Category Archives: collectibles

Collecting Antique Maps

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The great joy of antiquing is that it allows you to own your very own little piece of history with a unique story. Few antiques embody this ethos quite as well as antique maps. Antique maps are more than beautiful pieces of valuable cartographic wall art, they act as windows into other times and places. Consequently, old maps make for a wonderful addition to any home. However, the art of antique map collecting can be complicated to newcomers so today our experts here at the Old & New Shop are telling you everything you need to know before purchasing an antique map! 

What is an Antique Map?

An “antique map” is any map printed more than 100 years ago. Antique maps were printed using one of three methods depending on their exact age: wooden block printing, copper and steel engraving, and surface printing (lithography). The earliest maps were generally printed from a wooden block cut in relief with the printed area standing out from the rest of the map and then inked usually without any color. However, copper and steel engraving-based maps are from the vast majority of antique maps that have survived to the modern day. Copper engraving-based maps emerged in the 1500s and were popular until steel replaced them in the early 1800s. In this printing process, a reversed version of the map’s image was cut into a metal plate, inked, and then placed with a sheet of paper in a press. The ink in the grooves would then produce the image of the map. Lithography emerged in the early 1800s as well allowing map makers to draw their maps directly onto a specially prepared stone (ending the need for engravers) this method used color but created maps with a fuzzy quality. By the 1880s modern machine lithography and printing methods took over the industry. 

Building an Antique Map Collection

If you are looking to start collecting antique maps as a hobby it is best to build a personal theme for your collection. A map collection can be meaningful in many ways. A collection can showcase your home state/city/country/region, document your travels, trace your family tree, or spark your curiosity about a particular historical era. No matter what theme you pick it is also important to act as a proper steward for your collection to protect the maps for the next generation. You should handle your maps with care (never holding them by the edges of the paper) and you should store them in ways that will protect them from sunlight and humidity such as in a professional frame or in clear archival sleeves.

How to Tell if a Map is a Genuine 

The fact that antique maps are no longer being produced lends them an inherent rarity and therefore value. However, anyone considering purchasing an antique map needs to consider the possibility that the map they intend to purchase could be a facsimile, reproduction, or fake. It is also important to understand these three terms. A facsimile is meant to be an exact copy of an original antique map that is not meant to trick would-be map buyers. Facsimiles are expensive to produce so they are fairly rare and typically only copy very famous important maps. They can be identified easily because somewhere on the image a disclaimer will be printed in modern typeface stating the company that created the facsimile and the date the facsimile was printed. A reproduction is a copy of an antique map produced for commemorative, decorative, or educational purposes and not to deceive would-be map buyers. Reproductions are much more common than facsimiles, or fakes because they are mass-produced to be sold in museum gift shops and on the internet for low prices. Reproductions can be identified as reproductions if they are printed on modern paper or if they have folds, creases, or tears that are simply photographically reproduced and printed on the map and do not reflect actual damage to the paper. Finally, a fake is an attempt to make so exact a facsimile of a map, that can be passed off as an original to an unsuspecting buyer. It is difficult and time-consuming to forge an old map, so convincing fakes are few and far between, and buyers are not likely to encounter one if they are buying a map from a reputable source. It is, however, always advisable to have a map appraised for its value by independent experts before final purchase to help determine the map’s authenticity and value.

Collecting Antique Maps 

If you find an antique map (or any other antique) and want to have the item appraised please reach out to the Old & New Shop for help!

 

Missing American Artifacts

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The exciting thing about antiquing is the thrill of finding a piece of the past to call your very own.  But some pieces are a lot more valuable and important than others. Sometimes true treasures and priceless historical artifacts slip through the cracks and end up out in the world where any antiquer can find them.

Four Dollar Frame

 Sometimes artifacts can be found by happenstance. For instance, in 1991 a man bought a thrift store painting for four dollars because he liked the frame. When he opened up the frame he found a copy of the Declaration of Independence printed in 1776 that later sold at auction for seven million dollars. We cannot promise that you will be that lucky when you come and shop with us at the Old & New Shop or elsewhere on your antiquing journey. However, just in case, there are a few missing national treasures that you should be keeping an eye out for as an antiquer. 

Stolen from The National Archives

One major way that historic artifacts become lost to time is theft. The National Archives in DC, for example, has had many of its priceless records and artifacts stolen over the years and maintains a website dedicated to educating the public about what’s missing. The missing documents include numerous letters, and pardons documents signed by presidents George Washington, John Adams, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, and more. Other presidential artifacts currently missing include FDR’s official painted portrait, LBJ’s class ring, and several swords bejeweled with precious gems gifted from the Saudi royal family to Truman. However, perhaps the most significant artifacts stolen from the National Archives are some of the original maps used during the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of WW2. It is likely that they were stolen for sale on the black market but it is very possible that you may come across them while antiquing. 

Other Missing American Artifacts

Some irreplaceable and historic artifacts never made it to the National Archives or any other museums or archives. The Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, also known as the Seneca Falls Declaration or simply The Declaration of Sentiments, is one example. The document started the American woman’s rights movement and nobody knows what happened to it. The original copy, signed at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Frederick Douglass, and 97 other women’s rights pioneers, has been lost to history. The Declaration borrowed the language of the Declaration of Independence to declare that “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal.” The Obama administration launched an effort to find The Declaration of Rights and Sentiments and compared their efforts to the National Treasure franchise but their nationwide search was unsuccessful. Antique collectors may have more luck.  Sometimes a shopper is just in the right place at the right time and successfully runs across this national treasure. 

Missing American Artifacts – Pop Culture

Not all of America’s missing historic artifacts involve presidents, wars, or suffragettes. Many involve America’s artistic heritage and the missing pieces of cinematic history are among the most interesting. In the early days of Hollywood, most movie props were simply repurposed, thrown out, or burned after shooting. In the 1970s MGM started auctioning off movie props to private collectors exposing the lucrative money-making opportunity of the collectors markets. Today movie and TV props from popular works are often held in private collections and even museums. However, even in recent years valuable props are put out on the open market, thrown away, or even stolen. This means that keen antiquers and collectors can make money or lifelong memories by snatching up the right prop. Many stolen and missing film props could be in a local antique shop. For instance, of the four known surviving pairs of ruby slippers worn in The Wizard of Oz one pair was stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005 and the museum has offered a $1,000,000 reward for information on its whereabouts. Other valuable collectibles missing include the suit from Iron Man, the map from Goonies, and costumes from the original Star Trek series. 

Antique and Vintage Finds

Shopping for antiques, vintage and retro collectibles can be exciting, and finding a valuable missing American antique would be even better! But for most antiquers, it’s best to practice and love antiquing for its own sake. You may not find a multi-million dollar artifact, but you can definitely find beautiful and unique items that link us to our collective past. You can definitely find a piece of the past that you and your family can cherish and call your very own. If you do find an antique item you believe to be valuable you can have it appraised at the Old & New Shop. 

Attic Treasures

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In December 2020, David Whitcomb bought a house in Geneva, New York. He intended to use the first two floors of the building for his law offices, and the third floor for apartment space. The top floor needed work, so he and a friend started construction. They noticed floorboards in the ceiling and realized there was an attic. Whitcomb had no idea that the newly purchased house had an attic full of treasure because it wasn’t in the paperwork.

Finding Treasure

Whitcomb, upon discovering the attic, didn’t think much of the photos and portraits he found. But, one day he decided to explore a bit more and eventually found that the attic was a photography studio used by a photographer named James Ellery Hale. Hale is renowned for shooting portraits of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Smith Miller as well as other suffragettes during the early 1900s. One of the photographs of Susan B. Anthony taken by Hale serves as her official portrait in the US Library of Congress. Hale soon became known as the photographer of the women’s rights movement.

Whitcomb eventually realized who the women were, and amazingly, some of the photos were original prints. Along with the pictures in Hale’s studio were photography equipment, negatives, and outtakes for photoshoots. All these items were certainly valuable vintage and antique collectibles, but need to be cleaned and verified by experts.

Auctioning Studio Treasures

After many months of cleaning and cataloging, all the photos, frames, and equipment from the attic studio were sent to auction. In all, there were over 1,000 pieces valued at $70,000.  One particular photo of Susan B. Anthony was the most sought-after and sold for $35,990. This image was a silver bromide photographic print, a commonly used material for photographers in the early 1900s because it was inexpensive. Hale took the photo of Anthony in 1905, the year before her passing. The Susan B. Anthony Memorial Association made this photo its official portrait.

Due to the fact that platinum is exceedingly stable and does not degrade over time, the platinum/palladium method was widely used for practical purposes keeping photos in good condition. However, the platinotype, method, an iron process, uses ferric oxalate in combination with the metal salts of platinum and palladium to create the image, which was used primarily for aesthetic appeal but did not last as long. These prints are printed directly on paper without the use of an emulsion, which results in beautifully rich gray tones and a matte feel making them more engaging.

Hale’s cameras and other equipment were highly sought after along with background props and sold for thousands of dollars at auction. Other unique collectibles from Hale’s studio were a street corner display box selling for over $400 and a print block for the photographer’s advertisement that read, “Hale, The Leading Photographer in Geneva,” selling for almost $600.

Treasures in Your Attic?

Chances are you are not going to find valuable photos of ground-breaking suffragettes valued at thousands of dollars in your attic, but you may find other treasures left by previous owners or vintage and antique pieces handed down through generations by your great, great, great grandmother. And if you think the item may be valuable, bring it to an antique dealer like the OId & New Shop. They will offer a fair market value on a variety of antique and vintage items, including:

  • Fine porcelain
  • Artwork
  • Marble statuary
  • Persian rugs
  • Tapestries
  • Mid-century modern furniture

So, get up to that attic and explore-you’ll never know what you might find!

The Story Behind the Collectible

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Bobbin Souvenir from W. Worsley's Hanging

This is a story about robbery, murder and execution. It’s also a story of William Worsley of Bedfordshire, England in the 1860s. Additionally, it’s the story behind a very unusual collectible–a bobbin that recently sold for over $300. This unique collectible commemorated the public hanging in 1868 of  William Worsley.

The story starts with William Worley, who was born in 1820, married a woman named Susannah, and had a son, Charles. In his youth, Worsley became an apprentice to a hat blocker – a skilled person who made molds for hat construction. Eventually, he had his own hat-blocking business. 

Life in rural England was tough for Worsley. Like most men in his time, Worsley spent time at his local pub. One fateful evening in the pub, Worsley and two of his friends, Levi Welch and James Day didn’t have the money to pay for their drinks. The men decided to rob another man, William Bradbury. Worsley, Welch, and Day attacked Bradbury with an iron bar, killing him and taking his money. 

Welch blamed it all on Worsley, but was sent to prison for six years on robbery charges only. Day claimed he was only there coincidentally because he dropped a sixpence and was looking for it. He was acquitted. Worsley, however, was not as fortunate and was charged with murder.

The Trial

The murder trial of William Worsley was covered by the Bedfordshire Mercury in March of 1868. As reported by the Bedfordshire Mercury, the trial was a popular preoccupation for the people of the town. Unruly crowds of spectators tried to get admission to the trial, but were turned away. Worsley pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. During the court proceedings, the prosecution showed that the murder weapon was discovered in his house the next day. Additionally, witnesses said that they saw Worsley standing over a man lying on the street. Worsley claimed that he just happened to stumble upon a drunken man. 

In the end, Worsley was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to death. He was the last known person to be put to death by public hanging. Shortly after the verdict, Worsley wrote a statement confessing to the murder.

William Worsley’s Hanging

Thousands of men, women and children gathered to watch the hanging of William Worsley on March 31st, 1868. Public hangings in the 1800’s were a community event and people would come to watch, wait, and pass the time by knitting or playing dice. A number of townspeople would go to sell their wares, for example, copies of Worsely’s  “Last Dying Speech and Confession.” Others came to sell souvenirs of the spectacle. One of these souvenirs was a bobbin used in the production of lace. During this time period, lace making was a cottage industry that used animal bone and soft woods to make bobbins. This keepsake bobbin sold at the hanging was inscribed with the words “William Worsley Hung 1868.” 

The Collectible Bobbin

Bobbins made of small bone and decorated with glass bead spangles are not too difficult to find. Some are decorated with family names or symbols such as hearts or diamonds, however, there aren’t many that commemorate a public hanging, like those sold on that day in March of 1868. Today, this rare item and others like this have become valuable and sought after by collectors and dealers.

The Story Behind the Collectible

The story behind the lace bobbin collectible is a unique one to say the least. Not all collectibles have such fascinating origins, but some do have their own stories, however simple, to share. One place to find interesting and unique collectibles is at the Old & New Shop. You never know what fascinating items you may find and what histories they have!

Antique Macabre Folk Art – a tale of robbery, murder, Blame & The Death Penalty. Source Vintage. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2022, from https://source-vintage.co.uk/blogs/news/antique-macabre-folk-art-a-tale-of-robbery-murder-blame-the-death-penalty
William Worsley (born 1820 in Bedfordshire) living in Luton, Bedfordshire in 1881. Trace your Family Tree Online. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2022, from https://www.findmypast.com/1881-census/william-worsley-0007676605
Bedfordshire County Council, County Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP, 01234 363 222, feedback@bedscc.gov.uk. (2019, June 21). The opening of the trial of William Worsley. Hosted By Bedford Borough Council: The Opening of the Trial of William Worsley. Retrieved December 29, 2022, from https://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityHistories/Luton/LutonIntroduction/TheOpeningOfTheTrialOfWilliamWorsley.aspx

Vintage Vacuums

SurpriVintage Vacuumssing as it may be, vintage vacuums have grown in appeal for antique collectors. This retro appliance is not only a display item but popular because of its history.

The History

An American inventor named James Spangler created an electric appliance that was a broomstick with a cloth, a long handle, and a bag. He was an asthmatic janitor, so his invention was probably developed out of necessity. In 1908, he sold his design to a Brit named William Hoover. His early vacuum idea was one of the best practical inventions of its time. Hoover’s company’s leather factory in England began mass-producing modern-looking vacuums by 1930. Although his vacuum was a practical way of cleaning, not many people owned one because of the high cost to produce and sell it. Many years later the electric vacuum would be used in most households.

Vintage Vacuum Collectibles

Since its origin, the vacuum has undergone many transformations, from dustpans to rovers, spanning over 150 years. Here are the top vintage vacuum collectibles:

Electrolux

This Swedish company has been producing vacuums for decades, and the 1950’s model is a top collectible. In the 1960s, the company’s marketing campaign slogan was, “Nothing sucks like an Electrolux.” Many marketing experts thought it would be a disaster, however, the campaign did grab the attention of consumers.

My Little Queen series by Bissell

Another popular collectible is the Little Queen series, which was invented by Melville Bissell to help his wife with her crockery pot store. It was more of a carpet sweeper, but still a favorite vintage vacuum.

Hoover 800

As mentioned above, James Spangler is credited for the invention of the electric vacuum and he eventually became partners with Hoover. This Hoover model is a popular vintage vacuum collectible today as well as the 1952 Hoover Model 82 Constellation.

Singer Deluxe

Singers sold only sewing machines in the early years. But, in the 60s they expanded their product line to include vacuum cleaners with the Singer Deluxe model becoming popular.

The Royal Lexon Standard

Royal Lexon Standard was developed in 1910, and over one million of these models were sold. This is especially outstanding at a time when only a few million homes had electricity. Because of its history, the Royal Lexon Standard model is a very sought-after vintage vacuum.

Kirby

The Kirby Company only produced one model and sold their vacuums through door-to-door sales. The company didn’t exactly have a good reputation based on the behavior of its salesmen. Many people complained that the salespeople were pushy and annoying. Despite its reputation, the Kirby is a top vintage collectible.

A Fascination

It may seem unusual to some, but many collectors have a fascination with vintage vacuums. For those who do, there are clubs to join whose members have the same interests. The Vacuum Cleaners Collectors Club’s members appreciate the mechanics and design aspects of collectible vacuum cleaners. This non-profit organization values the part of industrial history in which vacuum cleaners were part of the electrical pioneer movement in the United States. Members collect, restore, and preserve this fascinating aspect of industrial heritage. The club provides a space for collecting and cataloging historical materials, and information, and sharing the interest in vacuum cleaners between collectors.

As with many collectors of antiques and vintage items, searching and shopping is a large part of the journey to acquiring items. Flea markets, antique malls, and shops like the Old & New ShopOld & New Shop, are the best places to start. 

 

The Story Behind the Collectible: William Worsley and a Bobbin

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This is a story about robbery, murder and execution. It’s also a story of William Worsley of Bedfordshire, England in the 1860’s. Additionally, it’s the story behind a very unusual collectible–a bobbin that recently sold for over $300. This unique collectible commemorated the public hanging in 1868 of  William Worsley.

The story starts with William Worley, who was born in 1820, married a woman named Susannah, and had a son, Charles. In his youth, Worsley became an apprentice to a hat blockera skilled person who made molds for hat construction. Eventually, he had his own hat blocking business. 

Life in rural England was tough for Worsley. Like most men in his time, Worsley spent time at his local pub. One fateful evening in the pub, Worsley and two of his friends, Levi Welch and James Day didn’t have the money to pay for their drinks. The men decided to rob another man, William Bradbury. Worsley, Welch and Day attacked Bradbury with an iron bar, killing him and taking his money. 

Welch blamed it all on Worsley, but was sent to prison for six years on robbery charges only. Day claimed he was only there coincidentally because he dropped a sixpence and was looking for it. He was acquitted. Worsley, however, was not as fortunate and was charged with murder.

The Trial

The murder trial of William Worsley was covered by the Bedfordshire Mercury in March of 1868. As reported by the Bedfordshire Mercury, the trial was a popular preoccupation for the people of the town. Unruly crowds of spectators tried to get admission to the trial, but were turned away. Worsley pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. During the court proceedings, the prosecution showed that the murder weapon was discovered in his house the next day. Additionally, witnesses said that they saw Worsley standing over a man lying on the street. Worsley claimed that he just happened to stumble upon a drunken man. 

In the end, Worsley was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to death. He was the last known person to be put to death by public hanging. Shortly after the verdict, Worsley wrote a statement confessing to the murder.

William Worsley’s Hanging

Thousands of men, women and children gathered to watch the hanging of William Worsley on March 31st, 1868. Public hangings in the 1800’s were a community event and people would come to watch, wait, and pass the time by knitting or playing dice. A number of townspeople would go to sell their wares, for example, copies of Worsely’s  “Last Dying Speech and Confession.” Others came to sell souvenirs of the spectacle. One of these souvenirs was a bobbin used in the production of lace. During this time period, lace making was a cottage industry that used animal bone and soft woods to make bobbins. This keepsake bobbin sold at the hanging was inscribed with the words “William Worsley Hung 1868.” 

The Collectible: William Worsley Bobbin

Bobbins made of small bone and decorated with glass bead spangles are not too difficult to find. Some are decorated with family names or symbols such as hearts or diamonds, however, there aren’t many that commemorate a public hanging, like those sold on that day in March of 1868. Today, this rare item and others like this have become valuable and sought after by collectors and dealers. This is the tragic story behind the collectible of William Worlsey and a bobbin.

The Story Behind the Collectible

The story behind the lace bobbin collectible is a unique one to say the least. Not all collectibles have such fascinating origins, but some do have their own stories, however simple, to share. One place to find interesting and unique collectibles is at the Old & New Shop. You never know what fascinating items you may find and what histories they have!