Cooking Up Memories In Vintage Aprons

Whenever I think of kitchen aprons, or see my wife wearing her retro aprons around the house, I conjure up images of post World War II suburban America. Americans at this time had, in the aftermath of war, a renewed interest in "the home" and creating family units, if you will. The family represented everything that war didn't--comfort, safety, security, and a return to traditional gender roles. During wartime, women held jobs that were conventional for their husbands, but in the postwar era, there emerged this strong notion that men should be the primary breadwinners and women should make it their job to cultivate the home and raise the children.

According to a 1954 issue of McCall's magazine: "The most impressive and the most heartening feature of this change is that men, women, and children are achieving it together. They are creating this new and warmer way of life not as women alone or men alone, isolated from one another, but as a family sharing a common experience."

Such enthusiasm in regard to family togetherness generated an overall sense of strength and safety at a time when the threat of nuclear war was on everyone's mind. The nuclear family became a representation of shelter and refuge for America to the extent that, in advertisements especially, it became impossible to separate the image of the nuclear family from that of nuclear warfare and bomb shelters. The droll phrase used in ads at the time, as some of you may remember, was "Fallout can be fun."

It's funny how certain material objects can bring about imagery from another time, and as I mentioned before, this is what happens when my wife wears her retro aprons around the house. I find it a little ironic that she used to wear similar kitchen aprons 50 years ago--only they were a bit more authentic in that context. Now she wears them simply because they're vintage and "fun." She is quite the fashionable 75-year-old, I must say.

Even though I was once after the American Dream myself, and wanted that security of a nuclear family that was so coveted during the old days, I celebrate the fact that there are many different types of family units today. I love seeing my wife in her kitchen aprons, but the fact that she is a strong, opinionated woman who worked as a college professor for most of her life, makes them look even better on her. I couldn't imagine her playing any other role!

Author:
Written by Kacy Suther. Designer kitchen aprons, cute retro aprons and vintage aprons designed by Thia Designs on http://www.dlux57.com

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The Apron Book Vintage aprons and modern designs are turning up in movies, magazine spreads, upscale shops, and hip retail venues like Anthropologie, whose trendy line of aprons is selling as fast as they can ...

The Age of Antique Golf Clubs

Even though it is seldom easy to precisely distinguish an antique golf club from one that is merely an old golf club, there are several hints that can at least help us as collectors of golf memorabilia, to date a vintage club with relative accuracy, helping us to determine, ultimately, a golf clubs value.

The following 5 point test, which is really a preliminary golf club appraisal, can offer some quick insight on the approximate age of golf golf collectibles. Determing the age, as you would imagine, is the natural first step in establishing vintage golf club values.

The Grip - The texture of the grip can offer a meaningful hint about the age of an old golf club. Older clubs were generally equipped wit flocked suede grips. Generally speaking, clubs made after the early 1920's were manufactured with leather grips. It is also important to spend the time and energy to effectively determine whether the grip of a vintage golf club under evaluation is original or whether perhaps it could be a once or twice removed replacement. An accurate assessment here is critical as you begin your analysis.

The Club Face - The club face on antique golf irons is often smooth. Although many players manually scored their club faces, the marking of faces on vintage iron clubs was not introduced until the first few years of the 20th century. Again, even though this would certainly not rank as an exact method of dating old golf clubs, a smooth face would certainly indicate that you are in possession of a club that dates prior to 1905.


The Wooden Shaft Test - Whether or not the shaft is made of wood is a primary indicator of age. There were clubs manufactured after 1930 where preowned golf clubs with metal shafts were overlaid with plastic covers. Even though these are often represented as authentic wooden golf clubs, the old reliable magnet test can always uncover whether the original shaft is wood. If it not, this is a post 1930 age factor.

The Metal Club Head - Simple test. Prior to 1920, a different grade of steel was used to manufacture clubheads. This inferior grade of steel, as you would expect, results in clubs which today look more dated; dark colored, sometimes even rusty. An old golf club that still exhibits a shing clubhead woul point to a pice dated post 1920.

Markings or Stamps - If there is a marking or shop stamp, an Antique Gold Club Reference Guide , like our recommended resource could be used to date the club pretty precisely.

As with many antiques, often times the best way to preserve golf club value is to do nothing at all in the way of polishing, or painting, or shaft repair that would compromise the original integrity of the piece. Any reputable antique dealer, and particularly those in the golf collectibles arena, would be well equipped to help you understand those things that would enhance value vs those things which would compromise value.

Also, remember when acquiring a vintage golf club, especially through a commercial channel, to ensure that you receive a certificate of authenticity, and if possible, a golf club appraisal with your purchase.

K Harrigan
http://www.antiquegolfclubs.org

Author:
Kevin Harrigan

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Antique Furniture- Making The Right Purchase

Buying antique furniture may be harder than you ever anticipated. You may have to go through oceans of fakes and reproductions before you get to the genuine article. That is the reason why it is necessary to look at an item thoroughly before deciding to buy it. Antique shopping is not a place for impulse buying; it has to be approached with great care and research in order to get the most from your antique furniture purchases.

An example of things going awry in the world of antique purchases is the case of Sam. It was Sam's first time to purchase an antique furniture item. He had been saving for such and was thrilled when he found a magnificent piece that he strongly believed to be genuine. It was a huge display cabinet that was beautifully made. The smooth talk and wit of the salesman sealed the deal. It was only two days later that he discovered that he has been duped and that the piece was a reproduction from an unknown carpenter in a nearby locale. At the end, he ended up US $20,000 lighter and with a piece of furniture that was worth way less.

If it is your first time to purchase an antique item, be wiser than Sam. Consult a professional if you can. If you don't have the means to do so, try reading and looking up tips in how to spot the fake from the genuine article. Here are some basic tips and tricks to help you get a genuine purchase.

(1) Get a thorough look at the object. Look at all sides of it and even at the bottom part. Don't settle for something standing against a wall without looking at its back. Try looking at these objects under bright light as flaws will generally manifest themselves under the scrutiny of a bright glare. Be wary of sales personnel who seem pensive and hesitant to show you all sides of the item. Consider that a red flag, they are usually hesitant to show you the product because it will show its true nature as a fake, a refurbished item and maybe even a reproduction.

(2) Ask questions. Ask yourself and other people if it looks old enough. Notice the wear on the product and try to conclude if it's genuine or not. Never be hesitant to inquire about the item. Ask about its origins, its previous owners and whatever. Remember that a genuine piece will likely have a long string of history attached to it.

(3) Check the outward appearance and the quality of the product. Look out for uneven shading and hues as this will alert you that the product is of less quality. Of course, expect blemishes, but look out for signs of shoddy workmanship like nail head sticking out and other signs.

(4) Last, but not least, a second opinion is always important. There will be things that only another pair of eyes can notice. An expert's opinion will always be one of the best. If you have to shell out some cash for the services of a known expert, it is always much more productive than purchasing something above its perceived value.

To find great deals and a variety of antique furniture in the UK visit: http://www.antiquesbizarre.co.uk
Author Info:

For author bio visit:http://www.steviebabysblog.com/

Starting To Collect Antique Furniture Clear, relevant information on Western furniture from 1660 to 1900 by a leading authority. Now available in a new larger size.

How to Determine the Value of your Antique Collectibles

By: Casey Markee

Could you have a goldmine sitting in your attic? If you've been wondering whether your pre-war ceramic bowl is worth anything, you need to determine if you have a real antique on your hands. With over 100 million avid antique collectors worldwide all participating in a global market that could top $150 billion in 2008, there has never been a better time to revisit those old or cherished collectibles you may have in your possession.



Below are five guidelines to judge whether or not you should take the next step of meeting with a professional appraiser. You can also use these signs to make sure you're getting quality when you are buying antiques.



RARITY - Items are valuable because they are rare. For example, a limited edition printing of a painting is more valuable than a painting by the same artist that was distributed in wide release. There are a few different aspects that constitute rarity. An item can be considered rare if very few pieces were made to begin with or if just a few of the pieces are still in existence. You've also got something rare on your hands if it's in an unusual color or design for the particular type of antique. Other rare items include common items with an unusual size or shape.



AESTHETICS - A piece's aesthetic quality has a lot to do with its value. Even though aesthetic tastes are very personal, there are certain things that look good to everyone. When everything about the piece is balanced and harmonious, it's considered to be aesthetically appealing. If it's pleasing to your eye, it will probably be pleasing to others as well.



DESIRABILITY - Trends come and go in popular culture and they do in the antiques and valuable market as well. Trends depend on a number of factors. For example, after the death of a public figure there is an increase in demand for items related to that person.



AUTHENTICITY - Doing research on your item will help you tell whether or not it's authentic. There are certain types of antiques that are frequently replicated and without having a careful eye, you can be easily duped. Many types of antiques have guidebooks that detail what to look for in authentic pieces. A good appraiser will also be able to tell you if your piece is authentic.



GOOD CONDITION - If your item meets all of these standards, the only thing left to determine is its condition. Ideally, your item will be in the same condition that it was when it was first created. However, depending on the age of your antique, that's not always possible. The closer to mint (original) condition the more valuable it will be. In some cases, a very rare item will still be valuable even if it's in damaged condition.

Author Resource:-> Casey Markee is a consultant with worldwide consignment shop Nate D. Sanders, Inc. based in Los Angeles, CA. Visit them online today to view their incredible inventory covering everything from Hollywood memorabilia to historical autographs to signed Presidential memorabilia.

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100 Great Antique Automobiles in Full-Color Prints Splendid detailed prints depict 1853 Dudgeon Steam Wagon, Ford Quadricycle (1896), Stanley Steamer (1902), Holsman Surrey (1905), Riker Theatre Bus (1901), many others. Descriptive notes.

Vintage Betty Boop Poster

Betty Boop : Vintage Poster Betty Boop "Vintage" Poster measures 24" x 36"

The History behind Tactical Watches

Tactical watches were born from wrist watches that came from a man named Louis Cartier. Cartier made his friend, a Frenchman, Alberto Santos-Dumont a leather wrist band to hold his pocket watch for him and he made it popular in his native France.
Tactical Watches and Service Men - The wrist watch gained more popularity during World War I when officers came to realize they were more suitable than their normal way of telling time.

In addition, pocket watches were more of an item for the middle and upper classes, wrist watches were for the working class and the servicemen were certainly among the working class.

Infantry and artillery men needed to depend on their timepieces as the battles became more and more complicated. Because the attacks needed to be coordinated and the watches were needed on the ground as well as in the air, the military pilots found them to be just as useful as the patrolman on the ground did. Ultimately, the military commissioned their own manufacturer of wrist watches that had a black face and white numbers for ease of reading. They produced them by the masses for their troops, both airman and ground soldiers.

Tactical Watches in the Second World War - During the Second World War, a popular watch was similar to the former watch called the A-11 and had the basic needs of airmen in mind. It had a large black face and white numbers with aviation coordinates available.

Post War Tactical Watches - Following the war, soldiers wore their watches around town and they became even more popular with the middle and upper class. Then they helped to modify the wrist watches into more than just a timepiece. The standards were raised and watch makers added a chronometer, which is a clock that is used for navigational purposes and is designed for long term precision and accuracy. Then came the slide rules which made appropriate engineering and scientific calculations for many applications for both airmen and artillerymen.

Today's Tactical Watch - It wasn't before long that watch makers began tweaking and adding to the wrist watches and they began to come up with more and more sophisticated watches.
Today's tactical watches have had the input of several law enforcement agencies, Special Operations Units, SWAT teams, and military personnel before coming up with a design suited for all grades of tac tical units.
There are tactical watches today that come with software you download on your computer and then plug into the tactical watch and load various programs for what you want the watch for.

You can customize your tactical watch to fit your needs. Watches with Computers - Some tactical watches are actual computers that are no bigger than the ordinary sized watches, yet hold some of the most complicated programs for military; Special Forces and police would need out in the fields. There may be a few more buttons on the outer circle and a few more items to read in the manual, but other than that, these tactical watches are the same, durable and dependable watches as the rest of the tactical gear: ready for all conditions. There are programs for the tactical watches that are similar to a GPS tracking system.

There is software that can help you with your gun scope, or what's known as a ballistics calculator and wind velocity and muzzle velocity for shooting purposes. The watch is water resistant to 100 feet or more. Of course tactical watches have the date and time. Sometimes the watch will give more than one time zone, and has an alarm, as well as a stopwatch, a second hand, and a back light for night viewing. All of these features come in handy for many of the military and police who use the tactical watches.

They are also made for high altitudes and diving specifications such as being water resistant. Traditional Tactical Watches - Somewhere along the timeline, the leather watchband became a thing of fancy watches or everyday watches and the tactical watches adopted the strength of the nylon strap with Velcro to hold it in place. This has been a traditional piece of the tactical watch since its beginning. All of the traditional watchmakers manufacture tactical watches and military grade timepieces, but several clothing, knife and gun manufacturers also make and produce tactical watches.

They are all certified to military grade specifications and guaranteed to perform under the worst of conditions. Tactical watches are durable, dependable, military grade watches that are sold to the Armed Forces, Special Forces and police SWAT teams, as well as to the general public. There is a wide variety of styles and types to choose from depending on what you are going to be doing while wearing the tactical watch.


About the Author
William "Cole" Doggett is the owner of Knife & Supply Company, LLC. Not only will you find a massive selection of knives, but you will also find a very nice and affordable collection of Tactical Watches. Stop By!

A History of Vintage Automobiles - From 1916 to 1924

Before cars were around, people usually traveled distances using horse-drawn carriages. But as early as 1335 several bright minds have been trying to come up with a 'horseless carriage'.

In Italy there were quite a number of designs for wind-driven vehicles, none of which were ever built. Leonardo da Vinci designed a clockwork vehicle, but that too remained just a concept.
In America there were two prominent figures who would be remembered as forefathers of the modern automobile-- Ransom E. Olds and Henry Ford. Olds was the first mass producer of gasoline-powered automobiles in America, while Ford built several prototypes and began selling cars in 1903.However, these cars were really nothing more than crude horseless carriages, and they looked a lot like them too--the open body, the large, wooden wheels all screamed 'carriage without a horse'. But by 1916 certain developments enabled these carriages to become viable means of transportation, with better mechanics, increased power and efficiency, and most of all, safety and comfort.

uring the 1916-1924 period, most automobile designs have improved drastically.
The dangerous hand crank was replaced with electric starters, and kerosene lanterns were replaced by electric lighting. Enclosed bodies were also becoming more popular, and the windows can be raised or lowered at will. These improvements not only made automobiles more stylish, but also safer and more comfortable for both passengers and drivers.
Driving was slowly becoming more pleasurable.

Apart from increased comfort and security, another important characteristic of cars that became emergent during this period was the increase in durability and affordability. Automobile manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Buick, Plymouth, and Oldsmobile were mass-producing durable cars on assembly lines, which made it possible for more people to travel around at an affordable price. In addition, smaller companies began producing specific car components, adding to the ease of production and sustainability, and further lowering prices, which in turn increased the popularity of the automobile as the preferred mode of travel for everyone....

Visit Muscle Cars and Classic Cars to read more about these wonderful automobiles.

Vintage Cars Vintage Cars looks in detail at over 45 of the most collectible and desirable vintage cars from the UK, Europe, and America, providing a unique reference guide to the greatest pre-war automobiles ...

Antique Jewelry

Antique Jewelry can be for that Special Occasion

By: Richard Neesal

Antique jewelry is an item most women love. So much so that even modern brides may be seen walking down the aisle adorning vintage jewelry with pride. There are many beautiful pieces to buy from: studded necklaces, antique engagement rings, crosses pendants, brooches, bracelets, lockets and many other wonderful pieces of timeless art and beauty.

A common saying is that they don't make things like they used to do. This saying can without a doubt apply to antique jewelry. The way these beautiful pieces were crafted, presenting a beautiful finished product that has stood the test of time all these years is truly outstanding. Not forgetting that craftsmen centuries ago didn't have all the tools and equipment that people use today and had to rely on skill and hand craftsmanship.

There are many who love Antique jewelry and often wonder about the historical past of their fine delicate pieces. This is an accessory that has been passed down from generation to generation, and if these remarkable items could put their past into words some amazing stories could be told. There are also many antique jewelry lovers who enjoy researching the origin and historical background as well as wearing the pieces.

Casual antique jewelry will always be best worn in the daytime. Those who are going out in the evening for a special meal or evening out will love to wear something that is a bit more extravagant. Adjourning a fabulous pair of antique earrings or necklace will put a sparkle in any woman's eyes, making them feel like a fairy tale princess.

The best way to purchase these lovely pieces is to go to any local auctions in your area who deal in this type of jewelry, or word of mouth through friends who have the same taste. Another way is to scour your local paper for any forthcoming house sale auctions. These types of sales usually mean that the entire contents of the house, including the furniture, paintings and jewelry may be up for auction. The way many people shop today is online. Ebay is example of this but make sure you do thorough research and homework to ensure you pay the right price.

Jewelers fairs is a good way to look at many different pieces and also to gain some knowledge of how jewelers will specify the age and value of certain pieces on display. There may be some pieces that they claim are from 1900 to 1950 (Edwardian, art deco and retro jewelry), and there may be heirloom pieces at least two centuries old from the late Georgian or Victorian eras.

Antique jewelry is not only purchased to wear. Many choose to buy a piece as an investment as this type of jewelry appreciates in value as the years progress. Even if you do not wear this type of jewelry it is worth buying a piece, even if you leave it in a safe box somewhere. If you buy right, it can only appreciate in value so no money will have been lost.

Author Resource:-> If you are looking to buy antique wall clocks then the author has a large range at fantastic prices in his online store including German, Gilbert, Kroeber and Seth Thomas.

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Antique Jewelry: A Practical & Passionate Guide Antique Jewelry: A Practical & Passionate Guide

Vintage Posters and Buying Tips

Somebody said that poster collection is incomplete without having a couple of vintage posters on the walls. It is true as a fact. Often vintage posters are sold in high price. It has got an antique motive as well. But there are low price vintage posters which can be yours. These days buying vintage posters is very easy. It is because of the advent of various websites that are changing the lifestyle of many people. These particular posters have got great significance around the world. Stick a vintage poster on the wall and have the unique pleasure.

Past is always lovely and precious. This is better understood when you take a view of the wide range of vintage posters. There are people who believe that these posters only show an old car or old celebrity. It is not always that. People who have artistic taste for vintage posters will definitely view these posters through a different point of view. Do you know one thing? Vintage posters have got the highest number of customers all over the world. What exactly make these people to crave for such kind of posters. Wouldn't you like to know? Buy a vintage poster today and unfold the hidden experience. The present in which you are living is bound be the past after it moves away from your hands. But you can hold its remnants only through vintage posters. Websites which are into the selling of these classic posters have a huge collection of vintage posters that you can have its access. Do not build up the untrue perception that you cannot afford these posters.
Now-a-days, these posters come at a lower price.
Isn't it incredible? Of course, these posters might not be the antique vintage posters, but still you can get the prints of the original vintage posters as well.

About the author:
Patrick Arden is a professional writer, presently he is writing articles on vintage posters, scenic posters, cartoon posters. If you want to buy 2009 calendars visit stickitonyourwall. Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Vintage Hollywood Posters Vintage Hollywood Posters

Antique World Maps and Tapestries

Antique world maps and cartography are some of the world’s most under-appreciated treasures. Antique maps are not only historical gems, but they can also be beautiful pieces of art. Some of the earliest known maps were drawn by the ancient Babylonians, Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese. The ancient Greek astronomer, Ptolemy, drew one of the earliest world maps. Today’s experts have recreated the Ptolemy map. During the middle ages in Europe, map-making declined somewhat due to the leading philosopher’s interest in religion. Priests during the European middle ages preferred to concentrate on religion and spirituality rather than geography. While there were some maps drawn, such as Anglo-Saxon maps, Europe still had a lot of catching up to do with Asia where map-making was concerned. During the middle ages, the Chinese were leading with map-making sophistication. As the middle ages in Europe began dying out, Europeans were able to catch up with the Chinese. The discovery of the Americas played a huge part in increased map interests. During the exploration period, historic maps began to flourish. As the known world grew to explorers, so did the maps. World globes were also being made near the end of the fifteenth century.

Beautiful tapestries of the world were also made during the 16th and 17th centuries. Antique world maps were captured in detail and sewn on wall tapestries. The craftsmanship of world map tap tapestries, globes, and historic maps was very striking and detailed. They were truly works of art, and are still around today. Collectors of history consider antique world maps to be very valuable, and many are still in great condition. Replicas are also being made on parchment paper for a “antique” feel. Some collectors prefer their antique world maps to be in as much mint condition as possible, while others enjoy the old, yellow stains that give historic maps true antique-ness.

About the author:

Written by Danuin Mumm. Now you can learn all you wanted to know about Antique World Maps and you will even find articles on Historic MapsArticle Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Antique Maps Beautiful, evocative and historically significant, old maps are endlessly intriguing and keenly collected...

Vintage Posters and Your Home

When people talk about posters, it seems to be a trivial matter. But it is not so. Your home matters much to you than any other person on this earth. The kind of posters that you would like to put on the walls have to be unique and elite. Let the walls of your home suggest visitors how you are passionate about posters. Other than vintage posters no other posters can help you to meet your expectations. It has been seen that vintage posters have been the first choice of all people irrespective of countries and borders they belong to. Come forward and decorate your walls with precious vintage posters.

Well the whole market is flooding with infinite kinds of posters but you should not be misguided to choose the right one which suits you and your home. Keep in mind that you will be happy with only vintage posters. So, buy these posters and win the appreciations of people. Do you know that having passion for these posters make you an artistic person? Hope you know this. Then, why not become an artistic person? So, when you buy any posters mind these are only vintage posters.

As you are among the modern people, you should have passion for vintage posters. It is because vintage posters nurture your past into beautiful present. Till date no one has lamented on buying vintage posters. Before buying these posters from any sites you should not forget to read the blogs of customers. This would strengthen your decision for buying these exclusive posters.

Make sure that you buy vintage posters which are beautiful and elegant. Don't go by what others say about these posters. You should listen to your inner voice. After all your home is yours and posters are all yours. Do not let others to interfere into your choices. Hence, vintage posters paint good emotions to your home.

About the author:
Patrick Arden is a professional writer, presently he is writing articles on nature posters, anti-drugs posters, playboy posters,hip hop posters, cartoon posters, vintage posters, children posters and many more. Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com/author/22297

Vintage Hollywood Posters Iii Vintage Hollywood Posters Iii

A Guide to Antique Bird Cages

It has been said that everything old is new again. So it is with bird cages. Antique bird cages are a popular addition to many houses and apartments. They fit in with many styles of decorating, including Victorian and shabby chic. Chinese antique bird cages are available for an Eastern flair.
If you are buying an actual antique, prepare to pay a hefty price. Be on the lookout, though, at garage sales and flea markets. Sometimes you can find an undiscovered treasure for mere pennies. More likely, though, you will have to pay.
Ebay is one place to check for antique bird cages. Before spending a large amount of money, make sure that your seller is reputable. One way to ensure this is to only buy from sellers with positive feedback.
Though authentic antique cages are pleasing to the eye, they are not the best home for your bird. Many antique bird cages are treated with chemicals or paints that can be toxic to your bird. If you buy a true antique, use it for decorative purposes only.
If you desire the look of antiques without the price tag, reproductions are also available. Replica antique bird cages often maintain the look and style of the original, but at a fraction of the cost. Victorian reproductions are especially popular. Select Home Décor is one source for reproductions. Department stores, home décor stores, and some home improvement stores also sell faux antique bird cages.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bird Cages provides detailed information in decorative, large, custom, acrylic, antique, wooden, and discount bird cages sale, as well as covers and stands. For more information go to http://www.e-birdcages.com and/or visit its sister site at http://www.e-dogbeds.com for related information.

Vintage Car Memorabilia

Do you have a passion for vintage cars?Are you a collector of memorabilia?

If so, then I am sure that you will already know about the pleasure that can be had from searching out and finding classic and vintage car ads.The rise in popularity of the motor car in the twenties had a good knock on effect for the advertising industry.

Cars were seen as luxury items, driven by those who could afford a glamorous lifestyle. The advertisements at this time portray a care free way of life which many aspired to. The ads were colourful and bold, eye catching and elegant.

Who could predict, all these years later, that vintage car memorabilia would be in such demand? Despite the fact that we now have the fastest, most technologically advanced cars ever, we are still fascinated by these images from the past.

Maybe this is to do with the historical context of these ads, we can imagine a time when life was somewhat more care free, and motoring was more relaxing.

Think about what you've read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about collecting? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

There is also the immense pleasure to be had of having these images scattered around our homes. You may collect vintage car memorabilia to adorn your rooms, or to sell later on for a profit.

Hanging these car ads in suitable frames can give depth and character to a room. If you are a lover of art and antiques, you will soon realise that these old car advertisements can add great interest to your collection. People are drawn to them, and the older generation will always have a story to relate about their own car passions and experiences.

Hunting down and finding vintage car memorabilia and ads is all part of the fun of collecting. You may have a particular model or make in mind, or you may prefer an eclectic selection. Antique and collectors shops are a good place to browse, but maybe an expensive way to buy. Garage sales, car boot sales, flea markets are another good source, if you have the time.

Probably the best place to browse and buy, however, is the Internet. Auction sites such as EBay are stuffed full of information. There are also many websites on which you can find others who share your passion. Whatever your reasons for collecting vintage car memorabilia, whether it is for fun, profit, or both, you will never tire of the wealth of fascinating material that is easily available.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about collecting.

American Retro 1955 Classic Black Racer Pedal Car The American Retro 1955 Classic Black Racer Pedal Car was inspired by the very rare Giordani Racers of the 1950’s. It favors the 1952 through 1957 Ferrari F2 Racers and other Grand Prix type racers of that era. This brilliantly proportioned American Retro 1955 Classic Black Racer Pedal Car is made of heavy gauge steel with chrome accents that include the steering wheel, rim, side pipes, windshields and grille. The chrome knock off simulated spinners add that special touch. This is a unique vehicle that will light up the heart of any child- Vroom! Vroom! Ride on toys like this pedal car will be cherished now and remembered forever. Adult Supervision Required.Features:Overall Dimensions: 49" Length, 26" width , 19" height Finish: Chip and rust resistant, child safe, non-toxic powder coating Wheels: Steel, "custom design", 9.5 inch diameter Tires: solid rubber, soft design, 13.5 inch in the rear, 12 inch on the front Driving Mechanism: Pull bars, unique side designAges 2 and up.By American-Retro**Oversize Shipping Charges Apply**

Vintage Railroad Pocket Watches

When you are in the market for the best vintage railroad pocket watch available, something noteworthy is that they have only every been manufactured in the USA, and have had particular standards that had to be met. The size of the movement also needs to be paid particular attention to. The size of the watch's movement is determined by measuring the dial across the centre and then through to the point where it is the narrowest. The standards set by the railways meant that the watch was required to meet size 18 or 15.227 mm precisely. A larger size of 16 or 16.919 mm came into force in the 30's.

dditionally, the watches became open faced instead of enclosed in attractive hinged cases, and they now used Arabic numerals instead of the familiar Roman numerals. Every watch used a minimum of 17 jewels in its movement. There were 5 positions that each watch had to have the ability to be adjusted to, these being face up, face down, crown up, crown down, and sideways. An accurate time within 30 seconds of the week were expected of each railroad pocket watch. They were also required to be able to compensate for the temperature range of 34 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These were mandatory and with these standards and requirements, it meant that these particular railroad vintage pocket watches were unsurpassed during the time of their manufacture.

The railway industry went through an incredible growth spurt and American watch manufacturers had to rise to meet the challenge of making watches that had to be more and more accurate, and they frequently surpassed even the standards and requirements of the railroads. Keep in mind that during the 1800's, trains were the not only the primary mode of transport, but they also carried valuable goods for trade and industry. This was one of the major reasons why typical conductor railroad watches, which we now know as antique pocket watches, were crucial.

Punctuality, however, was not the only thing at stake. The watches had to be accurate to ensure that no accidents happened. Every day there were literally hundreds of trains to manage, and they all had to keep exact times. If the precise time wasn't kept, accidents could happen. For example, when tracks were switched on a scheduled time, if times weren't on time, they could collide, so precision was crucial.

One famous collision occurred in 1891 in Kipton, Ohio and was due to the fact that the conductor's watch was late by a mere 4 minutes. This was the incident that prompted the government to issue the standards for the railroad pocket watches. The first company to comply with the requirements set by the railways was the Waltham Watch Company, but these were very quickly followed by all of the major watch making companies that we are familiar with today. These include Illinois, Elgin and Hamilton. These are the vintage pocket watch that frequently feature as many as jewels and no less than 6 adjustable positions in substitute of the recommended 5 that are most wanted after by collectors and have the most value.

Lapel Watch A convenient way to keep track of the time, this lapel watch features regular time, military time and a yellow glow in the dark face. Water resistant, quartz movement. Safety clasp pin.

Collect Antique Toys

The joy of collecting antique vintage toys is very appealing to people because it can be a fun, and wise investment. At antique shows and shops the phrase “They just don’t make them like that any more” is often over heard, and for good reason! Generally toys which have reached the age of roughly fifty years will be considered antique. However when you look for vintage toys you will often see items which are only ten to fifteen years old. The word vintage has a slightly looser meaning than the word antique among sellers of these items. This is fine because there are actually many factors involved in which the status and value of collectibles are defined.

With any collectible you need to be acutely aware of the condition of the item. Excellent condition can often mean two or three times the value of just good condition. Mint condition can even result in many times more than the value of an item in just good condition.

It is a good idea to keep in mind that not everyone’s ideas of condition are going to be the same. This is why you should always closely inspect your potential purchase either in hand or through quality photos. You should also ask any questions you may have regarding the authenticity of antique vintage toys to be sure that the information is jiving correctly with what you already know about certain toys from certain periods. This will help you decide if the seller you are dealing with is knowledgeable, or at least honest. But aside from the age and condition there exists yet another point to collecting antique vintage toys; the shear fun of collecting them. Often a person may have started a collection as a child and then they find themselves well into their adult years still collecting!

And often the ultimate goal is to have a complete set of something; this can keep the fires burning and the collecting fever going for a lifetime.Vintage items offer a great means of investment because they are getting rarer every day. It is never possible to truly predict what will become a collectible in the future, and the last thing anyone thought about in the past was that in the future a cheap little toy would become a valuable antique that would be highly sought after by collectors.

And certainly what once cost maybe a few dollars can now be worth several hundred dollars or even much more. Since this is such a huge and active market, you can easily find several options for repairing antique vintage toys when necessary.

A true specialist will be familiar with not only the proper repair process for wood or metal toys, but also how to fix issues without causing any more market devaluation than necessary. Some collectors will seek out damaged items at rock bottom prices and then spend some money on having them properly restored to near original condition. This can be a great substitute for an absolutely mint example which may be nearly impossible to find do to the overall rarity of the piece.The antique vintage toys market is very strong today, like they say “They just don’t make them like that anymore” and unfortunately they never will again.

Steiff Classic 1905 Teddy Bear Blonde Mohair 12” A Steiff Classic 1905 Teddy Bear is ideal for your collection. Steiff Classic 1905 Teddy Bear is made from the finest light blond mohair, fully jointed, surface washable ,size 22cm.Ages 3 and up.By Steiff