It's been several weeks since I put out a request for readers to submit pictures of their collections, favorite finds, or family heirlooms, and I was tickled pink with the wonderful responses I received!
The first submission, and the inspiration for this post, was my friend Victoria's collection of bisque dollies:
Most of these little bisque beauties were made in the 1920's. Note the "Marcelle" hairdo, which was so popular during the flapper era:
If anyone wants to know what to get Victoria for her birthday, this should give you a pretty good idea!
Faithful blog follower Colleen submitted her pictures of Enid Collins purses from the 1960's. She also gives us some helpful background information on them:
"My special collection is Enid Collins purses. If you're not familiar with Enid, she was an artist from the San Antonio area who sold these purses at Neiman Marcus and exclusive boutiques, mostly in the southwest. My fabulously glamorous aunt from Houston had one of the wooden box purses when I was little, and people are quite crazy for them now. Some of them go for hundreds on eBay."
I found this link on eBay that will give you additional information on Enid's purses.
I think her purses are fantastic! Keep your eyes peeled when you are out thrifting. One could slip by a family making donations of grandma's things to the thrift shop, or even show up at a garage sale. One can hope, right?
Colleen also collects vintage patterns, including these patterns for doll clothes:
And with all of those patterns, Colleen keeps busy sewing clothes for her collection of vintage My Miss Revlon dolls, shown with a few of her childhood faves:
Colleen has also collected many hundreds of other clothing patterns, women's magazines from WWII, and old linen postcards, especially those from Florida and California.
When reader and fellow blogger Deb submitted her pictures of powder-puff music boxes, I couldn't believe my eyes!
But wait, there's more....lots more:
Deb explains: "It all started because my mom had one when I was a kid. I'm not sure exactly how many I have, over 300. Some of my most unusual are the cigarette holder, the lamp, the santa and trees. I've decided to just collect those odd ones, and the ones with knobs on top, especially. the bakelite".
Here's a cigarette holder box from the same era. I thought it was a set of curlers, but thankfully Deb corrected me. It just goes to show you that in the huge field of antiques and collectibles, nobody knows everything!
I was wondering why I rarely see these for sale anywhere. Now I know.....Deb has them all!
Deb must favor the metallic finish used on the music boxes, and also seen on the lamp below:
My mom Lucile has a nice collection of antique custard ware, which she displays on a vintage wicker tea cart:
She only collects the pieces with handpainted flowers, preferably roses:
My mom and I both collect colorful majolica pottery, and the pitcher below was acquired at an auction we attended in July. I just love the little nest full of baby birds:
Naples resident Jeanne has one of the best family heirlooms imaginable: A portrait of her mother, painted by her artist aunt back in 1927. It graces her beautiful living room. Aren't the colors magnificent?
I'd like to thank the readers who sent in the wonderful pictures. I had so much fun putting this post together!
If you would like to submit a picture of your own prized family heirloom, favorite vintage find or collection, please consider sending it to me at the following e-mail address: mitziscollectibles@comcast.net. I'd love to create another post with your special treasure spotlighted!
Mitzi
