Easy and Fun Holiday Cookies Using Vintage Cookie Cutters

Having a family, including me, who enjoys making and eating cookies requires I do a lot of baking for the holiday season.

Thankfully, I have a collection of cookie cutters that was started by my family and gifted to me.  Over the years I have added to that collection through purchases I have made in my travels to antique shows, shops, and auctions.  As newer cartoon and movie characters are made into cookie cutters I have a growing collection of newer cookie cutters featuring characters like SpongeBob, Casper, and Batman.




For the Christmas holiday the cookies remain traditional using the older cookie cutters designed to create cookies in the shapes of trees, stars, reindeer and Santa Clause.

Very early cookie cutters were made of tin and typically had no handle by which to hold the cutter. By the mid 1800's commercial machinery had developed in both the United States and Europe to the point manufacturers were creating and distributing cookie cutters in this fashion. Cookie cutters were offered for sale in catalogs, advertisements. During the first half of the 20th century aluminum and plastic were being used.

These 1940s gingerbread cookie cutters with self handles, have made hundreds of cookies by my hands alone. One year we had a gingerbread man theme tree decorated with more than 100 baked gingerbread men.  When the tree was put away for the season, the kids dipped the cookies in peanut butter and then outdoor bird seed and hung them on the bare tree limbs throughout the winter.  I am not sure who had more fun,the birds who ate the gingerbread treats or the kids who had fun identifying and keeping track of which birds were feeding at their buffet.


We know some shape cookie cutters were made in Germany because they are signed. They were probably made in 1906 or later.We know that others were imported by the S. Joseph Company.

Aluminum Cookie Cutters with Wood Knobs

The oldest known cutters with wood handles are pictured in a 1933 book, Kitchen Guide, The Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Company, Manitowoc, WI.  The cutters are aluminum card shapes with rivets all the way through the handles. The box is labeled “Trump Cooky Cutter Set.” The colors of knobs are known to be black, red, and green.  

A Quick Chronology

• 1750 The cookie cutter existed apart from the carved mold. At the end of the century tinsmiths in the United States begin making cutters.

• 1850 The development of machinery provided for the manufacture of cookie cutters. The first known documented catalog offering cutters is dated 1869

•  1905  Tinsmithing began to wane as cutters were both manufactured in the United States and imported from Europe, primarily from Germany. Advertising cutters were used by companies to proclaim their products.

• 1920  Aluminum cookie cutters were at the height in production.

• 1940  Plastic began to be used to produce cutters.

• 1950  Plastic and metal cutters continued to be manufactured.

• 1970  During this decade, the numbers of different designs as well as choice of styles of design increased. 

          The Cookie Cutter Collector’s Club was founded.

• 1980  Cookie cutters made in Japan gave way to Taiwan and then to Hong Kong. 

• China now is the major producer of cookie cutters for US markets. 

  

 Till next time Happy New Year !

auctionmom@gmail.com

www.antiquesattheirongate.com

Countdown to Christmas

I hope everyone is enjoying the last minute Christmas rush.  This is the time I enjoy most as it really gets me in the holiday spirit.  So many things to do and get ready, that's the fun.  The shop is buzzing and I have opened two new online shopping venues Threads and AntiqueLuvs.  These sites will sell vintage clothing accessories, and unique one of a kind handcrafted items from various talented artisans.  Please stop by, we are adding items daily.

Most of all, I want to thank all of you who have supported us and believed in me this past year.

My New Year Resolution is to continue to bring to you a unique blend of items past.

Family will be joining me for the holidays and I do look forward to a couple of days relaxing and enjoying the company of friends and family.  I wish you the same.

        Merry Christmas

   and

        Happy New Year 

auctionmom80@gmail.com

www.antiquesattheirongate.com

Quick Gift Ideas To Add To Your Christmas Shopping List

 
Having quick and easy to find gift ideas to add to your Christmas shopping list is an absolute must at this time of year.

 

Gifting a family member or friend who is already a collector is easy. For example,  if they collect clocks or timepieces purchase one that is within your budget.  Whatever the price they will cherish your gift because it was given to them by you out of careful thought and love.  

Still not confident to purchase that antique railroad watch on your own?  Then consider purchasing something that maintains the theme of the person's collection.  For example, consider a current price guide, how about a tie, a scarf, or an Iphone cover decorated with clocks or timepieces.  In today's market just about everything from sleepwear to Ipad covers to school notebooks are available in themes. 

What theme market production means for you is you can select an affordable gift that is consistent with friend's and relative's interest and collecting.

If your budget allows for an authentic antique then go for it!  If you crave frugality there are many newer items that are affordable and are related to the collection.

Here is my punch list of last minute shopping.  I should also mention that to purchase some gifts I need not leave the house, the www. is a wonderful world!

 

For the Cook

• a vintage apron
• a vintage cookbook from his/her favorite
• a vintage cooking utensil for use or decoration

For the Entertainment Enthusiast

• an original album/book
• a price guide or book written by an expert collector in the field of records/music/books etc.
• an item of memorabilia from a favorite movie/book/music group etc. 

 For the Fashionista

• a vintage/antique piece of clothing, hats, gloves, scarves are generally affordable and in excellent condition
• a current book on men's or women's fashions through time
• tickets to the next antique show featuring antique and vintage clothing 

Enjoy shopping, be limited only by your imagination and stay within budget!

Till next time, Stay well, Stay happy

http://www.antiquesattheirongate.com

Girls Night Out

I had a wonderful evening of shopping at Vaillancourt Folk Art Studio in Sutton.

Their studio is now located in an old mill that has been renovated.  That is enough to make me shop there.  I love it when townsfolk take the care to preserve their history by preserving the early buildings that housed the industries on which the town was built.


The studio specializes in all things Christmas.  Their specialty is making decorations from antique chocolate molds. The hand painted Santas  made from chalk ware poured into early chocolate molds is a sight to see.  Each piece is hand painted,  Some are tiny, about an inch tall, others are large, about two feet is my guestimate. It is a family run business that provides excellent product and great customer satisfaction.  There is a collector's club, glass blown ornaments, and a special section of the store is  a museum devoted to showcasing all the pieces they have made through the years.  

The shopping is leisurely, light refreshments and holiday music. It's a great place to visit, whether you purchase something or not.  

Till next time, stay well, stay happy

www.antiquesattheirongate.com

 

Business Cards: Modern Version of Victorian Trade Cards

Favorite Ephemera Collectibles  

Victorian Trading Cards

I have always adored art and pictures.  My world is full of beautiful eye candy. As a child   more so collected business cards from the places I visited. I continue to collect business cards as an adult. 

Victorian trade cards are the equivalent of the modern day business card. 

The earliest known trade card was produced in 1727 for a bookstore owned by an uncle of John Hancock. Early cards, some of which were produced by Paul Revere were largely black and white. 

 
Color trade cards made their debut at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, 1876.  These colored trade cards delighted exhibition attendees.  This marked the beginning of the Golden Age of trade cards,which lasted until 1900.

During this Golden Era trade cards were mailed to potential customers, placed on counters in stores, and accompanied purchased goods packed after purchase. 

Any company or service company that had business with the public had trade cards produced to advertise their products and services.  The brightly colored and  charming images of children and animals were frequently used on the cards.  The name of the company was sometimes on the back of the card, sometimes written across the front.  

I especially like collecting trade cards of companies that I am familiar with like Larkin Soap, or Clarke sewing.  Sometimes it is the picture that captures my attention and heart.  I regard Victorian Trade Cards as miniature works of art created for the purpose of advertising an selling. 

I have selected a few of my favorites for your viewing pleasure!  

Till Next Time, Stay Well, Say Happy             

auctionmom80@gmail.com
www.antiquesattheirongate.com

Kitchen Collectibles for the Modern Cook

This time of year I spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing daily meals in addition to making batches of favorite cookies, pies for friends and family.  My kitchen has its share of gadgets but by no means is a billboard for the ultra outfitted kitchens being designed to meet current standards of folks who either love to entertain and/or love to display their ability to have the best of everything and not have to use any of it.

So as I was measuring the sugar for a new Southern recipe I was trying, I began to think of what the kitchens of earlier days might have included. There have always been some sort of bowls to hold food.  My kitchen bowls are the 1940 classic 4 Pyrex mixing bowls that came in the primary colors, yellow was the largest, green, red, and blue was the smallest bowl.  They have been with me a long time.  I am sure other cooks have used wooden bowls, pewter, possibly even tin.

 Pyrex Mixing Bowls

 My recipe then called for some freshly squeezed lemon juice I could have purchased lemon juice in the grocery store sold in a bottle or in a little lemon squeeze container.  I do use my vintage squeezer that is shaped like a hat with a rim that catches the juice as the lemon is squeezed on the top "hat."

 Orange and Lemon Squeezer

An early lemon squeezer was patented in 1887.  The machine had a place to set the lemon.  When a long handle was pressed down the juice dripped into a large cup that was placed underneath the handle.  the lemon squeezer of 1887 would not fit in a kitchen drawer!


The next ingredient was flour.  Today we can buy pre-sifted flour in 1, 5, and 10 pound bags for home use.  I do have a collectible sifter but it is more for decoration than practical use.









Bromwell Flour Sifter

 

Many of the gadgets we use today, like coffee grinders, coffee makers, colanders, potato mashers, were also used cooks during earlier times.  Designs change, the materials from which the gadgets are manufactured change.  The colorful plastic kitchen tools of today are delightful to look at, though I doubt they will withstand the years of use my vintage kitchen gadgets have endured.

 

By the way, I'll let you know how the cake turned out.  It maybe something new you want to add to your holiday table this year.        

 





 

 

Till next time, stay well, stay happy

 

auctionmom80@gmail.com

Small Business Saturday

 

Stop by to view our newest collection of handcrafted tree ornaments

Till next time stay well, stay happy

 

auctionmom80@gmail.com

www.antiquesattheirongate.com





Thoughts for the Season

A Thanksgiving Wish

 As our family remembers it's blessings and gives thanks this season, we extend best wishes and thanks to you and your family.  It's time to step away from our desks, connect with family and friends for the long weekend and smile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Till next time, stay well, stay happy

Collectible Antique Silver for Your Holiday Dining

Decorate Your Holiday Table in Silver

   

The Victorians adored gadgets and were eager to adopt the latest technology.  Their love of gadgets is also evident in the number of eating utensils.  A proper Victorian dinner table was set with a felt cloth to protect the table from heat and a clean white damask cloth.  The damask cloth was removed before the dessert course was served. Place mats with an otherwise uncovered table were never used at dinner, although they were acceptable for lunch. This permitted the highly polished table to show. 

     

The Victorians developed tools, including a variety of eating utensils for every imaginable food.  There were grapefruit spoons, oyster dishes, bone dishes, knife holders, pickle casters and more.

    

Antique Silver Pickle Castor
 

Pickle castors were produced in a variety of colors and decorations.  Jars were made of glass and the frame was cast in silver  The set included a silver fork to gather the pickle from the jar.  When not in use, the fork hung on the frame. 

 

Condiment sets were another standard item on the Victorian table.  Condiment bottles were made in various colors of glass.  Some sets included several different types of bottles for various condiments whereas other sets included bottles for two condiments. The bottles rested in a silver frame.

Antique Condiment Set 

 

Not all Victorian serving and eating utensils were silver.  Pieces that are silver are often marked .925.  This indicates the piece is sterling silver, the kind that tarnishes and requires polishing every so often.  However, it is primarily an American tradition to mark sterling in this way, and not all manufacturers marked their sterling. In England it is common to find sterling silver unmarked and marked with the manufacturers mark, such as a lion or family crest. British silver markings also identify the piece by town, date, and duty mark.  

  

Silver tongs will be necessary if you are serving coffee or tea with sugar cubes rather than sugar packets tucked into a bowl, at least let the bowl be silver! If you are serving fish, there is a fish slice which is shaped like a large kitchen knife.    

 

The egg frame is another interesting piece.  The egg frame was designed to hold a breakfast egg and spoon.  Grapefruit and orange spoons were designed with pinched end and serrated edges to allow for removing the sections of the fruit with ease and without squirting other guests!  Another interesting spoon is the mote spoon.

 

The mote spoon is a large perforated spoon used to remove berries from juice.  Smaller versions are still made today.

 

 

 

   

Silver Mote Spoon

 

I find the world of antique Victorian silver fascinating.  Between now and the holidays I will be on the lookout for interesting pieces I will bring to my holiday table   



 Christmas Dinner Menu
from Godey's Lady's Book, December 1890 

 

Raw Oysters
Bouillon
Fried smelts
Sauce tartare
Potatoes a la Maitre d' Hotel
Sweetbread Pates
Peas
Roast Turkey
Cranberry Sauce
Roman Punch
Quail with Truffles
Rice Croquettes
Parisian Salad
Crackers and Cheese
Nesselrode Pudding
Fancy Cakes
Fruit

Coffee

 

Bon Apetit!

 

 

 

 

Till next time stay well, stay happy

 

auctionmom80@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exciting Childhood Hobbies

Raising the Next Generation of Antique Collectors

 

 

The Holiday Season is the perfect time to engage your child in an exciting hobby. Hobbies offer learning experiences that are fun, encourages your child's creativity, promotes problem solving, and decision making skills.


Children are natural collectors. 
A leisurely walk often results in a varied collection of weeds, pebbles, leaves, twigs, and bits of gum wrappers that sparkle in the sunlight, being gathered up.  And what mother has not shrieked with delight when her child returns from a walk in the woods with a critter found wiggling from under a rock!

                                            

  
A family day at the beach can yield buckets of collectible delights.  Seashells of varying shapes and colors, driftwood, and seaweed washed ashore, even the very sand of the beach if held tightly in tiny hands to show what treasures have been found.  If you are really lucky you may find a message in a bottle tossed into the ocean years before by an unknown friend.

 

Childhood Collecting in the 1900s

In the 1900s boys frequently collected buttons, books, stamps, pictures, pens and pencils, stones, marbles, railroad timetables, bats and balls, neckties, scarf-pins, tickets, tops, rulers, and shoe-laces.  Girls collected dolls, ribbons, shells and spoons  handkerchiefs, cups and saucers, calling cards and lace and sewing thimbles.

 

Free Choice Generation of Collectors

 

 

 

In today's world boys can collect dolls and girls can collect trains.  This free-choice collecting allows our children to experience a variety in collecting, handling, arranging and classifying their collected items.  When engaging in their collections children are animating and empathizing in make-believe adventures that encourages creativity, logical thought, and developing social relationships with peers.

 

 

 

When purchasing gifts for your child this holiday season remember- you may be sparking an interest that leads to the start of a hobby for your child. We have all heard or read stories of famous personalities who  relied professionally on their leisure collections for inspiration, knowledge, and skills.  Here are just a few examples.

 

• Notable scientist Charles Darwin became interested in studying nature when as a child he collected bugs. 

 

• Physics Nobel Prize winner, David Lee, collected bugs, railway time tables, and meteorological charts

• Acclaimed novelist Vladimir Nabokov,  Lolita and many more books, collected butterflies

 

Encouraging Your Young Collector 

Visit museums, art galleries, zoos, living history sites 

 

Let your child accompany you on shopping trips, even better if they include antique shops

 

Read, watch, talk about books, videos, and movies you watch together as a family

 

Share your childhood experiences with collecting, better still if you have your collection to show your child

 

Start a collection  with your child, it can be of action figures, books, cards, anything your child finds interesting and is age appropriate 

 

 

Collections do not need to be large.  There is a saying among antique dealers that

" if you have two of something you have the start of a collection"  

 

 

 

 

 

Till next time, stay well, stay happy

 

http://www.antiquesattheirongate.com

 

 

Essential Gifts for Your Favorite Antique Collector

Here are my top 5 essential stocking stuffer picks for antique collectors.

  I don't go anywhere without them.

In my early days of yard sailing I was hunting for fun, purchasing items that I could repurpose or include in a unique way in my garden.  Some of the time that meant purchasing an item that had obvious flaws, such as a clock that did not work, or a plate that had a chip  During that time period I relied on my sense of sight and touch to determine the presence of damage to items of which I had an interest. 

As I started to attend auctions I was no longer buying for myself.  I was purchasing items that I liked and that I hoped someone would purchase from me.  That required a few tools of the trade to determine the condition of items that might be damaged but to the unaided eye looked fine.

 

My 5 Essential Gift Choices For the Antique Collector

Magnifying Lens/Loupe

 

These come in various sizes and levels of magnification.  They are essential for looking for any type of hairline crack, chip, clarity in porcelain, jewelry, glass, dolls, even checking engravings in jewelry, and any small print like copyright dates, jewelry grading, size.

 

 

 

Tape Measure

A definite need, if you don't know how wide or deep your car is. This information is good to know when you are purchasing at an auction or estate sale and you must move the piece immediately. It helps to measure the piece before you buy so you will know whether it will fit in your vehicle.  Measuring porcelain is helpful as reproductions are not the size of originals.  Many folks have learned the hard way when purchasing the Little Red Riding Hood Cookie Jar.        

 

 

Black Light

 

The black light flashlight is especially good for detecting hairline cracks in porcelain, porcelain dolls and in determining whether there has been any restoration to a piece.

 

Different paints will show up different colours.  A picture sold as an original may be made from a digital reproduction and the black light will let you identify this deception.

 

What is really great is blacklight lets you know if you are looking at original Vaseline glass as that glows in the dark under black light-- so cool.

 

 

 

 

 

Magazine Subscription

What ever your collector is into collecting there

is bound to be a magazine devoted to the subject.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  Price Guide of Choice

 

Price guides can be purchased in various forms.  Membership to a collecting  organization, for example, English Import Pottery,ususally have price guides and appriasals for their membership.  Other options include online subsciption price guides and price guides for e-readers or print books.

 

 

Till next time, stay well, stay happy.                                     

www.antiquesattheirongate.com