We don’t talk about vintage souvenirs nearly enough, but we have two in this week’s fresh to market vintage–the antique saucer and the 1960s bookends–which means we are definitely going to talk a vintage collectible genre that is one of our favorite vintage things. The bookends aren’t a typical souvenir find. Vintage souvenirs tip disproportionally towards china, plastic doodads and t-shirts. But what an awesome, useful look for someone’s bookcase. The teacup is simple and delightful, with an iconic New Bedford image. It too is useful, you could have your morning tea and remember your trip.
Whether they’re antiques or more modern, Mary Ellen is right that they’re a memento from a place you want to remember. One of our favorite souvenirs is a decorative wall plate for the Connecticut Turnpike, which serves as a reminder that there was a time, not all that long ago, when the building of interstate highways made road trips faster, more convenient and more popular and traveling on one was an occasion worthy of commemorating by purchasing a souvenir.
Lots of things are purchased as souvenirs on trips, but the ones that bear the name of the place, like the ones in this week’s fresh to market vintage, will always be our favorite.
Czech Glass Ruffle Necklace
1960s fashion was influenced by Jackie Kennedy and this Czech glass seed bead necklace was very much in style. Choker length and casually elegant, it reminds me of something worn on a Mediterranean yacht vacation. The seed beads are arranged in a ruffle pattern as opposed to the usual plaited necklaces produced at the time in Czechoslovakia.
Ruffle Seed Bead Czech Glass Necklace, $25.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Decorative Sculptural Metal Arizona Bookends c 1960s
Offering a funky pair of Arizona bookends that were purchased in the 1960s. They are made of a lightweight pot metal and each features a saguaro, ocotillo and what appears to be the artist’s version of a cholla that are on display outside a row of books. They would be a fun addition to a collection of travel memorabilia.
Arizona Souvenir Bookends, $65
-Linda, Selective Salvage
Antique New Bedford Mass. Souvenir Cup & Saucer
Imagine a trip via train to New Bedford Massachusetts before the Great War. You might be from the Midwest, but you know that your ancestors were from the whaling industry on the Atlantic Coast. Oh the sights and sounds and even the smells of the harbor they sailed out from. You recognize some street names that might be the surnames of your kin. There will be historical talks that you can attend. The inn you are staying at was a sea captain’s home at one time. You want a memento of this once-in-a-lifetime trip, so you go to the nearby crockery shop that is known for its variety of souvenirs of New Bedford. This cup and saucer set speaks of both New Bedford’s history and that historic pilgrimage to a place of one’s forebears. That, my friends, is why I always carry this wonderful porcelain.
Pictorial China, $75.99
-Mary Ellen, AuntHattiesAttic
1950s Lefton “Root of all Evil” Bank
I’m veering a little outside my lane today as I am not usually the representative to the nation of kitschy cute, but this devil demanded to be shown. Devils are like that. This is not what you expect from Lefton, yet here it is. It’s cold-painted and there are bubbles in the paint in places, but holy cannoli this guy is hard to resist.
Lefton Devil Coin Bank, $100.
–Laurie, NextStage Vintage
As vintage sellers, we feel a moral obligation to remind you that 1) we are ticktocking down to the holiday season and 2) that a vintage gift will always be more appreciated than something purchased on Black Friday, which now appears to be an entire month based on TV ads. And although we would love for you to purchase any of our fresh to market vintage picks, we encourage you to shop for vintage from any of our brethren in the vintage-selling world. We even had a post about shopping vintage and secondhand earlier this week.
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