We are a one owner general antique shop selling a wide variety of old and antique home furnishings, collectibles, jewelry, vintage clothing, and paper collectibles.

Some of the things we buy and sell are:

• · Designer Costume & Fine Jewelry
• · Pottery, Glass and China
• · Lighting—Lamps, Chandeliers
• · World’s Fair Collectibles
• · Black Americana
• · Cloisonné, Meiji, and Early Chinese 
• · Postcards—over 20,000 sorted by state and topics
• · Paper Ephemera—all sorts of unusual items
• · Celluloid and Tin Litho pinbacks
• · Vintage Clothing and Accessories
• · Sterling Silver and Sterling Souvenir Spoons
• · and Conversation Pieces.

Weiss costume jewelry, made from 1942 into the 1970s, is known for its innovative designs and

often colorful rhinestones. Considering the relatively modest price it commands, Weiss jewelry is usually of high quality and thus is popular with both collectors and those simply desiring a great piece to wear.

Formally named Albert Weiss & Co., Inc., and located in New York City, the company was an early design leader in the niche of Christmas jewelry. One of Weiss’ Christmas tree pin designs is still very popular with collectors. It came in various sizes, with either three, five or six candles. The six-candle pin (left) is valued at around $150.

While the tree pins are the most popular Christmas jewelry, sleds, wreaths, ornaments, stockings and poinsettias were also well crafted, colorful and stylish.

Weiss & Co. also produced necklaces, bracelets, pins, earrings, tiaras, pendants and brooches. Mixtures of various sizes and shapes of rhinestones plus interesting shapes characterized much Weiss jewelry and were a welcome relief from previous generally circular shaped designs. For example, the illustrated brooch combines rectangular-, circular- and pear-shaped rhinestones into a five-pointed star (value $75).

Weiss jewelry often combined several elements popular in 1950s jewelry – fruit, animal or other nature themes, enameling and a black japanned finish. Other designs were more classic, such as the bracelet illustrated here featuring clear and blue rhinestones and valued at $150).

Identifying marks include "Albert Weiss" first used in 1951, "Weiss" in script lettering, and "WEISS" in all capital block letters in an oval. Some Weiss jewelry is unsigned and may be recognized by the design being the same as signed jewelry. Collectors generally are interested only in the signed pieces, so those have far greater value.

Signed or unsigned, Weiss provides a true value in costume jewelry for the serious or casual collector. And it looks great, too!

Printed with permission. West Suburban Living magazine January/February 2007.

All articles, images and information contained here are copyright and reprinted with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of content or format is a violation of US Copyright and punishable under applicable law.

Chicago was been the site of a World’s Fairs in 1893 and again in 1933-34, and both were spectacular events providing many collectible souvenirs.

The first of these fairs, the World’s Columbian Exposition was held in 1893, was held to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492. Like most world’s fairs, this was a showcase of current invention, technology and culture. The fair also signaled to the world that Chicago had recovered from the devastating fire of 1871. The fair was held a year late but that did not diminish its success. It is still considered among the greatest of all world’s fairs.

The main buildings of the fair- all painted chalky white – were made to be temporary and indeed, little of them remains. The souvenirs provide tangible records of the "White City" and so they are avidly collected, especially in the Chicago area. The paperweight illustrated here (value $125) shows one of that Fair’s many splendid buildings, Machinery Hall.

The Ferris Wheel was one of the many innovations introduced at the fair, and perhaps the most exciting. It is depicted on the match safe (a holder for stick matches – value $250) . Other introductions at the fair included Cracker Jacks, Aunt Jemima syrup, Cream of Wheat, Shredded Wheat, Pabst Beer, Juicy Fruit gum and diet carbonated soda. It also marked the introduction of the hamburger to the U.S. and our first commemorative postage stamps.

The sterling silver spoon by Gorham (value $75) shows embossed images of Columbus at the top of the handle and one of his caravels, the Santa Maria, in the bowl. There are about 300 different spoons to collect – these alone could provide a lifetime collecting challenge.

The 1893 exposition set a new standard for the entertainment and cultural value of a world’s fair, one which many believe has never been equaled.

Next month: Collecting the Chicago 1933 – 1934 Century of Progress World’s Fair

Printed with permission. West Suburban Living magazine May/June 2007

All articles, images and information contained here are copyright and reprinted with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of content or format is a violation of US Copyright and punishable under applicable law.

Eisenberg Manufacturing Company, a Chicago firm, is considered by collectors to be one of the premier makers of costume jewelry. It is noted for the fine quality of its designs and their large, brilliant Swarovski Austrian crystal rhinestones.

The firm started in 1914 as a maker of dresses. To help sell the dresses, it attached costume jewelry broaches or clips. Production of the jewelry was contracted to other firms. The jewelry was of such high quality and desirability that it was often removed from garments on store racks.

By 1930, Eisenberg responded to this situation by focusing on its own production of costume jewelry. These first pieces of jewelry were identified on the back as simply "STERLING" without any indication of the maker.

Later items were marked in various ways including "EISENBERG" like the necklace ($300) and broach in its original box ($250) above, "Eisenberg Original," a capital script "E", a capital block "E" and "EISENBERG ICE" like the earrings ($200 shown here at left. Jewelry marked with the manufacturer name is considered by collectors to be "signed" and is usually more valuable. Some Eisenberg jewelry from1975 and later was not signed and instead had a removable hanging tag.

Eisenberg has produced a great variety of clips, rings, pins/broaches, bracelets, necklaces and earrings, plus Christmas tree pins since the 1950s.

The Eisenberg firm continues today, still headquartered in Chicago, under the third generation of the family since its founding. Its jewelry has been sold in various upscale store venues, as well as the Art Institute of Chicago.

Whether you buy old or new, Eisenberg costume jewelry is a joy to own and can be a valuable collectible.

Printed with permission. West Suburban Living magazine November/December 2006

All articles, images and information contained here are copyright and reprinted with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of content or format is a violation of US Copyright and punishable under applicable law.

Here are some of the techniques used by dealers and collectors for successful buying. Some are obvious; others are not. Add these to your own methods.

First, and it is a big one, know your subject. Buy only in areas in which you feel comfortable due to a solid knowledge of those types of antiques. Most categories of collectibles have specialized buyers guides like the one for vintage purses shown in the photo. Don’t just buy books, read them. And keep up with dealer asking prices and prices realized at auctions.

Second, be aware of reproductions and fantasy items. Reproductions can be easy to spot if you are thoroughly familiar with the originals. A fantasy item is a modern creation meant to look old but which never existed as an old item.

Third, carefully examine what you are buying to ensure its condition is fully known to you. This sounds obvious, but when an item appears to be a great bargain, the tendency is to casually examine it and close the deal fast, often missing important damage.

Fourth, negotiate price. Sellers of antiques and collectibles have come to expect a certain amount of price negotiation and buyers should not be hesitant to ask for the seller’s best price. Discounts from asking prices vary but are often 10% and can approach 40 to 50%. Low value items, those under $20, are usually not discounted but it can’t hurt asking!

Fifth, shop around for commodity items. Most antiques and collectibles are not unique and therefore many sellers may be offering essentially the same item. Prices can vary widely. Use that to your advantage.

Sixth, and probably most important, buy from those you can trust. An honest, reputable dealer wants your repeat business and knows his success depends upon your repeated successful buying. Find these dealers and stick with them.

Printed with permission. West Suburban Living magazine September/October 2006

All articles, images and information contained here are copyright and reprinted with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of content or format is a violation of US Copyright and punishable under applicable law.

This is the second in a two-part series on postcard collecting. Laet issue covered history, photo, art, comic and novelty cards.

Postcards sold new today are what collectors call "chrome" cards, the glossy-finished multi-colore creations. They first appeared in 1939.

Chromes were preceded by "linen" finish cards, which were generally available from 1930 to 1945. Their surface finish had a woven appearance to the paper, hence the name.

Earlier cards, from World War I through 1930, were generally printed with a white border to save ink. These cards, often inferior in quality to later and earlier cards, are less collected than those from other eras.

The years from 1907 through 1917 are considered a golden era for postcards, known as the “divided back” era – cards printed right to the edge with the back divided in half for both correspondence and address. Before 1907 postcards had an “undivided back” on which only the address could be placed – messages had to be on the front.

The early gems of postcards from before World War I are most numerous due to the great age of letter writing stimulated by well-printed cards, fast mail transport, and one-cent postcard postage.

With so much subject variety, historical significance, good availability, and low cost, postcards present the right combination to make a popular collectible.

Printed with permission. West Suburban Living magazine July/August 2006

All articles, images and information contained here are copyright and reprinted with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of content or format is a violation of US Copyright and punishable under applicable law.

That coins, stamps and baseball cards are the most popular collectibles is not surprising, but few would guess the next most in-demand item – postcards.

In fact, in the average antique store, more people browse the postcard displays than those of any other collectible. The postcard’s seeming universal appeal is probably due to a combination of factors – the diversity of subjects they capture, the convenient size and generally low cost.

What else can you buy that is often as much as 100 or so years old, has an interesting image or graphics, is usually dated by a postmark attesting to its age, and costs only a few dollars?

The collecting of postcards even has its own name – “deltiology” – derived from the Greek word for “writing tablet.”

Postcards are most often collected by subject. "View cards" – those showing images of cities, towns and geographical features, are among the most popular. They provide a record of streets, buildings and scenes that probably do not look the same today. Many collect views of their home town.

Historical cards show events current at the time, such as World’s Fairs, state and local fairs, people at work, parades and political events.

Real photo postcards hold a special attraction because they generally capture images in higher detail than view cards and offer more true-to-life accuracy. An exception is the real photo postcards containing exaggerations as in the accompanying illustration – they capture the spirit of humor in American life.

Art cards, the craft work of skilled artists who signed their work, are highly sought after and often collected by artist name. Comic cards, most of which are hand-drawn, are capsules of humor while novelty cards are often mechanical in nature – hold-to-light or made of unusual material such as leather or wood.

Printed with permission. West Suburban Living magazine May/June 2006.

All articles, images and information contained here are copyright and reprinted with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of content or format is a violation of US Copyright and punishable under applicable law.

But few seem to have mastered successful bidding and so many report buying disappointments. Check your own practices and experiences with the following strategy for antiques and collectibles.

When you have found an item you think you want, its time to become a detective. Read all of its description, scrutinize the pictures and ask questions until you are convinced it is identified properly, its condition is accurately described, the terms of sale are acceptable to you, and the shipping cost is known and acceptable. Check the seller’s reputation through the feedback system, not just through the overall numbers but delve into the actual comments especially if the total feedback rating is relatively low – less than several hundred.

An eBay auction is substantially different than a traditional auction because bidding ends suddenly at a fixed point in time.

First, you need to determine the absolute maximum you want to pay for the item.

Then subtract off the shipping and insurance costs, sales taxes if levied, and any other required fees and the remainder is your maximum bid.

This maximum bid then needs to be entered as near the end of the auction as possible – preferably within five to seven seconds of its close – this is called “sniping.” Perfectly within on-line auction rules, it is a valid bidding technique. If you will not be available to enter your bid personally, another option is to use a “sniping” service.

Though entering your bid late in the process dramatically increases your chances of winning, be aware that it is the highest bidder, not the last that wins in an on-line auction. So, determining your maximum bid is really the key step in successful buying.

.

Printed with permission. West Suburban Living magazine March/April 2006

All articles, images and information contained here are copyright and reprinted with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of content or format is a violation of US Copyright and punishable under applicable law.

1. Read, read, read – Before buying an item, buy a book or two on the subject. Don’t just own them for reference, read them. It’s amazing how much information is available in the many books available on antiques and collectibles. Besides pricing info, the background information can be invaluable.

2. Be Sure You Are Getting What You Expect – Can you tell cut glass from pressed? Is that flow blue plate really flow blue, or just a blue-colored transfer pattern? (In the photo shown here, the plate on the left is flow blue, the other is not.) Unless you know how to identify a type of antique, stay away until you have the knowledge to be sure.

3. Avoid Reproductions – If you are buying something to be old, be sure it is so. This involves careful inspection for signs of age or modern manufacture, and can require knowledge of what reproductions are being made.

4. Examine very carefully for damage and repairs – Don’t assume old items are free of damage. It is easy to get desensitized to damage since modern manufactured goods are so uniformly well made. Examine each piece carefully, in good light, with a magnifier if its small, like most jewelry.

5. If the price is too good, its probably not what you think – A bargain price will often invite a snap decision to buy without the necessary examination. Most sellers are pretty sharp people who know what they have and price it accordingly – getting a “steal” is unlikely. The low price more likely means that there are probably defects or identity problems.

6. Deal with Reputable Dealers – This is perhaps the one tip that transcends all others. A good dealer is hoping for your long term, repeat business and has no intentions of mistreating a buyer for a one-time profit. Reputations are important here – ask other buyers for recommendations. When you find good dealers, stick with them. They are your best ticket to getting your money’s worth!

Printed with permission. West Suburban Living magazine January/February 2006.

All articles, images and information contained here are copyright and reprinted with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of content or format is a violation of US Copyright and punishable under applicable law.

Seemingly unimportant facts about a person can help you find the right gift. For example, if you know what college a person attended you might consider getting a beautiful old tobacco silk like the one at left. When framed, this will very likely be a treasured memento of the person’s college years and land on the wall in their office or den to be shown with pride – and its giver fondly remembered.

Gifts that bring back pleasant childhood memories can also be a hit. Disney character items, old toys, TV characters, movie star memorabilia, amusement park collectibles, and comic books are just a few of the kinds of items that can trigger fond thoughts of previously forgotten days of youth.

Other proven gift ideas include:

• Sterling silver souvenir spoons commemorating a person’s birthplace or hometown (see example at left)

• For women, antique jewelry has a charm not duplicated by the modern.

• Old postcards of memorable locations or events in the recipient’s life.

• Vanity items such as purses, perfume bottles or dresser sets.

So where are these special treasures to be found? Use of the Internet to conduct searches can probably ease the effort in this search, but inquiry with antique mall and store owners can also yield great items.

Wherever you end up buying, be sure to get the return policy in writing. Most malls do not accept returns, though some more enlightened dealers will make exceptions, especially if you make it known the item is a gift. But do be reasonable – 30 days after a purchase is about all the time most will allow for a return.

An antique or collectible can be a great gift giving option, but only if you are willing to do some extra thinking before buying. The benefit can be a gift that will stand out among the rest and be treasured rather than returned the day after Christmas.

Send questions, comments or ideas to: Antiques/Collectibles, West Suburban Living Magazine, P.O. Box 111, Elmhurst, IL 60126. No appraisal requests please.

Printed with permission. West Suburban Living magazine November/December 2005.

All articles, images and information contained here are copyright and reprinted with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of content or format is a violation of US Copyright and punishable under applicable law.