Pink Ericofon

I recently listed an Ericofon on eBay and decided to do some online research on this uniquely designed telephone.  It is a design classic designed by L M Ericsson Company of Sweden in the 1940s and was first produced in 1954 and discontinued in 1972.

The first phones were produced for institutional use in hospitals.  They were used at patient bedsides as they could be lifted by the patient to the bed easily.  Imagine what it would have been like to reach or lift one of the heavy rotary phone handsets.  They were first sold for home use in 1956 in the European and Australian markets.  Ma Bell in America, resisted the Ericofon and as they had the monopoly and owned the phones, the introduction of the Ericofon to the American market was delayed.

Initially, the Ericofon was offered in 18 colors  in the North American market, selling  through North Electric (a telephone builder in Ohio), in which Ericcson had part ownership. When home sales of the Ericofon began to explode in the American market (sales exceeding capacity by 500%), Ericsson increased their holdings in North Electric to become the principal shareholder. Then around 1961 they transferred manufacture of the Ericofon for the American market to North Electric. At this time, North Electric narrowed the offering of colors from 18 to 8.

Popular among collectors, the Ericofon was produced in both rotary, dialless, and touch tone designs.

Source: Ericofon.com

Hint: Click on links for more information!

Pink Rotary Telephone…West Bend Bun Warmer

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

SOLD

Now listed in eBay Store

Nippon Salt & Pepper Shakers with Gold Decoration

Nippon porcelain is one of the most highly collected and sought after antique china. The word “Nippon” means “Japan”. Nippon china was produced solely for export to the US and the designs were inspired by European styles. This trade under this mark began in 1865 and ended in 1921. At that point the US enforced the McKinley Tariff Act which required that goods imported be “plainly marked, stamped, branded or labeled in legible English words.” Since Nippon was considered a Japanese word, the manufacturers switch to “Japan”.

Much of the antique Nippon china available has been hand-painted with ornate decorations that, ironically, the Japanese of the era considered excessive and distasteful. During the Meiji period (1868-1912) much of the Nippon porcelain pieces were decorated with gold. Much of this decoration was not very durable and wore away over the years, so it is common today to find Nippon china pieces with the gold rubbed off.

Zuni Inlay Silver Watchband

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

SOLD

Styrene Cat Salt & Pepper…Tooled Leather Clutch

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Nippon Porcelain Salt & Pepper…Copper Necklace…Nylon Stockings…McCoy Bean Pot

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

SOLD

Now Listed in  eBay Store

SOLD

Now Listed in eBay Store

I recently listed a weather station which includes a barometer.  Since one doesn’t see barometers all that often, I thought I’d list a few facts about them here.

•  Barometers measure air pressure. As weather patterns move around the globe, air can bunch up in certain locations, causing greater air pressure than in others. By measuring those local peaks and valleys in air pressure, a barometer can tell you a lot about the weather patterns in the area.

• A high atmospheric pressure reading means a greater chance of clear, dry weather. When the air pressure is high, it means that the air is very dense. The density causes the air to slowly fall. When this happens, the air warms, which stops clouds from forming. Therefore, high pressure usually means clear weather.

• A low atmospheric pressure reading means there is a greater chance of rainy weather. When the barometer is low, the air is not dense. This causes columns of air to rise higher in the atmosphere, where they get colder. If the air is moist, this can cause clouds to form and rain to fall.

• Rising pressure usually indicates that the weather is clearing. Within the next 2 days, the sky will clear up and the weather will dry up.

• The lower the barometer drops, rainier and windier weather is usually on its way. This is especially true if the weather is already bad. Barometric pressure often drops quickly right before a storm.

Barometers sometimes have markings with labels like “rain” or “clear weather” on them to help you understand the reading that you are seeing.

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Hint: Click on links and images for more information!

Crysanthemum Printed Tablecloth…Southwest/Mexico Printed Tablecloth…Hand Embroidered/Applique Tablecloth

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid. These items will post at 6 p.m. PDT.

SOLD

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Designer Bonnie Cashin

Designer Sketch for Coach Mailman Handbag

Bonnie Chapin Sketch for Coach Bucket Bag

During my research for last week’s article, I discovered Bonnie Cashin and fell in love with her fashion. She was one of a kind and designed clothing and purses to die for. Here’s some more on her:

• From Handbags ”In 1962, the Coach company hired Bonnie Cashin. Cashin breathed new life into the company. She was considered a pioneer in American sportswear due to her use of industrial hardware and organic materials such as leather, wool and jersey. Cashin is credited with both the brass toggle hardware on Coach bags and the Coach duffle bag. Riding the success of Cashin’s creations, the company ran its first ad in The New Yorker in 1963.”

1964 Coach Advertisement

1965 Coach Handbag Advertisement

1965 Coach Handbag Advertisement

• A Passion for Fashion gives a personal look at Bonnie Cashin fashion from the perspective of Stephanie Lake, her chronicler.
• Bonnie Cashin Foundation features history,a gallery and shopping opportunities. 
• Chic is Where You Find It exhibit photos.
• Reproduction Bonnie Cashin handbags by Coach.