John Deere Memorabilia or "Bleeding Green"

If you are thinking about starting a collection you might consider John Deere memorabilia.

The John Deere Company has devoted fans and collectors throughout the world. These devotees are described as “bleeding green.”  I must admit to being one of these fans. A small collection of its licensed collectibles such as miniature tractors, tins, plaques, road signs, salt and pepper shaker tractors, tree ornaments, toy banks, clocks, trays and cups occupy my modest dwelling. “Bleeding green” can be addictive.

 

The John Deere name is known worldwide today but it wasn’t always that way. Born into poverty in Vermont in 1804, John Deere persevered and became an accomplished blacksmith. After a move to Illinois, Deere discovered that the soil there was thicker and heavier and stuck to the cast iron plows brought from New England. The ingenious Deere designed a polished plow shaped like an icebreaker, which solved the problem, and sales of it took off and so did his company. He went on to design other items such as a rider cultivator, cotton planters, wagons, buggies and even tapped into the bicycle craze for a period.

It wasn’t until 1918 after the acquisition of the Waterloo Traction Engine Company that the company began to manufacture tractors for which it is now famous. In the 1950’s the company moved into the residential sector when it began to produce lawn and garden tractors.

Today the John Deere Company is a worldwide organization producing equipment for farming, construction, residential, landscaping and other markets. Its leaping deer symbol first introduced in 1876 and tweaked throughout the years, and its yellow and green theme is internationally recognized. The hallmark and success of the company is innovation–a concept the customer oriented Deere insisted on early in his career. His motto was, “I will not put my name on a product that does not have in it the best that is in me.”

Almost from the beginning, toy companies and other manufacturers began to produce miniature replicas of its products and other memorabilia. Almost anything the company made is available in miniature. Genuine John Deere items will have some form of identification indicating the company licensed the products. Imposters will have no such identification. Although the familiar green and yellow theme may appear on an item, it may not be a true Deere product.

These miniatures and memorabilia sell as well as the actual John Deere products. An early hand panted iron toy tractor can be quite valuable. As always, rarity and condition determine value of any vintage item. Two excellent reference books on Deere collectibles are Warman’s John Deere Collectibles by David Doyle and John Deere Collectibles by Brenda Kruse. Both volumes have colorful photographs and suggested values.

This writer was supposed at the large loyal following of this famous brand. There are many John Deere museums housing both the real items and the collectible memorabilia. Some auctions have also been set up just to sell John Deere memorabilia.

Collectors’ clubs have been formed for the addicted fans and collectors. In addition websites have been established to buy and sell Deere collectibles, with discussion groups, news and postings about upcoming Deere auctions. A little research on the web will put you in touch with one of these groups. One that I found is located at http//www.greencollectors.com.

The beauty about Deere collectibles is that they keep making them so it doesn’t cost much to assemble a fine collection of Deere memorabilia. I recently bought a licensed miniature tractor for one dollar at a dollar store. Although you might not find that good of a bargain, a search of flea markets, yard sales, garage sales, and the internet will yield some nicely priced pieces. Deere collectibles come in a seemingly never ending variety from miniature tractors, to dishes, to paintings, to tins, pens, fobs–even clothing.

An inexpensive and colorful collection can be put together from Deere memorabilia and such a devoted and large following has developed through clubs, auctions and internet sites that collecting these pieces is a good way to meet interesting people. If you’re thinking about starting a collection, think about a John Deere collection.

Collecting Can Be Fun—AND IS!

Greetings couch dwellers and recliner recluses. I’m not saying it’s not nice to park yourself in these cozy places during the weekend, but there’s a limit to it. After all, how many times can you watch people throw odd shaped balls to other people or can you watch reruns of Gilligan’s Island. Ginger is definitely eye candy for you men but unless you shell out for the movie version, the Gilligan crew won’t be leaving the island anytime soon in those reruns..

I know, I know—it’s a free country and all that, but heck, there are other things to do.

Men and women are by nature inquisitive and hunter-gatherers. Why not turn that basic penchant for snoopiness and snatching things up into a pleasant and rewarding hobby. Well by now, if you read the title of this publication, you know what I’m going to suggest. Surprise—TRY COLLECTING. Big surprise right. Well I had to give it a title.

All right, enough with the attempted humor--let’s get down to business here. Collecting can be a fun experience and there’s no end to what you can collect, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Sure, if you’re collecting Rembrandts you’d better have a checking account the size of Bill Gates’ but the collecting market is full of items for us low budget folks.

Someone once advised me that if you're going to go shopping for antiques, ‘stick to shops that are true to the business.' That meant, of course, turn your nose up at flea markets and those quaint little places off the beaten path that feature a few more items, other than the 100-year-old Tiffany lamp with the requisite patina on the base--places with things like old baseball caps, bottle caps, bobble heads and maybe some scented candles on the side.

Well shucks neighbor, definitely don't pay attention to any of that talk, or else you'll miss out on all the fun. High end antiquing is for the serious professional, but don't consider it fun, and for me, fun is what it's all about. I tossed out my stuffy collar long ago and now I just take my cowboy hat and boots, with me in them, to whatever nifty little place, wherever it is, that has some good old stuff to sell.

Of course if you are a serious collector, you'd better bone up on whatever it is that you're collecting, or else take the Kovels (no they’re not the ice cream people) with you, anytime you go out on that antiquing excursion.

I'll admit that I do have a penchant for items of the 50's, especially fine fountain pens and those colorful transistor and tube radios of that era. Bulova transistor radios are my favorite. That's right—the watch company—they made radios in the 50's.

My condo is running out of room to display my radio collection. Last count there were about 50 or so in various nooks and crannies (sometimes I have trouble finding my cat who likes to share the nooks and crannies with them). And yes, most of them work—the radios, not the cat..

But whenever I come across one of these gems, I've got a pretty good idea of what it's worth. I've done my research and so should you if you want to become serious about collecting items from a particular niche, even if it’s bottle caps.

There are plenty of excellent books around. The local library is a great place to start. There are plenty of good reference books for the novice who wants a broad view of collectibles. Specific books on any particular segment of the market such as dolls, collectible glass, matchbox cars, and just about anything else are also available. And don’t forget about our old friend the internet. What a fantastic place for research for professional or novice.

For the beginner though, getting a broad view of collecting is best at first—and fun. You'll be surprised at what sorts of things people collect. You'll be surprised at what sorts of things people collect.

But niche collecting is not the point of this article. I'm not always looking for radios nor do I wish to. Just taking a leisurely weekend drive through the American countryside on the hunt for one of these quaint shops is part of the fun, especially if you have no agenda as to what you're looking for.

My motto is, "If you like it, buy it." I've bought random items such as old key chains, John Deere memorabilia, cuff links, an old 45 RPM record player, vintage pencils, Carnival glass, and Coke memorabilia, just to mention a few, just because I liked them. And none of the items were budget busters—all were relatively inexpensive.

Now it doesn't matter what part of this fine great country you live in, those antique "emporiums" are out there, replete with those wonderful people who own them. Mall antique shops are fine but I'm interested in something with a bit more character, thank you. I've met some fine and interesting characters out there in those one-owner shops.

I'm on the East coast and I travel throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania on my quest for that next shop I haven't been to yet. Sometimes if you ask some of the locals at a gas station, convenience store or restaurant, you'll get valuable leads as to where a great little shop is located in the area.

One thing you should always keep in mind—don't let the looks of it from the outside deter you from stopping and going in. And if it looks like a barn, or an old railroad station, it probably is, so definitely don't miss the opportunity to take a few shots with the digital before you go inside for some easy browsing.

The people who own these shops are usually knowledgeable and friendly, and you'll find that the folks who visit them are just as friendly. Heck, that's what it's all about—that human experience, as they say.

Now just because we're feeling all friendly and have gotten that warm and fuzzy feeling inside after we've browsed around—that doesn't mean we can't get down to business. That price tag on that old lamp or that collection of PEZ candy dispensers is just your invitation for some friendly bargaining--I said friendly, not nasty.

Pleasantly asking if the price on the tag is firm is a good way to start. You'll usually discover that the answer is ‘no,' and if your willing to pay with cash, that's even better when you begin your bargaining process.

Don't make the mistake though of degrading the item as a way to get the price down—not a good idea. That's a sure way to cool things down fast. Offer 20% less than what is on the tag. You probably won't get it but more often than not, you can get at least 10% off your newly found gem.

I've even offered one price for a group of items that I'm interested in. After you've done it a few times, you'll find that bargaining can be fun. That's the whole idea.

Okay, now where's my cowboy hat—hope the cat didn't get it. Time for another weekend excursion.

Well, while I’m looking for my hat, flip the page where I’ve assembled some articles on various collectibles to wet your appetite. These are just examples of what can be collected but the range is limitless. Happy collecting!

 Collecting Beer Trays

Someone once asked why anyone would collect old beer trays. Well the answer was obvious–because they are colorful, part of history and some can be quite valuable.

Collecting beer trays is not a peculiar hobby. If so, there are a lot of peculiar collectors around. Beer trays are an art form that has attracted many collectors.

They’ve been around since the 1890’s when the lithographic process on metal was perfected by two advertising companies of the day–Tuscarora Advertising and Standard Advertising. They used the process to produce metal trays with advertising lithographs on the bottom.

Lithographic printing on metal trays became an effective method of advertising beer. Back in the 1890’s there was no radio, television or internet to inundate us with advertising messages. Advertising was a bit more personnel. You couldn’t get more personnel than having your beer delivered to you on a colorful tray with a spiffy piece of advertising on it for you to peruse before you took a sip of the suds.

Early on these trays were printed with landscapes or pictures of breweries, which were usually sturdy ornately, decorated buildings and a source of pride. Animals, comic characters and pretty women also became popular subjects for these pieces.

These trays came in all sorts of shapes including, round, square, rectangular and oblong but twelve and thirteen inch round trays were most popular overall. However, prior to prohibition most of them were oval in shape. Most were made out of metal although some were made out of porcelain enamel.

Although there are still some modern trays, the heyday of beer trays with the beautiful lithographic images ended in the 1950’s, precipitated by a sharp decline in the 1940’s. During the war effort production decreased due to the shortage of metal and many that were made were donated to the metal drives. Any surviving trays from that period are in demand.

The value of the older tray is determined by the period it was made in, the manufacturer, the scarcity of the piece and its condition. Serious collectors use a grading system that runs from fair to good to very good to excellent to near mint and finally mint condition.

Beer tray reference guides will give you an approximate idea of the value of a tray but the actual condition of the piece will determine its final value. Keep in mind also that printed values are subject to change due to market conditions.

One thing that is a no-no when displaying trays is that one never ever bangs a nail through the tray to hang it on the wall. The value of any tray will immediately dive should it suffer such a fate. Magnetic hooks or self-adhering hooks which can be removed should be used instead.

Beer trays can be found on Ebay, flea markets, garage sales and antique shops but the trick is finding one that’s a bit rare. Two good reference guides are Collectible Beer Trays by Gary Straub and The World of Beer Memorabilia by Herb and Helen Haydock.

Beer trays are an excellent art form to collect brought on by the development of the metal lithographic process. If you’re not interested in rarity, a colorful collection of inexpensive trays can be assembled and displayed easily. If you have a bar in your basement, a series of old beer trays hanging on the wall behind it will definitely add some ambiance.

It’s been my experience that beer trays you find in antique shops are a bit overpriced so be sure to haggle for the best deal. If you tend to be a bit more serious about collecting trays however, make sure you do your research with some good reference material.

 

Chevrolet Nomad - 1955 to 1957 is a Beautiful Car to Collect (even if it’s a model)

The Chevrolet Nomad series station wagons built from 1955 to 1957 are highly desirable cars to collect or restore. Don’t look for any bargains however. Prices can range from 20,000 to 42,000 and even higher depending on the model (check Hemmings classifieds). Six cylinder versions go for less. The 1957 version is the most desirable in the current market. Finding any Nomad in restorable condition can be a worthwhile project for the car enthusiast however. Most of the parts used on these models came from the passenger cars.

The Nomad is arguably the prettiest station wagon ever built. Oddly enough the idea came from a Corvette show car, which was on display at a car show at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

The show car got such rave reviews that executives at GM instructed the stylists to incorporate some of its styling cues into its 1955 station wagon lineup. The result was the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad.

It was a sporty station wagon with hardtop styling unlike anything that had been produced before. Nomads look fast even when they are parked.

History

Under the direction of design chief Harley Earl, Chevrolet had introduced the Corvette, GM’s legendary fiberglass sports car to the public in 1953. 

In 1953 Earl had a station wagon show car version of the Corvette built for the 1954 Motorama at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. This station wagon version of the Corvette had a stylish roofline. The roof design had been conceived by stylist Carl Renner. 

After the popularity of the show car GM, instructed Renner to modify the design for use on the 1955 station wagons. Renner revised his drawings to stretch the design to fit on the wagons and the Nomad was born.

Basic Specs

Nomads only came in two door models although there is plenty of hauling space in the rear.

Total production was only about 23,000 units so plan on looking hard for one. These units were not popular at the time because of the two door only configuration and the cost, which was typically higher than the convertible. There were leaking problems with the tailgate also because of alignment problems.

Chevrolet manufactured a new lightweight small block V8 for 1955 and they put it in the Nomad also. The old “stovebolt” six was also available. 1956 saw GM add a dual four-barrel option for the V8 and in 1957 they offered fuel injection.

Transmissions included Chevrolet’s trusty 2-speed Powerglide, a manual three on the column and a new smooth shifting automatic offered in 1957 called Turboglide.

The body style was the same except for styling tweaks, which paralleled the passenger line. The Nomad had sloping “b” pillars, a rakish tailgate, hardtop styling and a fluted roof consisting of nine transverse groves on the roof. They all had the signature seven chrome strips on the tailgate known as the “bananas.” Each year fronts and rears were restyled with new grilles and taillights and side moldings were also modified. The 1957 version had the big fins and like its passenger counterpart is considered by many to be the prettiest of the series but that is debatable.

Conclusion

The 1955-1957 Chevrolet Nomad station wagons may be the prettiest station wagons built according to popular consensus.

This is a great car to own for its beauty and it’s quite functional too. Although a restored car is costly to purchase, a restorable version may be found at a good price, which will make an excellent project car.

If you’re not into buying one quite yet, look for one at your local car show.

Carnival Glass

"What is this anyway, Mister?" I asked as he handed it to me. I had just won it by tossing a penny over a wooden barrier, which bounced around seemingly without direction until it finally landed in the middle of it somehow.

The crusty old guy in charge of the stall of a local carnival squinted at me and said. "Why it's a fine piece of glassware your mother will be proud to display in her kitchen cabinet, son. Then he winked and leaned forward toward me slightly and whispered, "But around here us folks call it carny glass."

That was a long time ago, but it was my personal introduction to what is now called Carnival Glass: a small marigold colored candy dish with an iridescent quality to it. The hallmark of Carnival Glass is that iridescent sheen over a colorful piece of art glass in various designs and shapes. I took my candy dish home where it did find a home in the kitchen cabinet, mostly prized because I had won it at a local carnival in my hometown of Baltimore.

Years later after I had grown and moved away from the old neighborhood, I was reminded of it as I was rummaging around an antique shop in search of some old collectible beer trays. Amidst a fine display of old glassware was an assemblage of carnival glass pieces. Vases, candy dishes and composites in various colors, but all with that iridescent shine were neatly displayed.

The prices ran the gamut from inexpensive to very expensive and I must confess I could not tell why one piece was more expensive than another. I found them all interesting though.

My introduction to these pieces had come so long ago in a local carnival set up in a vacant lot between two stretches of row houses in Baltimore. That introduction had not been notable but now as I gazed at the display in front of me, my curiosity got the best of me. That and the sudden flashback to my childhood sent me back to do a little research on these pieces.

I went to my local library to find out more about them. Guess I could have fired up the computer but I felt that I preferred the ambiance of a quiet corner in the old library where I could sit down with a few good reference books and go back in time so to speak.

The librarian pointed me in the right direction-to the reference books and the quiet corner. There's always something that touches my heart about a dedicated librarian, as well a fine spaghetti dinner in Little Italy-the latter would have to wait.

I pulled out a few books from the shelf and sat down in an old leather chair. My mission was not to become an expert on the stuff but just to get enough knowledge to understand what they were all about. I was fascinated by the iridescent shine these pieces had. Also, I did not want to feel stupid the next time I was standing in front of a collection of this glassware. Mission accomplished.

I suppose one can say the real beginning of Carnival Glass dates back to the discovery of ancient glass, mostly Roman glass which when discovered buried in ruins had a natural beautiful iridescent finish, caused by the interaction of chemicals in the ground over time.

In the latter part of the 19th century several manufacturers, most notably Tiffany, tried to duplicate the silken finish by dissolving chemicals in the molten glass followed by various stages of re-heating with a final spray of a metallic solution before final firing.

The beautiful art glass pieces achieved by this process were widely admired but they were definitely not in the price range of the common person. Not until the mass production era of the early 20th century when pressed glass was introduced, did someone produce silken finished pieces for the budget minded masses.

In 1905 Frank Fenton started the Fenton Glass Company with his brother John. By 1907 they had produced a cheaper alternative to the high priced iridized pieces of other manufacturers by spraying the pressed glass with metallic salts before the final firing stage. Although these pieces were mass-produced, they were hand finished with various hand formed edges. Fenton referred to these iridized pieces as 'Venetian Art.'

The home of Carnival Glass became the USA as the Fenton Company became part of the big five American manufactures of Carnival Glass. The other four were the Northwood Glass Company, the Imperial Glass Company, the Millersburg Glass Company, and the Dugan Glass Company, which later became the Diamond Glass Company. Of all five, the Fenton Glass Company remains the only manufacturer still in existence today, although they stopped manufacturing Carnival Glass from the early 1930's through 1970.

The heyday of production was from 1907 until 1921, which has become known as the classical period of production. Sometimes referred to as 'poor man's Tiffany,' these pieces were the rage through 1918 after which interest began to fade. By the beginning of the 1930's American factories had stopped making them and production shifted to foreign manufacturers.

It wasn't until the late 1950's that the early pieces became desirable collectibles. Unfortunately, most manufacturers did not mark their pieces for the most part and many copied their competitor's designs making it difficult for even experts to ascertain the origin of a piece. One notable exception was the Northwood Glass Company which marked its glass pieces with an underlined and circled 'N.'

During the early 1900's these attractive inexpensive pieces of art glass were given away as prizes at carnivals. However, the term 'Carnival Glass' did not come into existence until the late 1950's.when collectors became interested in them. Then their heritage as give away prizes at carnivals earned them the name we know them by today.

During the heyday of production, these beautiful pieces could be purchased for under a $1 and came in various shapes including plates, bowls, tumblers, glasses, vases, compotes, pitchers, decanters, wine glasses, candy dishes, creamers, baskets, candlesticks, and various other specialty designs.

Colors ranged from marigold, the first color produced to green, blue, amethyst, white, red, and pastel shades. Today, marigold is the least desirable while the pastels are the most desirable. Designs can be found in floral, fruit, and animals. Grape and cable designs are very popular.

Besides the color, shape and the design of the pieces, these pieces were produced in several finishes: satin, radium, pastel and electric-satin being the most common.

The satin finish is smooth with a glow. Radium has a shiny watery and transparent appearance. The pastel pieces, produced mostly by the Northwood Glass Company, exhibit very light colors. Finally, the electric finishes have a bright mirror-like finish applied mostly to dark colors.

As stated, even collectors have problems tracing the manufacturers of these pieces. If the bug gets you and you become seriously interested in collecting this glassware, you should invest some time in doing some serious research. But don't do it in a lumpy leather chair as I did.

Flea markets, antique shops and of course, Ebay, are good places to find Carnival Glass pieces. Be sure you have a good basic understanding of these pieces before you start hitting the flea markets. Recently produced pieces obviously aren't as valuable as old ones; and of course, there are plenty of fakes around, so buyer beware. Value is determined by age, manufacturer, condition, finish, design and color.

But even the inexpensive pieces look good on any shelf. Your own personal collection should be just that -- a collection representing your personal tastes, regardless of cost. I have an inexpensive marigold candy dish in my collection that I'm quite fond of.

Collecting Duck Decoys

There I was in my living room the other day reading a book about vintage cars when I looked up to catch the gaze of the bird across the room.  It sat on my ottoman across the room looking at me with that never-ending stare. The bird is my duck decoy, nicely carved and painted, which I bought several years ago from an antique dealer for 20 bucks.  Now it sits comfortably on my ottoman far away from the water it was probably intended to occupy.

The bird is not exactly part of a collection unless you consider one a collection—which I don’t—so I thought about starting a collection, which many collectors have done. The fact is that duck decoy collecting is getting very popular these days, and why not. Duck decoys represent the work of artisans, are purely an American art form and represent part of our history. They’re attractive, graceful, colorful and they can be affordable to collect.

Duck decoys go back a few thousand years. Although duck decoys are an American art form, evidence of other types of animal decoys have been found in Ancient Egypt. The earliest known duck decoys date back to the Native Americans and were found in a Nevada cave dating back to 2000 AD. They were made out of reeds decorated with feathers.e

Duck decoys were and are used to fool other ducks into landing near the decoy. Naturally this is beneficial to any duck hunter (ancient or modern) waiting to take aim with a club, arrow, net or gun in order to bring home dinner for the family.

In those early days duck decoys were primitive, but as tools developed decoys were formed out of other materials other than natural materials. Decoys have been made out of cork, rubber, wood, plastic, Styrofoam and other materials. Of course the ones that are mostly collected are made out of wood.

Some of these early wooden representations are crude; maybe a rough piece of carved wood somewhat resembling a duck with a little paint splattered on it for color.  However, contrary to what some may believe, ducks aren’t stupid, so the decoy began to evolve into something a bit more realistic. That’s when they evolved into an art form. They were transformed into wooden sculptures with fine details and exquisite painting.

The duck hunting industry grew in several areas: New England, The South Atlantic and The Gulf Coast. Those areas produced some of the most famous duck carvers. Men like Albert Laing, Harry Shourds and Ira Hudson became famous for their work.  Any piece from one of these men with proper documentation is quite valuable on the market.

Duck decoy carving proliferated from the early 1800’s through the early 1950’s and in the 1970’s, collecting these decoys began to gain in popularity. Ducks come in many species and you can find them faithfully reproduced in these carvings.

Today’s decoys are not made out of wood. They lack that certain quality that you can only find in old wood in the vintage wooden pieces. Some of these old pieces bear the scars of their years of service on the water including bullet holes. Of course, some of the vintage decoys were carved purely as art and never made it to the water.

Interest in decoys began many years ago. In 1918 an architect named Joel Barber found a decoy near his property and became fascinated with it.  He began carving and collecting decoys and in 1934 wrote what is considered the guide to decoy collecting titled “Wild Fowl Decoys.”  If you are interested in duck decoy collecting this is an excellent book with which to start your passion.

Decoys can be quite expense or quite affordable. Thousands of dollars have been paid for decoys while others can be bought for a few dollars.  Expensive old decoys can be hand carved but also products of factories. Those 19^th century hunters not having the necessary skills to carve their own decoys could acquire one that was factory produced. The first factory-produced decoys were made in 1896 by the Mason Decoy Company in Detroit Michigan. These old factory produced decoys can also command high prices if properly documented.

Age, condition, the carver, workmanship and its rarity determine the value of a decoy. Serious collecting of valuable decoys requires in depth research beyond the scope of this article. There are many reproductions and even experts have been fooled by an excellent reproduction or fake. Some carvers carved their initials on the bottom of the decoy, which helps to authenticate them.  As noted, there are many famous carvers whose work is quite valuable. Factory made pieces had metal tags attached to the bottom to the identify the production factory. Buyer beware though; as stated, many an expert has been fooled by a piece that looks original but is not. 

More modern inexpensive, beautifully decorated decoys can be found at flea markets, yard sales, antique shops, estate sales, on Ebay and other online auctions.  These pieces may be newer and the original carver may not be so famous but they can make stunning display pieces. Duck decoy carving is a uniquely American art form.  Even if you’re not interested in forming a collection, just one beautifully decorated decoy sitting on a shelf, fireplace mantle or even an ottoman can draw admiring attention from any visitor.

Happy duck decoy hunting.

Save Our Local Neighborhood Stores Before They Die

You can call them rebels—of a sort—the small neighborhood stores that compete with big-box stores and shopping centers. They rebel against a new faster paced and more remote way of life. They call them mom and pop shops although it’s a term I shy away from. After all any small entrepreneur could own one. If you frequent one, the next time you’re there take a long look, for it may fade away in the not too distant future and become just a memory.

Sometimes it's good to take a little trip down memory lane to get a good perspective on things. It was on Saturday morning a number of months ago that I drove the short distance to the small shopping center near my condo to pick up a furnace filter for my heat pump at a hardware store. Located in a pristine neighborhood, the small hardware store sat on an end spot of the shopping center.

When I entered, one of the clerks asked me if I needed any help but I politely said 'no thanks' and headed for the shelves with all the filters. It's funny how an image of something can trigger a memory. As I looked for the appropriate size filter, I suddenly remembered Al and Frank, from a time that seemed so long ago.

I had lost track of Al and Frank in 1986 when I left home. They had been around since at least 1949. I grew up across the street from them, got through grade school, graduated from high school and then college, and yet they remained, seemingly unchanged. No nothing ever seemed to change with them, but by 1986 the neighborhood, once neatly kept, whose houses with their white marble steps were scrubbed daily, had deteriorated into a crime area infested with drug dealers.

Al and Frank were the two guys who ran the corner hardware store across the street from our row house. It was a long way from today's modern shopping centers. There it sat on the corner of a blue-collar neighborhood in the middle of Baltimore. My father had bought our first fan there in 1949, a stand up Hunter model that never stopped working right through the time someone broke into the house and stole it.

Two glass windows, one on each side, showcased the various items that could be purchased inside including goodies like roller skates or the latest in irons for the housewife. Al and Frank made sure the windows were kept squeaky clean. Eventually though, the glorious glass windows were replaced with bricks and mortar after the neighborhood started to deteriorate and the bad guys broke the windows to get some free samples.

Time moved on yet Al and Frank remained. They were fixtures I could depend upon as icons of stability--Al, Frank and their hardware store. They really didn't own it. They ran it for someone else, but you would have thought they did. They would arrive each morning separately and park their cars on the street in front of the row houses as close to the store as possible, then walk to the store to open it for business. Each had a wad of keys on his belt, which opened the store, storage areas and cabinets inside the store, and the separate garage storage area up the street.

Unpretentious men, they carried lunch pails, although on some occasions their wives would stop by to leave them homemade lunches.

They made keys, cut glass, repaired screen doors; and sold nails, paint, hinges, plungers, piping, plaster, roller skates, clocks, small appliances and just about anything else a homeowner would need--year after year after year after year.

Countless customers had gone up the two steps in front of the entrance and stepped onto the old hardwood floors to be met by Al or Frank surrounded by shelves and cabinets filled with hardware. Incandescent light fixtures hung down and an old crank cash register on a counter awaited the customers after they had selected their purchases.

Of course most customers just asked Al or Frank for what they wanted or what they thought they wanted and Frank or Al would help them find it—and give advice on how to use the particular product or make a repair. Each man was a storehouse of knowledge. Near the counter was an old key maker and by it stood a paint mixer. Just behind the counter a wooden door led to a storage area in back.

From the window of my row house across the street where I grew up, I watched neighbors walk down to the store and emerge with paint, hardware, ironing boards, rejuvenated screen doors, piping, and whatever else they needed. Customers also drove in from outside the neighborhood. There was no such thing as anonymity with Al and Frank--they knew who you were and you knew who they were.

I never understood how Al and Frank kept going for all those years, never changing, and never seeming to mind about what they were doing, and most importantly, never getting tired of each other. Al was slightly outgoing but Frank was more reserved, yet they complemented each other. They were both always amiable, helpful and patient.

I stayed in the house across the street from the old store until everyone I lived with had passed. Then the dank smell of the alleys and their underbellies seeped into the walls until the warmth and safety of the house has faded and became something of the past. The neighbors moved out one by one and the boarded up windows served as testimony to their departure and the declining neighborhood. So the time came for me to also step across the entrance I had crossed so many times, lock the front door and descend down the white marble steps, and move on.

I returned some time later for one last look and to turn the house over to a real estate development firm, which had bought it. The house had been emptied of its contents by then, mostly by thieves who had broken in and helped themselves to almost everything including the stained glass windows in front. They had no use for the books though which they left scattered all over the floor.

It had been a hard sell, for the neighborhood was now virtually full of boarded up houses and the street corners had turned into business establishments for drug dealers.

It was home no longer; I got into my car and looked across the street to the once lively hardware store, which was now surrounded by iron grating tightly secured with a chain and lock. Al and Frank were finally gone and I knew an era had come to an end. I could only wonder where they were or even if they were still alive. What I felt would not never come to an end, had ended. The hardware men were gone.

With that thought, back in the present time, my hand moved forward and pulled out the air filter I had been looking for. As I walked up to the counter I pulled out my apartment key to get a spare made. The clerk found the blank from a hanging panel behind him and I watched him cut the new key on an old style key maker similar to the one Frank and Al had used so long ago. Then I realized that Al and Frank would always be around. They had a certain memorable permanence that would not vanish, physical iron grating and padlocks notwithstanding.

The clerk finished cutting the key and filed off the rough edges, then manually rang up my purchases on a semi-modern register without a scanner. The drawer opened and he gave me my change and receipt and I walked out and down the two steps that led to the entrance.For some reason I liked coming to this store, choosing to stay away from places like Home Depot. Now I knew why.

Sadly, weeks later I got a notice in the mail stating the store was having a going out of business sale. It had become a victim of the economy and our times. It too would soon pass from existence but remain in my memory along with Al and Frank. It would become another nostalgic place to visit, reached only occasionally on that linear time road that takes us back somewhere when things were a little different and perhaps a little better.

The store is empty now—locked up—void of shelves, merchandise and people. Another rebel had lost a battle with the times.

Ted's Woodworking Plans --Largest Collection

Click Here

American Pickers Review

American Pickers is a delightful show if you like collecting antiques, vintage items, or anything else. If you like spending your free time at antique dealers and flea shops, or even if you don’t, you’ll love riding along with Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they travel through the great Midwest and other parts of the US searching for antiques and collectibles. Picker is the modern term applied to anyone who searches for antiques and collectibles and sells them to other dealers or individuals.

Barns, buildings, warehouses—you name it—are the places you’ll find these two meticulously picking through piles of items to find something of value. They meet all sorts of mostly friendly characters who have collected or inherited what appears to be junk to the non-initiated. Well that’s not a term you can associate with Mike and Frank. Their depth of knowledge on antiques seems endless and at times amazes this reviewer.

Sometimes they’re just winging it as they travel, keeping their eyes peeled for anything by the roadside that indicates there might be hidden treasure on the property. It might be an old building with hubcaps on it, a bunch of old VW’s parked by the roadside or a vintage sign barely sticking out from a grassy patch by the side of an old barn. Their eyes light up when they spot any telltale sign like that for they know this may be the property of a collector or a hoarder willing to sell something.

Of course sometimes they know exactly where to go, guided by Danielle Colby-Cushman who runs the office of their business, Antique Archaeology, back in Iowa.  Danielle works the phone and the internet and comes up with prize locations for them to visit. She also finds appraisers when Mike and Frank come across something that’s beyond they’re area of expertise, and buyers for previously acquired items.  

There’s always playful friendly banter between the boys and Danielle. They like to give Danielle a hard time but the young attractive brunette with decorative tattoos gives back as good as she gets.

The boys who have known each other since grade school treat all of the people they meet on the road with respect and never try to take advantage of anyone. That doesn’t mean there’s not plenty of good old fashion negotiating that goes on before they reach agreement on buying anything.

The people they meet along the way can be as interesting as the collectibles. Sharing stories of how they became collectors, they reveal something about themselves in the process.

                                      Click Here!

The Mercedes van Mike and Frank travel in has hauled back a vast array of items from a giant boot to old gas pumps, to circus memorabilia, to a stuffed miniature pony. You never know what treasures they’ll come across.  In the process the viewer learns about many items that they never knew existed and gets a short history to boot.

Occasionally during the segment a screen pops up summarizing what they’ve paid for items and what they are worth at resale. We also get a clip thrown in now and then where Frank and Mike discuss what their strategy was while negotiating for a particular piece.  

A recent segment had Mike and Frank slightly moving out of their realm into decorating as they go on special assignment eagerly collecting pieces for William Shatner’s house including a millstone which Bill specifically requested. Bill, his wife and the boys get together at the end to review their handiwork before beaming away to other picks.

American Pickers airs on the History channel at 9 pm.

Gettysburg: A Place to Visit, Remember and Contemplate

From the moment one enters its outskirts from one of the many small picturesque roads that lead in to the historic town like spokes of a wheel, one is aware that Gettysburg is a special place. As you approach the spoke of this historic town and the old buildings come into view, they seem to announce that you are being transported back in time, back to a very troubled time in our history.

On this 150^th anniversary of the American Civil War, what better place to visit to remember and contemplate this divisive time in our history than Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

History

Gettysburg, a small town in a beautiful part of our country is the place of the 14^th battle of the Civil War and the first and only one fought on northern territory. Lee had crossed the Potomac with plans for invading the North when Rebel troops looking for shoes in Gettysburg discovered that Federal Troops were there. Lee thought this was an excellent opportunity to defeat the northern troops on their own territory, and the battle began.

Gettysburg is where 163,000 soldiers clashed and 51,000 were killed. Although General Lee believed it would be a positive turning point for the South in the war if he could successfully invade northern territory, in fact it became a negative turning point for the South.

The North suffered heavy losses on the first day and retreated to high ground on Cemetery Ridge where they were able to strengthen their position after General Ewell hesitated to attack.

Another delay by General Longstreet in mounting his attack on the second day also helped the North to fortify their position.  Longstreet had earlier argued that he thought the Union position was impregnable but was overruled by Lee. Longstreet was correct. Longstreet attacked from the south and Ewell attacked from the north and east but although suffering heavy losses, the Northern troops held their defensive positions.

Day three saw Lee gamble and try to attack the center of the Union line. This turned out to be Pickett’s charge, a massive slaughter for the Rebel troops who fell prey to the false impression the Union troops gave that their canons had been destroyed.  After the Union silenced their canons on purpose, the Rebels attacked with a force that was one mile long believing the Union forces were defenseless. They were completely vulnerable to the Union’s canons, which began firing again. Later lee would claim, ‘It’s all my fault.”

After many prior losses the North successfully repelled the rebel forces after a fierce three-day battle in 1863. It was the so-called High-water mark for the Confederacy for it would never again show such strength but rather would begin its slow journey toward Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox in 1865.

Although the death of 51,000 soldiers is memorialized at Gettysburg, it is not so much a place to remember part of our history but rather to contemplate its meaning.

I have been there many times and have found the place both fascinating and haunting. Every American should plan a pilgrimage to that peaceful place in Adams County, Pennsylvania that perhaps defined the course of our history as The Union Army of the Potomac clashed with Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia for three hot days on July 1, 2 and 3 in July 1863.

Lincoln’s Famous Speech

It is also where President Lincoln gave that famous speech on November 19, 1863 at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery—a speech that was only a little over two minutes in length, but is one of the most famous speeches in history.

That of course is the Gettysburg Address in which Lincoln stated that the Civil War was not just a struggle for the Union but one for “a new birth of freedom.” This famous speech was so short that the official photographer had not set up yet and could only snap Lincoln’s picture as he was returning to his carriage. Today the Gettysburg Address Memorial on Cemetery Hill honors this great speech. A plaque is attached to the memorial with the speech inscribed. The actual speech was given about 300 yards north of the memorial.

 

History Preserved

Although there are restaurants, souvenir shops and hotels in Gettysburg, the battlefield, cemetery and surrounding acreage have been preserved. In fact, there is an ongoing effort to keep this area as it was in 1863. Other battlefields have not been so fortunate since many have been taken over by modern development and many more are threatened each hour of every day.    

Places to Visit

There are many historic places to visit in Gettysburg and it may take more than one visit to see most of them

Upon arriving in Gettysburg, perhaps the best place to start your tour of this historic battlefield is the new Gettysburg History Center, which houses as its centerpiece the beautiful diorama recently restored and moved to this new building. The diorama is indeed breathtaking and one should silently thank the many individuals who over the years have participated in its preservation and helped it survive.

The folks behind the History Center bring the three-day battle to life with a dramatic fully narrated light and sound show integrated with the diorama. The History Center also has displays of Civil War artifacts, a gift shop, and a restaurant.

The Diorama is the main attraction however. It is a masterpiece to behold. Completed in 1883 by 20 artists led by Frenchman Paul Philippoteaux, it is 50 feet high and 400 feet in circular length. It represents 6000 acres of the Gettysburg battlefield. Accurate to scale it depicts fields, roads, horses and military equipment.

Nearly destroyed in 1901 by fire after it had been forgotten and packed in boxes sitting in a vacant lot in Boston, a department store owner named Albert Hahne rescued it. He eventually was the force behind having it shipped to Gettysburg where it has undergone several restorations since its arrival.

Also recently restored in 2006 and a noteworthy place to visit is the Lincoln Train Station. Near collapse after years of neglect, the station was brought back to life through the efforts of local citizens. It is there that President Lincoln arrived on November 18, 1863 and walked two blocks to the home of a wealthy attorney named David Wills who had invited him to stay overnight before giving his speech.

Although five original copies of the speech exist with slightly different text, it is believed that Lincoln penned the final version in the second story bedroom of the Wills House that night. A visitor can follow in Lincoln’s footsteps from the train station up to the Wills House and into the bedroom where Lincoln stayed and finalized his speech.

A tour of the battlefield and monuments is a must. There are several ways to do this. Driving around in a self directed tour with a map is one way. CD’s are also available which you can pop into your car’s CD’s player and guide you through the area as you drive.

Tours by buses with guides are also available and there are even equestrian tours for those who are not afraid of horses. These horses are supposedly quite tame so this might be a unique and exciting way to tour the battlefield.

Whatever method is selected, researching the battle before actually visiting the battlefield is highly recommended so one has a better understanding of some of the areas on the tour.

A little knowledge about the Union’s defensive strategy will be very helpful when visiting the battlefield. The Union’s defensive strategy to seek higher ground after the first day of battle, forming a pattern that is referred to as a “fish hook” was believed to be key in turning the battle to their favor. That “fish hook” defense was on high ground along areas which are well known today and should be visited during the tour.

The “fish hook” encompassed such areas such as Little Round Top, Big Round Top, The Wheatfield, The Peach Orchard, Culp’s Hill and Cemetery Ridge where the final surge by Lee’s forces known as Pickett’s charge was repelled by the Union forces.

Despite the many lives of soldiers that were lost at Gettysburg, only one citizen died in a battle related incident. That individual was a 20-year-old woman named Jennie Wade who was baking bread at her sister’s house and was killed by a stray Confederate bullet. The house is preserved as a museum now, much as it was including the original kitchen door with the holes made from the bullets that killed her.

The American Civil War Museum contains scenes depicting the civil war complete with old artifacts and life-like wax figures. A highlight is an automated Lincoln figure that delivers the Gettysburg address. The wax figures in the depicted scenes are so convincing in detail that one almost expects them to move at any moment.

It is said that the Wheatfield and many other areas are haunted by ghosts of the soldiers killed in the battle.  A theory which has developed states some of the soldiers died so quickly without knowing what happened that they still remain on the battlefield not knowing that they should move on. Some visitors have even claimed to have seen small marching battle units at night. Many writers have visited the battlefield, interviewed witnesses and written books about the phenomena. If you have an interest in this subject there are several ghost tours available to you, which are conducted at night no less. 

As a National Military Park overseen by the U.S National Park Service, Gettysburg has ranger-guided tours also. These dedicated individuals are quite knowledgeable about the history of the battle and a tour led by one of these rangers is quite rewarding.

Gettysburg is a small town and you will find that small town charm in the people there. The shop owners, restaurant owners, tour services people, rangers and others are friendly and always willing to help you and part with any historical information they have.

There are other areas of interest In Gettysburg. Free copies of colorful maps are available at restaurants and shops which show other historic areas as well as places to dine and stay overnight.

Conclusion

The civil war a divisive time in our history when brother fought brother. The conflict at Gettysburg was an important battle in that bloody conflict which lasted over four years. Many have spent their lives helping to preserve it. It is there for us to visit and contemplate. 

A trip to Gettysburg is rewarding both spiritually and emotionally. A part of our great history lies there. From the tragic loss of life there, as Lincoln stated, there was a new beginning for the Union.   

 

Recreational Vehicles - RVing

The sale of recreational vehicles is booming. They are expected to break sales records this year after breaking a record the previous year. Younger buyers are fueling the growth. Almost 450,000 are expected to ship from manufacturers to customers in 2017. Current manufacturers include Monaco, Tiffin, Holiday Rambler, Winnebago, Fleetwood, Airstream, Coachmen, Keystone, Jayco, Forest run, Newmar, Northwood Manufacturing, and Thor Motor Coach, as well as others.

RVs are an excellent way to get out and experience nature. Motorhomes in particular are the perfect getaway—home away from home, with practically all the modern conveniences. They provide the feeling of freedom and stability all wrapped up in one. 

They come in all sizes depending on your budget and intended functionality.

Although people have been living on the road for centuries in covered wagons and horse drawn carriages, the concept of RVing probably originated in Europe with gypsies and other nomads who traveled from one place to another in covered wagons.

The birth of the modern RV began in 1910 as cars began to be mass produced and people got the yearning for adventure on the open road.  In 1910 camping trailers were produced that were meant to be towed by motorized vehicles. In that year the first trailer called Touring Landau was produced by Pierce-Arrow and was shown at Madison Square Garden. Later that year an American Company named Trailer Works located in Los Angeles began manufacturing trailers also. Trailer Works was the first company to produce campers with primitive bathroom facilities inside.

By the 1920s, RVing was becoming quite popular although still for the adventurous, as roads were still a bit on the rough side, and sometimes these pioneers of the hobby had to haul their campers where there were no roads, in order to reach rivers and other beckoning outdoor points of nature. Clubs began to spring up such as The Tin Can Tourists, named because they ate from heated tin cans of food as they traveled the country braving all sorts of hazards and weather to enjoy their hobby.

It wasn’t until the 1930s that manufactures began to implement new designs, offering various sizes and much needed improvements such as electricity hookups, self contained water supplies, beds and dinettes. Aerodynamic styles began to emerge with the production of the famous Airstream Clipper trailer, an aluminum, highly polished aircraft style sausage shaped trailer designed by Hawley Bolus. The Airstream Company is still producing recreational vehicles today although production of Airstream trailers stopped many years ago. Original Airstreams are quite valuable. 

Styles modeled after buses and boats also appeared.

Other companies in that era, such as the Covered Wagon company also began producing trailers even though economic times were tough. The lifestyle was popular as it was an alternative to train travel and hotels. Many trailers were manufactured during the 1930s, and some were even homemade from kits. So many were produced that the market became saturated, causing many companies to go out of business.

Production of recreation trailers stopped in World War II as aluminum was needed for other uses and the hobby declined as people were occupied with war efforts.  Many trailers were used as military housing.  Not until the end of the war did civilian production again resume as popularity of this lifestyle once again increased.

_

By the 1950s, RVing was quite popular again. Trailers became biger with more elaborate interiors and modern conveniences. That period also marked the birth of the modern self propelled RV known as the motorhome. These could be driven and were built on truck, vehicle, or bus chassis.

Eventually,these motorhomes were classified into three classes: A, B and C.

Class A motorhomes are the large ones. They are normally built on bus-like chassis and are luxurious inside, available with all possible amenities. Some have slide-outs to increase the living space. As expected they are quite expensive. Their downside, beside the large outlay of cash needed to purchase one, is that they are intimidating to drive.

Maneuvering along small roads can be difficult and dangerous. Finding parking accommodations can be difficult in small trailer parks. Many owners tow small vehicles behind them so they can run errands. This class of motorhome is good if you plan to live on the road full time but insurance, gasoline and maintenance can be very expensive.

Class B motorhomes look like large vans with high roofs because that’s basically what they are. Interior living and storage space is restricted, but because of their size, they are easily maneuverable, and less expensive to maintain. Small errands can be run easily and gasoline costs are reasonable. 

Class C motor-homes are larger than class B motorhomes and are built on a truck or van chassis. They have an overhang over the cab area for extra sleeping and/or storage space. They are harder to maneuver than Class B motorhomes and use more gasoline. Small errands can be hard to run and again, some owners tow a small vehicle in back for quick runs to the store.

Towable trailers com in various configurations and sizes depending on functionality. Accommodations inside can be luxurious or purely functional, again depending upon budget and intended use. This class includes sport utility trailers for hauling toys such as scooters or ATVs. Other types of trailers include the expandable type for camping trips, that are expandable with tent attachments but fold back down when towing.

As noted atthe beginning of this article, RVs are a hot selling market at this time. More sales have been recorded than at any time since statistics have been kept on RVs back in 1979. The largest portion of these sales will be for trailer type RVs. Maybe this is an excellent time to consider shopping for one or buying stock in RV companies.