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Visual variety was provided Throughout the Prohibition years, the Deco home bar was, by
through the use of modernistic necessity, a movable feast. After Repeal, it was a veritable “happy hour”
designs and textures, from ribbed to for Art Deco designers, with a heady flow of accessories specifically
rippled. Among the most interesting: intended for the now front-and-center home bar. Perhaps because the
Morgantown’s “Palazzo” field was a relatively new
cocktail glasses with their one, designers felt—or were
stacked-disk stems; McKee’s French cocktail set, given—more freedom to
featuring decanter girl
“donut hole” decanter, its in ruffled collar. experiment with form and
open center repeated in the Decanter, 10-1/4” h. function. In any event, the
design of the corker; and the ($300-$400/set. result was an imaginative
many-edged, crushed-paper- outpouring which leads one
bag styling of Consolidated’s to think that Prohibition was
“Ruby Rombic” decanter set. almost worth it. Almost.
Aladin even produced figural Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of
flasks that did double-duty as numerous Schiffer books on mid-twentieth
music boxes! Most decidedly century design, including “Deco Décor:
Porcelain, Glass, & Metal Accessories for
Deco of all: figural Robj the Home”. Please address inquiries to:
No room available for a bar? A rolling “drinks donaldbrian@msn.com
cart” could prove just as effective (and could decanters, which decamped Photo Associates: Hank Kuhlmann, Ramón
easily be rolled into a closet, far removed from from Paris, and found new Piña. All photos by Leslie Piña, unless
prying eyes.) Just right, noted House & Garden fans on domestic shores. otherwise noted
in 1937, for the “merry host or hostess”.
What’s Selling on eBay? vertising Poster Print. (I think it may have been a calendar? I'm not sure.) It has a few
$3,409 (19 bids, 7 bids): Antique 1930's Kingfisher Fishing Lines 17.5" x 27.5" Ad-
creases from being rolled. A little edge wear. Not too bad at all. Will be great framed.
Real good, strong color. (Photos courtesy of eBay seller pampkpcl.)
by PHILIP HAWKINS, JOHN SEXTON and MIKE McLEOD PH: Elisha J. Martin of Rockville, Conn., was the original creator of the Kingfisher
brand of silk fishing lines. In 1882, he was making braided eye-glass cords, and he
$790 (35 bids, 11 bidders): Vintage, Old “Mothers made a few braided fishing lines for his friends—this progressed to the silk fishing line
Crushed Oats” Antique Crystal Radio Receiver. Not your business in 1884. In 1899, E. J. Martin died, and the business was carried on by his
average, cheap receiver. Bought at an auction, I do not sons as E. J. Martin's Sons. The firm continued in busi-
know when it was made or its history, but it is not from the ness until sold to the Horton Manufacturing Company
1920s. Who made it or when is unknown to me. in 1919.
The top has markings, but I can find no information on Horton was a successful manufacturer and dealer
this item. It is in great condition. All knobs turn freely. I of quality fishing tackle beginning in the late 1880s
have no way of testing this so it is sold with no warranty. when Everett Horton received a patent for a hollow,
Don’t let this historical radio slip by. (Photos courtesy of telescopic metal rod—the company became known
eBay seller radio10467.) for its line of Bristol, Rainbow and Luckie rods and
PH: A crystal radio receiver is a simple receiver, later Kingfisher Brand fishing line. Throughout the
popular in the early days of radio. It is named for its 1920s and 1930s, Horton often marketed Kingfisher
most important component, a crystal detector, originally lines together with their Bristol Steel Rods and Meek
made from a piece of crystalline mineral such as galena Fishing Reels.
(lead ore). Being simple, such radios can be made with a I found reference to Horton using well-known
few inexpensive parts: a wire for an antenna, a coil of wire, illustrators to create ads, including N. C. Wyeth, but
a capacitor, a crystal detector, and earphones. As passive could not locate any examples with an identified artist.
receivers without amplifier or power source, they produce An earlier poster with the same artwork but with the
fairly weak sound, require sensitive earphones, and can only Martin name sold at auction in 2013 for $2,000—it
receive transmissions within a limited range. Around 1920, had issues of discoloration and paper loss into the
crystal sets were replaced by amplifying receivers and became obsolete for commercial print at the lower edge. Another earlier Martin poster depicting a girl ice fishing and in
use but continued to be built by hobbyists, youth groups, and the Boy Scoutsas a way excellent condition realized $2,250 in May 2019.
of learning about radio technology. They are still available today as educational tools. The price of this poster seems to be in line with other similar posters from this
Mother’s Crushed Oats, one of many early brands of oat cereals, may have originated product and era with a nod to the appeal of the artwork. (Quoted prices realized do
the “enclosed premium” concept by including dishes in its boxes of cereal in the late not reflect buyer’s premiums or tax, if applicable).
19 century. Mother’s was acquired by
th
Quaker Oats via acquisition of Great BRANDON
Western Cereal Co. in 1911, and the name
was continued. Premiums were expanded
to catalog offerings through accumulating Somewhere In Time
proof-of-purchase coupons. In 1924, the Mango Rd
Mother’s Crushed Oats crystal radio was
offered in the Mother’s premium catalog for MLK Jr. Blvd 574 “Antiques - Collectibles & More”
110 coupons or five coupons and $1. The
radio was made by the Marquette Radio 75 39 The Shoppes of LaViva
Corporation. A similar radio was offered in 301 Parsons Rd 720 W. Lumsden Rd.
Quaker Oat guise in 1921, ‘22 and ‘23. Both
radios are considered rare. A few mentioned 60 ❶ Brandon, FL
are in radio museum collections. I located Brandon Blvd 813-684-0588
example offered at a 2004 show for $2,000.
When rarities appear in the market, who is Lumsden Open Mon.-Sat. 11-5, Sun 12-5
watching and the demand can and will drive
the price. In this instance, it sounds like the Kings Ave Like us on Facebook: Somewhere in Time Brandon, FL
collector may have gotten a deal. Lithia Pinecrest ❶
Bloomingdale Ave