trapezoid models, alas, both sold. But the sphere remains.

Please ring and walk in

Signs of the times.

Dumbbells

Cast iron polychromed and oxidised. Great look.

Presto Timer

Made by the Presto Pressure Cooker people in Eau Claire Wisconsin and probably from the 1940s. Lots of other vintage kitchen items available.

Bringing Up Father

Nothing says Friday the 13th & Valentine's Day like the abuse suffered by Jiggs at the hands of Maggie and her rolling pin. From the long running comic strip and radio series Bringing Up Father, a pair of salt and pepper shakers.

Photo Album

Nothing says family like the old photo album.

Vintage Valentine's Day Card

This vintage turn of the century Valentine's Day card was made in Germany, the source of much chromolithographed ephemera. More available.

Bowls

Vintage bowls for your vintage kitchen.

Vintage Compass

No matter where you go, there you are. A selection of vintage compasses available.

Vintage Luggage

Whether it's just one hero piece of vintage luggage or a depot baggage cart full.

Classic Underwood No 5 Typewriter

Underwood No.5 Typewriter is the mental image we concoct when we think office, newsroom, or writer. Thousands were made in the first thirty years or so of the 20th century.

Hatpin Holder

This Ladies' Hatpin Holder is in a very unusual form resembling an hourglass frame. We have other Ladies Dresser Accessories and sewing accessories available as well.

Teddy Bear

Teddy Bears by the dozen, some plush, some threadbare, all loved.

Licence Plate Topper

This souvenir of a visit to Miami Beach was attached to the top of your license plate. Other Forida Beach toppers available.

Chamber Pot

The chamber pot: no home complete without it! This is a Victorian transferware china pot. Until the invention and widespread use of the indoor toilet, this was the vessel of choice.

Parrot Book Ends

Polychromed iron parrot (maybe) bookends. Circa 1930s.

The Classic Creel

The classic creel or fishing basket. This one dates from the 1930s and is constructed of split willow in a French Twist pattern with leather supports and straps.

Waste Not Bread Board

Bread Board and Bread Knife. We have a number of different shapes of bread and cutting boards available.

Pennants

This vintage Wasaga Beach pennant dates from the 1920s. We have about 300 vintage pennants sometimes called flags or banners available; most are from schools, tourist destinations or roadside attractions throughout the US and Canada.

Chimes

These chimes were used by Dining Car Stewards on trains to announce the dinner service. Of course, there are other applications.

Framed Motto

The framed motto was present on the wall of many Victorian Homes in both the lower and middle classes. Often religious, but not always, they nonetheless evoke the Victorian decorating ethic. We have a number of these mottos available.

Artist's Palette

This artist's palette is actually quite large ( and we believe once belonged to Urquart Wilcox 1876-1941 ). If your setting is an artist's studio we also have paint spotted ladders, cans of brushes and a lovely paint splattered easel. And a number of lay figures as well. Lay figures? Also known as those little wooden articulated models.

Brass Telescope

This is brass three-draw telescope, dating from the late 19th century. We have a number of these available, small, medium and large.

Dunhill Unique Lighter

The Dunhill "Unique" lighter was first introduced in the 1920s. This type of lift arm lighter is suitable for periods up to the 1960s. We have a number of other Dunhill styles in inventory.

Loving Cup, Trophy

Loving cup, trophy, mark of achievement or presentation piece, it all comes down to the same thing: a nice shiny bit to stick on your mantle and say: "that old thing? It's just something that was given to me when I..."

We have a lot of trophies in stock in various sizes and shapes. If your scene calls for a trophy case filled with awards, we can do that for you.

Maple Leaf Hooked Rug

A very patriotic maple leaf theme going on in this hooked mat or rug which measure 24" x 34". Probably from the 1920s or thirties.

Pith Helmet

The classic pith helmet, aka safari helmet, sun helmet or sola topee. This one is a little fancier, a little rarer with its quilted cover.

Garden Claw

This great looking garden claw can be used for any period throughout the 20th century

Skirt Lifter

Victorian Skirtlifters were used to, well, lift skirts or dresses. When the slide, in this example the trefoil cross, was as the bottom, the clamps would open allowing the fabric of the skirt to be pinched. A chain or cord threaded through the eye at the top of the slide, pulled the slide up, causing the clamps to close and grasp the fabric securely. The dress could then be lifted up to keep it clean from the mud or whatever filth decked the streets.

Sock Monkey

The sock monkey first started showing up in the early thirties (although I'm pretty sure there must be earlier ones) but really didn't start coming into their own until the 1950s. We've got a bag full of them. What's more fun than a bagful of sock monkeys? This one is the smallest one we have at just 5½".

Hat Stand

Art deco wire hat stand.

We have a number of hat stands available, from small wooden dresser top styles to the large brass stand you might see in a milliner's shop window.

Wiggling Hula Girl

C'mon, who doesn't love the wiggling Hula Girl dashboard ornament. A staple. We have a few different ones, including the Wiggling Hula Boy.

Watch the Birdie!

Watch the birdy! This is the birdy that early photographers used to attract the eye and focus attention. A small amount of water goes into the bottom well and air is blown from a squeeze bulb through a hose which attached to the pipe opening at the side. The blown air caused the beak and tail to articulate while the water made the whistle warble. This was a popular novelty of the day and photogs made it their own. Watch the birdy.

Magic Lantern, Lanterna Magika

A late 19th, early 20th century magic lantern. This one was intended for home use, for amusement and education. Yup, it's Victorian so we can't have amusement without education.

Bee Hive

Yep, it's a skep or beehive. A woven wicker or willow frame that's been slathered over with cow or horse poo. It's about 26" tall. Possibly European.

Seeburg table jukebox

The Seeburg 100, from the 1950s-'60s. This was found on practically every maltshop or diner table.

Spectator Shoes

Perforated wing tipped spectators, probably from the late 1920s or early '30s. The shoe trees are a little later, from the 1950s, I think.

Slapstick

We've all heard the term, this is what it looks like: a flat piece of wood with a handle, with another hinged smaller piece attached to it. As you lift it up, gravity pulls the smaller piece away; as you go to slap your victim, the smaller slaps back down against the larger, giving the sound of a slap and the impression that your victim is being beaten. A laff riot.

This one is made by Ludwig, the drum folks; they still make them.