ON THE COVER -
June Issue 2006
Bride and Groom Wedding Cake Toppers....by Robert Reed
Symbols of love and togetherness, figures of the bride and groom have adorned the traditional wedding cake for well over a century. They are known affectionately as toppers. The most famous of all wedding cake toppers, the bride and groom, are no longer just keepsakes of the newly weds. They, like so many other vintage wedding items, are attracting collectors. "Once considered valuable only to the persons who owned them," proclaims the Antique Trader Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide, "wedding cake toppers have become increasingly sought after collectibles."

Q. I have located a dinette set and hutch made by the Phoenix Chair Company. The people who are selling it think it is from around 1940. I can't find anything about the company or the furniture. The set is in excellent condition. Can you give me any more information on it? Here is a description of the furniture. There is a table and four chairs with the hutch which has a top with a glass door and shelves. The hutch base has a deep drawer for storage. The stenciling on the chairs, a flower basket on the backs, is in great shape. There is a removable glass top for the table which was hand cut to match the curves on the top of the table. Thank you for your time.

Father's Day Greetings....by Judy Penz Sheluk
"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." Mark Twain (1835-1910). Although the first 'official' Father's Day was celebrated in the 20th century, the intention can be traced back 4,000 years, when a young Babylonian named Elmesu carved a message for his father. The message, carved in clay, wished his father good health and a long life.

THE ANTIQUE DETECTIVE
Small Table Designs Changed Over The Centuries
From the 18th century on small tables were designed for different purposes, and the changing needs of growing upper classes. As the structure of society changed, bringing new fashions and manners, a wide variety of small pieces of furniture were created. Increasing trade with the Far East put money into the small merchants hands, that formed a middle class. Anxious to keep up with the established upper class they began filling their homes with fine furniture. However, since their homes were modest and the rooms smaller, furniture had to be scaled down for their needs.

Collecting Smoker's Memorabilia.....by Maureen Timm
Prior to World War I smoking was primarily a man's world, but it wasn't very long before the ladies joined the men and manufacturers began to design their products to appeal to the female as well. The cigarette case evolved from the cigar case and in the 1930s cases appeared in silver, plated silver and metals enameled to appeal to the ladies. Two tone cases appeared in black and white and some made of rolled gold-plate with enameled panel designs.

A Gainesville Florida Gem....by Carol J. Perry
A discreet plaque on the side of the sprawling, red-roofed, Mediterranean Revival-style building proclaims "The Thomas Center." The citizens of Gainesville, Florida take justifiable pride in the handsome building, home to the City of Gainesville Department of Cultural Affairs. To look at the cream-colored structure set in the midst of a lush, tree-shaded, six-acre expanse of manicured gardens, the visitor would never guess that little more than two decades ago this architectural gem was slated for the wrecker's ball.

THE ANTIQUE DETECTIVE
Samplers Show Artistry of Women & Children
Some of the most collectible and charming samplers were made in the early 19th century by American children. Needlework was taught at that time in American schools and the alphabet sampler served as a practice work. They are the most common examples that turn up in shops and auctions. Often they followed the school formats. Designs often were in brown, blue or black on tan. They date earlier in England to the 18th century.

The Magical Wonderland of Disney Books....by Roy Nuhn
If you believe an elephant can fly, a mouse can talk, and a cricket can croon "When You Wish Upon a Star," you're obviously a Walt Disney fan and a prime candidate to become a collector of memorabilia from the Magic Kingdom. Areas of interest inspired by Walt Disney and his famous Hollywood studio are almost limitless. Just a partial list of collecting categories would have to include toys, dolls, movie posters, paper dolls, comic strips, board games, wrist watches, and premiums of every kind. But by far, the most collected Disney treasures are the books - books in every shape, color and size, books for every purpose, books almost without end.