Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with antique

Treasure Hunting around Richmond

MayNicholas — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:18:00 -0800

Richmond VA Filter: Can you recommend any good fun antique shops in the Richmond area? Ones with good estate jewelry, coins, & historical artifacts (civil war buttons and the like)? Preferably one that has reasonable prices and the opportunity for haggling. We went to the Virginia Bazaar last weekend but were disappointed by the lack of good stuff and the inundation of sports paraphernalia & generic yard sale type items. We don't mind a little Sunday drive, say 45min to an hour from Richmond City. Thanks!

Ring Bling

outsider — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:27:18 -0800

Buying antique diamond engagement ring, appraisal or just go with it? I am engaged, I asked, she said yes. We are buying a ring together. We went to 2 jewelers to look around and nothing really had much of a soul.. it was kind of like tell us how much $$$ you have, and we will give you as big a hunk of carbon as you can afford, down to the dollar. We didnt find anything either of us liked.

We went to an antique jewelery shop in beverly hills and found something we really like... according to the owner it is platinum and edwardian, early 1900s. A unique design, lots of very nice filegree work with a bombe shape and 5 smallish diamonds set down the middle. We were both drawn to it immediately, and I think it is perfect.

Now, the problem, how do I know I am not getting ripped off here?

The good points:

1. This is a reputable store in beverly hills, there are famous people who get jewelery from here to wear for events, they have an armed guard, the whole bit, so its not like buying from some random guy from ebay or in an antique show... I feel like anything I am going to buy from here is legit.

2. This piece is one of the cheapest pieces in the store... we looked at many other things first that were 4-5 times as expensive and were kind of surprised when we heard the price for this ring (we were about to leave, everything else was way out of our price range), although it is not nearly as bling as the others. This for some reason makes me feel less like he is trying to rip me off, its small potatoes for him and not worth any ding to his reputation if he somehow misrepresented his inventory.

I am taking this guy at his word that this is an antique ring, that it is platinum, that the diamonds are real ect. We looked at rings for a whole day and you can tell that this one was crafted really well compared to many others... it is very sparkly, I cant see any imperfections with my naked eye.

OK bottom line, I like the ring, I have a good vibe from the owner and establishment, I negotiated the price down about 15% by paying cash, it is right at the $$ amount I want to spend. Should I just bite the bullet or should I be cautious and hire some 3rd party to verify everything and give me an estimate? I dont know anyone who knows anything about rocks.

Thanks!

Antique hinge

davidriley — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:29:39 -0800

What type of hinge is this? It came from a cedar folding card table. The three hinges wore out over time and snapped like this one. I'd like to replace them. More photos:

http://yfrog.com/ekhinge02j
http://yfrog.com/4rhinge03j

Thanks so much!

Is this creepy-looking steamer trunk a priceless antique?

Orb2069 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:58:37 -0800

This trunk is a curb recovery - I was hoping to lightly scrub it to remove some of the surface rust and seal it - To keep that 'Silent Hill' look without having the rust rub off on everything. Will I be destroying a priceless antique? What's the best choice for sealing it while keeping it's creepy look intact? The interior is in better shape - The wood's intact, and apart from needing some new lining material, is fine. The drop-in trays are long gone, but the rails for them are still there. The exterior leather is rotted off - As far as the metal fixtures go, I haven't tried locking or unlocking it, but there's no key. The hinges work freely, however. The metals seem functionally intact, but this is probably never going to be a showroom piece.

How can I make my Oliver No. 5 typewriter shine?

katillathehun — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:28:16 -0800

How can I best make my typewriter look like this typewriter? I recently bought an Oliver No. 5 typewriter (with the ruling pencil feature!) in working condition. It looks to be in fairly good shape. It's dirty more than anything else, but there's a little rust here and there. What's the best and safest way for me to clean this beauty up? What products should I use? These things were made in the eeeeearly 1900s - should I be concerned about dangerous chemicals in the old materials when restoring? Any tips?

Note: I'm kind of excited about restoring this myself, so taking this to have it professionally fixed-up isn't what I have in mind.

Framing antique cloth?

x46 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:06:47 -0800

Framer for antique cloth, Toronto to Hamilton area? I have a souvenir of Belgium from WWI or just before that. It's quite large, about 2'x3'. I want to frame it and hang it (out of direct light) in my sewing room. I've used framers in Toronto and Hamilton for prints, but cloth is different. Anyone know a place who will frame this delicate piece of lace, net and ribbon? It's been in rolled up and kept in the bottom drawer by three generations and I think it's about time it was on display.

What was this table/cart used for?

secretsecret — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:18:15 -0800

Can anyone identify this antique table/cart? It's raised and lowered using a crank. At first I thought it was an old gurney or casket dolly, but it's not long enough to be either.

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv354/ohwhocaresman/photo.jpg

Should I give a dead stranger's book to his children?

Salvor Hardin — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:22:02 -0800

I found a neat antique book, and now I've tracked down its old owner. He's dead. Should I offer to give it to his children? I found a CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics 25th edition from 1941 at a recycling center! It's in excellent shape, and, being a physicist, it'll make for a cool desk piece. It has a name and address handwritten on the inside cover.

I did some googling on the person who wrote his name on the inside cover, and I found his NYTimes obituary. He died a year and a half ago at age 88. He sounds like he was a pretty interesting guy - an orthopedic surgeon, lecturer, college track star, golf enthusiast, ran the Boston marathon, served in US Army Medical Corps, animal rights philanthropist, etc.

I also located his five children (he also has many grandchildren and even a few great-grandchildren).

Now for my question:

Would it be a nice gesture to contact one of his children and offer to send the book to him? I feel like this could be a touchy situation, since I know little about these people or their former patriarch. The only sign of his ownership is the name handwritten on the front inside cover along with a home and school address.

Note: I realize of course that I am not obligated to return the book to his children - just asking if it's a nice idea or a stupid idea. Thanks hive mind!

What do I do with square pegs and a square hole?

scrute — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:53:02 -0800

What is this game? It belonged to my dad's cousin and she would have played with it during the 1940's, I think. It has found it's way to us through a circuitous route, and the people who would have played with it, including my grandmother, great-uncle and their neice, have all passed on.

It consists of a wooden grid (with a bottom so the pieces stay in place) along with square pegs in four different colours, and a bunch of triangle pegs in the same colours (two triangles fit in one hole).

I assume it's a game and not just a toy with which to make pretty patterns - Anyone have any idea how to play?

Help me find out what these antique pieces are...

MMALR — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:48:22 -0800

Antique Furniture: Two beautiful antique buffets. Wondering how to describe them, types of wood, coloring, hardware, etc. Any help would be appreciated... photos inside I bought these two gorgeous buffets at an auction recently, and would love to know if anyone knows any specifics about them.

Images of both buffets

Antiquing means so many different things

The Whelk — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:32:06 -0800

I need an antique (or sufficiently vintage-y-antiqu-y styled) trunk for my living room. Problem: every piece I've seen to has been too big, too worn, too ugly, or too expensive. Where would I find stores/markets/fairs/dealers in the NYC metro area that might carry such trunks? I got a zipcar, so I can tool around the tri-state area. Insanely detailed requirements follow. Ideally, I'm looking for something about 15 inches high, under 40 inches long and under 26 inches wide. No curved tops, as it has to function as a coffee table. Uneven top surfaces (planks, etc) are okay. I'd also like really cool metal handles and locks but it's not a deal breaker. It should be able to open without creaking and breaking.

Can you identify these window parts and suggest a source for them?

odinsdream — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:12:14 -0800

Can you identify these window parts and suggest where I could purchase equivalents? May be specific to the UK. This window is from England and dates to approximately 1930. I'm not sure the arm hardware is that old. The anti-burglary catch thing definitely isn't.

Pictured below is the good hardware. The other side of the window is missing the arm and the latch. I'd like to find equivalent hardware that I could use, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

Additionally, I'd like to purchase whatever key originally came with the anti-burglary catch. It appears to simply be a recessed circular pin with one smooth side. You give it a twist to release, a spring returns it to the original position.

Arm: Closed, from the top - Another one, also closed - Open.
Latch: Closed - Open.
Anti-burglary catch: Front - Side.

What is an Intervox? Can I use it to take over the world?

agropyron — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:30:23 -0800

What is this crazy sci-fi looking device I bought at a salvage store? It has knobs, a compass, and a bizarre spinning top. I purchased The Device at a construction salvage store in Seattle today. The top part rotates, and the base has the compass points on it. The dial reads "275 ... 300 ... 325", and the two knobs at the bottom are marked "L" and "P". It's got vacuum tubes inside!

No one at the salvage place knew what it was either, and they made me promise to call back if I found out.

Photos.

Can I use regular drill bits in a bit brace?

symbollocks — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:35:51 -0800

ToolFilter: Can I use regular drill bits in a bit brace? I'm pretty new to this whole tool thing and I'm thinking of getting an old millers falls bit brace for my light drilling needs, but I want to be able to use a selection of bits that may or may not have been designed to be used with a bit brace. Is it possible to use most modern drill bits with a bit brace? Are there any notable exceptions? Or can I only use bits designed for a bit brace?

What are these old copper printing plates?

gemmy — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:24:35 -0800

Anyone recognize these old copper printing plates? They were used to print some sort of encyclopedia or other information book, but which one? In the late 90s, my mom and I picked up some old copper printing plates [link goes to Flickr set] from an estate sale in Connecticut. We spent an hour or so picking out a few neat-looking ones from a huge set (I would estimate about 100-150) of these printing plates, stored in boxes and wrapped in old newspaper (the newspaper was from the 1950s, if I remember right). Each plate has a volume designation and a number. I did some serious looking in libraries and such at the time, but couldn't find anything about what these plates might have been used for. I have looked less seriously every few years since, but haven't found anything useful.

It looks like the copper plates were used for an encyclopedia type book, but the text from the plates isn't turning up anywhere online. For example, one of the plates says that Richard Wagner told Franz Liszt "Your God makes a lot of noise". But I can only find one place online that even mentions that Wagner quote, in a book from 1921. I only took photos of the ones I have hanging on my wall. I have two more plates in the closet - one is a picture and text about Tian Tan in Beijing, the other is a picture and text about the Great Wall of China.

I know it's a long shot, but do these plates look familiar to anyone? Any ideas what book they might have been used to print? Any suggestions for finding more information would also be appreciated. Thanks!

Help me identify old pottery.

Baldons — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:41:19 -0800

Can you help me identify these two pieces of greek art, possibly located in Boston? Figure 1 - Figure 2 I need a catalogue number, a location, something. They're described, respectively, as "Boston vase" (see here) and "Boston amphora" (see here), so I'd guess they could be from Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. But I didn't find them in the museum's collection search.
My google-fu is failing. Can you help me? Can you help me search better next time?
Thanks, hive mefi.

Antique Furniture Experts: Bought a Mission-style rocker, wondering more about it, photos included.

MMALR — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:08:40 -0800

Antique Furniture Experts: Bought a Mission-style Rocker, want to know more about it. I bought this Mission style rocker at a local auction for $10, and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me more about it. It has the look of the Prairie School Mission style and it has square screw holding it together, which gives me an idea that it's definitely an antique piece.

The screws have "N" on them as apparent from the photos. Is there anyway this can tell me the maker, or anyway I can find out? There doesn't appear to be a marking. Images below.

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4

It has brackets that are newer on it, which means it has been repaired, but I was hoping I could sell it for a little profit.

Can you tell me anything about this brass figurine of a jet?

Ian A.T. — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:35:59 -0800

Aviation buffs and antique enthusiasts: can you tell me anything about this brass figurine of a jet? Aviation buffs: Any idea what kind of jet it is? It looks like a Northrop Talon with tip tanks, or maybe a "pointier" Lockheed Shooting Star. Or is it even a specific kind of jet at all? It could be just a stylized jet-like shape.

Antique enthusiasts: Can you tell me anything else about it, like when it dates to? There are no identifying marks on it of any kind; however, there are at least two more of these out there in the world that I've discovered while researching this question. (In fact, the photo I've used isn't a photo of the one I own...it's a completely identical figurine, however.)

I acquired it roughly twelve years ago in an antique store in Arkansas. I know that this is no guarantee that it is actually an antique, but--at the risk of sounding imprecise--if "feels" like something that was made in the past.

Thanks in advance. Oh, and one more thing...this isn't some Antique Roadshow deal where I have delusions of selling it for hundreds of bucks. I'm just genuinely curious about the object.

Seattle-area antique furniture appraiser?

trinity8-director — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:21:09 -0800

Seattle-area antique furniture appraiser? Can you recommend an antique furniture appraiser in the Seattle area (eastside preferred)? This would be for insurance purposes. Thanks!

Bonus question: ballpark costs for appraisal service on a full dinning set (table, chairs, china cupboard, sideboard)? I have zero idea what to expect this to cost.

Thanks!

Old picture stuck to frame - how can I lift if off?

bristolcat — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:35:58 -0800

I have a really old, treasured picture. I need to scan copies of it to give to relatives, but it is stuck to the glass in it's frame. Ideas? This is a large picture in one of those antique oval frames with the domed glass. It's about 19 inches long, so quite large. Seeing as how it's my great grandparents' wedding picture, I estimate it to be dated to about 1900-1905. One of the sides of the picture has experienced some water damage at some point and while it didn't show up on the picture side, it's fairly visible on the back.

We took the backing off and saw that the picture is actually printed onto a rather thick cardstock of some kind. The thick paper is really, really brittle and my mom already took a hunk out of it. When I carefully pried it up, however, I did even worse damage and some of the picture coating lifted from the cardstock and stuck to the glass.

I am afraid to go any further!

So, my questions are these:
-What is the best method to lift this picture from the glass without destroying it? I have found sites that tell you to use scrapbooking knives or other tools and I don't really trust them because I assume they are referring to glossy Kodak-style photos. This definitely has a paper texture on the picture side. Steam, perhaps?

-What would be the best way to ensure that no further damage occurs to this picture? It's pretty darn special and I want it to last for quite a while. I know this probably involves getting professional assistance, but what kind? We live in a small town, so resources are limited.

Thanks so much!

Silver Teapot Analysis Paralysis

whuuuu — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:42:19 -0800

I'd like to buy Mrs. Whuuuu a silver teapot/tea service/something similar but I don't want to get taken for a ride. I know, to a first approximation, zilch about antiques, vintage, teapots, or silver. I'm not looking for a lost treasure by a famous master or anything like that, I just want it to look nice in that sort of old English ornate way, not be broken, and be made of silver. To clarify it doesn't have to be old, just look like an old teapot.

These are about the right style, especially the last on that page.

I think, based on Googling, that I want solid silver and not plate but that's all I know. I'm in NYC and I have a budget of up to a few hundred dollars for the right one. Really all I want is the teapot itself but if there's some unbeatable value I'll find room for the rest of a service.

It's for Christmas but we don't take it too seriously so if it just won't arrive by then it's not a deal breaker.

What was that weird car I saw?

MaryDellamorte — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:27:34 -0800

I saw a weird car today on the road and I want to know what it was. It looked to be pretty old, maybe even pre 50s and it definitely wasn't an American car. The front end of it looked reminiscent of a Volkswagen beetle. The front fenders and how the hood curved at the bottom looked like a beetle but I've never seen a VW beetle ever look like that. The back end of the car was almost completely flat but slanted at about a 45 degree angle. It was white, if that matters. I've tried looking on the internet to what it could possibly be, but I have come up short. I've never seen a car like this in my life and it's bugging me to not be able to find out what it is.

Will a Lego outlive a Twinkie?

chairface — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:41:28 -0800

Is extra care necessary with antique Lego bricks? On a recent trip home to my parents they let me sort through all the old stuff of mine they kept. This included some very old Space Lego sets including a Galaxy Explorer and Space Cruiser. I'd love to assemble these and then bathe in nostalgia but I am worried old Lego bricks are likely to shatter. What is the normal working lifespan of a Lego brick? Are these likely to just disintegrate when I start snapping parts together?

Looking for an antique automobile renter/dealer in Florida panhandle, South Alabama, or South Mississippi?

bamassippi — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:52:34 -0800

Looking for an antique automobile renter/dealer in Florida panhandle, South Alabama, or South Mississippi? I'm getting married in October and my fiance and I want to drive away in an antique Cadillac.

Does anyone know of any antique dealers, renters, shop in the Florida panhandle or South Alabama?

It has to be a Cadillac... her father's a dealer for GM. We really don't care which model... but preferably something older than 1950 (something along the lines of 1931 Fleetwood or
1941 Series 60 Special).

removing pee smell from old wood?

Salvatorparadise — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:46:07 -0800

help me get the poop and pee smell out of an old chest I'm a lover of antiques - especially beat up ones in need of lots of help. I bought this wonderful blanket chest 2 years ago for a song, it's fairly early and has a great "Columbus, OHIO" carving on the front, which is where I live. Just a wonderful chest, and I've never seen any carving like it.

The problem is that it was a chicken feed bin for decades. I hosed it out when i first got it, and it still stunk like hell. Then it sat in the garage for 2 years, still stinking. A few months ago i used two bottles of "urine gone" on it, then filled it up with hot water and a gallon of bleach, which drained out through cracks in the bottom. It's better, but still stinks.

I want to restore this chest by fixing major cracks in the wood and repairing the hinges, sanding it slightly then giving it a period light coat of water based paint.

BUT

I can't get the smell out! i have to get rid of this smell or this is a dead duck

how do i do that? submerge it somehow?

pics:

pic 1
pic 2

pic 3