Thanksgiving is an occasion everybody looks forward to. It is a special event when families reunite and friends get together for a meal representative of thankfulness for all the blessings that have come the whole year round. Comparatively, Thanksgiving does not tend to the same level of decorating as Halloween or Christmas, holidays for which decorating has become so much a part of the celebration, but there are still wonderful Thanksgiving decorations to make your home more festive. And some of my favorite decorations are Thanksgiving vintage collectibles.

Most Thanksgiving collectibles tend to revolve around the foods we eat during the season, whether used as images on paper items such as Thanksgiving postcards or decorating food serving items such as trays and dishes. Pumpkins, corn and of course, turkeys are on top of the list.

The popularity of these collectibles is prompted by historic reasons. Originally, Thanksgiving Day is an occasion to symbolize the thankfulness of early American settlers for a bountiful harvest season. Through the years, the occasion has evolved and has become more symbolic in nature. Now, people gather in Thanksgiving to express thankfulness for all the blessings and good tidings accumulated in the past year.

Because the celebration of Thanksgiving revolves around the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, items that symbolize that meal gathering have become the objects that symbolize the occasion. Among the popular collectibles are Thanksgiving mementos made of paper, fabric, and wax; such as cards, tablecloths, and candles. You would also notice that Thanksgiving collectibles are mostly display and dinner pieces, usually ceramic or porcelain. These are collectibles that serve a functional, as well as decorative purpose, especially items like dinner plates, bowls, casseroles, platters, gravy boats and salt and pepper shakers.

In the 1800s and throughout the 20th century, manufacturers have produced Thanksgiving decorations. Most of the vintage items are still very much functional today, though some collectors may prefer to keep them for display purposes only so they’ll be protected from any mishaps. I would hate to spill gravy or wine all over a vintage tablecloth.

Some other popular vintage Thanksgiving collectibles available are soap and food molds. As usual, these items are usable and can be very helpful in making food presentations during the Thanksgiving meal more appropriate, lively and decorative. Vintage candy containers are also readily available online at sites like Ebay. There are many fun turkey-shaped candy containers manufactured during the first half of the 20th century that can add to the Thanksgiving atmosphere.

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Here’s an example of a mid century modern chair – “Diamond Chair” by Harry Bertoia:

Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s

“Mid-Century modern” is an architectural, interior, and product design form that generally describes mid-20th century developments from around 1933 to 1965. The term was coined in 1983 by Cara Greenberg after the title of her book, Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s (Random House), celebrating the style which is now recognized by scholars and museums worldwide as a significant design movement.  Greenberg begins the book with “The early 1950s was not the first time modern furniture had been offered to the American public, but it was the first time they lined up around the block to buy it.”

Mid-century architecture was an evolution of Frank Lloyd Wright’s principles of organic architecture combined with many elements of the International and Bauhaus movements.

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A good antique price guide usually specializes in specific categories.  Many people love to find antique China, and they will look for specific pieces or sets that they want to add to their collection.  A good antique price guide should provide information on many of the antique China pieces that are available, and the price guide will also provide information on reasonable prices for specific pieces.  A good antique price guide for China will probably give shoppers information on distinguishing a real antique from a quality reproduction made recently.

Antique Price Guides Provide Comprehensive Information

Shoppers looking for a good antique price guide will find plenty of variety.  There are some publications that are monthly so the information is current and relevant.  Shoppers should remember that all of these are guides so the information is not perfect.  The sellers have the upper hand in some situations, and if they do not want to sell at the suggested price in a guide, they can hold on to their property.  A buyer may have to pay out more than a suggested price if they really want the piece.  Of course, this is something that the seller hopes for so they can get a great price for their merchandise.

Buyers and sellers both can subscribe to the guide that covers the type of antique that interests them most.  They can also join some of the forums to find advice or insight into appropriate prices for different types of antiques.  These forums often provide information on the latest price and other information for those who love antiques.  Some of these forums provide current information on the events that may be interesting to collectors.  The forums are often devoted to one type of merchandise such as books, cars or guns.  Antiques often become treasures that are eventually passed on to children and grandchildren, and there is plenty of information for those who want the best merchandise at the best prices.

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There are plenty of different antique map styles and regions that you can collect and it is really up to you to decide what your reasons for collecting are.  If you are basing your map collection solely on value, look for older more rare maps that you think will appreciate in value.  Also, maps from historical periods can significantly increase in value if there is public interest in the event.

While this can be a really solid investment, it can also be fun to collect antique maps based on personal interest as well as there value.   One example is having a collection with a Caribbean theme.  Original and unique maps from this region can be found from the mid seventeenth century all the way up to late nineteenth and each offers a unique perspective on the islands of the Caribbean.  Maps from the West Indies can start as low as $45 for mass produced renditions from the late nineteenth century all the way up to over $2,000 for unique maps from the early sixteenth century.  As you can see it really is up to you how much you want to invest in your collection of antique maps.

Another idea is to collect maps from where your family lineage is from.  For example, my family originally came to North America in the mid 1800s and I have a map of where they landed about that time.  This map not only is a beautiful representation of the hand written maps of the day, but is also has some history for me personally.  It is a great conversation piece with guests and brings a lot more of my personal history into the conversation than any painting would.  So as you can see, collecting antique maps can be a fun and worthwhile hobby that can add to the flavor and history of your home.   My suggestion would be to start small and see how your collection grows over the years.   Who knows, someday that small collection may turn into a large valuable one.

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This happens mainly to people that have collected items from around the world or enjoy many styles of design and just cannot be put into a traditional, contemporary, French or Spanish genre. This is when you will have to take an antique lamp and integrate it with Peter Max paintings and oriental furniture.

Easy Accessory

One of the easiest accessories to integrate into any genre is antique lamps. These lamps have so much charm and personality that putting them into a contemporary setting can make a fabulous statement. Antique lamps can be made of almost anything, from metal and bamboo to wood and wicker. Most of the early antique lamps have glass shades.

Original antique Tiffany lamps are quite lovely with their stained glass shades. These lamps can be placed in almost any setting and become the focal point of any room. If you need a lamp that is subdued, an antique lamp will fit the bill. Putting antique pieces with contemporary pieces is tricky if you are not familiar with designing, but usually antiques and particularly antique lamps will work in any area arrangement.

Antique lamps are easy to find if you are specifically looking for one. There are many copies of these lamps in lamp stores and design shops but finding the real thing can be quite fun. Scouring antique shops is a fun experience if you have never done so before. Ask the owner of the shop about the history of the lamps in their store.

Check the internet for areas in your city where there are many antique shops and spend a day exploring. Sometimes you are able to find non-working antique lamps with a fun history that will take some wiring to get it working again. This will enable you to be a little creative with your lamp. One can even find an antique vase and then turn it into a beautiful lamp. Antique lamps are very beautiful when cleaned up and used in the right location. Make an area arrangement and make your lamp the focal point and you will find that your antique lamp makes quite the statement.

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There are tons of different kinds of antique hardware out there, so you want to be a little particular when choosing what to buy.  For starters, look at getting an antique rain gauge.  These simple devices were used centuries ago by farmers to measure the amount of rainfall so they could adjust how much they watered their crops.  Today they make a perfect accompaniment to any garden.  These devices have a simple glass vial for collecting rain that is coupled with a metal measuring end to determine how much rain has fallen.  As rain collects in the glass vial, the arm moves letting you know exactly how much rain has fallen.

Another neat idea is to look at antique hardware for use in your home.  Door knobs, cabinet hinges, cabinet handles can all be replaced with authentic antique hardware to increase the value and appeal of your home.   Something that has become more and more popular in recent years is replacing the light fixtures in your home with something more antique looking, but why not go all out and replace them with genuine antique hardware?

Many antiques can be purchased for a little more than their new modern counterparts, but unlike modern materials the value of the genuine antiques will increase in value while adding a unique and authentic feel to your home.   If you really want to give your home that true country cottage turn of the century feel, antique hardware brackets and wall mounts for bookshelves are very inexpensive and can improve the overall look of your home.

Spend some time looking on the internet or going to antique stores and bargains are sure to be had.  Many times these places do not specialize in antique hardware so they may not even know the value of the items they are selling.  In addition antique hardware is not something that is commonly sought after and with a little determination and effort on you part you can incorporate these items into your home significantly increasing the value as well as your own personal enjoyment in your abode.

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It is not so much how old a piece of antique furniture is that makes it valuable, rather its condition and appearance. A 200-year-old table for example, may be beyond repair with water damage or missing a leg or two that cannot be restored, turning that old hunk of wood into firewood. However, there are some basic construction tips that can help people determine the quality of the piece as well as the period in which it was made.

Beyond age and functionality, the piece of antique furniture should still be serviceable, meaning if there is an antique chair, meeting the requirements in all aspects, a person should still be able to sit on it without fear of it breaking. Since nails and other metal fasteners were rarely used on most furniture, the means with which the different pieces are held together can be an indication of its age.

Antique Furniture Restoration Is An Art Form

With many pieces of antique furniture requiring some sort of repairs, it takes a qualified person to restore accurately the piece to near original condition. The amount of wood that has to be replaced will affect the quality and the values of the piece. Typically, collectors look at about 20 to 25-percent as a limit of replacement wood in a piece of antique furniture before they begin to lose interest in the piece.

Most antique furniture was made of mahogany, oak, pine, walnut and rosewood and the type of wood used will affect its value among collectors, and restoring antique furniture requires the same species of wood to be used as in the original construction. Persons with the ability to replicate a table leg with the same species of wood and have the same grain pattern show as in the other legs, can be hard to find.

Today, many factories pump out replicas of antique furniture using laminates to recreate the pattern and grain of some of the most popular woods used in antique furniture. However, with these pieces it is easy to spot the difference between the original construction and today’s mass-produced items.

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The Apple Corporation is now generally associated with iTunes, iPods, and Mac computers. However, when computers were just getting started, Apple manufactured large, gray computers with green screens. There was no internet, only basic printing and game capabilities. Now, Apple computer consoles and their accessories are antique electronic supplies.

Nintendo Consoles as Antique Electronic Supplies

Before three-dimensional computer games and Playstation, there was Nintendo. This two-dimensional game mainly centered around two characters, plumbers names Mario and Luigi,. They often had to defeat a monster named Bowser to get the beautiful Princess back.

Now, all of the games that Nintendo manufactured are considered antique electronic supplies, as well as the game consoles. Gamers might collect these antique electronic supplies so that they can recapture the nostalgia of playing Nintendo.

Other Antique Electronic Supplies

Games and computers are not the only antique electronic supplies that you can purchase. While DVDs are now the mainstream form of media for watching movies at home, VCRs were very popular not too long ago! However, the large VCRs from the 1970s and 1980s are the ones that are considered antiques. Electronics enthusiasts might want to acquire these antiques for their parts.

Nowadays the thinner the television, the better. Plasma televisions are the most popular now, with their high-definition screens. However, if you know where to look, you can get televisions from the very beginning of their invention in the 1930s. It should be noted that many of these televisions are not compatible with the electronic configurations of modern houses.

So, where can you find antique electronic supplies? Well, the first thing that you should do is visit your local antique store. Even if they do not specialize in electronics, they will most likely be able to refer you to a local store that does.

Of course, the internet is now the most popular way to find these kinds of antiques. However if you do choose the option, make sure that you only purchase supplies from a reputable seller. Unfortunately, there are many scams on the internet. However, with the proper research, you are sure to find the right antique supplies!

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Re-Staining

Re-staining today is not much different then it was a hundred years ago and, therefore, an antique wood floor will take a contemporary stain quite easily. It is very easy to update and restore an antique wood floor by re-staining it. The luster and beauty is easily lifted and your old home will feel new again. Stripping the floor of its old stain is the first thing that needs to be done to the floor before you begin the process of staining.

This can be done by you or there are many refinishing companies that specialize in antique wood floors. If there is a crack or rotten piece of wood they can mend and support the floor. Many designers will always check for a wood floor underneath a carpet when redesigning the interior of an older home. It is always very beautiful to pull a carpet up to reveal a beautiful antique wood floor underneath it. It is almost like finding a treasure. After staining, the next process is to find pretty area rugs to cover parts of the floor. These rugs are needed to help with the sound barriers and to provide an extra piece of warmth to the room.

The rugs are always coordinated to offset the beauty of the antique wood floors. Beautiful, colorful fabrics always look fabulous against wood floors in the draperies and the furniture that is placed on the floor. Wooden furniture placed on these wood floors always show off their beauty when placed on a wooden floor. Traditional and contemporary surroundings can both be used with antique wood floors. Depending on the stain color will determine a contemporary or traditional setting. The lighter the stain the more contemporary the room will feel. However, whatever color of stain you use on your antique wood floor, the floor will always keep it antiquity charm.

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Unfortunately one of the toughest things in collecting coins is determining their value.  It is not wise to go to a collector to ask their opinion on the value of your coins because they will more than likely undervalue your collection so they can get a better price on purchasing it.

In contrast, the internet prices tend to be grossly overvalued so there really is no exact science to determining the value of your antique coins.  It is a hobby and process that you need to figure out on your own and the only way to do it is through hard work.

$7 Million for a Coin

Unfortunately, for the most part, old coins are pretty much worthless.  Well not worthless, but not worth more than their face value.  Only unique and truly rare coins give any value, and it is these antique coins that collectors go crazy for.  One good example is the double gold eagle.  This coin was minted in 1933 but was never circulated.  The government decided to not put the coin into circulation and all but three were recalled.  One of these three rare coins sold for over seven and a half million dollars at an auction.

Now conversely, a penny from the turn of the century while far older than the double gold eagle is probably worth about a cent, unless it came from a rare mint or had some strange imperfections.  The reality is that just because a coin comes from an antique era it does not make it an antique.  Antique coins are far more rare and the really sad part is that there is a lot of misinformation on the actual value of these coins, so it is in your best interest before you begin investing in coins that you do the research on what is truly valuable yourself.

Also of extreme importance is the condition of the coin.  Coins in mint condition will be far more valuable than ones in worse condition, however very few coins are actually in mint condition.  The term mint condition means exactly that, there is no way to distinguish the coin from one that was minted yesterday, so again buyer beware when someone claims that a coin is in mint condition.

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