1835 Jacquard Coverlet – What’s It Worth??

I’ve been in the vintage/antiques business for a few years and have learned so much about so many old things.  Still, I come across things on a regular basis that I have absolutely no clue regarding history or true value.  I’m pretty good at recognizing quality, so I often throw a few dollars at items I really don’t know much about but have a hunch are valuable.  

A few weeks ago I found this jacquard coverlet dated July 1835.  I did a bit of internet research and discovered that these were quite common in the 19th century.  Many towns had a weaver just like they would have a blacksmith or a tavern.   You could take your wool and cotton to the weaver and they would transform your raw materials with natural indigo dies on their loom into these beautifully designed blankets.  Personally, I prefer a trip to Kohl’s, but I seriously doubt that the blankets I buy today will last 175 years!! 

This one is gorgeous and has definitely stood the test of time.  Still, I really have no idea of its true worth.  On eBay, similar items sell from $100 – $1000!   So I started this auction at $49.99 and we’ll let the bidders decide! Here’s the link to the listing with more pictures: 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=370301425849&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Fans of BuenaVintage, I’d love to have your input!  Give me your best guess at the final eBay value of this coverlet via comment on my blog or Facebook.   The winner will receive internet noteriety and a fabulous vintage cookbook from me!  The book you will receive for guessing closest to the final amount will be The Art of Fine Baking, by Paula Peck.  It’s a 1960s classic in mint condition.  So post your thoughts!  This is just a fun little game, so one entry per person, please.

Thankful for Pretty Quilts!

I’m all thumbs when it comes to needle and thread and have a very deep appreciation for seamstresses and quilters past and present.   I am particularly awed by those who diligently saved every scrap of fabric from feedsacks to finery and stitched them, by hand,  into stunning works of art.   Here is just one example I found a few weeks ago.  Can you imagine the stories these fabrics could tell?!

More pictures on eBay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270489544233&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Santa, Is That You?

Hollywood Santa - check out those pearly whites!

I’m doing some research today on early 20th century Christmas postcards before I start posting them on eBay. Turns out the jolly, red-suited, chubby-cheeked modern Santa Claus we all know and love is really a product of the Coca Cola company — created for a 1920s advertising campaign and popular ever since.  Prior to that, images of Santa were quite varied.  He was skinny, fat, tall, short, and wore suits of many colors, not just red.  Most of these old images are very charming and quaint, but some are funny and even a little bit strange by today’s standards.   Here are a few of my favorites:

 

Mean Santa

Sad Santa

Too Fat Santa

Smokin’ Santa

Mugshot Santa

Homeless Santa

Peeping Santa

Casual Friday Santa

Brown Suit Santa

Patriotic Santa

 

See Mary Sell!

Mary went to a country auction.

Mary loves country auctions!

Mary bought many pretty things.

Mary loves pretty things!

Mary sells many pretty things from country auctions on eBay!

Vintage children’s schoolbooks are so charming!  I found these three readers from the 1930s last summer, and this week they will be up for auction on eBay (starting Sunday, Nov. 22).   I think they would be so great as decor in a child’s room, but I’ve also seen those clever crafty types use the wonderful graphics for scrapbooking and homemade greeting cards.   If you have any other ideas for these, please post a comment to help those of us who are creatively challenged!

Vintage Christmas Preview for Sunday, November 15!

Ho ho ho!  Just a little peek! 

As always, everything goes up on eBay starting at 8:00 p.m. central time, Sunday night. 

 

Fit For a King

I don’t normally bother with china for many reasons — the after-market for it is weak, it is difficult to transport home, time-consuming to ship, etc.   Personally, I love the look and history of  it, but the profit-to-time ratio is usually just not good.

Last week, however, I came across a partial set of china at a local estate auction that was so pretty, I had to have it!   I didn’t know anything about it other than it was really old and in good condition.  So I packed it up, brought it home, started my research.  Here is what I learned…

The set was made by an English company called Dunn Bennett, which was eventually merged into the company we now know as Royal Doulton.   Based on the markings on the bottom,  these pieces can be dated to between 1886 and 1907.  The pattern name is “Coronation”, and it was very likely made in honor the the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902!   Was this on the King’s table?  No.  This type of china was much too common for the King himself, but the upper-crusty British citizens certainly would have displayed it proudly.  This type of ironstone china is called “transferware” — the green portion of the design is applied to the piece as a whole (like a sticker) prior to firing.  After the piece was fired, an artisan hand-painted the gold trim around the transferred design.  Gorgeous!

While this is not a Christmas pattern per se, with its green and gold design I think a piece or two on a Christmas table would look great!   Because  I prefer a shabby-chic mish-mash of all sorts of pretty dishes on my table rather than a matchy-matchy table, and I know most people these days don’t want to be bothered with multiple sets of dishes, I’m selling this set on eBay by the piece.   Buy one or buy them all, either way you’re guaranteed compliments and now you have a fun backstory to go with! 

Pictured above is the round butter dish from the set.  I also have a lovely covered vegetable tureen, an open side dish, a large lot of butter pats and next week. some plates and bowls.  I have a bunch of teacups too but no saucers, so I’m keeping them and making hand-poured beeswax teacup candles to give to my friends and family for Christmas.  Yes, this is a test to see who is reading my blog!  Mention this and maybe you’ll get two!

From War, Beauty

As our forefathers waged battle against enemies in various wars past, it turns out that they also spent much idle time in the horrific conditions of the battlefield trenches.   Many soldiers passed this time by creating unbelievable works of art from the objects at hand, including shell casings.

Here is a superb example of what has been termed “Trench Art”.  A WWI artillery shell re-worked into a stunning vase with an intricate oak leaf and floral design with fluted edges.  The pictures don’t do it justice.  This is a 75 mm shell — 0ver 13 inches tall, 3 inches wide and heavy.

Soldiers, we salute you!

Dry Me a River

I don’t envy the drudgery of the mid-century suburban housewife, but they sure had pretty stuff!  Love, love, love the old Irish linen tea towels.  I imagine they brought a bit of cheer to many a woman as she dried the day’s dishes and perhaps wiped a tear or two.

They sure don’t make ‘em like this anymore and BuenaVintage has a bunch!

A Very Vintage Christmas

Ah, my favorite time of year — autumn leaves and Christmas right around the corner!

I’ve been stockpiling some really great vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations this year and can’t wait to post them on eBay.   A few things are ready to go for tonight but most will start next Sunday, November 15.   There are Polish glass ornaments, felt stockings, old German felt Santas, bottle brush trees and candy canes, a miniature wood village and so much more.

All are 100% money-back guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies!

Pour Me Another!

From the good old boozin’ days of the 50s and 60s, BuenaVintage has over 200 vintage liquor bottle pourers!  Scotch, Whiskey, Bourbon, Gin, Rum — you name it, it’s here!  Many long-gone brands from the days when a cocktail in the hand was a mandatory accessory.

I would expect not too many people are interested in 200 pourers, so I’ve broken them up into smaller groups to to sell over the next few weeks.  These would be so great in a retro basement bar or for a themed party (Rat Pack, Mad Men?).

Bottoms Up!