E-News ©
June 2006

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Need to sell more than what's in your attic?
Need to sell your whole house?
Then it's time to call Stuart!

Feature stories this issue...

SOLD!!! Recent Impressive Sales at Showcase Antique Center!

From the Attic

Jensen Coffee Service.Price: $4,300.00

Federal Style Hall Mirror.Price: $1,500.00

Oak Three-shelf Collapsible Stand.Price: $ 195.00

Wallace Nutting Print, "The Rug Maker."Price: $ 225.00

Lenox China Vase w/ Silver Overlay.Price: $ 850.00

Cameo Glass Perfume Burner.Price: $2,495.00

Scrimshaw Whale's Tooth, "King George III."Price: $1,395.00

NEWS FLASH!!! JUST SOLD!!!!

What's in your attic?

Antiques and
Vintage Collectibles Spotlight...

Carnival Glass

Once again, Carnival Glass was a big seller during the May 2006 Brimfield Antique Show. This unique and colorful glass, which was all the rage at the dawn of the twentieth century, continues to be a favorite among twenty-first century glass collectors.

The Fenton Art Glass Company of Williamstown, West Virginia was the first U.S. company to produce en masse iridized glass, then called Iridill and Rubi-glass, in 1908. During that same year, the Northwood Glass Company manufactured a similar line of iridized glass called Golden Iris.

Carnival Glass gets its unique appearance when glass is pressed and iridized--a process whereby hot pressed glass is exposed to sprays, fumes, and vapors from heated metallic oxides. The signature iridescent shine reflects a rainbow of colors, or an opalescence, similar to the colors seen on a soap bubble.

One notable design from the Northwood Glass Company was the Grape and Cable. First produced in 1910, the pattern was manufactured for several years in a range of colors and a wide variety of items. Fenton Art Glass also produced a grape and cable design. The Northwood patterns are distinguishable by the trademark of a circle surrounding a capital N.

The market for the colorful glass slumped in the 1920s. However in the 1950s, the once popular glass became a favorite "giveaway" at carnivals, hence the name 'Carnival Glass.'

The burgeoning interest in Carnival Glass in the 1950s made it financially worthwhile for glass manufacturers to once again begin production with the collector in mind.

Here's a Sampling of Carnival Glass in Our Showcases and on Our Web Site:

Have a particular want?
Just let us know!

Stuart's Musings

Early Eyeglasses

Who can truly lay claim to the development of spectacles is unclear. Some historians give credit to the Chinese for producing eyeglasses some 2000 years ago; other historians point to the Italians--the Venetians to be precise--who are believed to have developed the reading stone--an early magnification glass.

Certainly, the most significant development in vision wear came in the sixteenth century with the introduction of the concave lens for the very nearsighted Pope Leo X.

The first spectacles had quartz lenses that were set into bone, metal, or leather mountings shaped like two small magnifying glasses with riveted handles in an inverted V shape, enabling the glasses to balance on the bridge of the nose.

In the seventeenth century Spanish spectacle makers attached silk ribbons to the frames that could then be looped over the ears. The Chinese modified the Spanish wear by attaching little ceramic or metal weights to the strings in place of the loops.

In 1730, Englishman Edward Scarlett perfected the use of firm side-pieces that rested atop the ears. Two decades later, James Ayscough invented the double-hinged side-pieces.

Benjamin Franklin, who needed spectacles for distance and close vision, got tired of constantly changing eyeglasses. He had his lenses cut in halves and mounted the distance vision lens half to the upper part and the close vision half lens to the lower part of his eyeglass frames. Thus, the bifocal was born.

In 1826, William Beecher came to our neighboring town of Southbridge, Massachusetts to establish a jewelry-optical manufacturing shop. In 1869, the American Optical Company (AO) was incorporated, which included Beecher's manufacturing business.

______________

Rosenthal, William, Spectacles and Other Vision Aids.

Fun facts

Next time you watch a movie, read the end credits and look for Todd/AO. American Optical was a leader in developing lenses for the filmmaking industry.

Rimless Chinese Glasses in Shagreen Case
Rimless Chinese glasses with tortoiseshell temple pads in shagreen case; unmarked; glasses 5 1/2" L, case 7" L. Price: $495.00

Tortoiseshell Chinese Glasses in Carved Wood Case Tortoiseshell rimmed Chinese glasses in carved wooden case; unmarked; glasses 4 1/2" L, case 5 1/4" L. Price: $350.00

• Chinese Glasses in Round Carved Wooden Case
  Price: $275.00

• Chinese Glasses in Boxwood Case Price:
  $295.00

• Civil War Shooting Glasses
  Price: $ 50.00

• American Optical Tillyer Advertising Sign
  with eyeglass case and eyeglasses. Price: $195.00

• Right-Sight Eyeglass Display
  Price: $165.00

Other Optical Items of Interest

Burl and Walnut Standing Stereoscope
Burl and walnut standing stereoscope; marked "The Vistascope," Griffith & Griffith, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A., Agents, Patented;" includes viewing card; circa 1896. Height=12 Price: $395.00

Celluloid Optical Advertising Spinning Top
Celluloid advertising spinning top; marked "Geo. D. Fisher Optical Co., 915 Locust, 510 No. Grand, St. Louis, pat. 11-16-15, Parisian Novelty Co., Chicago." Diameter=1.25 Price: $125.00

Kaleidoscope With Black Paper Exterior
Circa 1820. Length=6.5 Price: $490.00

Kaleidoscope With Multicolored Cardboard Exterior,
Japan. Length=5.75 Price: $140.00

Optician Advertising Compass
Advertising compass; marked "Manufacturing Optician, Lando, Milwaukee, Wis., Bring Your Work To Us." Diameter=1.75 Price: $165.00

Woman With Eyeglasses Dexterity Game
Woman with eyeglasses dexterity game; mirrored back; marked "D.R.G.M., Made in Germany." Diameter=2.25 Price: $140.00

Birthday · Wedding · Anniversary · Holiday
A Showcase Antique Center Gift Certificate is the Perfect Gift for the Discerning Collector!

Yard Sales, Schmard Sales.

CONSIGNMENT = $ALE$

"If you have something old, bring it in - it could be a valuable antique or collectible. Having an expert look at it is the best way to find out."

-Stuart Brody, owner and appraiser, Showcase Antique Center

Do you have a valuable or family heirloom you'd like to sell? Our consignment arrangement is the prime outlet for getting the best possible price for your antiques and collectibles.

Not sure what your item is worth? Our highly qualified appraisers will determine the value of your merchandise for you. This service is free of charge to our consignors.

Looking for Consignors with Quality Antiques

• We are committed to carrying quality antiques and vintage collectibles 
• We don't allow any reproductions
• We adhere to specific time periods for vintage collectibles
• We will appraise your items, ensuring the highest value possible

Our Marketing Strategy

• A customized marketing program that showcases your merchandise in its best light.
• Telemarketing
• We telephone customers with an interest in your type of merchandise
• Over 20,000 customers in our database

Additional Services

• If your merchandise sells through our ads or eBay, we handle the shipping and charge the customer.
• We remit all the sales tax so you don't have to worry about it. 

Want to learn more about consigning with Showcase Antique Center? Contact Stuart Brody at sales@showcaseantiques.com. That extra money in your pocket is a click away!

Showcase Antique Center
located at the entrance to Old Sturbridge Village,
  Route 20, Sturbridge, MA 01566 
Tel: (508) 347-7190 Fax: (508) 347-5420

sales@showcaseantiques.com Showcase Antique Center is conveniently located on Route 20 in Sturbridge, MA, just one mile from I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) and I-84. We're minutes away from the world-renown outdoor Brimfield Antique Shows held annually each May, July and September.

Stuart Brody, president of Showcase Antique Center, Inc., has added real estate auctioneer to his extensive and impressive list of credentials.
"Most people think real estate auctioneering has to do with distressed properties," said Stuart. "That is only one portion of the market. More and more people are turning to real estate auctions to sell their homes or commercial properties. Auction is ideal for inherited property, or when time is of the essence, such as in divorce settlements. Contents may be included in the auction as well."
And the benefits are numerous!

• Auction reduces the time the property is on the market.
• Auction eliminates numerous, unscheduled showings.
• Auction creates competition among buyers - auction prices can exceed the price of a negotiated sale.
• Auction takes the seller out of the negotiation process.
• Seller sets the terms and conditions of the sale.
• Seller knows exactly when the property will sell.
• The buyer pays the commission when a 7% to 10% buyer's premium is used. The high bid plus the buyer's premium becomes the total selling price.
• The seller pays no commission when a property is sold...only marketing costs are charged.

Affiliation: Northeast Realty

To provide more options for his clients, Stuart affiliated with Northeast Realty, Union, CT, as both a real estate agent and auctioneer. Now Stuart can conduct negotiated sales for both residential and commercial properties in Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as auction property in Connecticut.

Get the professional attention and advice YOU deserve for YOUR specific real estate needs. Call Stuart Brody at 617-899-8959.

Showcase Antique Center's E-News(c) is written by Rita Schiano. For more information http://www.ritaschiano.com/

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