E-News ©
August 2006

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Feature stories this issue...

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

From the Attic

What's in your attic?

NEWS FLASH!!! JUST SOLD!!!!

Antiques and
Vintage Collectibles Spotlight

The Beater

One exciting innovation in kitchen utensils was the beater. The invention of the rotary eggbeater had a major affect on cooking, and particularly on baking. By eliminating the long and laborious hand beating of ingredients, the rapid motion of rotary beaters added substantial aeration to whipping cream, eggs, and batters. The light and airy texture of angel food is a testimony to the benefits of the rotary beater.

Beaters used to whip cream, eggs, or batter generally fall into three categories: fixed, mechanical, or rotary. Fixed beaters require hand motion and include simple wire and coiled wire designs. Mechanical beaters involve pushing up and down on the top to create a revolving motion. Rotary beaters have a geared wheel and crank mechanism whereby the rotating blades create the mixing action.

Since the mid-1850s when the first beater appeared, more than 1000 patents have been granted to this seemingly simple yet clearly key apparatus.

Eggbeaters, particularly early cast-iron ones, are much sought after collectibles.

Fun fact

In the Sears' 1897 catalogue a Dover eggbeater sold for 9¢.

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

Need to sell more than what's in your attic?
Need to sell your whole house?
Stuart Brody can help!

Stuart Brody, president of Showcase Antique Center, Inc., has added real estate agent and auctioneer to his extensive and impressive list of credentials.
More and more people are turning to real estate auctions to sell their homes or commercial properties. And the benefits are numerous! Click here to learn more!

Stuart's Musings

Purses

Carryalls - handbags, purses, pouches-- have been a daily life necessity ever since man stopped dragging his knuckles on the ground. To free hands from the burden of carrying around essential survival items (rudimentary spears, knives, and hammers) primordial man fashioned "handbags" from the skins of animal carcasses.

Whereas our essential survival items (cell phones, lipsticks, and wallets) have changed over time, the basic concept of a "handbag" has not.

We can begin to trace purse history through Egyptian hieroglyphs that feature pouches adorned with jewels and carried around the waist.

In the seventeenth century it was fashionable for men to carry small purses--a far cry from the embarrassed-looking man often seen today in malls holding his wife's purse.

In the 1600 and 1700s, young girls applied their embroidery skills to create beautiful and uniquely stitched artwork on handbags.

In the eighteenth century, fashion-conscious women began carrying handbags called reticules--a netlike bag perfect for holding face powder, a fan, and a vinaigrette.

Today there are museums dedicated to beautiful purses made of beads, ivory, tortoiseshell, straw, prickly pear, metals, celluloid, Lucite, and other plastics--and, of course, of the many different "skins" such as lizard, alligator, and snake.

Like ancestral man, our need for a purse is great. Thankfully, we have designers like Schiaparelli, Pierre Cardin, Paco Rabanne, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Hermes, and Dolce & Gabbana to add beauty, grace, and style to one of life's little essentials.

Reference: http://www.museumofbagsandpurses.com/eng_collection.html

Enameled Mesh Evening Bag Enameled mesh evening bag done in colorful tones of red, yellow, and blue; silver tone metal frame and chain enameled in red; three lapis lazuli stones adorn the front of the frame; unmarked. Length=7.5 (measurement excludes chain) Price: $295.00

Figural Glass Beaded Purse Figural glass beaded purse depicting a gentleman and two women dressed in Victorian garb; done in colorful tones of red, gold, brown, yellow, blue, green, lavender, pink, and orange; brass jeweled frame; unmarked. Length=10 3/4" L (excluding chain) Width=7 3/4" Price: $3,200.00

Tortoiseshell Coin Purse With silver design, circa 1900. Length=2.5 Price: $350.00

Tortoiseshell Purse With silver trim and five diamonds on clasp. Length=3.5 Width=1 Height=4.75 Price: $350.00

Victorian Sterling Mesh Purse Victorian sterling mesh purse in Repousse floral frame with chain handle and three teardrop-shaped beads hanging from the bottom of the purse; marked "Sterling Silver, Pat. Ap'l'd. For." Length=6 (measurement excludes handle and beads) Price: $475.00

Gold Tone Purse w/ Compact Price: $110.00

Florida "Confetti" Lucite Purse Price: $325.00

Beaded Purse w/ Jeweled Frame Price: $295.00

Silver Mesh Purse Price: $140.00

Tiered Lucite Pocketbook Price: $225.00

Sterling Purse Price: $350.00

Silver Frame Leather Purse Price: $395.00

Brown Lizard Purse Price: $49.00

Beaded Purse w/ Floral Decor Price: $165.00

Victorian Cut Sterling Pouch Price: $225.00

800 Silver Velvet Purse Price: $395.00

1910-1920 Mesh Purse w/ Floral Decor Price: $225.00

Mandalian Purse Price: $325.00

...and too many more to list!!! So stop on in and see this
fabulous selection of antique purses and pouches!

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 just for you to showcase 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

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.

• 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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