THE WEEKEND COLLECTOR: Transistor Radio Design

Since joining Collector's Weekly website, I've discovered a whole world of collectors I never knew existed, and categories I never paid any attention to. This week's website is called Transistor Radio Design, and belongs to collector James J. Butters. I was fascinated going through his pages, seeing the cool space-age designs of the fabulous transistor radios of the 50s and 60s. It brought back such a flood of memories, remembering how I, and all of my friends,  carried transistor radios around with us wherever we went as pre-teens and teens.  Listening to Dodger games, teen idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian, then later, the Beatles and the Monkees, my ear was often glued to my radio.     

As expected, the Japanese were the kings of the transistor radio, and often had some of the most stylish and technologically advanced radios. I love James' emphasis on design on his website, because today, these radios are often silent- it's their design that captures the eye, and makes a statement. I hope you enjoy looking through his site, and checking out some of the coolest mid-century product design around!  One of the cool things about James' site, is the photos of the radios. He often takes multiple shots of each radio, and does a wonderful job of presenting them in an attractive and modern way. I think a good collector's website or blog is really only as good as the images. His are terrific!

COLLECTION #36: Greeting Cards

Here's a little grouping of a few of my many greeting cards. I love everything about old greeting cards: the fonts, the illustrations, the colors, even the sappy messages inside. These are from a variety of occasions & eras- birthday, get-well, friendship. I especially love the cute one from the 30s that folds out. It's so nice that I don't keep it in the box with the others, but keep it in my china cabinet with my favorite blue & white dishes.

Greeting cards are still popular today- although I rarely buy them myself (I generally make my own greeting cards, and have for most of my life), and it's amazing to me how little this industry has changed. Although the artwork & style may be different, people still enjoy poring over racks of cards, trying to find the perfect one for that special occasion. They seem quite pricey to me, but actually, they are probably right in line with the cost of everything. I save many of the greeting cards I've received through the years, and I'm sure some day, the cards of today will go into some future collector's treasure box.

 Collecting greeting cards and other ephemera is an inexpensive hobby. You can pick them up for a dollar or two at your local flea market or antique mall. It's a wonderful way to enjoy the artwork and greetings of days gone by.

COLLECTION #35: California Postcards

 

This is my fourth postcard collection I've posted.  I don't really consider myself a postcard collector, but I do have more to post in the months to come.

These postcards are all about California, my home state. Folder postcards, postcards from the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s... but not too many. Some are places I've been, some are places I've lived, some are places that don't exist anymore, and some are places I haven't a clue where they are.   One place is the Miramar Hotel, in Santa Barbara.  Bruce and I enjoyed staying there several times when we were young marrieds, and it's been sad to see it fall into abandonment and eminent destruction.

It's no wonder people have flocked to California for generations... the beautiful scenery on the postcards visitors sent back to family and friends at home, made California look like a paradise. As far as I'm concerned, it IS a paradise in many ways. If you can overlook the traffic, high cost of living, and other inconveniences of lots of people vying for an ocean view.... the weather is practically perfect, there is lots to do, and it is truly beautiful. Here's to California!

COLLECTION #34: Little Blue & White Childrens Tea Sets!

 I'm not sure if "tea sets" is quite the correct term.. I have a few of these little children's tea items: 3 little pots and a set of little cups on a tray, plus ad adorable little pitcher that I assume was created for children. The pot on the right goes with the tea cups and tray.  I love how they look in my china cabinet along with all of my other blue and white pottery items. (Collections to come!)  The teapots in the front row each stand about 3-3 1/2" tall excluding their handles.

COLLECTION #33: Mini Pedal Cars!

Aren't these cute? They are sorta toys (I know they are, I put my little dolls in them!)  but they are also considered collectibles, and some are Christmas tree decorations. I love them. They are all reproductions, most are by Hallmark, but not all.  Each one is around 3" long. There's just something so fun about their chunky proportions, the fun colors, and the cool styling. There's even a Mustang! But my favorites are the plane, and the Fire Chief vehicle with the little bell!

(Click on any of the photos for a closer view.... notice the teeny tiny vehicles!)

COLLECTION #32: Dick & Jane Books!

 If I put all of my collections in order from most favorite to least, today's collection would be right up near the top of the list. These are my "Dick and Jane" books, the elementary school readers that have become synonymous with mid-20th century American childhood. I got my very first vintage reader nearly 30 years ago, when my oldest son was in nursery school.  We were visiting the home of one of his little friends, when I noticed the book "Streets and Roads" in their bookshelf. I hadn't seen that book since I was a very little girl. Although it was a school textbook, our family had this book, and I remember poring through it as a child. Each illustration brought back a flood of memories. Well, that little girl's Mom gave me the book, and I have treasured it ever since.  Many years later, as I began to collect vintage school books, I discovered that these "Dick and Jane Books", published by Scott, Foresman & Co. were very expensive. Sometimes 10 times more expensive than other schoolbooks from the same time period. Although I had a growing collection of vintage schoolbooks, I only owned a couple of from this series. And none of them were the 1950s vintage that I wanted.

One day, about 7 or 8 years ago, I was visiting one of my favorite thrift shops. This shop is run by senior citizens, and  they have a large book section. There is an older gentleman who runs that department, and he keeps everything beautifully organized.  One day, I went over to the children's section, and looked down at the bottom shelf. What I saw was so amazing, that I couldn't quite believe my eyes. There, in beautiful, nearly mint condition, were nine books of the 1950s series. I snatched them up, fearful someone would say that they were there by mistake. When I went to pay, I forked over the enormous sum of $5 for the entire stash. They were beautiful! The only ones missing were "Fun With Dick & Jane", and the 2 sixth grade readers. I soon went on eBay, and bought a near mint Fun With Dick and Jane, it seemed logical that I now needed an almost perfect book, since my others were so nice.

Through the years, I have also acquired a few of the later, 1960s editions, which are called The New Basic Readers. I also have a couple of the pre-primers, and one adorable workbook called "Before We Read". It's full of lovely illustrations, picture games, and items to color.  I have one teacher's edition of the New Basic Readers, and 2 Cathedral editions (Catholic school books). Although not as collectible as the regular editions, it's fun to see the illustrations with the nuns and crucifixes.


Scott, Foresman and Co. was the publisher of the Dick and Jane books. They were originally developed in the early 1930s, as a result of careful research and innovation. It was believed that children would learn to read easier, if they could identify with the stories they were reading. So, the quintessential characters were born: Dick and Jane. 4 letters, No last name. Easy to read. By the 1940s, these basic readers were the most popular readers in the country.In the 1950s, we baby boomers enjoyed reading about the idealized world of Dick and Jane. But by the 1960s, this idealized, white bread world was out-of-date. Although Scott, Foresman introduced muliti-racial characters, and more sophisticated stories, the Dick and Jane books and approach to reading was retired at the end of the decade.

I think their continued popularity is due to the innocence and sweetness of the stories and illustrations. Cute kids, simple lives, happy homes. Many children didn't have such perfect lives, but it was reassuring to know that Dick and Jane did.


 I also have a fun Dick and Jane pop culture book called "Growing Up with Dick and Jane".  It's a fun compendium of fun facts, photos, and interesting insights into those of us who grew up in the Dick and Jane years. 

THE WEEKEND COLLECTOR: Collector With a Needle!

I'm pleased to link an interesting blog today.  Dawn Ronningen has a delightful blog about quilting. She collects vintage sewing paraphernalia, quilts, and makes her own lovely quilts using traditional quilt patterns. It's called Collector With a Needle. I hope you check it out!

Although I don't sew,  I'm totally in awe of Dawn's talents, both in quilting and in displaying, collecting, and documenting these wonderful quilts and sewing tools.

I've been lucky to know a few quilters in my life, and I admire all their hard work in creating beautiful, lasting works of art. There's such a rich tradition of quilting in America (and I'm sure in other countries too) that helps document our history and heritage. As a 'woman's art', quilting has been both a beautiful and practical way of socializing, creating, nurturing, and documenting families and culture. In my family, my Grandfather's niece Fauntie was our 'family quilter'.  I think every family should have someone who quilts!