Thursday, December 29, 2011

Newly Arrived - Vintage Valentines

I'm excited about the fabulous range of vintage Valentines that I just added to my store, Birdhouse Books on eBay, and wanted to share a few of them with you.

This mechanical Valentine features a cabaret singer.  I think she looks like Mae West, but my friend suggested she looks like Jean Harlow.  This is a 1930's vintage card.  As you move the feather in the singer's cap, her eyes also move.   Very unique!


An adorable Beagle guards this combination safe.  The safe door opens!


This cute little Cocker Spaniel is an artist.  The card is easel back, so it stands for display.  The painting on the little artist's easel lifts, with another picture of a little boy underneath.


This is a 1940's lollipop card by Rosen.  It was designed to tuck a lollipop into the slots.   The old guy looks like a comic strip character, but I have not been able to place him.  Any info on character or artist?  Thanks!


This is a really especially nice mechanical card.  As you pull the tab, the little boy's whole face and expression changes.  I would date this as 1930's to 1940's.


One of my personal favorites, this little boy roller skates in a field of poppies.  This is also a mechanical card, and as you move the boy's arm, the Valentine he carries also changes.


You'll find all these cards and more at Birdhouse Books on eBay.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Friday, December 9, 2011

Vintage Red Stocking Fund Donation Collection Folder from New York Methodist Hospital



This is such an interesting and unique vintage Christmas ephemera collectible.   This little red Christmas stocking is actually a donation folder.  As you open the folder, you will see slots for dimes and also for bills.  I found this in an estate lot of (mostly Victorian) Christmas ephemera.  I wanted to date this ephemera.  After doing some research, I found that Robert Diedendorf (mentioned on the folder) was the President of New York Methodist Hospital in the 1950's, so that helps to date this unique piece.  With the Red Stocking Fund Soiree recently being held by New York Methodist, I think this is a particularly unique and interesting item.  You'll find it here:  Red Stocking Fund Ephemera at Birdhouse Books

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas! by Peter Spier

My item of the day is the children's picture book Peter Spier's Christmas!   It has the most beautiful, detailed pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations throughout, and is a hard to find Christmas book.  I am a great fan of Peter Spier's work.  He is a Dutch author and illustrator (born 1927) and the lovely detailed, intricate illustrations seen in this book are typical of his work.   You can see more photos and details here:  Peter Spier's Christmas! at Birdhouse Books.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Dog Theme World War II 1940's Vintage Christmas Cards

Just wanted to share some fabulous World War II vintage Christmas cards.   They all have the patriotic red, white, and blue colors - marked "Made in USA."   Two of these cards feature Terrier dogs (one dressed up as Santa Claus and about to climb down a chimney), and another features a Borzoi dog (especially nice!).  They are all at Birdhouse Books - Vintage Christmas Card Department at Birdhouse Books.




Thursday, December 1, 2011

Don't you want to keep the neat vintage cards?

Friends often ask me this question:  "Don't you want to keep the neat vintage cards?"   The longer I sell vintage items, the fewer items I keep.  At a certain point you just have less of a desire to collect.  That said -- there are a few special cards that I keep!  Usually it is because they have a special interest to me, like a favorite vacation spot or one of my favorite dog breeds.  These vintage Christmas cards are a perfect example -- they remind me of my own pups, and they are staying here!  The little red Dachshund puppy is so sweet (1960's vintage) and the little Terrier mix is 1940's vintage, and die-cut against a colorful background.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Bucilla Vintage Christmas Craft Kits


As a fan of vintage Christmas decorations and retro crafts, I absolutely love vintage Bucilla craft kits.  The Christmas kits (with felt ornaments and decorations) are especially valued by collectors.  I found a nice stack of them recently, from the old Rich's and Davison's department stores in Atlanta.  Anyone else remember when department stores sold craft kits, toys, books, records, etc.?  I do!   Just wanted to share a photo and a link:  Vintage Bucilla Craft Kits at Birdhouse Books

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

New Arrivals at Birdhouse Books Vintage Store

Just a preview of new arrivals at Birdhouse Books vintage store.   Lots of variety here!   There is a vintage dimestore toy The Big Red Barn by K-Kids.  It is a 1960's to early 1970's vintage toy farm playset - still in package and SUPER cute!


This carnival glass bowl is Indiana Glass Loganberry and it is 1950's vintage, Marigold color.


I have a big lot of these new beaded snowflake ornaments - they are REALLY pretty and beautifully crafted.


This Hallmark ornament is the New Home Hinged Box.


This Hallmark Keepsake ornament is called Snow Buddies.  It has a Snowman and a cute little bunny rabbit.  This is the first ornament in the Snow Buddies series, from 1998, and very collectible.


This Hallmark Keepsake Collection ornament is called Elegance On Ice.  It features a figure skater who resembles Dorothy Hamill.


Some time ago, I purchased a big box of vintage Christmas cards.  When I got them home, I discovered they were cut.  I've broken them down into several VERY LARGE LOTS (25 - 30 cards each) for someone who is interested in purchasing for gift tags, scrapbooking, altered art, or a small framed gift.  They are all 1950's to 1960's Mid-Century in vintage.  There are some beauties here!   Note the reindeer in this photo, and the child looking at a shadow of Santa Claus:


In this photo I especially love the Snowman family, the duet by Santa Claus and a snowman, and the adorable white kitten peeking out of a hat box:


And this lot has my very favorite card!   Check out the old fashioned station wagon with little boy in the back, riding alongside the family Christmas tree.  It has glitter and is an amazing card!


I have Shelia houses!   These houses, crafted by Shelia's, feature historic homes.  This wooden house features the Red Castle in Nevada City, California:


For Gone With the Wind fans, this house features Frank Kennedy Company general store from GWTW:


Again, these goodies and much, much more await at Birdhouse Books vintage store online.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Huge 25% Off Storewide Sale at Birdhouse Books - ending Cyber Monday 11/28




Hi, friends!

Just a short note to let you know I'm running a huge 25% off storewide sale at Birdhouse Books all Thanksgiving weekend, ending midnight on Cyber Monday (11/28).   You'll find:

  • Christmas ornaments
  • vintage Christmas cards
  • vintage children's books
  • cookbooks including community cookbooks from all over the USA
  • roadside Americana postcards (great framed!)
  • and lots of unique, one-of-a-kind vintage gift ideas!

Hope you'll stop by -- it's a HUGE weekend sale at Birdhouse Books!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Vintage Christmas Books for Children 1930's to 1960's

Just sharing some photos today of Christmas themed books for children (1930's to 1960's).  I've been photographing and researching these, and there are some really sweet ones here!  You will find them all in my vintage store.

Pom-Pom's Christmas - vintage picture book about an adorable white Poodle looking for a home for Christmas - 1960 - Jon Whitcomb.  This is my personal favorite of the books I'm researching.  The illustrations are absolutely amazing, especially for anyone who loves dogs!


The Story of Christmas by Margaret W. Tarrant

If I'd Been Born in Bethlehem by Joan Gale Thomas - 1954

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May (1939)

Tizz Plays Santa Claus - horse themed book for Christmas - 1957 Elisa Bialk book with illustrations by Dwight Mutchler

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) by Valentine Davies -- inspiration for the classic Christmas movie

O. Henry Christmas Stories (Steck edition -- hard to find) - 1954 with illustrations by Theresa Kalab Smith

The Santa Claus Book - a Golden Shape Book - 1977 - Eileen Daly, with illustrations by Florence Sarah Winship.  I fondly remember these Golden Shape books from my childhood!

You'll find these Christmas books (and many more!) at Birdhouse Books on eBay.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Never Discard a Vintage Christmas Card!

I absolutely adore vintage greeting cards, and love listing them on eBay -- especially vintage Christmas cards and Valentines.  This charming Molly Brett greeting card (1940's to 1950's) just sold in my store for $41.00 - link to sold Molly Brett greeting card.   It's a charmer!   Molly Brett was a British artist and illustrator (1902 - 1990) who was most famous for her anthropomorphic animal illustrations.  Her work has always reminded me of Beatrix Potter!  This little card is especially sweet, with a family of mice hanging Christmas stockings and getting ready for the holidays.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Mittens by Clare Turlay Newberry


I have a special soft spot in my heart for vintage children's books featuring cats and kittens!   Mittens by Clare Turlay Newberry is one of my personal favorites.  The illustrations are so detailed and beautiful, and truly capture the daily life of a kitten at play or rest!   Clare Turlay Newberry was an author and illustrator of children's books.  She was from Oregon, and lived 1903 - 1970.  As well as Mittens, a few of her other titles included:  Barkis, Babette, April's Kittens, Smudge, and Marshmallow.  You'll find this beautiful 1936 vintage cat picture book, and other great vintage picture books featuring cats, here:  Vintage Cat Books at Birdhouse Books

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Gordon Fraser Victorian Christmas Gift Tags



I love Gordon Fraser stationery, and just had to share these lovely Christmas tags.  They are imported from England, and are all Victorian reproductions.  They are so unique, and would be the perfect Christmas trim on a special gift!   I have a number of new packages of these lovely tags in my store:  Gordon Fraser Christmas tags at Birdhouse Books

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Mid-Century Christmas Cards

Mid-Century design is my favorite.  I love the vintage, the lines, the colors!   I love Mid-Century Christmas, especially.  It just evokes the nostalgia and sweetness of the holiday so well.   Wanted to share these Mid-Century vintage Christmas cards with you ... they are located here:  Mid-Century Christmas cards at Birdhouse Books.   Couldn't you just picture these cards lined up on Don and Betty Drapers' fireplace mantle on Mad Men?





Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Item of the Day: Dune Rides at Glen Haven C2798 Michigan RPPC



I love Real Photo Postcards.  These are postcards that are made, as the name indicates, from a photograph.  They have a glossy finish, like a picture.   This RPPC is from Glen Haven, Michigan -- a beautiful beach / shore scene.  It is titled:  Dune Rides at Glen Haven C2798.   The card is printed by EKC, which dates it as 1939 to 1950.   I think it's an especially nice card, and it would look great framed!   You'll find it here:  RPPC from Glen Haven, Michigan

Monday, September 26, 2011

Vintage Cat Postcards are the Cat's Meow

I love vintage cat postcards, and wanted to share some pictures with you!   There are some real cuties here.  They are in my store at Birdhouse Books

1909 RPPC - photo postcard.  Captioned:  Cat on the Warpath.


Especially cute (my favorite cat card).  Four kittens sit on a tree branch - Greetings from the Catskills:



1906 signed cat photo postcard captioned Innocence.



1911 Tabby Cat illustration.  The cat puts his paw in an inkwell in order to send a message.


Again, these great cat cards (and more!) are located in my store at Birdhouse Books.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Vintage Dog Postcards at Birdhouse Books

I'm delighted to add these vintage dog postcards to my store, Birdhouse Books.   Just wanted to share some great vintage dog images with you!


A beautiful Wirehair Fox Terrier dog resting in a horseshoe - illustration by Taylor - 1940.



A Patient Playmate - a beautiful Jack Russell dog meets a cat peacefully.  1910 postmark.



A Dachshund wraps himself around a palm tree - unusual Art Deco design card.



An English Springer Spaniel dog watches some beautiful cats drink milk.  



A hound dog watches a romantic couple kiss in silhouette.  1911 postmark.  Illustration by F.R. Morgan.  




You'll find these vintage dog postcards, and more, at Birdhouse Books - just click here!