Memorial Day has some of us thinking of veterans and some thinking of summer in this week’s fresh to market vintage. There is room for both thoughts. We’ve written about the solemnity of honoring the fallen on Memorial Day. And we’ve written about how it marks the traditional start of summer. Good news, you are officially cleared to wear white until Labor Day.
Winston Churchill summed up the meaning of Memorial Day perfectly, “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” It’s a sacrifice most of us will never know. In their honor, sometime between ice cream and watching the late-in-the-day sunset, send a thought to those that gave their all.
Naval Academy Ashtrays
These two ashtrays with the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD design have differing takes on how to create the perfect ashtray. The glass one is enameled on the base and looks as though it could withstand years of use and abuse. The ceramic one is beautiful mid century work and was made at a small china company in Andover, NY. One of the founders of the china company, Mr. Coffin, graduated in ceramic engineering at Alfred University. I worked with a graduate of that same university in glass engineering. Coffin worked at a very high level at Lenox (yes, THE Lenox Company) and you can see the high quality of this in the shape, color and glaze.
Pair of Naval Academy ashtrays, $45.99
-Mary Ellen, Aunt Hattie’s Attic
Boston Red Sox Nomar Wool Cap
Summer is like the 1976 Chevy jingle says, “baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet.” It’s also soft serve ice cream, swimming, sunscreen and soccer, and plenty of other things. A good baseball cap is a summer essential. I’m slowly listing a collection of vintage wool baseball caps from lots of teams, and learning that the language of baseball cap descriptions should have a Duolingo course all it’s own.
Early 2000s Boston Red Sox Nomar Garciaparra Baseball Cap, $25.
-Laurie, NextStage Vintage
Striped Bangle & Earrings Set
Nothing says summer to me like bright neon colors. This 1960s set of dangle earrings and matching bangle bracelet speaks of warm summer days lounging by the pool. The earrings are clip on style and look like miniatures of the bracelet. The bright pink, green, and yellow stripes remind me of beach cabanas, only in neon shades. Such a fun set, and so evocative of the Twiggy era. I can just picture her wearing these with a matching mini dress.
1960s Striped Bangle and Earrings, $44.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Handmade WWII Personnel Carrier c. 1950s
My theory is a doting grandpa made this scaled-down version of a WWII personnel carrier as a special gift back in the ’40s or ’50s. It is handmade from heavy solid wood and designed to roll on four wooden spools. The “machine gun” rotates on a swivel bracket so the troops being hauled are well protected. Made with love, it’s a wonderful flashback to the days before video games.
OOAK Handmade Wooden Toy Tank, $55
-Linda, Selective Salvage
That’s this Memorial Day weekend’s fresh to market vintage. We hope you carved some time out of one of the most meaningful of American holidays to spend with us.
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