Collecting Vintage 1950’s Toys

Many collectors consider the 1950’s to be the golden era of toys. These toys came at an amazing time in history. America had survived the Great Depression and was recovering from the shock of World War II. This decade saw the formation of NASA and the popularization of television. A far cry from the video games of today, the toys of the 1950’s were made for children whose only distraction was their imagination. Below are three toys from the 1950’s that continue to capture the hearts of children and children-at-heart.
The Barbie Doll. The 1950’s saw the introduction of the blonde bombshell with an iconic woman named Marilyn Monroe and an iconic doll named Barbie. Barbie made her first appearance in 1959. She was named after her inventor Ruth Handler’s daughter Barbara, but traces her origins to a German doll aimed at more mature audiences. Barbie made her debut in a black and white striped swimsuit and blonde ponytail. Since those early days, it is estimated that over a billion Barbies have been sold worldwide. Those first ponytailed dolls are a collector’s dream and command prices in the thousands.
Mr. Potato Head. It is hard to believe that this charming oblong fellow arrived in the same decade as the glamorous Barbie doll, but perhaps it’s a testament to the ingenuity of the times. Mr. Potato Head actually preceded Barbie by seven years, as he was introduced in 1952. Mr. Potato Head was invented by George Lerner, the son of a poor dairy farmer. From his humble beginnings, he went on to be the first toy to be advertised on national television and was an immediate success. Mr. Potato Head acquired a wife in 1953, a family soon after, and the rest is history.
Play-Doh. Many people are surprised to discover that Play-Doh has been getting stuck in carpets for over 50 years now. Quite the opposite of the original 70-part Mr. Potato Head and the well-formed Barbie doll, Play-Doh took the concept of toys in a totally different direction. It was invented by the McVicker brothers in 1956; a fortuitous accident as they were trying to develop a wallpaper cleaner. While Play-Doh has undergone an evolution similar to that of both Barbie and Mr. Potato Head, its propensity to harden when exposed to air makes it an unlikely collectible.

AlanaMy Vintage Toys

Definitions Of Antique Vintage And Retro

Antique, Retro, Vintage: Is There a Difference?

Antique, Vintage and Retro are all popular buzzwords when it comes to speaking of, ironically enough, current trends in the fashion and decor industries. But is there a difference between a retro chair and an antique chair? Say the phrase retro-style furniture and we immediately conjure up images of funky and original timepieces, circa the 1950’s. But when we think of antique furniture, something more along the lines of Queen Elizabeth the Firsts bedroom furniture would probably be more accurate. And where does vintage come into play?

According to the modern definition, antique is defined as anything that is over a hundred years old, so that’s pretty straightforward. But what about ‘retro’ and ‘vintage’? This is where things get fuzzier than the shag carpet in an upscale New York apartment.

To simplify, ‘vintage’ is a term that is usually used to refer to something of quality from a certain time period. ‘Retro’ can be used in a similar context, but it usually just refers to something from a past time, without implying the quality of the particular item. Using this information, all purses from 1970 are retro, but only the high quality ones (designer) can be accurately labelled vintage.

These words are actually pretty important. You could try to decorate your bachelor pad with a 1970’s retro theme but unless you use quality pieces, it will just end up looking like you’re a suffering student whose main shopping haunts include the alley dumpster and the Salvation Army Thrift Store. But, if you decorate your apartment using vintage timepieces circa 1970, you just might be able to pull it off. Unfortunately, your great uncle’s worn sofa just isn’t going to cut it.

But now you know. So next time you pick up a fashion magazine and they talk about wearing ‘vintage’ Gucci to achieve that ‘retro’ look, you will know exactly what they are talking about.

By Alana
Alana’s Cherished Treasures

Why Do People Collect Old Linens?

People collect old linens for a variety of reasons. Do you remember curiously touching the scalloped edge of your grandmother’s doilies? Maybe it was your great uncle’s monogrammed handkerchief that really fascinated you. Often, the quiet voice that whispers, “Buy it,” is nostalgia. They really don’t make things like they used to, especially when it comes to linens; all that time, all that care, all those tiny stitches.

Or maybe you just like the elegance and beauty of a delicately embroidered tablecloth, and you can picture that set of six intricately patterned lace cocktail napkins laid out on top of it. You won’t find anything so rare and so distinctive in a department store, because all of those old pieces were made by hand.

Your collection may have started with a quilt handed down from your mother, or it may have started with a quilt you bought on eBay. Regardless of what type of collector you are, there are several ways to display your linen collection. Some collections stay carefully folded in trunks older than the linens, but with careful preparation you can display even the most fragile of pieces safely.

Frames are a popular way to display smaller pieces of linen. You might place a handkerchief in an equally lovely antique frame, or you might opt for a more economical but still elegant plaster model from Wal-Mart. Colored matting can be used to set off embroidery, or the frame can be decorated with matching buttons or bits of lace.

Take framing to the next level with a shadow box. Shadow boxes add dimension and variety. You might pair your grandmother’s ivory gloves with her black and white wedding photo, or you might choose to layer your linens for a unique textual effect.

Few quilt collectors are without a curtain rod which allows for quick, easy, and interchangeable wall hangings.

If you really love your linens, why not decorate the guest bedroom in them? The sunrise is lovely through lace curtains, handkerchiefs may be sewn onto pillows, and there’s no better place to display a quilt than a bed.

Long ago, someone put a lot of time and love into each piece of your linen collection; it deserves to be admired.

Alana’s Vintage Linens