Sunday, May 27, 2012
Monday, September 5, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Blue Book of Typeface and Machinery 1898
Look what I lucked out and found!!
Reference book from 1898.,
Published by American Typefounders Co.
I'd love to know if anyone finds another one
anywhere, online or otherwise, please contact me!!!
This was interesting to peruse. I've taken photographs of many of the pages...
I found it at a thrift store for $2. :)
I'm appraising it for around 1000.
Serious Collectors of Print memorabilia, Letterpress junkies, and Book collectors alike, this is the only copy I could find on the Internet like it...
Listed here for less than appraisal value!
details on condition are as follows....
Antique/Vintage book 1898. Collectible, desirable copy of a handy reference. Good to Very Good condition, Clean. No moisture, no mildew. No stray marks noticed.
Blue fabric is Linen. Hardbound. Some dog earing to some pages, though not severe. All 100% intact, Binding solid, slight wear, good to very good condition for this age and for use. Wear to corners, slight darkening of pages, non-acid paper, clear copy, Typeface is letterpress copy, Typesetters Reference from 1898. First/ Only edition from 1898.
Some additional photos available on my flickr stream:
http://www.flickr.com/artistbeinghuman
Friday, June 24, 2011
Just What the Heck is an Antique Anyway?
I've spoken to experienced Antiques dealers who say that the term is generally used in regards to items of some quality and substance, (furniture, glassware, jewelry, weapons, primitive handcrafts, special items of clothing) older than 80 years. "Primitives" are handicrafts (butter churns, crockery, saddler's bench) manufactured in a rustic way, also meeting the definition of antique (80 years or older). Repro primitives of today are common. Some are made in China. In 80 years, those of true quality will be very rare. ( Basketry, stoneware, homespun fibers)
Antique "depends" on what it is. Antique automobiles, for instance, need only be a few decades. So the right answer is "it depends". Vintage is in regards to the time an item was produced, and is a pet word that's come to mean absolutely anything older than 20 years. "Retro" has become another pet word that describes the style of something as being representative of a period of time in the past meeting the same definition of "vintage". Some reproductions have become antiques.
Things like ephemera, and household items (playbills, correspondence, everyday clothing, ) less than 80 years old are not regarded in the same way as items of real quality, and though they may be "antiques" they aren't an item of some quality and substance...so often "vintage" is more suitable to describe them.
Things become "collectibles" any time as scarcity is perceived or attained. Thus the use of "vintage". (Hess Trucks and Beanie Babies !).
I always regarded antiquities as antiques with historical significance for a culture, which takes a longer time than 80 years to understand as such.
This is just how I conduct myself in describing things that I've inherited, and things I come across that I offer for sale, or collect for myself. I deal in "vintage" primarily now as a hobby, but I did offer antiques on ebay at one time... now I tend to acquire antiques for my own collection, as an investment for the time being. Estate sales are up. Prices are down.
I find some "collectibles" and will offer them for sale... some of these are fun...I have a "vintage" pinback of the Shirt Tales from 1979 in my shop.
Just my 2 cents, but this is how I roll. Maybe it will help someone else. :)
Antique "depends" on what it is. Antique automobiles, for instance, need only be a few decades. So the right answer is "it depends". Vintage is in regards to the time an item was produced, and is a pet word that's come to mean absolutely anything older than 20 years. "Retro" has become another pet word that describes the style of something as being representative of a period of time in the past meeting the same definition of "vintage". Some reproductions have become antiques.
Things like ephemera, and household items (playbills, correspondence, everyday clothing, ) less than 80 years old are not regarded in the same way as items of real quality, and though they may be "antiques" they aren't an item of some quality and substance...so often "vintage" is more suitable to describe them.
Things become "collectibles" any time as scarcity is perceived or attained. Thus the use of "vintage". (Hess Trucks and Beanie Babies !).
I always regarded antiquities as antiques with historical significance for a culture, which takes a longer time than 80 years to understand as such.
This is just how I conduct myself in describing things that I've inherited, and things I come across that I offer for sale, or collect for myself. I deal in "vintage" primarily now as a hobby, but I did offer antiques on ebay at one time... now I tend to acquire antiques for my own collection, as an investment for the time being. Estate sales are up. Prices are down.
I find some "collectibles" and will offer them for sale... some of these are fun...I have a "vintage" pinback of the Shirt Tales from 1979 in my shop.
Just my 2 cents, but this is how I roll. Maybe it will help someone else. :)
Monday, June 6, 2011
 | |
| Woven Cotton Barkcloth |
It has a nubbly texture you can see and feel.
It looks great, and takes a vibrant dye very well.
I ran across a really great article that provides very helpful information for collectors and sellers and tells about the history of Barkcloth (the kind made from bark and the difference between that and the modern cotton barkcloth).
Here is a vintage knitting bag made from Barkcloth with a folk-art print available in my etsy shop...
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Ephemeral anachronism! Indisputably a bore!
Only this and nothing more.
Demand for "vintage" continues to evolve through trends, and as time goes on, more and more things stand out for their ability to "speak" for a certain period in our collective conception of history. Trend setting is in perpetual motion, but it not only moves forward, it gyrates as well.
As we delve into the second decade of the new millenium, the "80's" are now thought of as "vintage" and we can successfully identify these things as such. The "stuff" of the 1980s became collectible, not only because it's now "more than 20 years old", but because someone now takes an interest in the history, the trends and designs which made that time in history distinct and interesting. There will always be a market for true antiquities which can be quite a lucrative venture, but it's unapproachable if you're not really looking for an investment.
My grandparents bought Philadelphia style, solid oak furniture in the secondary market for a song and a dance, took it home and used it and used it hard for 65 years to leave it to me to repair... That Edwardian Claw-foot Sideboard is one of my finest possessions.
Who am I to tell someone that the paper mache rabbit from the turn of the century is yard sale junk. In fact these cheaply made trinkets can demand $300 or more in the dusty classical antiquities market. Back in the 1980's butter churns, farmstead braided rugs and rustic crockery were all the rage in home decor. Not too many young people are interested in authentic primitive antiques for their homes these days. People want to buy old things that have personality, that they like and can afford, and they don't want to feel guilty about using. Perhaps more discerning consumers who are in the know as to their true rarity and former respectfulness of the utilitarian ethic that true antiques represent certainly invest, but some of these antiques only hold steady at 1980s prices.
While young folks continue to wake up to the sensibility of thrifting "vintage," at the same time, they are keen to find their own sense of style, one that reflects some renewed interest in the history of consumer goods, or a specific design ethic. The hunter gatherer instinct is strong as we wade through yard sale pseudo-aisles and dank thrift stores, more often finding those "practical" used items, that also might happen to be whatever the market deems "collectible", but only as an afterthought.
To criticize previously owned items as being a virtual "flea market", and suggesting that it somehow detracts from online venues who allow this is to deny that the "flea markets" offer even more mass merchandised goods. Anyone can find all the mass manufactured stuff you can stand. Formaldehyde soaked items that try to speak so much of "today" but the language is foreign to us and they have not so much as a story as an offer to apologize for their own presence. Lower. Prices. Always. If such goods fails to provide us with even a blank slate for our frame of reference, they will allow very little in the way of distinguishing trends in the future as well. Trends today are mere amalgamations of those past generations' efforts to make their creative mark on the world, those designers' artistic ingenuity and distinction. Instead of this originality, now we find a Frankenstein culture. We agree to step into the now, only to realize that we're eating our creative seed stock. It's all been done, we say. We go straight to sleep. Everything that distinguishes the now is virtual. We've evolved from ephemeral to virtual, from dated to timelessness...
This weird sort of dissolution facilitated through online venues is heading into the wilderness of the distinctiveness of the "era" we know as the 1990's... Yet one barely conceives of anything "historically characteristic" about the 90s. This may be in part because it still hangs in "present" consciousness... but today's youth will soon be taking an interest and distinguishing that era for its designs and trends... what will they find there?
Grunge was popular in the 1990s. "Boho" came on strong with a resurgence of hippie style clothing that carried us through the Grateful Dead's comeback, and the Phish fanaticism. The death of Jerry Garcia, the "betrayal" of Ozzy's come-back after a No More Tours tour, and the election of GWB put a stop to all that nonsense.
Entertainment centers, computer desks and contemporary leather sofas that look like smashed marshmallows were probably the only things typically 1990s in furniture. Beanie Babies, Dilbert, Cordless Phones, Gameboys. It will be difficult to find true representation of the 90s.
Its very essence may have been, and to begin a journey on the road to reduce, reuse and recycle, even the labels and distinctions themselves. It's no coincidence then that it's in the decade of the 90s, the drive to buy up the quirky, distinctive items of the past began. In the 90s it became common to adopt the ephemeral as a defense against an onslaught of homogeny, and the "virtual". A movement turning away from consumerist mass manufacturing took hold in the 1990s. Thrift stores cropped up all across the nation. Ebay was born. Alternative culture was invented. Tattoos and piercings became commonplace. Much of it was usurped by mass marketing and thwarted. Finally, even bell bottoms raged back to the forefront of our collective fashion conscience early in the Aughts, along with platform shoes of the 70s (which were a throwback to the 1940's).
As the millenium becomes a memory, and yet the world still seems unjust, we witness the resurgence of the hip midcentury political malcontent squirming uncomfortably in the tight pants of postmodern youth subculture. Bell bottom blues have been successfully usurped by skinny jeans of yore a la Bob Dylan. Lately, liquid up and coming 30 somethings set up a domicile for the first time are interested in the 1940s through the 60's. Atomic, Eames era. Midcentury Modern, Mad Men. These are the keywords. But this is a market that is constantly evolving, and we are told that individualism is the hottest commodity. The examined life is worth living... and as it turns out this is an educated market, which by virtue of being examined, is decidedly never twice the same.
Achieving an aesthetic that is distinctive of an era, or a particular design influence, like Bauhaus, Arts and Crafts, or Eames for furnishings and home decor speaks of some consideration for what was new then is made new again. It's almost an experiment to make sure nothing gets left behind, particularly the aspects of design which made them great. Nothing of value passes without consideration. Even if it wasn't taken seriously the first time around. Consider that "Valley Girl" that was distinctive of the 80s is now to this decade as the "Gibson Girl" influence was to the 80s. (remember the ridiculous, prairie style frilly collared blouses from the 80s?) Some may argue that these things are better left in the past since it generates some embarrassment from ranks who perhaps can recall when such a style was taken seriously the first time around, but who have since "recovered" from the influence.
Those on the cutting edge today that seem to stand completely on their own merits are few and far between, but still will manage to thrust forth to become tomorrows collectible relics that are able to distinguish an era.
Demand for "vintage" continues to evolve through trends, and as time goes on, more and more things stand out for their ability to "speak" for a certain period in our collective conception of history. Trend setting is in perpetual motion, but it not only moves forward, it gyrates as well.
As we delve into the second decade of the new millenium, the "80's" are now thought of as "vintage" and we can successfully identify these things as such. The "stuff" of the 1980s became collectible, not only because it's now "more than 20 years old", but because someone now takes an interest in the history, the trends and designs which made that time in history distinct and interesting. There will always be a market for true antiquities which can be quite a lucrative venture, but it's unapproachable if you're not really looking for an investment.
My grandparents bought Philadelphia style, solid oak furniture in the secondary market for a song and a dance, took it home and used it and used it hard for 65 years to leave it to me to repair... That Edwardian Claw-foot Sideboard is one of my finest possessions.
Who am I to tell someone that the paper mache rabbit from the turn of the century is yard sale junk. In fact these cheaply made trinkets can demand $300 or more in the dusty classical antiquities market. Back in the 1980's butter churns, farmstead braided rugs and rustic crockery were all the rage in home decor. Not too many young people are interested in authentic primitive antiques for their homes these days. People want to buy old things that have personality, that they like and can afford, and they don't want to feel guilty about using. Perhaps more discerning consumers who are in the know as to their true rarity and former respectfulness of the utilitarian ethic that true antiques represent certainly invest, but some of these antiques only hold steady at 1980s prices.
While young folks continue to wake up to the sensibility of thrifting "vintage," at the same time, they are keen to find their own sense of style, one that reflects some renewed interest in the history of consumer goods, or a specific design ethic. The hunter gatherer instinct is strong as we wade through yard sale pseudo-aisles and dank thrift stores, more often finding those "practical" used items, that also might happen to be whatever the market deems "collectible", but only as an afterthought.
To criticize previously owned items as being a virtual "flea market", and suggesting that it somehow detracts from online venues who allow this is to deny that the "flea markets" offer even more mass merchandised goods. Anyone can find all the mass manufactured stuff you can stand. Formaldehyde soaked items that try to speak so much of "today" but the language is foreign to us and they have not so much as a story as an offer to apologize for their own presence. Lower. Prices. Always. If such goods fails to provide us with even a blank slate for our frame of reference, they will allow very little in the way of distinguishing trends in the future as well. Trends today are mere amalgamations of those past generations' efforts to make their creative mark on the world, those designers' artistic ingenuity and distinction. Instead of this originality, now we find a Frankenstein culture. We agree to step into the now, only to realize that we're eating our creative seed stock. It's all been done, we say. We go straight to sleep. Everything that distinguishes the now is virtual. We've evolved from ephemeral to virtual, from dated to timelessness...
This weird sort of dissolution facilitated through online venues is heading into the wilderness of the distinctiveness of the "era" we know as the 1990's... Yet one barely conceives of anything "historically characteristic" about the 90s. This may be in part because it still hangs in "present" consciousness... but today's youth will soon be taking an interest and distinguishing that era for its designs and trends... what will they find there?
Grunge was popular in the 1990s. "Boho" came on strong with a resurgence of hippie style clothing that carried us through the Grateful Dead's comeback, and the Phish fanaticism. The death of Jerry Garcia, the "betrayal" of Ozzy's come-back after a No More Tours tour, and the election of GWB put a stop to all that nonsense.
Entertainment centers, computer desks and contemporary leather sofas that look like smashed marshmallows were probably the only things typically 1990s in furniture. Beanie Babies, Dilbert, Cordless Phones, Gameboys. It will be difficult to find true representation of the 90s.
Its very essence may have been, and to begin a journey on the road to reduce, reuse and recycle, even the labels and distinctions themselves. It's no coincidence then that it's in the decade of the 90s, the drive to buy up the quirky, distinctive items of the past began. In the 90s it became common to adopt the ephemeral as a defense against an onslaught of homogeny, and the "virtual". A movement turning away from consumerist mass manufacturing took hold in the 1990s. Thrift stores cropped up all across the nation. Ebay was born. Alternative culture was invented. Tattoos and piercings became commonplace. Much of it was usurped by mass marketing and thwarted. Finally, even bell bottoms raged back to the forefront of our collective fashion conscience early in the Aughts, along with platform shoes of the 70s (which were a throwback to the 1940's).
As the millenium becomes a memory, and yet the world still seems unjust, we witness the resurgence of the hip midcentury political malcontent squirming uncomfortably in the tight pants of postmodern youth subculture. Bell bottom blues have been successfully usurped by skinny jeans of yore a la Bob Dylan. Lately, liquid up and coming 30 somethings set up a domicile for the first time are interested in the 1940s through the 60's. Atomic, Eames era. Midcentury Modern, Mad Men. These are the keywords. But this is a market that is constantly evolving, and we are told that individualism is the hottest commodity. The examined life is worth living... and as it turns out this is an educated market, which by virtue of being examined, is decidedly never twice the same.
Achieving an aesthetic that is distinctive of an era, or a particular design influence, like Bauhaus, Arts and Crafts, or Eames for furnishings and home decor speaks of some consideration for what was new then is made new again. It's almost an experiment to make sure nothing gets left behind, particularly the aspects of design which made them great. Nothing of value passes without consideration. Even if it wasn't taken seriously the first time around. Consider that "Valley Girl" that was distinctive of the 80s is now to this decade as the "Gibson Girl" influence was to the 80s. (remember the ridiculous, prairie style frilly collared blouses from the 80s?) Some may argue that these things are better left in the past since it generates some embarrassment from ranks who perhaps can recall when such a style was taken seriously the first time around, but who have since "recovered" from the influence.
Those on the cutting edge today that seem to stand completely on their own merits are few and far between, but still will manage to thrust forth to become tomorrows collectible relics that are able to distinguish an era.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Early German (Pennsylvania Dutch) Block Print
I enjoy this unusual Dutch folk-art block print,
The 18" design repeats on a large barkcloth tablecloth.
Reminscint of the Fraktur art from the 18th century.
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