Authenticating Adrian Pearsall Furniture: A No Non-Sense Guide

Long and low Gondola Sofa Which Adrian  Pearsall Is Known For

A SURE FIRE WAY IN AUTHENTICATING ADRIAN PEARSALL FURNITURE IS TO TAKE PHOTOS  OF THE ITEM IN QUESTION. AND SUBMIT IT TO NO LESS THAN A RELIABLE SOURCE -THE PEARSALL FAMILY. TAKE PHOTOS OF THE BACK,FRONT, SIDE AND TOP VIEWS OF THE FURNITURE. SEND IT TO jpearsall1482@gmail.com THE CERTIFICATION FEE IS $75

 

Include your mailing address, so they can send you the signed and dated certificate of authenticity along with a copy of the catalogue sheet. That is if your item is  included in the catalog.

If your item isn't in the Adrian Pearsall catalog. They will attribute it to a similar work of Pearsall but not to other designers and manufacturers.

The Pearsall catalogue is believed to be 600 pages and counting. A. Pearsall was so prolific in his heydays he created innumerable designs. Plus he did a lot of custom work for other people on commission bases. His work is so extensive that many of countless original Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates products are floating around the world. It's almost impossible to catalog them all.


But the Pearsall family reassured that they will gradually beef up the catalog each time they discovered and authenticate  new items.

Recently there had been a resurgence of interests in Pearsall's work. Discriminating collectors and dealers are actively hunting them out. The value of these collectible furniture pieces are getting higher and pricier. The demand for genuine Pearsall pieces often exceeded than the supply.

It is not uncommon to find several reproductions of his work. There's nothing wrong with reproductions of famous designer pieces per se. But to sell them as vintage and at higher price are what makes it a fraud. There are unscrupulous dealers that violate copyright and trademark laws. 

The Pearsall family is doing their best to track down and curb the knock-off trend. They  actively discredit individuals and companies that pose as legit dealers and distributors of Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates, when actually they are really not.

ADRIAN PEARSALL CRAFT ASSOCIATES: THE GOLDEN YEARS 

The 1960's were the golden years for Adrian Pearsall and Craft Associates. The company became one of the most coveted name in the Mid Century Modern era. And later on shaped Pearsall's legacy.

Pearsall first produced wrought iron pieces. But the business really took off when they started to incorporate walnut bases in their furniture. The consumers responded positively to the new and avant-garde designs of Craft Associates.

 From the point of view where astronauts, moon launches, rocket ships and Formica countertops were the zeitgeist of the times-- Pearsall's work were regarded as aesthetically pleasing, daring and exciting which added a particular warmth to each piece. People thought they are "extraterrestrial."

WHAT MAKES ADRIAN PEARSALL THE DARLING OF THE MID CENTURY MODERN ERA?


I think in my humble opinion he was one of the few designers who introduced high style or high end furniture design to the mass market like they have never seen before.

His high class pieces found its way to the working man's living room. In short, He was the poorman's Mid Mod Icon. And he was regarded as the voice that spoke the American-ness of the Atomic Age of a bygone era.

What His Critics Said:

His designs mostly were criticized as cheap version of Vladimir Kagan who was his contemporary.
Some people insinuated that his designs were middling dabblers of American kitsch.

Adrian Pearsall is popularly known for designing: 

Large jacks table:

High back chairs:

WHERE CAN YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON THESE ICONIC PIECES?

Usually you can score them at:

1. Auction houses--online or offline.

2.Local Antiques/ vintage shops.

3. Swanky houses/ specialty shops that does reproductions. If you're into knockoffs.

4. Estate Sales. Here you will find treasure.

5. Goodwill and Salvation Army--If you spend enough time, effort and creativity. You might get lucky.

6. Dumpsters-- if you get really, really, really lucky.

The prices  may range from expensive to cheap and then to--free at No. 6

WHERE TO RESTORE/ REFINISH/ RE-UPHOLSTER YOUR ADRIAN PEARSALL CRAFT ASSOCIATES FURNITURE?


  You need someone who is reliable and experienced in this area.

Click here to get a quote:

http://www.mod restoration.com/get-a-quote

DO'S AND DONT'S ON HOW TO IDENTIFY AN AUTHENTIC ADRIAN PEARSALL CRAFT ASSOCIATE FURNITURE? 

In the age of "Buyer Beware" operative keywords, most of the time the auctioneer will leave you (the collector/bidder)the responsibility to know the hints and clues of a truly collector's item. You have to know  exactly what you are looking for.

I scoured the internet and did my research And  make it easier for you and save you time to just read all the tips in one place.

Here's the do's and dont's on how to identify an authentic Adrian Pearsall Craft Associate furniture. Are you ready? Let's go:


Do's:

1.Do look for tags that says:

    Craft Associates
     Wilkes-Barre
     Pennsylvania

2. Do look for pieces that you think could be well-fitted in the sets of Buck Rogers, Mad Men and Astronaut's Wives Club TV series. That distinct Atomic age style is what's it's called.

3. Do look for details that incorporates high back on chairs, sharp angular arm rest, glass tops, neck rest or neck pillows. Furnitures that are low to the ground (gondola sofa), clean and broad sweeping lines, elaborate and exaggerated curves, and pieces that employ fabrics in geometrical and bold shapes, unexpected stunning color combinations and sometimes bright solid colors.

4. Do scrutinize the base for that signature warm-colored walnut wood.

Don't's


1. Don't buy if the item  has an aspect of composite on it. Composite--plastic that made to look real. Everything must be real and natural  like metal and wood.

2. Don't buy if it has urethane foam in it. Urethane foam was invented in the late 50's. And not only until later manufacturers used them on their furnitures.

3. Don't buy it if the overall look is brand new. Remember original Pearsall items are between 47 to 63 years old. Traces of wear and tear should be evident like scratches and dents, hairline cracks, worn-out fabrics and pitted leg caps.

4 Don't buy from a dealer who can't provide you with certificate of authenticity.

 

BITE-SIZE TRIVIA/ FUN FACTS ABOUT ADRIAN PEARSALL:

---He chose a generic name for Craft Associates the company he founded--just in case his furniture business tank. He could sell another line of products using the same generic trademark.

----He is the creator of the ubiquitous Bean bag chair. Remember college days when you pulled an all--nighter?

Bean bag chair.

----He started  Craft Associates in the basement of his mother-in-law's duplex.

----He sold his first batch of furniture from the back of his truck in New York and Philadelphia area.
 
----He was nominated in the American Designer's Hall of Fame.

----No one really predicted that his pieces will be more popular and in demand 40-50-60 years after they were made. And continued to flourish even up to this day.

----He sold Craft Associates label to Lane Company in 1968.

--In 1970 He founded Comfort Designs and stayed there until his retirement.

---Later on in life he was an avid yachtman. Took interest in restoring old yatchs and sailboats.

----He noted that sometimes His designs(fabric wise) were influenced by women's fashion of that era.

----He was a philanthropist.

ADRIAN PEARSALL CRAFT ASSOCIATES FURNITURE THAT WERE RECENTLY SOLD AT AN AUCTION:

 source: www.wright20.com

WHAT'S THE LATEST ADRIAN PEARSALL PIECE YOU ACQUIRED?

Please comment below.

  

Famous Collectors: Jonathan Kellerman's Guitar Collection

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Jonathan Kellerman, New York Times bestselling author, houses his collection of 120 fine guitars in a humidity and temperature-controlled glass showcases which occupied two walls.

His guitar collection consists of D" Angelico, D' Aquisto and Stromberg archtops. a rare harp guitar, Hawaiin lap acoustics, classical masterpieces and a handful of electric solidbody guitars.

Kellerman started collecting guitars seriously when he first bought a 1924 Gibson L-5 guitar a label signed by Lloyd Loar. He then successfully completed collecting the four Gibson master model instruments with Loar labels by purchasing the three of the rest of the instruments namely,  1924 F-5 mandolin, then an H-5 mandola and after 15 years of actively looking for the missing piece, he finally bought the K-5 mandocello.

The most impressive piece of his guitar collection was bought from an auction at Christie's in 2007, the 1864 Antonio de Torres concert guitar. It is one of the most important guitars in the world, historically. He also has the 1903 Santos Hernandez flamenco guitar.

He first tickled the fretboards at age eight. Now in his 60's, spends a few hours a day playing classical music. He also went from rock to studying jazz to playing lap steel guitar.

Jonathan Kellerman wrote and published a book titled "With Strings Attached" which chronicles his personal tales of his quest for the ultimate tone.
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Hard Rock Cafe Memorabilia: Guitar Collection

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"Mine's as good as his any day" was the message of the note Pete Townshend of the legendary rock band The Who, sent to the owners of Hard Rock Cafe Morton and Tigrett. Townshend donated a black Gibson Les Paul with that note.

Townshend felt upstaged and somewhat annoyed by the glaring sight of Eric Clapton's Fender Lead ll guitar (mounted on the wall) when Clapton bequeathed it, unsigned as a token of his friendship and appreciation to the Hard Rock Cafe guys. More guitar players followed suit. Soon donating a guitar for display at the Hard Rock Cafe became a rock and roll rite of passage.

Forty years later Hard Rock Cafe has more than 157 venues in 52 countries. Hard Rock Cafe is the fan mecca that it is today, overflowing with rock and roll memorabilia.

Guitars remain the meat and potatoes of Hard Rock's collection

Here are some bonafide pieces in the Hard Rock Cafe Memorabilia: Guitar collection


1964 Gibson Sg Custom
Owned By: Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones
Current location: Hard Rock Cafe, Aruba

1966 Fender Jaguar
Owned by: John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Current location: Hard Rock Cafe, Caracas, Venezuela

1956 Fender Stratocaster
Owned by: Joe Walsh of The Eagles
Current location: Hard Rock Cafe, Cleveland, Ohio

1958 Gibson Super 400 CES
Owned by: Albert Lee
Current location: Hard Rock Cafe, Nashville, Tennessee

 resource: Guitar Aficionado Vol 1 no.4

Famous Collectors: John Mc Enroe's Art Collection

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John Mc Enroe 80's original super brat tennis champion, guitar player and guitar collector, currently a tv sports commentator is also an art collector.

He likes Picasso, Matisse and Tintoretto but he leans toward 20th century artists. His taste in art is modern, expressive and figurative.

Mc Enroe made attempts at art dealing. He even apprenticed at an Upper East Side gallery to learn the ropes of the business. He soon decided to turn his efforts into building his own collection instead.

In his collection ( to name a few) are Andy Warhol's Electric Chair in several prints, Jean Michel Basquiat's Pegasus and wall-lengtht piece by Kara Walker.

Andy Warhol"s Electric Chair

Jean Michel Basquiat's Pegasus

Piece by Kara Walker

Please help a friend afford surgery.

Famous Collectors: Take A Peek At John Mc Enroe’s Guitar Collection

Welcome to Rare Antiques Memorabilia Collectibles Blog.

John Mc Enroe, the seven time Grand Slam singles winner and for four years was the number one ranked tennis player, is also a guitar player and guitar collector.

 John Mc Enroe is known more as an athlete. His foray into the music scene, singing and playing guitar together with his band known as the Johnny Smyth Band led him to spend many years touring and performing in several clubs around the world.

He picked up the guitar as a way to kill downtime during his tennis pro days. His first guitar was an off-the-rack black Les Paul custom. He had played alongside everyone from Carlos Santana, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones.

His involvement with music resulted in one of the most impressive guitar collection an individual could own.

1957 Les Paul Gold Top Left-handed

1959 Les Paul Burst

Add caption

Gretsch Anniversary Left-handed

Investment value is the main factor when it comes to buying and collecting guitars according to John. He first and foremost wants to buy something he would want to play.

Resource: Guitar Aficiionado Vol.1 no.4

Collecting World War II Glider Memorabilia

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Since helicopters were not used in World War II, the U.S. Army used gliders to carry troops and weapons into enemy territory.

In theory, gliders could land quickly and silently and that the troops could begin fighting within minutes of landing.

The U.S. Army used two kinds of gliders. The American made Waco and the British-made Horsa.

Another interesting aspect of the World War II gliders was the men who flew them. I mean. what kind of men wanted to fly in unarmed,engine-less,canvas-covered gliders into the most heavily defended part of Europe against the most highly mechanized army in the history of the world?

"Flying Coffins" were often referred to the World War II gliders because of it's destructability. Gliders were made of either plywood or of metal and canvas. A far cry to the sleek,aerodynamic models flown for sport today.

Although glider missions were instrumental in the success of D-Day operation,many glidermen did not survive. The flimsy aircraft had no navigational or landing equipment, relying mostly on luck to land.

The World War II gliders were used with great success in the D-Day mission. The plan of invasion Of Normandy relied upon glider operations landing in Central France to distract German Forces as the Allied Seaborne troops came to shore.

Gliders have not been used in war since then. Gliders were not given the same sort of attention that all other aspects of the war were given.

So to experience a new kind of appreciation to these simple but historically significant aircraft and the heroic men who flew them...begin collecting original war photos,stamps,army medals and bits and pieces of the gliders itself like the control panel for instance. Or anything that reminds you of the important contribution of the World War II gliders and the brave men who flew them.

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Collecting Badges

Collecting Badges


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Wyatt Earp. Bat Masterson. Pat Garrett. Great lawmen of the Old West. You can own a piece of history by collecting their badges. Badges stand for courage and integrity by these western lawmen.

You can hunt down and collect their badges based on extremely rare originals. Many of which have been perceived as vanished until an intensive search was undertaken to recover them.

Whether these badges are minted in solid sterling silver or in 24 karat gold electroplate on sterling silver...own these badges that made these men great legends.Seo Tricks.

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Collecting And Identifying Antique Marbles

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What is the fascination of collecting and identifying antique marbles?Antique Marbles are considered miniature works of art. A lot of artistry and technical skills are required to produced one.People with an eye for aesthetics usually collects them.

A seasoned antique marble collector suggests reading up and researching about the subject if you want to take up the hobby.Then there is always the internet and surf the super highway of information at your fingertips.You can join the forums and groups of antique marble collectors and share ideas and tips on collecting and identifying antique marbles. And of course there is Ebay.

If you are really serious about collecting and identifying antique marbles you must be familiar with marble nicknames such as peppermints, ribbons, gooseberries, toothpastes, turtles, glimmers, bloods, bird’s eggs, clouds, lemonades, comics, bumblebees, jennys, cub scouts, fluorescents, micas, corkscrews etc.

Know the different types of style and designs like Latticinos, Lutzes (various types), Onionskins (various types), Joseph's Coat, solid core swirls, open core swirls, ribbon core swirls, submarines, clouds, sulphides (with small ceramic figures inside), mists, butterscotch swirls, Indians, six-ribboned open core swirls, peppermints, gooseberries, clambroths, banded clears, banded opaques,oxbloods, cat's eyes, rainbows, transparent swirls, shooter swirls, bloodies, corals, ades, Popeye corkscrews, shooter specials, "prize names," and regular corkscrews.

Also be familiar with the different companies that manufactured them.Akro Agate, Alley Agate, Bogard, Champion Agate, Christensen Agate, Heaton Agate (agates are very popular!), Jackson Marble Company, Master Marble/Master Glass, Marble King, M.F. Christenseen and Son, Peltier Glass, Ravenswood Novelty, Vitro Agate, and Navarre Glass. And some contemporary companies that make machine made marbles like Jodi Fine, Ray Laubs, China Handmade, Eddie Seese, Josh Simpson, Winlock Marbles, and Davis Marbles. Jabo Vitro, Inc. and Vacor de Mexico .

One nice thing about the hobby of collecting and identifying antique marbles is that it has entry points for people with bulging pockets and kids who are on a budget.

Among the most desirable and sought after marbles are the ones made by Christensen Agate like the striped opaques, guineas or swirls. They fetched thousand of dollars. Because they are rare and very seldom up in the market.

Seen in the picture is the Golden Rebel. It is also one of the most collectible marbles. The Golden Rebel is identified by the yellow base glass, red and black ribbons usually flecked with shimmering adventurine.

Marbles are timeless,universal and spanning culture, generation, language and class...such is the allure of collecting and identifying antique marbles.

Thanks for visiting Rare Antiques Collectibles and Memorabilia.

　

　

　

Collecting Harley Davidson Motorcycles Part Two

Harley Davidson Sportster

Harley Davidson Sportster has two engines sizes:
Sportster 883
Sportster 1200

These particular Harley bikes have smaller engine,narrower frame and the lightest bikes offered by Harley Davidson. The retail price of Harley Davidson Sportster is half the cost of the big-twin Harley's. It's affordable and perfect Harley Davidson motorcycle for beginners.

Harley Davidson Sportster was introduced in 1957 with the intention of making it a motorbike for racing. The Sporsters were used in dirt track courses from the 1960's to the 1970's and was highly successful.

Thus the Harley Davidson Sportsters became the original gung-ho motorcycle. The Sportster's small in stature and yet decidedly more sporty has become the choice for riders that craves an agile and nimble but aggressive motorcycle. These highly popular product line is undoubtedly one of the best range of Harley Davidson motorbikes available today.

The Harley Davidson Sportster series has the same signature 45 degree v-twin engine employed by the rest of the Harley Davidson line-up. It comes in four models:

Sportster Roadster
Sportster Low
Sporster Custom
Sportster Nightster

The Sporster was redesigned in 2004 with a new frame that allow for a rubber-mounted engine. This caused the bike to be heavier and reduced the available lean angle and eliminated the vibration from the frame to the rider thus making the rides smoother.

In 2004 electronic fuel injection was incorporated to the Sporster family and the Harley Davidson Nightster was introduced in mid-year 2009. As the newest in the Dark Custom series the Iron883 was added to the line-up of Harley Davidson Sportster.



Harley Davidson Vrsc/Harley Davidson V rod

The Harley Davidson Vrod (Vrsc) was unveiled in 2001 for the sole intention of competing against the rising popularity of muscle bikes manufactured by Japanese and other American motorcycle companies. To target and appeal a different market Harley Davidson came up with a bike model that is patterned after a sports or racing bike melding aggressive and sporty looks with raw performance.

Thus, the Harley Davidson Vrod (Vrsc) was born. In joint venture with Porsche, the Vrsc series employs a ground-breaking liquid-cooled 60-degrees v-twin motor that broke away the Harley's traditional set up.

Even though the Harley Davidson Vrod(vrsc) series has the style of a sports bike, it retains the stretched-out forward controls that are uniquely Harley and the torque and accelerator as its asset.

The Harley Davidson Vrod Vrsc features low rise and wider handlebars, customized,minimalist rear shocks,vinyl seats,5.0 gallon and fuel tank and dual exhaust pipes. Throughout Harley Davidson history this is the first bike that has fuel injection and water-cooled engine.

The Harley Davidson Night Rod special are some of the models that continually evolves with the Harley Davidson Vrod Vrsc platform.



Harley Davidson Buell

The Harley Davidson Buell bike isn't exactly a Harley Buell sport bikes are manufactured and sold through Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company. Erik Buell a former Harley engineer was requisitioned by Harley Davidson Motor Co. to build a motorcycle that is easy to learn and at the same time looks hip and fun to attract more new riders into the sport of motorcycling.

Buell focused on developing a hard-edged sport motorcycles. Buell ranked itself a serious contender in the market place with innovations such as the exhaust system was mounted under the engine to lower the center of gravity and using the frame as a fuel tank.

Although the Harley Davidson Buell bikes don't have the classic cruiser style looks of motorcycles made by its parent company Buell motorcycle are a great all-around bike fit for shorter raod trips and daily riding. Harley Davidson Buell motorcycles are a favorite choice of beginner to seasoned riders.

In an attempt to attract raw customers Buell focused solely on building motorcycles that are low-cost and low-maintenance motorcycle. They believed that low-maintenance is the key to enticing first time riders. Low-maintenance is about less worrying on mechanical details and more time riding.

They reasoned that the ultimate way to go about this would be to make a light-single cylinder powered bike that's easy to ride with confidence with big bike styling and sound.

In 2009 the company officially issued a statement about the discontinuing of production of the Harley Davidson Buell line.

Collecting Harley Davidson Motorcycles

Collecting Harley Davidson motorcycles is for people with deep pockets. But don't get discouraged, we can always opt for used Harley Davidson motorcycles or secure financing options from a dealer.

There is always a way to get around acquiring Harley Davidson motorcycles if your true passion is riding and owning them. Here are your basic types of Harley bikes and check which ones you like and is compatible with your riding experience,size,ability and budget.FS6AZWYJFHAR

Softails, Touring, Dyna, Sportster,Buell, V-rod:

Harley Davidson Softail

The Harley Davidson Softail motorcycle models are as popular as ever and will always be the main part of the Harley Davidson line-up. Since the 1970's therm softail has been associated with the Harley Davidson brand.

Softail refers to a kind of suspension system that is installed in such a position that is located along the axis of the motorcycle for the purpose of giving the rider a smooth ride.

The shock absorbers are relocated beneath the transmission thereby intentionally concealing it from view and absorbing the shocks so the motorbike wouldn't vibrate as much when it hit bumps and potholes on the road.

Harley Davidson Softail is the preferred choice of riders who wants to cruise on a daily basis. And who wants their Harley Davidson softail custom-designed.

When it comes to stature the Harley Davidson is smaller and lighter than touring bikes. It uses a version of the twin-cam engine that is counter-balanced because these particular design does not have a rubber-mounted unlike the touring or Harley Davidson Dyna models.

The Harley Davidson Softail Models are:

Softail Custom
Springer softail
Heritage Softail
Heritage Springer
Night Train
Deuce
Fat Boy
Dark Custom Crossbones

The Harley Davidson softail have the looks reminiscent of the classic rigid tail motorcycle that were popular, that hailed back to Harley choppers of the 1940's and 1950's. The one line-up that will always be considered perpetually evolving is the Harley Davidson softail.


Harley Davidson Road King/Harley Davidson Electra Glide-touring bikes

The Harley Davidson Road King and Harley Davidson Electra Glide are two basic models of the Harley Davidson touring bikes line-up. If taking long road trips is your cup of tea then these are the Harley for you. They are designed for long-distance travel.

Back in the 1940's, touring cross-country by motorcycle was the major fad and Harley Davidson just had the type of motorcycle to suit the growing market. These touring bikes are popularly known as full dressers and can weigh up to 800 pounds if fully loaded.

These are large-framed bikes. So this touring bike model is not suitable for beginners. These touring bikes are powered by large displacement motors. IT features amenities like hard-shell trunks on either side of the fenders, removable windscreens, full fairings such as in-dash audio equipment, two way radios,cd players,GPS and a dashboard.

Touring bikes are also distinguishable because they come with high rounded back with arm rest,comfortable plush seats, rear coil-over air suspension and large diameter telescopic front forks for comfy long road trips.

The Harley Davidson Road king pays homage to the 1940's touring bikes featuring large headlights with windshield and saddlebags. Harley Davidson Road King have a classic retro-looking cruise peripherals and are reminiscent of big twin models from the 1940's and 50's.

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide can be identified by their full front fairings. They sport a fork-mounted fairings called batwing with its recognizable shape. They have large space between saddlebags.

These Harley touring bikes have been a favorite with some local and state police agencies.

There are major modifications that took place in 1997 with the bike's frame to allow for a larger battery under the seat and to lower its seat height level.

In 2007 Harley also introduced the 96 cubic inch motor as well as 6 speed transmission for better speeds on the highway.

These touring models features a redesigned frame and chassis to improve handling while high performance Brembo brakes provide exceptional stopping power.

Considered the backbone of Harley Davidson's reputation for gobbling up long stretches of the open road are the Harley Davidson Road King and Harley Davidson Electra Glide.

Harley Davidson Dyna Glide

The Harley Davidson Dyna Glide has four types:
Super Glide
Wide Glide
Street Bob
Low Rider

The Harley Davidson Dyna Glide series was introduced in 1971 as a connecting force between Harley Davidson small and big v-twin models of the time.

In other words, The Harley Davidson Dyna Glide series combines a smaller, more agile frame with the power of a big v-twin. The transmission is mounted by rubber support system to eliminate engine vibration.

It has larger engine than the HArley Davidson Sportster and a front end like the Harley Davidson Softail and sportster models. The Harley Davidson dyna glide have dual shock rear suspension like the Harley Davidson Road King.

These motorcycles are not the same with the popular Softails due to these coil-over suspension which connects the frame and the swingarm together.

The combination of style reminiscent of the earlier models and strength are the excellent qualities of a Harley Davidson Dyna Glide.


Stay tuned for part two of Collecting Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

Collecting Harley Davidson Collectibles

Harley Davidson is a household name. This American iconic brand is synonymous with toughness, reliability and style. The Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company has set a legacy throughout the decades. It has the majority of global market share when it comes to motorcycle manufacturing. Owning and riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle is a prestigious status symbol whether you are a baby boomer or you are in your twenties.

Collecting Harley Davidson collectibles is owning a piece of nostalgia. There are many items to choose from, like Harley Davidson leather jackets, helmets, gloves, bandannas, mugs,t-shirts to something whimsical like clocks, a mini refrigerator with a famous Harley Davidson bar and shield logo.

It is a known fact, that the late Malcolm Forbes (founder of Forbes Magazine and philanthropist) collected as many as fifty Harley Davidson motorcycles when he started riding them in his forties. He is also known for giving Harley Davidson collectibles as gifts. He gave a purple passion Harley Davidson motorcycle to Elizabeth Taylor to match her equally world-famous violet eyes.

This post is the first installment of the Harley Davidson collectibles series.

Collecting Butterfly

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The most popular kind of insect collecting, is butterfly collecting. If you like butterflies but not too sure you want to go in depth into collecting, pinning and preserving it, it's advised that you start off taking pictures of butterflies And appreciate the beauty of these wonderful creatures.


If your interest in butterflies takes you a little further than just taking pictures of it, then collecting butterflies we go. Here are some tips:

1. Get a permit for collecting butterflies. It is illegal to collect in national parks without a permit. And please don't damage the flowers, shrubs, trees etc.

2. Have your butterfly collecting equipments ready such as nets, killing jars, plastic containers, notebooks and pen for data, spreading boards, pinning blocks, special pins (not the commons pins) number three is ideal, storage boxes like the glass covered wood boxes and chemicals like ethyl acetate, Lysol or chlorox to prevent mold.

3. Have a handy guide for different species of butterflies. Check out websites in how to properly pin, mount, preserve and display your butterfly collection. Ask help and guidance of the entomology department in a university nearest you.

4 .Butterflies eyes are capable of 180 degree vision, so wear brown or green not brightly coloured clothes and sneak up from behind when trying to catch it with the net.

5. Squeeze lightly the butterfly’s thorax for a few seconds before putting it in a killing jar. This process, stuns the butterfly so it won't keep flapping its wings once inside the jar to not cause damage to its wings.

Like any collectibles, condition of the butterfly is of utmost importance. Butterflies with broken antennae, legs or wings will not be highly graded. Several highly prized butterfly collections are sold in auctions or private dealers.

Most sought after collectible butterflies are the ones that make for fantastic displays mostly hybrids of particular species like the Heliconious or Euphaedra butterflies. Two or three different butterfly species interbreed in a blend zone (where two or more valleys meet). And they are pinned and displayed in a special way to show off their best parts like the underside etc.

Butterfly collections in museums are mostly hundred years old and look all the same for the uninitiated. That's why labeling of your prized catch is of paramount importance. Labels include accurate data of the order name of the insect, the time and place captured, plants on which they were found, name of the collector.

Plants and animal species once together in the same biological ecosystems are now probably endangered, altered or are already gone. That's why precise documentation of your butterfly collection is very important.

Remember to always visit again Rare Antiques,Collectibles and Memorabilia if you are looking for collecting ideas.

Collecting Carnival Chalkware

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Collectibles and Memorabilia.

If your style is shabby and chic, then i bet you decorate your place with pieces of carnival chalkware.

These are figurines, wall plaques, statues, piggy banks etc. made of inexpensive plaster of paris. Carnival chalkware became popular during the 1920's to 1950's as carnival or state fair give away prizes.

This was replaced by stuffed animals beginning 1960's because it can be mass produced and not breakable.

Desirable and collectible carnival chalkware are made from Miller studios. Because carnival chalkware are breakable, only a few survive throughout the years in mint condition, mostly these figurines have chips and breaks. Some carnival chalkware were hand painted and some were airbrushed.

You can easily acquire these pieces at flea markets, garage sales or Ebay.

Decorating tip:

Have a theme or motif in every area in your house. Example: Farm theme for your kitchen, so you display different flowers, animals like pigs, roosters, cows, vegetables chalk figurines scattered around your kitchen.

Marina theme in your bathroom, so you gather mermaids, different fishes and shells chalkware in there.

Remember for all your collecting ideas drop by Rare Antiques Collectibles and
Memorabilia.

Collecting Teapot

Welcome To Rare Antiques Collectibles and Memorabilia.
If a teapot is well made and produced in small quantity, that would make it rare. And consequently make it more in demand, therefore desirable and collectible.

Take for instance a teapot called Bunnygirl made by Foxfield, the production was instantly halted because Playboy claimed copyright, thus making it a rare piece indeed.

In the world of collectors, teapots are amongst the most favored. Teapot connotes aristocracy ( back in the 17th century tea drinking was indulge only by the upper class society).

Just making the teapots is challenging enough for the potter.

The technical difficulty of making the spout, body, lid , handle in perfect proportion while at the same time making it artfully pleasing to the eye presents complex feat for the maker. Teapots is where art meets craftmanship.

There are many areas in which to start collecting teapots:

1. Collect to a theme that’s the second cardinal rule of collecting. Think porcelain, glass, ceramic, bone china, Brown Betty, silver, Tetsubin and Yixing..

2. You may want to collect antique, folk art, commercially produced teapots.

3. Collect teapots from a certain artists e.g. Clarice Cliff, Suzie Copper etc.

4. Teapots in whimsical designs or shapes like pineapples, houses, dragons, birds, cars, airplanes etc.

5. Collect different sizes of teapots. Like "teapot for one", a teapot that can brew enough tea for only one individual.

"The thrill is in the hunt" so many collectors say. You would find that as you engage in your hobby of collecting teapots, you may come across a teapot which surprises, fascinates and which you didn't know existed. The ultimate teapot may be sought but never found. Leslie Ferrin said that.

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Collecting Music box

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Imagine the music box right in the middle of the living room in everyone's home. Yes sir, the music box was the home entertainment center of the 18th century.

Music boxes played the popular songs of the time, songs from the opera and church hymns.

Skilled artisans in Europe first made the music boxes and because of their intricate craftsmanship music boxes are great collectibles then and now.

When it comes to collecting music boxes, there are several types of music boxes in which to consider buying;

1. In laid music boxes.

2. Musical jewelry boxes.

3 Ballerina music boxes.

4. Musical snuff boxes.

5. Carousel music boxes.

6. Music boxes made of wood, gold, silver, brass, horn, tortoiseshell.

7. Music boxes of different sizes miniature, handheld, tabletop or even larger.

8. Music boxes with varied movement and notes like 28 to144 note music boxes as opposed to only 12 to 18 note music box.

Conservation is much more important than restoration when it comes to music box. Pay attention to first signs of rust, high or low humidity, light, insects like moth and beetles.

Music boxes are not to be stored in small confined spaces. It will create heat therefore will cause damage to the music boxes. Wood may be faded, and impacts varnish and polish if exposed directly to natural or even artificial light.

So there you have it. Set a budget and take into account your unique taste in collecting music boxes. Educate yourself about the hobby by research and hobnobbing with likeminded people.

Connect with restorers who will do the maintenance of your music box collection.

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Collecting Frisbee

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Frisbee is the only toy that was tossed off The Great Wall of China from outer space.

Today, frisbee discs are sold more than basketballs, baseballs and footballs combined. Over 300 million frisbee discs manufactured by one hundred companies have been produced since 1948.

There are many different kinds of frisbee to buy if you want to start a collection. Frisbees that are signed by famous personalities (presidential candidates or famous Hollywood stars), with advertisement of food and beverages, themeparks, with logos of sports teams, to promote concerts( frisbee with a decorated tongue at a Rolling Stones concert) or frisbee that was use to commemorate an historical event .

You can buy frisbees from other countries like Japan, Russia etc. Frisbees with light emitting diodes, that whistle, glow in the dark, inflate, with articulated tails, come with parachutes, that is launch from a catapult, gas propelled or frisbees that are folded up to pocket size.

You can store your collection by putting them in zip lock plastic bags individually. Not stack up against or on top of each other. You may want to avoid scuffmarks or buckling the sides on your prized collection.

As your collection grows, you may want to list everything from manufacturer, weigh to the nearest gram, model number, description and link the information list on a computer database.

There has been many offshoot sports that evolved from the simply tossing of Frisbie Baking Company tin pie pans by Ivy League students from the early days. Sports like ultimate frisbee, disc golf, disc dog and ultimate pick up. Various frisbee tournaments have been organized throughout United States and all over the world.

But the question remains… who threw the first flying discs the ancient Greeks or the Yale University students?

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Collecting Beatles Memorabilia

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Picture yourself in a boat on a river, with tangerine trees and marmalade skies.
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly the girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

I bet you catch yourself singing that magical lyrics of the Beatles. Specifically, the Lennon-McCartney songwriting tandem is just pure genius.

In 1964 The Beatles simultaneously had the number 1, 2 ,3, 4 and 6 hit songs in the Top 100 list. It's just amazing phenomenon isn't it? No band in the U.K. or anywhere else in the world had done that.

Today, and in fact, even after the group disbanded and stopped touring, The Beatles sold over one billion units both solo records and albums. The widespread acceptance and popularity of their music is just astounding. Their musical influence extended into the social and cultural revolutions. The Beatles expressed the zeitgeist of the sixties.

You may want to start collecting their records 45s or albums, picture sleeves, autographs, toys and whole other Beatles memorabilia. One 45 record of the very same song may have different labels such as Decca, Swan, Vj, Tollie, Capitol, RCA, Parlophone etc. There was such a huge demand at that time they had to release records very fast and in large quantities, and they did it by producing in different record companies.

Interesting items that avid Beatles collectors wish would be up for auction:

1. The 78 record of the songs That'll be the day/ Inspite of all the danger, written by Paul and George in 1958 by The Quarrymen. Now valued at $170,000 +.

2. John Lennon's Rickenbacker.

3. Sgt. Pepper suits.

These items belong and still own by The Beatles respective families.

Beatles collectors are not much driven solely for investment, because obviously the prices of these pieces can be very volatile. High priced one week, and down on the floor the next.

What drives these collectors are the passion and thrill of ownership because a very ordinary thing can turn into something magical just by the powerfully strong association with The Beatles.

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Collecting Animation Cels

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Animation cels, short for cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate. It's a clear plastic sheet that original drawings were made.

Collecting animation cels started when the full length animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became so popular. Disney studio at the time began to recognize the value of the animators' works.

Today animation art is prized by collectors. Especially with the advent of computer generated graphics cels are no longer used for animation. That's why they are rare and collectible. Little Mermaid in 1989 was the last movie, that cels were used.

Hardcore collectors only collect what they call production art, original animation cels that were used in a movie or a popular series. For animation cels collectors, their collections reminded them of a fantastic moment in films or evoke particular memories from their childhood. Their passion runs deep, they must own a piece of a memorable movie.

The areas in animation cels collecting are varied.

1. Collecting animation cels from one single studio. e.g. Disney, Hanna-Barbera etc.

2. The characters pose whether they using the phone, standing up etc.

3. If the animation cels come with the original background or with matching sketch.

4. If you are only interested in collecting production art( original cels), reproduction art, limited editions or sericels.

Extremely rare and sought after animation cels like the top quality Earle background for Sleeping Beauty would fetch five figure top dollar.

I loved my daily afternoon cartoons when i was a kid....Moby Dick, Mightor, Road Runner, Wacky Races.

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Collecting Playing Cards

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Aside from being used as a gaming device in parlor games, playing cards were also use as a practical platform for representing life's rudimentary facts, a memory aid, teaching and research tool for condensing knowledge.

Playing cards can served as records of social history, depicting how political figures, cultural touchstones and historical events were regarded in their time. As in the admiring caricatures of the Kennedy clan in the Kennedy Kards distributed in 1963.

Playing cards also served as advertising for a particular product or services, fortunetelling tool, erotica and souvenirs. Lately it has been used by prison inmates in the hopes of getting tips to solve cold case crimes.

Many countries and cultures around the world have a major or minor hand in the evolution of the playing cards today:

1. As early as 10th century in China a domino like paper form emerged

2. Italians handpainted playing cards with utmost details and superb artistic skills.

3. Germans learned how to engraved the cards for mass production and reduction of the costs.

4. The French incorporated the Queen in the previously all male court cards. Also they changed the suits from coins ,cups, staves and swords to red color diamonds and hearts and black spades and clubs. Obviously the French suit system is what we use today globally.

5. The Americans incorporated the Joker originally called The Best Bower in 1870.


These are some of the themes or areas you might be interested in collecting playing cards.


1. Collect from one single manufacturer of playing cards e.g. Bee, Bicycle etc.

2. Advertising decks especially if the business it advertised was off the market a long time ago.

3. Magician cards, these are specially designed cards to help the performer stage an optical illusion.

4. Playing cards that are cross-collectibles e.g Disney, Coca Cola, Star wars, American-Indian Memorabilia as in a deck called " Indians of the Southwest" sold at auction for $500.

5. Playing Cards of different sizes and shapes.

6. Playing cards with artistically and intricately designed backs.

7. Transformation decks, which have suit symbols in elaborate designs, like concealing a heart in a face or club in the shape of a bonnet.

8. Collecting only Jokers from varieties of decks.

Collect what pleases you. That's the cardinal rule of collecting.

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Collecting Snowglobes

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The most popular kind of snow globes ( also know as snow domes or snow shakers) that people collect are the Disney Snow globes.

They have a wide selection of snow globes devoted to Disney characters like Snowhite, Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the beast, the Lion king, Pirates of the Caribbean etc.

Before most snowglobes are of average size. Nowadays snow globes have this huge display on the outside and the little globe is put in the middle and come with musical boxes and figurines. See the picture above.

The precursor of the snowglobes were glass paperweights.

Snowglobes were first made and sold in France to tourists in the 1880's containing a model of Eiffel Tower commemorating a significant event in French History. Soon after, these tiny water filled globes were so popular in Europe made its way to America in the 1920's. Snowglobes were also served as advertising giveaways in the 1940's.The first plastic snowglobes were manufactured in the fifties.

Snowglobes were particularly sold in roadside attraction, famous landmarks, museums, old homes of famous people.

Vintage snowglobes that are considered rare and collectible usually depicted scenes representing remote, abandoned or no longer existed.

Snowglobes aren't just Christmas related. There are many sports team that have a snowglobe collectible for their loyal fans. There are snowglobes for NFL and Nascar fans or even containing replicas of famous sports stadiums.

It was believed that upper class Victorian families who had a thing for the kitsch bought and collected snowglobes made of glass.

When it comes to snowglobe collecting, one should keep in mind the temperature and space you have in your house. As your collection grows space would surely be running out.

When it gets too hot or too cold glass snowglobes may break if the liquid inside freezes or boils. Always remember, the liquid inside snowglobes will evaporate as time goes by.

The fascination of snowglobes and why people love to collect these things is because when we look into the snowglobe is like looking into another world that is continously winter. Shake it and its impossible to resist the silent peaceful magic unlike a real snowfall its get slushy and needs to be shoveled. You can't resist watching that drifting snow, totally drawn into the scene and feel the rest of the world recede us.

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Collecting Jigsaw Puzzles

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One of the world's largest jigsaw puzzles is composed of 18,000 pieces.If you are what they called a die hard puzzler, do you think you are up to the challenge?

The many appeals of jigsaw puzzles are that it is inexpensive form of entertainment. Forget shopping, going out to restaurants, movies,clubs or bars just to beat boredom when you don't have the dough.

Jigsaw puzzles is the solution. It can be both solitary or group activity. Once you have completed the puzzle you can mess it up again, and pass it on to another family member or friend for him or her to enjoy.See? its really cheap.

You feel a sense of accomplishment once you complete the puzzle. Its a great way to unwind and de-stress. Or be lost in thought, experience a flow and just be oblivious to your surroundings. Mind you, not many activities get you into that particular state of mind. Albeit, you can but it can be very expensive, illegal, immoral or fattening. Let me digress.

What jigsaw puzzles can do for you nowadays is a far cry from what it was originally intended hundrerd years ago. To learn geography, from large wooden cut out pieces of glued on world maps is nice, but later innovations made it smaller pieces on die cast cardboard and made it more adult friendly.

You can collect vintage wooden puzzles, card board jigsaw puzzles, interlocking or not ( easily broken up when you move the puzzle) or you may want to collect jigsaw puzzles from a certain maker, or the degree of difficulty ( irregular pieces wherein you can't start from the edge) it's all up to you. You go where your interests lie.

Study some price guides on the subject. With knowledge at your arsenal, you can confidently scour yard sales, flea markets, games, toys and ephemera shows or you can sit and click on ebay. This two pronged approach to collect jigsaw puzzles is always the best way to do it.

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Collecting Clarice Cliff Pottery

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Clarice Cliff the Stoke on Trent born art deco designer, revolutionised British pottery. It was the 1920's the decade of the Depression, when Cliff created of what was to become the unmistakably famous of all her designs called Bizarre.

The odd shaped defective wares that went with the newly acquired Newport Pottery factory,presented an interesting challenge for Cliff. She covered the imperfections of the vast stock of wares with vividly rich coloured hand paintings and boldly innovated it with geometric triangles with on glaze enamels that made the pieces even more brightly coloured.

She said "color seems to radiate happiness and the spirit of modern life". And that was what she created with her pottery. A sense of joy and limitless possibilities. According to her the British wives deserved a bit more gaiety in their lives.

If you have an eye for the collectable you wouldn't want to miss a Clarice Cliff made sugar sifters, biscuit barrels, sauce boats, conical shaped coffee pots, jampots, vases, bowls,statuettes, toby and lotus jugs, plates and tea sets.If the piece has a back stamp that says Clarice Cliff Newport Pottery England or Royal Staffordshire Ceramic/Dinnerware by Clarice Cliff then you have a collectible.

Cliff made roughly 700 designs in her lifetime. Her range of patterns like Applique, Inspiration, Fantasque, Crocus and of course Bizarre are among her most commercially successful.

A lot of design pundits in those days considered Cliff an aberration. For them, Cliff's artistic merits were arguable. Even Queen Mary dismissed Cliff's unconventional work "awful". Oh well, Cliff's creations may not look very refined to royalty but heck, Clarice was a free spirit.

She instructed her team of hand paintresses ( Bizarre girls) to make the paint thick and make the upward brushstrokes very obvious(which was at the time going against the rules). The Bizarre shop produced seemingly hand done wares for they never did the same thing twice.

More than eighty years since the heydays of Clarice Cliff, her ceramic pieces nowadays may fetch from $100 to $20,000. Cliff definitely captured the zeitgeist of her times. What's so amazing about this gifted woman is that.... to this day her work remains very collectible.

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