The Haunted Lamp

Historical Dandies

2012-01-21T11:45:00.000-08:00

Decorative Designs: Casino

2012-01-06T16:56:00.000-08:00

A 1950's casino by Ponti, Fornaroli, and Fornasetti.

130 East 25th St.

2011-12-28T17:30:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T07:01:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Eve!

2011-12-24T06:49:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more snapshots of some our holiday decorations this year. Other crazy Christmas collectors might recognize a "Crystalite" tree topper, a very rare Bradford starburst ornament, and a cranky-faced, Danish bobble head!

New Denizens of the Tarnish Tree

2011-12-18T09:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas Deer

2011-12-16T04:08:00.000-08:00

Deer circa 1960

(I will confess these originally had hideous multicolor plastic fruit and greenery on the necks. I replaced it with vintage corsage and millinery materials that appear a tad more tone-on-tone elegant yet still period appropriate.)

My New MOD Tree

2011-12-15T16:07:00.000-08:00

This is my new tree. The idea has been a couple of years in the making. It began with Vintage GE "Lighted Ice" bulbs. I think they were produced from the late 50's to the late 70's or so. There were imitators and they are being reproduced, but the old ones do have a different look. I think they are not as bright and the colors are definitely period specific. (As an example, I have noted the earlier blue was more of an aqua and the later blue was more of a navy true-blue.) The white cords are new.
I found a very inexpensive vintage white tree last year but, alas, it did not seem to be safe for hot lights. The plastic cellophane-type needles were probably a fire hazard. This year I found a vintage Kirk (flameproof) Fibreglass tree that was perfect for my needs.
The ornaments are mostly late 60's/ early 70's West German. The scale is a bit larger and they have modern squiggles and dots, often in contrast to white glitter. I am still looking for a good tinsel or ball garland....

Here Comes JOY....

2011-12-13T14:24:00.000-08:00

I did set up the "Joy" vignette this year. It has been a couple of years as I am not allowed to set up every tree every year. (I have managed to finagle 5 full size trees and my little Tarnish Tree this year.....trees less than 3 feet tall don't count.)

The scene is composed of giant 70's letters and vintage aluminum trees. The ornaments are a mix of new and old. Each year I manage to add a few more vintage ones.

This will be the view for Christmas dinner.

Vintage Wrapping Paper

2011-12-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

Late 40's tissue paper with scottie dogs!

More Tarnish Tree Photos

2011-12-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

My Tarnish Tree

2011-11-30T04:30:00.000-08:00

I am still in the process of setting up my mid-century holiday decor, but I wanted to post pics of one of my new little trees this year. I call it my "Tarnish Tree" as that would best describe the overall color and style. The ornaments are from the 1920's through the late 50's and many are spotted, faded, and gloriously worn. Some of the ornaments have lost silvering to the point of being almost completely clear "ghost ornaments."
The tree began with a $19 (including shipping) slightly ratty,vintage, tinsel tree from Ebay. I trimmed the branches to look more like a traditional feather tree and then painted the off white base with some leftover grey paint and threw some mica flakes on it as well. I bought vintage mercury glass garland, tinsel garland, and some very old lead tinsel strands for the branches.
The figural ornaments include beaded insects, creepy snowmen, faded birds, glass dogs, and such. There are also a fair number of grapes, berries, trumpets, and geometrics in silvers and golds. I was unfamiliar with the details of some of the older, more traditional ornaments but being the ~~crazy and~~ ~~obsessive compulsive~~ passionate and focused collector that I am, I am now fairly well versed in the genre and do quite well picking through mixed lots and reselling ones not quite my taste. (Some damages are getting recycled into some craft projects.)
Stay tuned for more pics of this tree tomorrow and some other holiday photos next week!

Decorative Designs: Interiors

2011-11-22T16:43:00.000-08:00

A coffee bar in Dusseldorf.

An espresso cafe mural.

Allianz Insurance cafe in Munich.

Interior images from Decorative Designs for Contemporary Interiors 1956.

Individual and Dual Stunts 1951

2011-11-16T03:13:00.000-08:00

Chinoiserie Echo

2011-11-14T11:19:00.000-08:00

Circa 1942 mural found behind a bathroom wall.

Ads Circa 1907

2011-11-08T17:22:00.000-08:00

Advertisements from 1905-1910.

1950's Spinning/Magnetic Calendar

2011-11-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

Yes....it is awesome.

Vintage Unionsuit Ads Circa 1905

2011-11-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

Sheet Music: The Witch's Whirl Waltzes 1901

2011-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

Ads: Hats 1908

2011-10-26T05:26:00.000-07:00

Vintage Paper Masks: Cowboy and Spaceman

2011-10-24T05:39:00.000-07:00

Historical Dandies

2011-10-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

These images are Player's Cigarette cards from the 1930's. They measure about 1 1/2" x2 3/4". The series was called "Dandies."

Owl and Cat E 68th St.

2011-10-19T09:25:00.001-07:00

96th Street and Riverside Drive

2011-10-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

This building is located on 96th st. I believe it is called the "Cliffside" and dates from the early 1900's. I should have written the date down, but I remember thinking the Mayan/Aztec style had the feel of later Art Deco buildings.

Historical Dandies

2011-10-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

Player's cigarette cards from 1932.

104th St. and Riverside Drive

2011-10-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

More Individual and Dual Stunts!

2011-10-10T16:09:00.000-07:00

Astor Place Subway

2011-10-09T05:38:00.000-07:00

Amazing Hat Show at Bard!

2011-10-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

I just got back from an incredible show about hats at The Bard Gallery on W 86th St. Read more about the show here. Highlights are here. The catalog is good, but not complete. Many of the vintage hats are not shown. I would list some highlights as a 1000 year old fez, some incredible Victorian bonnets, the white mink rabbit mask worn by Candace Bergen at Capote's "Black and White Ball", genuine Tudor and tricorne hats, a top hat and gloves in the original wooden trunk, a Schiaperelli hat printed with insects, and (my favorite) a leather jester hat from the 1600's. They do not allow photos, but an illegal photo of that particular piece by a nervous patron (after not seeing it in the catalog), in low light, with shaky hands, may look something like this:

The show is through mid-April, so make sure you get there!

New York Humor

2011-10-08T05:37:00.000-07:00

The door of a third floor "walk-up" apartment.

Recent Finds and Projects

2011-10-03T17:11:00.000-07:00

I found this vintage plaster head from 1960 on Ebay for $19.

I bought a beautifully rusted, star-shaped brick support to pair with my glass starfish.

I paid way too much for an antique cowl vent from a ship. (The green patina was priceless.)

Martha Stewart paper birds from Joann's. (The Halloween collection is quite good.)

Another bird glued to the wall. (I feel this bird will be more than seasonal...)

I drew a "carousel" type ornament for my tiger head. I meant to paint it, but liked how the sketch started to shape up.

Individual and Dual Stunts 1951

2011-09-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness we have the "objective" section to explain the stunt for us....

Decorative Designs: Murals

2011-09-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

Canteen and tea room in Cologne.

Ceiling of a small cafe painted in grey, green and violet.

The same canteen as above.

Coffee house in Vienna. (It seems to have been called"Arabia"---the only specific name I have come across in this book. They must have required it.)

Murals from Decorative Designs for Contemporary Interiors 1956.

Individual and Dual Stunts 1951

2011-09-25T09:20:00.000-07:00

Decorative Designs: Coffee House

2011-09-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

A coffee house in Munich with murals inspired by the history of the city.

More High-Bred Clothes 1905

2011-09-16T04:52:00.000-07:00

High-Bred Clothes 1905

2011-09-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

Clothes from The House of Kuppenheimer 1905 Spring /Summer Catalog.

Individual and Dual Stunts 1951

2011-09-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

Individual and Dual Stunts

2011-09-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

These stunt card images were begging to be sent out into the world.....enjoy your own "cane tussling" tonight....

Decorative Designs 1956

2011-09-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

Wine restaurant in Stuttgart

Detail of glazed and foiled wall

Hotel Post in Bavaria

Haas House in Vienna

Stucco ceiling in Haas House

Individual and Dual Stunts 1951

2011-08-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

Individual and Dual Stunts 1951

2011-08-29T05:21:00.000-07:00

Stunt cards from the early 50's.

Please be careful when trying these at home.

Richard Morris Hunt Memorial

2011-08-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Located on Fifth Avenue and 70th St. More info here.

Edward Durrell Stone Townouse East 64th Street

2011-08-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Stone is one of my favorite architects and I have admired his work for years. ( I can't even discuss, never mind go into, the horribly renovated building on Columbus Circle.) He is greatly misunderstood as he doesn't fit into a the linear way we like to view the history of architecture.
This particular project has a history of scandal. The bold and ingenious solution to update the Victorian townhouse wasn't loved at the time. (I don't think preservation of Victorian townhouses was much of an issue in the 50's.) The neighborhood was designated a Historical District by the time the family had the screen removed and the facade redone in the late 80's (better for resale), but they were forced to put it back by the Landmarks Commission. I think the architect Robert A.M. Stern was a vocal fan and supporter. Regardless of what some people thought of the style, the building had become an important part of the neighborhood's history.
I posted this as I currently have a client in the neighborhood and I walk down this block whenever I can.

Labels: Hercules Wine

2011-08-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

1950's

Under the Bethesda Fountain Terrace

2011-08-23T05:48:00.000-07:00

These images are from the walkway under the terrace. More info here.

Bethesda Fountain Terrace

2011-08-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

Advertisements 1903

2011-08-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

Advertisements 1903

2011-08-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Advertisements from a Literary Digest 1903.

More Museum Men

2011-08-11T06:15:00.000-07:00

Decorative Designs: Details

2011-08-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

Sgraffito work in the entry of a wallpaper and linoleum store

A bar entrance in Cortina d'Ampezzo

wall painting in a park restaurant

Museum Details

2011-08-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

Feet!

Hands!

Entwined snake handles

One of a pair of satyr stands

Random, intriguing objects I had to photograph on my last trip to the Met.

Decorative Designs 1956

2011-08-04T05:40:00.000-07:00

Wallpaper shop in Essen.

Illuminated frieze in a Venice travel agency.

Painted ceiling in a Cologne restaurant.

I realized I hadn't posted any of these vintage interiors in awhile. The images are from Decorative Designs in Contemporary Interiors from 1956. Truly one of my favorite vintage books.

Firehouse at East 67th Street

2011-08-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

I think the dragon detail is appropriate. ...

Men at the Museum

2011-07-31T20:14:00.000-07:00

Curiosity Cabinet: Rainbow Toad (and a funny true story)

2011-07-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

The gloriously colored "Rainbow Toad" was just found again after 87 years! Read more here.

This reminds me of a true story about my brother (who keeps poison dart frogs.)
One night my sister-in -law awoke in the middle of the night to a strange, burning smell in the house. Thinking there might be a fire, and not seeing my brother in bed, she went downstairs and found him in the kitchen. He seemed to be in the middle of some cooking project.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Oh, I thought you were sleeping....." he said, appearing startled like he was just caught doing something he shouldn't. "I was baking mashed potato flakes and sawdust so I can grow mold in the basement to feed insects for the frogs."
Her annoyed response, "Why can't you just watch porn when I'm sleeping like a normal husband?!"

Random Museum Photos

2011-07-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, only some of the old museum specimens and displays are still shown. I took a picture of the decorative displays in the lobby that incorporate some of these older pieces. If you pay attention you can find a random mural or a beautifully framed antique mount that hearkens back to a different age. If you go, you must go the children's area on the upper floor, because there is a gloriously dark and creepy glass room filled with old taxidermy mounts. Most people without children (or 5 year old nieces) might miss this strange display. It didn't seem like the people in the space even realized its existence....

Frolicking Sailors...

2011-07-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Vintage Chalkware Sailors

1950's Diner Plates

2011-07-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

I own some random vintage dishes from companies such as Syracuse, Shenango, and Wallace. I really love the happy graphics, but they seldom see the light of day, so I decided to hang a few of my favorites above the door in my kitchen. The Calder-type one was designed by Viktor Schrekengost.

Vintage Photo: Garden Party (?)

2011-07-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

Hmmmmm.....

Vintage Photo of a Boxer

2011-07-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

just because.

Swann Memorial Fountain

2011-07-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

More info on this 1924 fountain here.

More Museum Dioramas Details

2011-07-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Presented for your viewing pleasure are a few more images from The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philly. (I really enjoyed snapping these....they are strangely quiet and creepy.)

More Museum Diorama Details

2011-07-14T05:32:00.000-07:00

Museum Dioramas

2011-07-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

Diorama details from The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.

Navy Brochure 1917 Leyendecker Cover

2011-07-07T04:40:00.000-07:00

This Navy booklet from 1917 has a great cover by Leyendecker. The standing man is a classic, inspiring, "hero-type" image. He always painted good looking men, of course, but this illustration has some interesting details as well. I think the fruit and animals lend an exotic touch...

Postcards: Big Wood

2011-07-05T05:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

Postcards: Big Wood

2011-07-03T04:53:00.000-07:00

Postcards: Big Wood

2011-07-02T04:38:00.000-07:00

I have several postcards of featuring these giant trees. They range from the early 1900's to the 60's. (I collected postcards for a few weeks one year and somehow managed to acquire a bunch of these....)

Longwood Gardens

2011-06-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

This is the last group of photos form the gardens, but I have family in next week and will probably go back!

Longwood Gardens

2011-06-29T05:02:00.000-07:00

A few more random photos....including a strange tree and club moss. One more group tomorrow!

Longwwood Gardens

2011-06-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

More Vintage Wrasslin'

2011-06-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have a several plant and gardens posts on right now so I thought I should break it up a bit. This WPG photo is "outside" though. I guess it sort of continues a theme...
:)

Longwood Gardens

2011-06-24T05:40:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more random photos from my Longwood Gardens trip a couple of weeks ago. Check out the green wall outside the bathrooms.

The Art of Plant and Driftwood Arrangement 1954

2011-06-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

photos by Tatsuo Ishimoto

Longwood Gardens

2011-06-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

I took a few photos at Longwood Gardens last week when I had company visiting. It is one my favorite places, but usually I forget to bring my camera. I was busy trying to be a good host so I didn't spend a ton of time taking photos and we didn't go everywhere I normally would. I plan on going back in the next few weeks. The garden is definitely a place to visit if you have never been.

East 24th St. NYC

2011-06-15T11:53:00.000-07:00

A block-sized office building on East 24th.

Vintage Wrasslin'

2011-06-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

Another vintage WPG photo featuring proper wrestling technique.

The Art of Plant and Driftwood Arrangement 1954

2011-06-11T05:58:00.000-07:00

Photos by Tatsuo Ishimoto

Advertisements 1902

2011-06-09T04:12:00.000-07:00

Wrasslin'

2011-06-08T06:06:00.000-07:00

Vintage Physique photo from the Western Photography Guild.

Glitter: How Much is Too Much?

2011-06-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

Some of my glitter unearthed while organizing.

The Art of Plant and Driftwood Arrangement 1954

2011-06-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

Photos By Tatsuo Ishimoto.

Advertisements 1902

2011-06-02T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Literary Digest

The Art of Plant and Driftwood Arrangement 1954

2011-05-31T05:52:00.000-07:00

Photos by Tatsuo Ishimoto

Vintage Wrasslin'

2011-05-30T05:45:00.000-07:00

Western Photography Guild

Garden

2011-05-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

A few more Spring photos. Please ignore the weeds. They were taken a couple of weeks ago!

Somewhere in the East 60's in NYC

2011-05-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

I took these photos a couple of weeks ago on the way to a client. I think it was on East 62nd St. I should be better about noting where they came from...

A New Flower in My Garden

2011-05-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

I recently added this crazy hibiscus to a planter for a little Summer color. It appears orange from a distance, but up close it reveals itself to be bright pink, flaming orange , and golden yellow. I am particularly drawn to the fact that the flower is often streaked, spotted, and swirled between the colors instead of the usual fading from tone to tone. It looks like tie dye. I will have to winter this little guy inside, though, but I think he is worth it.

A New York Window

2011-05-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

This colorful display is from the Museum of Sex here in New york City. The name sounds more scandalous or shocking than it is. I once saw a fascinating historical show on the history of sex in NYC that included old ephemera on brothels, sailors, and such. It was quite good.
My favorite part of this window display is the fact the illuminated basket sits on a bed of solar panels....
GO GREEN!

Ads 1902

2011-05-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

Interesting shoe, telephone and gymnastics ads from a Literary Digest 1902.

A Short Review of LUCKY GUY (the musical)

2011-05-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to see Lucky Guy . It is an off Broadway show starring Leslie Jordan and Varla Jean Merman. It was hilarious. It is sort of a soap opera/love story satire-type comedy, set in Nashville around the late 60's or so. The music was catchy and filled with racy lyrics that fit Varla, Miss Jeannie Jeannine, perfectly. The costumes were over the top. Leslie Jordan, Big Al, had crazy pink and green suits embroidered with vintage cars that were my favorite! The leads, Wanda and Billy Ray, are cute and talented, of course. (Billy Ray has a short shirtless scene, fyi.) It was filled with surprises, so I can't say too much (Hawaiian number is to die for...), but it is worth seeing the show just for the four hot cowboys, The Buckaroos, who narrate and add more to the show can you possibly imagine. I couldn't find a photo on the website. Damn.

Labels: Columbia Hair Tonic

2011-05-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Labels: Blackhawk Ginger Ale

2011-05-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

The Art of Plant and Driftwood Arrangement 1954

2011-05-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

Labels: Sarsparilla

2011-05-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

I also like to drink dressed in a full length gown, fan in hand, while I recline in a hammock....

Labels: Lemon Soda

2011-05-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

More Details from my Walk

2011-04-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

West End Avenue

Walking on the UWS

2011-04-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

The first two images are on West End while the final grotesque was actually on 108th St.