Carol Tannenbaum at the Royal Ontario Museum

Several Years ago Carol Tannenbaum was to give a seminar at the Royal Ontario MUseum in Toronto.  As a collector I had many pieces I would have liked her to give her opinion on but one piece per attendee was the rule. With my ticket purchased I had to think long and hard to decide which item I would take since I never did get rid of any vintage items I had.  As the day approached I decided that I would take one of my favourite a four strand milk glass necklace with decorative ornament and it's matching wired bracelet. As the seminar progressed I waited in line for my turn to approach Ms. Tannenbaum and when I handed her the jewellery she held t in her hands and told me they were made in West Germany and dated to the early 1960's.  To my surprise she looked at me and said that the brooch I was wearing was valuable and that it was French Carved Bakelite.  I was very pleased I had two opinion instead of one.  This brooch is now special and will sit in my collection and wait to be inherited.

A 1935 Wedding

I have been enjoying PINTREST what a great site to find out what new ideas are out in this world and to share with others things of interest.  I posted this picture of my mother as a bridesmaid in Selkirk Manitoba in 1935, and it was well received by the members of Pintrest. with many views and likes so I thought I might add it to my blog.  The original cardboard frame remains with the original picture.

Weddings through the ages

On April 27th I presented a Vintage Fashion Show "Vintage Evening Elegance"with all proceeds to the Salvation Army. I received great response from those attending.  I do not normally keep many wedding dresses offered to me, but if a dress is older than 1970 and I am able to get the picture of the original owner in that dress than I am truly interested.  I found that many folks asked to see wedding dresses so I made the Finale  a bridal Parade.  Dresses were from a 1929 silk flapper style to a 1980 ruffled organza.

What is a Vesta?

This lovely 1-1/2 inch silver case on silver chain with a small charm attached lay for many years in my display showcase.  Many guests asked me what it was and all that I did reply was that it held tiny wax matches.   One fashion show I had a guest who hailed from England and she said "Oh I see you have a Vesta"  she went on to say that this was probably from the late 20's or the 30's when women who chose to smoke must do so discreetly.  The match striker is on the bottom.  If anyone recognized the symbol of the charm please let me know. I have just finished another successful Charity Vintage Fashion Show with proceed to the Salvation Army.  I hope that I now will have a tad more free time to post more regularity.

Port-side or Starboard Red or Green

This post follows upon My post of Captain George Elliott, the pipe smoking Captain.  During the war Captain Elliott was pulled ashore and made the Marine Superintendent for Imperial Oil out of Dartmouth Nova Scotia, it was the early 1940's. During the war an oil tanker was torpedoed and it was brought to McNabbs Island at the entrance to Halifax Harbour where it was to be eventually beached.   Captian Elliott set a salvage crew to reclaim any items that were worth saving.   The two copper and brass oil lamps that provided direction from the deck of the ship and the ships clock he maintained.  The lamp in the picture bears the number 684.  After Captain George Elliott's retirement he kept the lamp and the ships clock for souvenirs of his years at sea. He spent many hours painstakingly removing ever bit of battleship grey and had the clock mounted in a small grandfather clock case.  We have many things in this house that I have begged the grandchildren to take but unfortunately they don't want most of it, but somehow I feel that there will be no problem getting a taker for these.

Here are some interesting pipe paraphernalia.  To-day is is hard to find a dedicated pipe smoker but some of these did belong to my husband but most of the interesting pipes were used by my husband's father who was  Captain George Elliott and he was Captain of a ship for Imperial Oil during the Second World war. As one would expect this Ship's Captain was a pipe smoker and most pictures of the hardy captain standing on deck with his pipe in his hand.  I wonder if they allow smoking on board naval ships today????

Why I am keeping these and I guess it is the old story that everything has a memory and a tale to tell.
I suspect that as the years go on and time goes further down the road the memories become faint and eventually no one will know the stories or who they even belong to, and that will be their final demise.

Tying the knot in 1954

This wonderful typical 1950's gown was worn by Marguerite Dey of Collingwood Ontario when she married Mr. John Dance.  The dress with the exception of the veil is in remarkable condition and could be worn again if one is as tiny and petit as marguerite.  the skirt is accordion pleated tulle with lace bodice.  The original slip remains with the dress as well as the headpiece of tiny seed pearls and rhinestones.

All the years the dress was preserved so was the grooms suit with it's two pairs of trousers.  I seek out the photos of the original brides when I am offered a vintage wedding dress for I feel that the picture give more meaning to the day and the type of wedding held in 1954.