August 5, 2005

Bala 2005 Muskoka Antique & Nostalgia Show Sale

Sat Oct 1 10 am - 5 pm
Sun Oct 2 10 am - 4 pm
Admission $5.00 includes re-entry
705-484-1668

July 30, 2005

Bracebridge 2005 Antique Show & Sale

Bracebridge 2005 Antique Show & Sale will be held Fri Aug 12 (5-9 pm), Sat Aug 13 (10 am - 5 pm) and Sun Aug 14 (11 pm [that's what it says on the flyer!] - 4 pm) at the Agricultural Building, Fraserburg Road Fairgrounds in Bracebridge Ontario. Admission is $5.00 for the whole weekend.

July 28, 2005

Prince Edward County 2005 Antique Show & Sale

Prince Edward County 2005 Antique Show & Sale

Friday September 16, 2-8pm
Saturday September 17, 10am-5pm
Sunday SEptember 18, 11 am-4 pm

Crystal Palace
Picton Fairgrounds,
Picton Ontario
Admission $3.00

July 26, 2005

Barriefield Antiques, Kingston Ontario

We've been to this Antique store before, and loved it. This month we arrived on a Friday only to find it closed - open only on weekends. As we peered through the front window, the owner drove by and stopped to open for us. So we had the store to ourselves for over an hour.

It's a large building chock full of nicely displayed good quality pieces. Lots of furniture, tins, and too many eclectic items to list! The owner's father loves scales so there are always quite a few for Brian and I to drool over. He also picks up railroad lamps and other items so a railroad buff like Brian's father would love it there. The owner herself is a cash register collector so she has some nice pieces available.

We didn't buy anything this trip but we do have our eye on two scales...

July 24, 2005

Odessa Antique Show & Sale

"The largest outside show in Eastern Ontario"

Sunday Aug 7, 2005 8 am to 4 pm
Admission $6.00

Held at Odessa Fairgrounds, 10 miles west of Kingston at exit 599 Wilton Road

July 23, 2005

Bobcaygeon 2005 Antiques & Collectibles Sale

Fourth Annual Boyd Heritage Museum Antiques & Collectibles Sale

Sat Aug. 20 10 am - 5 pm
Sun Aug 21 10 am - 4 pm

Bobcaygeon Curling Club
30 dealers
Admission $2.00
Snack Bar

For more info call 705 738-3417

July 21, 2005

Annual Antiquefest, Morrisburg Ontario July 23 & 24

Don't miss the 7th Annual Antiquefest, Morrisburg Ontario July 23 (10 am - 5 pm) & 24 (10 am - 4 pm) 2005. Admission is $5.00, children under 12 are free. Parking is free. Call for details 613 543 3532

July 19, 2005

Wendy May's Antiques

Wendy May's Antiques is a great little antique store in Kingston. It has lots of great stuff, nicely displayed, and fairly priced. The owners are very friendly and will give better prices.

Their blurb says "china, furniture, glass, pottery, pictures, mirrors, jewellery, interesting and pretty things". I found and bought a great antique coffee grinder, which Wendy May marked down for me when I showed her the book price. She sold it for less than I offered to pay - go figure!

I also found two great walking sticks, a gorgeous art deco bracelet and an art deco armoire at reasonable prices. Wendy May sold them all at less than sticker price and I was very pleased.

We went back a second day and Wendy's husband offered us fresh tea! 979 Sydenham Rd, Kingston Ontario is where you need to look.

June 25, 2005

History of Coffin Plates

img src="http://olivetreegenealogy.com/blogphotos/ada-l-baker.jpg" align="right" alt="Free Genealogy Death Record on the Coffin Plate of Ada L Baker 1842~1865" /> The history of Coffin Plates or casket plates is a long but not very well documented one. Generally made of a soft metal like lead, pewter, silver, brass, copper or tin, coffin plates are decorative adornments attached to the coffin that contain free genealogical information like the name and death date of the deceased. The oldest ones that I have seen date from the 17th century (1600~1699) and were reserved for people of some stature, in other words people who had money. As time went on more people were able to afford the luxury of a Coffin Plate and with the coming of the industrial revolution the cost of the plates went down so much that by the middle of the 19th century almost every family could afford to have one put on the coffin of there loved one.

At the same time that coffin plates were increasing in popularity the practice of removing the plates from the coffin before burial increased. The coffin plates were often removed to be kept as mementos by the loved ones of the deceased. This practice peaked in the late 19th century (1880~1899).

In some more rare cases the plates are removed when the grave is disturbed for some reason like cemetery relocation. This is more common in Europe were space for graves is at a premium.

These plates are an overlooked free genealogical resource. They often contain the Birth Record and Death Record and can be used as a substitute for vital records. In some rare cases the plates can contain even more information like place of birth or the occupation of the deceased.

There has not been a single repository for this valuable free genealogy resource until now. Brian has createed a coffin plate database and a home for the unwanted plates themselves on his site AncestorsAtRest.

© copyright AncestorsAtRest.com published with permission. See the coffin plates on this site.

June 14, 2005

1927 Certificate Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons Canada



14"x18" ceritificate in excellent condition, no stains or tears. It has been rolled up in its original mailing tube for who-knows-how-long but it hasn't creased and can be flattened. The lucky winner of the auction will get the certificate and the original cardboard tube with postage stamps and mailer label

This certificate has the capital letters "ITNOTGAOTU" at the top. I did a bit of research and found that those letters stand for "In The Name Of The Great Architect Of The Universe"

The top of the certificate has the heading

The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada

Excerpts from the certificate read:

"...Companion Ernest Hastings Jordan .... exalted to the Supreme Mysteries of the Holy Royal Arch in Tuscan Chapter No. 95 in Sudbury ... 25 Oct .. Year of Discovery 2457"

No. 51/192

Dated 2 November Year of Discovery 2457 A.D. 1927
Signed Henry G. Smith GSD



It comes with its original cardboard tube mailer complete with postage stamps. Postage is one green 2-cent stamp and two 1-cent yellow stamps labelled Canada and bearing the pictures of King George V

Mailer label:
From PO Box 1135
Sudbury

To
Mr. Ernest Hastings Jordan
Coniston
Ont

The Madrid Conference of the Universal Postal Union, held in 1920, adopted new international postage rates effective from the 1st October, 1921. The new rate necessitated certain changes in the colors of Canadian postage stamps. The 1-cent stamp was yellow instead of green; the 2-cent green instead of red.

The Portrait is of His Majesty King George V in an oval framework. The King is wearing the uniform of an admiral. The portrait is a composite from photographs by Walter Barnett and Messers. W. and D. Downey of London, England.

I describe my goods as accurately as I can. They are antiques or vintage and are not perfect, but have wear and tear as any old item has. This item would be perfect for anyone collecting Mason memorabilia or for postage stamp collectors.

June 13, 2005

Vintage Oiler Oil Can Turquoise


7 1/2" x 3" vintage oiler oil can. Nice turquoise blue color on bottom. In good shape, with a few dings and dents, no more than you'd expect from an item like this.

Great addition to any oil can collection. E Bay Item number: 7161081326

O'Keefe's Stone Ginger Beer Bottle Caps - Cork liner

Great piece of Beer History!

Eugene O'Keefe, founder of O'Keefe Brewing Company, grew up in muddy York (present day Toronto), to which his family had emigrated from Ireland in 1832 when he was five. O'Keefe learned the art of brewing from Hannath & Hart Brewery, and in 1862 he bought the business. Within two years it was O'Keefe and Company. He was the first to produce lager beer in Canada along with the traditional ale and porter.

1891 the company was incorporated as O'Keefe Brewing Company Limited. O'Keefe was one of the first brewers to use motor trucks for beer delivery, the first to build a mechanically refrigerated store-house for beer and one of the first to advertise extensively. Eugene O'Keefe died in 1913 but the company continued to brew beer.

With Prohibition's advent in 1916 O'Keefes began making stone ginger beer, but with repeal in 1926 brewing was resumed

You are bidding on two O'Keefe's Stone Ginger bottle caps in good condition. One has a bit of the cork liner missing. The other is in pretty good shape.

These caps are for sale on E Bay, Item number: 6184265916
SOLD!

Antique & Vintage Picture Frames with Ancestors

Here's how you can combine a love of collecting (in this case, antique Victorian era picture frames) with a passion for genealogy.

Antique Picture Frames
Antique Picture Frames,
originally uploaded by Lorine.


Haunt junk stores and antique stores and flea markets for old picture frames. Fix them up a bit, clean them, paint them with an air-brush if needed, even put a bit of plaster on the old plaster ones that are missing bits and pieces.

Next find photos of your ancestors, you know, great-grandma in a beautiful dress. Take the photo to a photographer and have it enlarged to fit the antique frame. Choose a mat and you're set.

Then hang the pictures on your walls. Here's an example.

I have lots of old picture frames for sale. contact me if interested.

June 12, 2005

Purina Cow Chow Milk Scale

Brass face has the following lettering:


COW CHOW
Makes More Milk
At Less Cost

Farmer's Milk Scale
Not Legal For Trade

Spring Balanced
to 30 lbs.
Warranted

Don't Guess - Use This
Purina Milk Scale


The number 7908 is stamped above "Cow Chow", The needle moves easily, presumably this still works!

Purina  Cow Chow Milk Scale
SOLD!
The company behind the famous checkerboard symbol, Purina Mills, was founded by William H. Danforth in 1894. The Purina Company (originally called the Robinson-Danforth Commission Company) was the result of a partnership which was formed to produce animal feed, and operate a retail feed store.

Purina commissioned numerous products which were given to salesmen, customers and owners of these feed companies, in return for new or enlarged accounts. This was part of the massive advertising technique to develop wholesale and retail accounts from feed stores, feed lots, farms and dairies.

Among the many products produced as incentives were: brass scales for weighing milk, baby chickens, rings, clothespin bags, posters and signs, brass animals, fine art animal paintings, ties, and well-made pocketknives with the famous Purina name and red and white checkerboard overlaid with clear celluloid on the sides of the handles.

This scale has some rust and is dirty. I didn't want to clean it, I'll leave it to the lucky high bidder to decide how much of that wonderful old patina to keep.

Scale is approximately 10" x 4 1/2", not counting the hook at bottom and ring at top. What a great addition to any scale or Purina advertising collection!

This is Item number: 6184385149 on EBay

Vintage Oiler Oil Can with Screw Cap

SOLD! Old oiler with screw cap! 3 1/4" tall x 1" x 1/2" oil can. "Made in USA" stamped on bottom. Original screw cap. In good shape. No dents or dings

I describe my goods as accurately as I can. They are antiques or vintage and are not perfect, but have wear and tear as any old item has.

Vintage Medical WW1 Red Cross Invalid Cup

This invalid feeder cup has a red cross on the top, gold edging on spout and around rim and down handle. I believe it is WW 1 era, circa 1914-1919.These cups where used during the war to feed tea or broth to wounded or sick soldiers.



There is one small hairline crack on the rim opposite the handle. It does not extend to the 'side' of the cup. There is a chip on the underneath part of the spout. The gold edging is lightly worn, possibly from so much washing up! No maker's mark that I can see. Would make a nice addition to any medical or red cross or porcelain collection

Cup is 4 1/2" in length and approximately 2" high and 3 1/4" across the top, not counting the handle

I describe my goods as accurately as I can. They are antiques or vintage and are not perfect, but have wear and tear as any old item has.

See more pictures of Red Cross Invalid Cup

Please note that what I thought was a hairline crack is probably a manufacturing defect according to my spouse. It's very tiny. This item is for sale on E Bay, Item number: 7327815559 SOLD!

Bluebird Marshmallow Advertising Tin

Advertising containers and products sold in the old country store are now collectibles. Advertising tin cans or canisters were first used commercially in the United States in 1819 and were called tins.

This triangular Vintage Bluebird Brand Marshmallow advertising tin is by the Harry Horne Co. Ltd. Toronto Canada. It is in decent condition. There are no dents, just some rust and wear as common for a tin of this age. It is still very attractive and displays well. Would make a nice addition to any antique collection.

The lid has more rust and wear than the actual tin. Graphics on the container are clear. Graphics on the lid are less visible due to rust/staining. There are small rust spots on the tin itself.

Size Triangular tin 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" Tin is for auction on E-Bay, Item number: 7161075197 SOLD!

June 8, 2005

Christie Antique show

Brian & I missed the Christie Antique show in May, so we plan to go to the next one in September.

More than 300 booths, each with display space of 20 feet by 30 feet translates into 180,000 square feet of antiques. It's too good to miss! Opens 8 am closes 5 pm

May 28, 2005 & September 10, 2005 at Christie Conservation Area,Dundas, Ontario Highway 5, nine km west of Highway 6. More info and directions at http://www.antiqueshowscanada.com/christie.htm

June 4, 2005

Victorian Match Holder

Victorian Match Holder
Victorian Match Holder,
originally uploaded by Lorine.
Brian and I also collect match holders. In the 1800s and 1900s these were used by the stove or by oil lamps. The single pocket ones are usually (as far as I know) for stove use -- you know, take a match, light it, light the stove or fireplace and toss the used match inside.

The double pocket ones were, I think, used for lamps. Take the match from one pocket, light it, light the lamp, put the used match in the second pocket.

We don't know much about match holders, but we like them for their lines and different styles. I have them all on the wall over our woodstove as a display.

The fancier ones like this were probably used in Victorian times.

May 30, 2005

Ansonia Nickel Plated Clock

Ansonia Nickel Finish Mantle Clock, Ansonia Clock Co. New York. Patented 1886

This clock's pendulum bounces up and down. It is supposed to have a boucing girl on a swing that bounces up and down and I am looking for one. Meantime my deceased husband's stepfather, a clock repairmaker, jury rigged this silver brooch to substitute so the clock would still run and keep time.

It is part of the Ansonia Jumper series and is called Ansonia's Jumper #2. It has a bisque doll that bounces up and down. I am looking for a replacement doll for this clock. The bisque doll should be kneeling on one knee on the swing, not sitting down. I believe she is called Lady Bisque, and not Miss Evelyn who is sitting.

The Ansonia Company was best known for its decorative imitation gold, and ornate novelty clocks. Petulant cupids and angels, deep thinkers, athletes, babies, and languid ladles drape and adorn the ornamental designs, that characterize the name and products of Ansonia.

Ansonia was named for Anson C. Phelps who started the Ansonia Brass Co. in the 1830s in Connecticut. In 1851 The Ansonia Clock Company came into existence as a subsidiary company.

In 1878 the Ansonia Clock Company acquired a factory in Brooklyn, New York, and transferred the entire operation there. If you find "Ansonia, Conn." on your Ansonia clock then it was made prior to 1878. Subsequent clocks are marked New York. In 1879 a fire destroyed the Brooklyn factory. The plant was immediately rebuilt, and they were back in full production by 1880. They successfully operated until active production in the Brooklyn plant ceased about 1930.
Ansonia Nickel Plated Clock
Ansonia Nickel Plated Clock,
originally uploaded by Lorine.

May 27, 2005

St. Jacobs Antique & Book Market

Brian and I discovered St. Jacobs Antique & Book Market in St Jacobs Ontario a few years ago. It is labelled as a "multi-dealer shop". That means it's big (3 floors) with many dealers booths. Brian and I like that because you can see lots of different antiques and collectibles under one roof.

The first floor is eclectic - good stuff mixed with junk. Take your time and you may find a treasure or two. The second floor is my fav, with better quality antiques and collectibles. I almost always find something to buy on this floor. The owner loves clocks so there are almost always some interesting ones to check out. Often you will find tea caddies although the last time we went they had none left.

The top floor has mostly secondhand books. Since that doesn't interest me I can't tell you much about them.

Our last trip was the first time we haven't bought something there. I don't know if we were just tired or not in the mood, but nothing caught my eye. The only thing that Brian wanted was a gorgeous old clock priced at several thousands of dollars. Needless to say we did not get it!

Prices vary - some are reasonable, some a bit high. But you can't go wrong checking it out, there is bound to be something that appeals.

May 26, 2005

Bow Front China Cabinet For Sale

Bow Front China Cabinet For Sale
Bow Front China Cabinet For Sale,
originally uploaded by Lorine.
This is a beauty, completely original, nothing has been touched on it since it was first made.

It's in almost mint condition, with one small chip bottom left near the back.

It's in our living-room with some of our china and collections.

We bought this Bow Front China Cabinet with the intention to sell it. Price: $5,300.00

May 25, 2005

Oak Antique Display Cabinet

Oak Cabinet & Antique Display
Oak Cabinet & Antique Display,
originally uploaded by Lorine.
This oak cabinet is a find in itself, it was covered in layers of crummy paint, one of those 'aha' discoveries you make now and then.

It was hidden in a pile of 'stuff' in an Antique Mall in Elora Ontario when I spotted it. I was drawn to the design work and thought there was a beautiful piece under all that paint.

I bought it, brought it home, Brian spent hours stripping it and it's as gorgeous as I thought it would be - the light coloured oak displays the treasures well.

Brian still hasn't finished the door (I am replacing the mirror with glass so my items show) and the top fancy bit but I have it up anyway.

Antique Watsons Tin in Barrie Ontario

Watsons Cough Drops Tin
Watsons Cough Drops Tin,
originally uploaded by Lorine.
Yesterday Brian and I visited a new-found antique mall in Barrie Ontario at 272 Innisfil St. We were impressed from the moment we walked in the front door. You know how sometimes you can just get that feeling and you know you're gonna make a great find? The atmosphere was perfect for what Brian and I like, especially for me.

I love the old country store feel - advertising signs, scales, old tins. We both love those neat Victorian architechtural details and that was there too, as well as stained glass, another fav. The owners were friendly and helpful, although when asked what we were looking for, I of course replied "Everything!" How to explain our eclectic and numerous collections is always difficult for us.

My great find that day was a very nice Watson's Imperial Cough Drops tin in green. It's about 6 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 5 and the graphics are in pretty good condition. I knew it would look great in my display of antique medicine bottles and cans as well as antique shaving mugs which I have in our main bathroom. I've put up a photo of it so you can see what I'm doing there.

The cabinet they are in is a find in itself, it was covered in layers of crummy paint, one of those 'aha' discoveries you make now and then. I bought it, brought it home, Brian spent hours stripping it and it's as gorgeous as I thought it would be - the light coloured oak displays the treasures well. Brian still hasn't finished the door (I am replacing the mirror with glass so my items show) and the top fancy bit but I have it up anyway.

We will be going back to this Barrie Antique Mall this week to continue looking as our time was limited yesterday. I'll let you know if I buy anything else! There was a very nice Keen's Mustard Tin that caught my eye....

May 3, 2005

Antique Oak China Cabinet

Oak China Cabinet
Oak China Cabinet,
originally uploaded by Lorine.
This is a terrific oak china cabinet. It's early 1900s, nice simple lines and lovely curved legs. One drawer holds quite a few linens and flatware.

We bought this at the Roadshow Antiques Mall in Cookstown Ontario 2 years ago. It sits on the landing of our oak staircase.

There are no marks or scratches, it's the original finish, a very nice piece.

May 1, 2005

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About Brian & Lorine - Antique Hunters

I'm an avid genealogist and antique hunter. I've written several genealogy/history books and articles, if you are interested in them, see Olive Tree Genealogy

Brian and I have an eclectic collection of antiques and collectibles, among them old scales, coffin plates, tins, Pratt pod lids, WW1 militaria, end-of-day glassware, coffee grinders, boxes both big and small (snuff, patch, stamp and more)...

Brian's main collections are his World War 1 collection, coffin plates and end-of-day glassware. Right now he's hunting for the perfect display unit for his WW1 as it has outgrown the one he had.

My main collecting passion is Coffee Grinders, Coffee & Medicine Tins and boxes --- every kind you can dream of from Military Ammo boxes, Writing Boxes, Snuff boxes, Patch Pots, to Victorian Jewellry boxes.

Our joint collecting passion is scales -- postal scales, candy scales, steelyard scales, beam scales, balance scales, egg scales, and well, just basically almost any kind of scale except kitchen scales. I tend to like the balance scales, Brian prefers candy and hardware scales.

In this Blog We'll be telling you about our collections and showing you what we have to trade or sell. We will also let you know when we find good antique places in USA and Canada, and advise you about what the best deals are or who the fairest dealers are.

Our home is full of antique furniture and we've been collecting and selling for over 20 years. We like a variety of antiques from rustic pine to Victorian. Luckily last year we were able to build an addition to our home so that we had even more room to put our growing collections.