Weekly View » Antiques

Summertime Junkin’

Linda Hamer Kennett — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 05:08:39 +0000

Find yourself a little short on cash this summer? Thinking that vacation is just not gonna happen? Well, before you put away the luggage, you might consider a day trip or even a weekend getaway to one of the great midwest antique shows only a few hours drive from central Indy. Beautiful scenery, great food, live music and some of the best “junkin’” on the planet await you on less than a tank of gas!
Lawrenceburg, Indiana has been the site of the largest, regularly scheduled, outdoor antique market since 1985. Boasting over 200 dealers, The Tri-State Antique Market is held the first Sunday of each month May through October. Have no fear of a rain out as foul weather takes the show inside to 125 sheltered booths. One mile west of exit 16 off Interstate 275, it features free parking, rest areas, food stands and paved sidewalks all for a $3 admission charge (children under 18 are free). The Lawrenceburg show, which has been features in Midwest Living, Country Homes, Antique Week and Indianapolis Monthly, draws quality dealers from around the midwest. Merchandise from 19th Century primitives to 70s Pop Art is on sale from 7-3 with early birds admitted from 6-7 during dealer set up. Check out their Web site at queencityshows.com/tristate.
The Sandwich, Illinois Collectors Show offers a double treat for shoppers. Split into two sections, one side is set up with craft displays, homemade items and flea market merchandise and the second side contains antiques and collectibles from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Scheduled dates for this year are July 28, August 18, September 22 and October 27. For more info go to www.antiquemarkets.com.
From September 13-15 the Country Living Fair comes to Columbus, Ohio. One of three stops selected for this year’s tour, the Columbus show will feature 200 artists and craftsmen along with live music, country cooking demonstrations and a chance to meet the editors of Country Living magazine. Open from 10-5 daily, this is more than just another antique show. Among the great finds available again this year are European nightdresses ($35), clock faces ($4), steel locker baskets ($35), and one-of-a-kind cotton dresses made from vintage fabrics ($50-$100). Ticket prices vary from as little as $8 for a one day pass to $40 for a 4-day pass with early bird privileges. To learn more go to www.countryliving.com/antiques/deals-at-country-living-fair.
Our friends in the Buckeye state boast of many great antique venues, and at the top of the list is the Springfield Antique Show. The setup at the Springfield Fairgrounds is open to the public the third week of each month year round with approximately 200-300 dealers, but from May to October that number swells to over 2,500 booths. Advertising signs, Midwestern pottery, vintage fashion, coins and stamps, primitives and painted furniture are just a few of the finds. Check out their Web site at www.springfieldantiqueshow.com.
Not for the faint of heart, but an amazing adventure for those who dare to tackle it, The World’s Longest Yard Sale covers 690 miles of some of the most scenic country side in the U.S. From the start 5 miles north of Addison, Michigan to the last vendor on the outskirts of Gadsden, Alabama this event, also known as the 127 Sale, is one incredible treasure hunt. This year’s sale runs from Thursday, August 1 through Sunday, August 4. Go to www.127sale.com for information on both the sale and the many special events held along Highway 127 during the four day run.
Antiques and a day out with the family in the beautiful heartland of America: It just doesn’t get any better than this! Until next time………Linda
Irvington resident Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-429-7887 or lkennett@indy.rr.com

It’s Question and Answer Time!

Linda Hamer Kennett — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 05:08:23 +0000

The best part of writing this column for the past 15 years has been the e-mails, phone calls and one-on-one conversations I have with my readers. You arouse my curiosity, challenge my memory and send me scurrying to the computer for research on a regular basis. It was my greatest fear in starting this column that I would run out of subject matter, but all of you have seen to it that “what in the world do I write about this week?” has never crossed my mind.
Once a year I like to do a little “catching up” for those of you whose questions I did not get covered in a column. So here are the answers to some of your unanswered questions.
Q: What is the proper way to clean old wicker?
A: After dusting with a soft cloth, clean any areas with concentrated dust and dirt with a soft toothbrush. For areas with a high concentration of dust use a small hand vacuum. When the dust is removed, wash the wicker with arm soap and water using an oil-based soap (I like Murphy’s Oil soap) using a “sponging” action rather than scrubbing. Then wash again with clear water until all soap residue is gone. It is important to let the piece dry thoroughly as sitting in a wet wicker chair can cause warping. The best place to dry old wicker is outside on a warm day with a slight breeze. Maintain your antique wicker by dusting it on a regular basis and don’t wash it more that once a year.
Q: How can I tell if my family silverware is sterling or silver plate?
A: The most common maker of silverware is 1847 Roger Brothers. If you find this mark on your “silver” it is always plate, as Roger Brothers never produced sterling. If your items are sterling they will most always be marked with the word “sterling” or a number indicating the purity of the silver. Look for the number 925 or the letters S or SS. Another simple way to tell is a simple magnet test. If your piece of tableware sticks, it is not sterling. If still in doubt you can send your silver to a refiner to be tested. These facilities use x-ray technology to test metal content and are 100 percent accurate.
Q: Is there a way to tell old cast iron toys and banks from reproduction?
A: There are three things to watch for to determine if your iron toys and banks are old. The surface on newer banks will often be rough from the sand used in their production. Old banks were produced with very fine sand and their finish will be quite smooth to the touch. The seams on old banks and toys will be so tight that they will often be almost invisible. Newer pieces do not fit together well and will often have an actual gap between the pieces. The screw holding together an old bank will be flat. While original screws may have been replaced with a Phillips head screw, the presence of one should be reason to beware.
Q: How do I clean the inside of an old bottle?
A: For bottles that are cloudy use a mixture of half white vinegar half water and soak overnight. But do NOT use this method on painted or gold trimmed bottles as the acid in the vinegar will eat the paint. If your bottles have a large amount of debris, pour 1-2 inches of uncooked rice into the bottle and fill the remaining space half way with warm water and two drops of dish soap. Cover and shake vigorously for several minutes. Another good way to scrub the inside of old bottles is with an aquarium brush and hot soapy water.
As I begin my 15th year of ‘What’s in the Attic?” I would like to thank my readers across the mid-west country for their comments and questions. Keep ‘em coming! Until next time…..Linda
Irvington resident Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-429-7887 or lkennett@indy.rr.com

Turkey, Tinsel, and Toy Trains

Linda Hamer Kennett — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:00:24 +0000

Even though we may only realize it in retrospect, children often display behavior very early in life that points to their destiny. In the early 1890s, 7-year-old Joshua Lionel Cowen whittled a miniature locomotive from a scrap of wood and attempted to fit it with a tiny engine — and it exploded. He was unharmed, but his mother’s kitchen sustained considerable damage. Many years later, in his early 20s, he would try the experiment again and succeed. He gave his invention his middle name, and the model train was born.
Cowen sold his first model train to a Manhattan shop owner in 1901 by convincing him the small train running through his Christmas window display would draw attention to his other merchandise. The shop owner returned the next day to order half a dozen more tracks and trains. It appeared while the merchandise in his window was getting attention, the customers’ main question was “Where can we buy the train?” Lionel quickly provided the shop with a dozen train sets consisting of one electric flat car and 30 feet of track and dubbed it the “Electric Express.” Within 12 months Cowen acquired enough capital to start his own company, the Lionel Corporation.
Though a prolific inventor, Cowen’s marketing skills would prove just as valuable to his success. Working from a German tradition, linking toy trains to Christmas, Cowen approached a number of large department stores in New York City, convincing them to incorporate elaborate train setups around their Christmas tree displays. The public reaction to the displays was overwhelming, sales boomed, and America had officially entered the “Golden Era of Toy Trains.”
The years brought many changes as Cowen constantly improved upon his original concept. In 1902 a train set with a “City Hall Park” trolley and a two-foot suspension bridge met with great success. The year 1903 saw the introduction of the B&O locomotive and the motorized Derrick car. And in 1906 Lionel added a third rail which carried the current and the outer rails, which were the ground rails. Three trolleys, two steam engines, two passenger cars, seven freight cars and a small wall transformer completed this groundbreaking set.
In 1929, Cowen unveiled the “Transcontinental Limited.” It cost an unheard of $110, more than the price of a used Model T. Lionel was at the peak of its success when the Depression hit. While many of his competitors closed their doors, Lionel managed to stay afloat by obtaining government contracts.
The war years of the 40s left toy manufacturers with a metal shortage. Lionel stepped up its production of plastic accessories, and once again kept its doors open. When production resumed in the mid-’40s, Lionel turned out trains and accessories that are considered by many to be the best in their long company history.
By the mid-1950s, public interest had shifted from trains to airplanes and slot-cars. Christmas of 1953 saw the first considerable drop in sales and with no resurgence of interest, the Lionel Train Corporation closed in 1965.
In 1999 the Lionel electric train was recognized as one of the top ten toys of the 20th century. The little 7-year old boy, who had once blown up his mother’s kitchen, died in 1965, the undisputed “king” of the toy train industry. Until next time ……..Linda

Irvington resident Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultants specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached 429-7887 or lkennett@infy.rr.com or follow her on Facebook at “What’s in the Attic? Estate Liquidation” for a listing of local antique auctions and sales.