It's A Collector's World!
Where can you find the antiques and collectibles to make your collection or furnish your period home? Everywhere from your grandmother's attic and tag sales to antique shops and online venues. This lens will introduce you to some of the fun worlds of collecting!
Almost anything and everything is collected, as you can see by the wide variety of lenses in my Collector Clubs group. Once you zero in on your favorites, you can refer to my Fooled By Fakes lens to make sure you don't invest your money in any of the fakes, reproductions or fantasy pieces you may find on the market.
And while you're browsing, pay a visit to Collectors Cottage for unique and fun antiques, vintage, and collectible items. We're honest and always offer you the lowest possible shipping, great selection, and fair prices!
Vote For YOUR Favorite!
A Rainbow of Depression Glass
Patterns and colors ranging from one end of the rainbow to the other!
Completely contrary to the sound of its name, Depression Glass is quite beautiful and the colors you can find it in are almost unending. The name simply stems from the time period during which it was manufactured - from the early 1920s until the end of World War II, which spans the Depression Era and then some.The majority of Depression Glass you see most often will probably be in the more common colors made: pink, amber, green, yellow, clear, and blue. Almost every other color imaginable was used also, but these were not as popular. Therefore it stands to reason that these colors with lower production numbers, like lavender and orange, command much higher prices today than the more popular shades. And because yellow and amber were far more popular in their day than pink, green, and blue, they are usually the most reasonably priced pieces found today.
Much like Nippon in its day, Depression Glass was not a high-priced commodity and could easily be found for under $1.00 a piece; in fact, some pieces sold for as little as 14 cents. Whole barrels and pieces sold by the dozen for just a few dollars were not uncommon, and it's mind-blowing to think that some of these same pieces today can individually bring hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Oh, to stumble upon an attic or basement containing an unopened barrel of Depression ware!
There are two distinct categories of Depression Glass: Elegant and Depression. And within those categories are quite a number of different patterns, so it's not unusual to find collections focused on particular patterns, colors, or styles of glass. The difference between Elegant and Depression is the care with which it was finished: Elegant glass required an extra step in manufacture, where a person would actually finish the piece by hand to remove mold marks, to acid-etch or cut patterns into the glass, or to grind the bottoms of objects to make them perfectly even. While Depression Glass was not considered to be a high quality glass, their patterns made them very attractive and appealing.
Between 1923 and 1939, there were seven major producers of Depression Glass including: Indiana Glass Company; Hocking Glass Company, Federal Glass Company, U.S. Glass Company, Jeannette Glass Company, MacBeth-Evans Glass Company and Hazel-Atlas Glass Company. According to an excellent, highly-informative article by Joyce Krupey, 92 patterns are attributed to these seven producers. If you want to find out about the different patterns made, which companies made them, the years they were manufactured, and lots of other information about specific patterns, I highly recommend reading
Krupey's article.
The National Depression Glass Association is a great and very active organization with a comprehensive website covering just about every aspect of Depression Glass, collecting, glass clubs, and much more. It has several other wonderful articles about different aspects of Depression Glass, including milk glass, crystal Depression Glass, and an entire article about the well-known Iris & Herringbone pattern. It's a great start to understanding this highly collectible field.
Depression Glass Info You Can't Be Without!
Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass
Amazon Price: $14.36 (as of 11/07/2009) 
Mauzy's Depression Glass: A Photographic Reference With Prices (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Treasures of Very Rare Depression Glass: Identification and Value Guide
Amazon Price: $27.55 (as of 11/07/2009)
Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years: Identification & Values
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Glass Candlesticks of the Depression Era: Identification and Value Guide
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 11/07/2009)
Start or Add To Your Depression Glass Collection!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Postcards: Windows To The Past
Artwork + History = Postcard Appeal!
Postcards are more than just a method of communication, they're little bits of history. They show buildings and cityscapes as they appeared in the past; they provide images of clothing worn and lifestyles in bygone eras; they give a running progression of transportation methods through the decades. We see holidays celebrated, landmark events commemorated, and important people venerated. Vintage and antique postcards truly are windows to the past.This is part of the allure of collecting postcards. If the card was mailed, it has the extra added interest of containing a postmarked old stamp. In addition, many collectors have told me that they also enjoy reading the personal messages written on the back, which give insights into the lives (and sometimes loves!) and travel habits of people from all walks of life.
Postcards also are a very popular and very manageable collection. Because they're small and thin, hundreds can be kept stored together in a single box; they can also be displayed in acid-free photo albums, or even framed and hung as wall décor. Organizing is easy and is usually done by category. Besides the regular flat cards, there are fold-out postcards that open up to reveal an accordion-style length of pictures.
Many postcards are quite inexpensive, but some of the examples in certain categories, like Halloween, can run into the hundreds of dollars for a single postcard. In order to afford those coveted pieces, many collectors build a nice collection of less expensive cards, then sell off duplicates or others that they no longer want and gradually acquire the postcards of their dreams.
If your collection includes some old unused postcards, you'll probably interested in attaching a date to them, which is a bit more difficult without a postmark to guide you. According to the web site Postcard Values, the first commercially produced postcards appeared in the United States in 1893 and were sold at the Columbian Expedition in Chicago. Here are the date guidelines given by Postcard Values:
~ "Private Mailing Card, Authorized by Act of Congress on May 19, 1898" appeared on the back of American postcards up until December 24, 1901.
~ A postcard without a line down the back to divide the sender's message from the recipient's address indicates that the postcard was printed before 1907. No messages, only addresses were permitted on the backs of postcards until March of 1907.
~ Old postcards that say Printed In Germany were made up until 1915, when WWI caused German presses to close.
~ A white border around the picture on the postcard dates it between 1915 and 1930.
~ Linen paper with vivid colors was used for postcards between 1930 and 1944. However I have seen some linen postcards from the 1950s as well.
~ Postcards with shiny, color photographic images were made from 1945 to the present. There are postcards with actual photographs, but most of these are black and white and usually you'll find the type of photographic paper used on the back of the card.
~ Some unused postcards include the stamp price in the stamp area; this will give you a clue as to when the postcard was printed. See the Rate Chart at Postcard Values for this information.
There are plenty of postcard shows around the country; start attending these and you'll not only become quite educated in the subject, but you'll also find hundreds of thousands of selections at your fingertips. There are also postcard collector WebRings online so you can chat and exchange information with other people who share your passion.
See What's Out There and Know Your Values!
The Artist-Signed Postcard Price Guide, Second Edition: A Comprehensive Reference
Amazon Price: $19.75 (as of 11/07/2009)
Vintage Postcards for the Holidays: Identification & Value Guide
Amazon Price: $18.21 (as of 11/07/2009)
Christmas Postcards: A Collector's Guide
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/07/2009)
Linen Postcards: Images of the American Dream Price Guide 2004
Amazon Price: $11.95 (as of 11/07/2009)
The Postcard Price Guide, 4th Ed., A Comprehensive Reference
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Postcards You Can Add To Your Collection
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byYou Just Can't Have Enough Reference Sources
Postmarked Yesteryear: Art of the Holiday Postcard
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Fantasy Postcards With Price Guide: A Comprehensive Reference
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Black Postcard Price Guide (2nd Edition)
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 11/07/2009)
Sports Postcard Price Guide: A Comprehensive Reference
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 11/07/2009)
As We Were: American Photographic Postcards, 1905-1930
Amazon Price: $38.47 (as of 11/07/2009)
Collectible Cups and Saucers
Elegance, Whimsy, Style - they have it all!
Porcelain cups and saucers have always been a favorite collectible. Some people collect whichever ones they love, others choose a theme such as flowers or vignettes, and still others may collect specific makers like Limoges, Royal Albert, or Adderley.Trios (cup, saucer, and dessert plate) are also sought after as complete sets. Just imagine the added interest of an afternoon tea: your table is set with a variety of different place settings, all beautiful and each a conversation piece unto itself. If you find two matching pieces in great condition, you can always get them and add the third later. It also can't hurt to have extra pieces on hand just in case of droppage!
Enjoy your collection!
Must-Have Guides for the Teacup Collector!
Price your collection, discover new finds!
Collectible Cups and Saucers: Identification and Values (Book 3, Collectible Cups and Saucers)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/07/2009)
Collectible Cups & Saucers (Collectible Cups and Saucers)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Shelley Tea Ware Patterns
Amazon Price: $50.95 (as of 11/07/2009)
British Tea & Coffee Cups (Albums Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Porcelain Cups 1780-1850 Homann Col. GERMAN ONLY
Amazon Price: $43.80 (as of 11/07/2009)
Add To Your Collection!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byWearable Tea Cups!
Ideal gifts for teacup collectors...or yourself!
Solid Sterling Silver Cup of Tea Charm
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Tea Set Charm
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 11/07/2009)
Solid Sterling Silver Tea Pot Pendant
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Sterling Silver 1/10 CTTW Diamond Tea Cup Charm
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/07/2009)
COFFEE CUP TEA CUP Italian Charm
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 11/07/2009)
HIghly Collectible Victorian Hair Receivers
It has often been said that "hair is a woman's crowning glory", and fashionable Victorians were truly believers in this sentiment. Toward that end, hair receivers served an important role in helping Victorian women look their best.
Vanity sets were very commonplace in the Victorian era, and, whether a large or small set, a hair receiver was usually one of the components. Mostly round in shape but sometimes square as well, hair receivers are easily identified by their center lid hole where one or two fingers could poke combed hair into the receiver underneath.
Considered collectibles today, in Victorian times and even as late as the 1950s, hair receivers had a far more practical application. A daily ritual of vigorous hair brushing left quite a bit of hair in women's combs and brushes, and this hair would be removed and pushed through the opening of the hair receiver. When enough hair was collected, women could then use the tangled balls of hair to make ratts (also spelled "rats") by sewing this hair into a small sheer net. Because the use of any makeup beyond a touch of face powder could give a woman the disgraceful reputation of being a "painted lady", a lot of effort went into designing attention-getting hairstyles - this included what we would call "big hair", large, full updos made possible by tucking balls of hair (salvaged from hair receivers) into various areas of the hairdo.
There were other uses for this collection of hair, too: hair was sometimes used instead of feathers as stuffing for small pillows or pincushions, it could be sold to make wigs, and some believe this hair could also be used to make hair jewelry, though other experts feel that the tangled hair was not the source, but rather combed hair would be cut deliberately to make this type of jewelry.
You can find hair receivers made from a number of different materials, including porcelain, celluloid, wood, metal, and glass. They can be footed or sit flat on the dresser and they can come from various countries, including Japan. The prices for these collectible pieces can range from under $10 up to well over $100 for fine antique examples.
Victorian Beauty
Antique Dresser Sets, 1890s-1950s (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 11/07/2009)
Victorian Jewelry: Unexplored Treasures
Amazon Price: $20.90 (as of 11/07/2009)
Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from "La Mode Illustree"
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/07/2009)
Victorian Fashions: A Pictorial Archive, 965 Illustrations (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)
Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 11/07/2009)
Inside the Victorian Home: A Portrait of Domestic Life in Victorian England
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/07/2009)
Great Stuff on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand bySalt & Pepper Shakers - More Than Just Utilitarian!
Miniatures in disguise! :)
Years ago, when I first heard that someone collected salt and pepper sets, I was a bit dumbfounded. "Why would anyone want to hoard such dull things?" I naively thought. Little did I know at the time that salt and pepper sets weren't just the standard glass or ceramic kitchen or restaurant-style sets I'd always known. In fact, there's an endless number of unique styles, shapes and colors, many of which are more like artistic miniatures than utilitarian shakers. These can add a touch of charm, class, or even whimsy to a table, or they can be displayed as a collection unto themselves.The decision as to what types of shakers to collect is as individual as the collectors themselves. You can focus on a particular maker like Nippon, Meissen, or Noritake, a certain color or type of finish such as lustre, a specific era like Depression, a style like glass range shakers, a subcategory such as birds, people, holiday, souvenir, huggers, or just any "must haves" for your own collection even if there's no common theme%u2026the list goes on and on. No matter what you choose, there's one thing that's certain - collecting salt and pepper shakers is fun%u2026and affordable.
For those who love salt and pepper sets, it can be a pretty addictive hobby (but in a good way!). I've seen collections with hundreds and even thousands of salt and pepper shaker sets in them, and somehow the collectors manage to artfully display every single one!
One good way to keep track of your collection is to catalog each set - this can also help you avoid wasting money on a duplicate of a set you forgot you already had.
S&P Price Guides and Identification Books
A BIG "must" for every collector and collection
Florence's Big Book of Salt & Pepper Shakers: Identification & Value Guide
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/07/2009)
Antique Trader Salt And Pepper Shaker Price Guide
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 11/07/2009)
Collector's Encyclopedia of Salt and Pepper Shakers: Second Series (Figural and Novelty 2nd Series)
Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 11/07/2009)
The Complete Salt and Pepper Shaker Book
Amazon Price: $39.96 (as of 11/07/2009)
1002 Salt and Peppers Shakers: With Prices (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 11/07/2009)
Even more great S&P books!
1004 Salt & Pepper Shakers: Nursery Rhymes Literary Characters (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 11/07/2009)
The Big Book of Salt and Pepper Shaker Series (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 11/07/2009)
Goebel salt & Pepper Shakers (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 11/07/2009)
Salt and Pepper Shakers: Made in the USA
Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 11/07/2009)
All-american Salt And Pepper Shakers (Schiffer Book for Collectors with Price Guide)
Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 11/07/2009)
Great Stuff on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byLustrous Lustreware
Beautiful iridescence in every piece!
Believe it or not, the oldest lustreware pottery found was from the mid-9th century! Mankind has always sought beauty in his furnishings, and lustreware certainly meets that criteria.The beautiful iridescent coloring in lustreware comes from an overglaze containing copper, silver, and other minerals and materials. English lustreware was popular in the 19th century and is highly collectible today. Lustreware pieces from Japan are also beautiful and more easily acquired.
Some collectors focus on salt and pepper lustreware, others on lustre cups and saucers, and still others just collect whatever lustre pieces they fancy. Whichever you choose, a display of lustreware is sure to be an eye-catcher!
Lustreware Mania!
19th Century Lustreware
Amazon Price: $65.34 (as of 11/07/2009)
Old English lustre pottery
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Persian Lustre Ware (Faber Monographs on Pottery and Porcelain)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Wedgwood "Lustreware" Blue Fin Teacup
Amazon Price: $45.00 (as of 11/07/2009)
Wedgwood Lustreware Covered Vegetable Bowl 1.5-qt.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)
Collectible Lustreware
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by""Honest seller"..."high positive feedback":)
"Great items!" "Lowest shipping!" "Great deals!!""
Links that prove the point
http://stores.ebay.com/Collectors-Cottage_Jewelry_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ1779205QQftidZ2QQtZkm
FREE shipping on most jewelry items! Vintage and n more...1 point
Replacement China - Dinnerware Crystal Silverware Patterns - MyVintageChina
Replacement China Patterns - Replacements on Disco more...1 point
http://stores.ebay.com/Collectors-Cottage
Front door to the store - see what you've been mis more...0 points
http://stores.ebay.com/Collectors-Cottage_China-Porcelain_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ1779291QQftidZ2QQtZkm
Teapots, cups and saucers, dishes, figurines - gre more...0 points
http://stores.ebay.com/Collectors-Cottage_Metalware_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ12047791QQftidZ2QQtZkm
Metalware of all kinds from still banks to metal t more...0 points
http://stores.ebay.com/Collectors-Cottage_Glass_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ1779292QQftidZ2QQtZkm
A wide variety of glass from crystal to pressed, v more...0 points
Great collecting books
Vote for your favorite. Or, add what's missing!
If you're a collector, you know how valuable these types of books are. Find your passion and read all about it!
The Collectors' Book of David Winter Cottages
The Enchanted Fairy Cottage Collection is the comp more...1 point
Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene Florence
A guide to Depression glass written by one of the more...0 points
The Coin Collector's Survival Manual, 5th Edition (Coin Collector's Survival Manual) by Scott A. Travers
A reference to go!0 points
The Official Price Guide to Collector Plates: Seventh Edition (Official Price Guide to Collector Plates) by Harry L. Rinker
If you love Collector Plates, this is the guide fo more...0 points
Thanks for stopping by!
Hope to see you at Collectors Cottage!
niftygifts wrote...
Informative lens! Hope you can visit my lens about salt and pepper shakers! http://www.squidoo.com/salt-pepper-shakers
Posted October 20, 2009
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
I collect "stuff". If it catches my attention, I want it. I have a massive collection of salt and pepper shakers and an array of coins.
Great lens
Lizzy
Posted February 25, 2009
OhMe wrote...
Great lens. I started collecting postcards as a child. 5* fav
Posted September 23, 2008
blue22d wrote...
Nice lens. Five stars to ya. I collect Ladies Head vases, marbles, books, cup and saucers, costume jewelry, stamps, and made in Japan items. Take a look at my lenses: Treasure at eBay and Camel Joe Premiums. Thanks for writing this lens.
Posted August 29, 2008
by CollectorsCottage
At Collector's Cottage, we love collecting too! We believe that collecting should be for everyone, so we find quality pieces at reasonable prices...
(more)Explore related pages
Everything Tea at Collectors Cottage- How do you make a "nice cup of tea" even better? By serving it up...
Royal Albert Old Country Roses- Royal Albert Old Country Roses , designed by Harold Holdcroft in 1962, is t...
Haviland China Patterns- Haviland China Patterns markings guide.
Whittards of Chelsea Coffee Mugs, Cups & Teapots- Whittards of Chelsea coffee mugs, cups and teapots are beautiful. A teacup given...
Depression Glass Warehouse- WOW! I have officially been on eBay for 12 years as of Monday March 3, 2009!! Im...
TOBY'S N MORE :: Toby Jug Ebay Store Showcase- Toby's N more, has been selling on the secondary market since 2003. We have a 10...
