Isn't it just amazing how you suddenly discover a passion you never even knew you had? Money may be the bottom line in our business but you can't be in it in the first place unless you a have love, respect and understanding for these timeless treaures. Vintage sellers unconsciously see what others won't look at twice. It's in our blood and can't be helped. Why else would a Haskell, Sherman, Limoges or a Roseville jump out at us and sing when we had never even heard of their names?

Thinking about this milestone brings back wonderful memories of receiving my very first Barbie. The titian bubble cut doll took on a persona of her own and kept me enthralled many a day.

Have you heard about that lady in Dallas, Texas, who kept her hair teased up in a dense, old-fashioned hairdo? She had no idea there was a black widow spider nesting up in her hair…until, one day……
Ok, you may not have heard it was a lady in Dallas, but that this really did happen to a woman living in California or Florida - or just down the street. “Lady attacked by spiders living in her hair” is an ‘Urban Myth,’ a frightening tale of the hidden dangers of vanity regularly recounted to new listeners in each generation since at least the 1950’s.

In 1954, authorities took aim at postcard artist Donald McGill and tried to censor his work. Fortunately, by then, they were 50 years too late. McGill's postcard legacy began in 1904 and by the time of the court proceedings in 1954, his life's work was already well distributed!

According to Wikipedia, it's estimated that McGill created more than 12,000 designs, of which about 200 million copies were printed.

During a recent visit to Lincoln City, Oregon, I found myself constantly offering “how to take better care” tips during my walk-through home appraisals and at the appraisal clinics. A previous “Rinker on Collectibles” column discussed issues involving light, heat, humidity, and mildew. These were not the only problems I encountered.

Many people collect autographs, letters and antiques because they like owning and enjoying an example of something that helped to shape our history. Others search for items that remind them of their family history or a particular aspect of history.

We’re attracted to collecting for different reasons. But there’s one aspect many people find enormously satisfying: the hunt that leads to undervalued items, otherwise known as “sleepers” -- and generally difficult to find.

Everyone who collects has their own favorites. Whether they collect for the color, or the style or the Era! I have found that the “things” to the 1950’s have been growing in popularity.

One thing I love about old glass is the history. I recently acquired a punch bowl that was made over 100 years ago in Philadelphia. So, how did it wind up hundreds of miles away here in Maine? And who owned it along the way?

"Restaurantware" is the collective term for dining items purchased by commercial companies for customers’ or employees’ use, including china. Most restaurant china was heavyweight, commercial ware designed to withstand long, hard use, although fine porcelain examples can be found.

WHY COLLECT?

My earliest memories are of staying at Granny's house as a very young child. Each visit would start the same. After a brief greeting, I would drag a chair from the kitchen table over to the counter. Climbing carefully up, I stretched to open the cabinet above the fridge. Looking inside – yes, the green glasses were still there.