Beautiful vintage rocking horses will look amazing under the tree and most certainly will delight a little boy or girl. But also, check out the amazing wooden airplane!
The large stuffed doll and the jockey and red stuffed horse add another beautiful possibility for a very special child on your gift list.
Of course, there’s always a chance that these items would make a collector friend or family member very happy.
Stop in and talk to George at Bahoukas. He’ll consider lay-away if picked up BEFORE Christmas. And, of course, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Stereoscopes, Viewmasters, Nintendo, X-box and More…
Recently a young teen came into the shop sharing his love of playing albums on a record player vs mp3’s. We’re also seeing a re-birth of physical book stores. In that light, we thought we’d share these fun items that some of your kids (and adults) might enjoy and appreciate.
Of course, it’s not too early to think unusual gifts for the coming holidays!
Many of us have seen the original stereoscope, although it might have been in a museum. But it’s effect on entertainment, education, and even culture was definite. It’s amazing to think that Underwood & Underwood was producing over 25,000 images a day for the stereoscope. (See the quote below)
Claims that there was a stereoscope in every parlor in America came as early as the 1860s (Darrah, 2), but in their second wave of popularity in the 1880s-1910s, the availability of stereographs could be quantified: Underwood & Underwood, one of the three major stereographic companies in this period, produced over 25,000 images per day (Darrah, 47), and an estimated 300 million stereographs were issued between 1854 to 1920 (Wadja, 112). Selling at six for a dollar, most stereographs captured the interest of middle class consumers, but a few companies catered to the working class, providing similar views at 3 cents a piece or 85 cents per 100 (DeLeskie, 69). Found in drugstores, distributed through mail-order catalogs, given away as premiums by cereal and tea companies, and canvassed cross-country by college students (including a young Carl Sandburg), it is no wonder that many scholars consider the stereoscope as the first mass photographic medium prior to cinema or television (see Trachtenberg, Reading, 17). from xroads.Virginia.edu
Imagine learning about the wonders of the world, feeling like you were there, as you viewed the scenes in a stereoscope! There was a lot of promise. But, as you know, progress moves on and photographs, movies, and television replaced these viewers. But many saw great promise in connecting humanity at the time!
IN HIS WRITINGS ABOUT the stereoscope, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was what we would now call a tech-utopian. He declared that the stereoscope would become “the card of introduction to make all mankind acquaintances.” from BostonGlobe.com
If you’re curious as to how 3D-glasses work today (and in the movies), you may want to check out THIS LINK.
Electronic and Computer Consoles/Games
Then we moved to the beginning of electronic games in the 1970s. Many will remember their first Atari or Nintendo video games. and Sega games. In the 1990s Playstation was introduced along with the original X-Box. These links are all courtesy of Wikipedia.
NOTE: If you saw our FB question, the answer to SEGA is that originally the company provided coin-operated slot machines to U.S. bases that were called “Service Games,” later becoming SEGA! Who knew?
At Bahoukas Antique Mall you’ll be able to find some of the games for the above game stations. Stop in and see if we have one you’ve been looking for.
Of course, if you’re a real techie, then you may want to visit the following article on CNET about Virtual Reality, 360 viewing, 3-D, augmented reality and more. ENJOY!
Biking, hiking, trail rides and hayrides beckon us!
For yourself or to give as a gift this, we have some fun Motorcycle Models!
Yes, the fall brings out that feeling of “We have to get outdoors before the snows come!” Now, we know you can’t ride these since they’re just models of motorcycles. But we also know they’d look great on your collection shelf or as a gift for someone special this holiday season.
Harley Davidson Motor Cycle models / Hot WheelsA wonderful variety of Harley Davidson Motorcycle Models
Stop in soon and see what we have to offer. Pick one or two before they’re gone. Then keep on rollin’ down that highway, whether on a real bike – or in your mind. Safe travels! And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Is there a doll you always wanted? We might have it!
Some of the huge variety of dolls in our collection.
Check our front window. There’s an amazing selection of dolls from small cloth dolls to beautiful baby dolls and everything in-between! They’re in excellent condition and will surely delight a collector, or a young one whose eyes would light up with one or two of these beautiful dolls.
Beautiful Presidents’ Wives Collection, Bride doll, and Beanie Babies.
Above are wives of former presidents (l to r): Mrs. Barbara Bush, Mrs. Pat Nixon, Mrs. Jackie Kennedy, Mrs. Nancy Reagan, and Mrs. Rosalyn Carter. These dolls are beautiful. In addition, there’s a lovely bride’s doll. And the beanie babies are only a few of the collection we have acquired.
Stop in soon and take a peek. Surely there’s a perfect doll for a very special person in your life! Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
No need to complain. No one wants to hear it. The heat has been … well … BEYOND HOT!
Do you wonder what George does when it’s so HOT?
“Caught ya!”
Yep, he received a wonderful assortment of all things “Barbie” and just had to play. Here he is going through the cases and dressing the dolls.
Here’s a sampling of the latest arrivals that came during our sizzling heatwave. Stop by and check them out. Whether you’re a collector, or you just have a special young girl that you know would just LOVE these, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
See what you miss when you aren’t checking in on George!?!? Stop by soon. We are looking forward to a break in the temps this week. And yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Pressed Steel, Die-Cast, Matchbox, Hot Wheels, and Dinky
Old metal cars – pressed steel and die-cast (some plastic)
We have a wide variety of collectible cars, trucks, and more. Above is a wonderful collection of pressed steel and die-cast cars and trucks – with a few wood and plastic as well.
MatchBox cars and more…
Is there anyone who didn’t have their own collection of MatchBox cars? Is there someone in your life who may want to actually start their own collection. We have an interesting varietly of collectibles including MatchBox, Hot Wheels and Dinky to name a few.
MatchBox cars and so many others. What a wonderful way to start a collection.
It’s to be a bit rainy today. Drop by and see for yourself what we have in the store. Maybe you’ll want to purchase a couple to add to that youngster’s Easter Basket!!! Just an idea!
The most famous use of prizes in the United States (and the word “prize” in this context) is Cracker Jack brand popcorn confection. Prizes have been inserted into every package of Cracker Jack continuously since 1912. A familiar jingle to people who watched television in the United States in the 1960s and ’70s goes “Candy-coated popcorn, peanuts and a prize. That’s what you get with Cracker Jack!” Cracker Jack sales are not what they used to be, with much more competition in the snack industry and less creative prizes. The most valuable prizes found in Cracker Jack are the baseball cards distributed in 1914 and 1915. Although most of the prizes recently are just printed paper, in 2004, a complete set of 1914 Cracker Jack baseball cards — including the highly sought after “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and Ty Cobb cards — was sold for a record $800,000.
Prizes in boxes, gum, cereals, machines – well, just about anything someone can tuck a tiny prize into – are always fun. Stop by and see our Wednesday Box Surprise – a huge case of charms.
Let us know how you use these tiny charms: jewelry, art, shadow boxes? Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya. After all, it’s the first day of Spring 2019!!
At Bahoukas Antique Mall & Beer MuZeum we have a wonderful variety of toy sets to play house, buy groceries, cook and bake in the kitchen, and more.
The following describes a bit of ‘toy history.’
A great selection of kids’ pots, pans, coffee pots and more!
A toy is an item that is used in play, especially one designed for such use. Playing with toys can be an enjoyable means of training young children for life in society. Different materials like wood, clay, paper, and plastic are used to make toys. Many items are designed to serve as toys, but goods produced for other purposes can also be used. For instance, a small child may fold an ordinary piece of paper into an airplane shape and “fly it”. Newer forms of toys include interactive digital entertainment. Some toys are produced primarily as collectors’ items and are intended for display only.
The origin of toys is prehistoric; dolls representing infants, animals, and soldiers, as well as representations of tools used by adults are readily found at archaeological sites. The origin of the word “toy” is unknown, but it is believed that it was first used in the 14th century. Toys are mainly made for children. The oldest known doll toy is thought to be 4,000 years old.
Playing with toys is considered to be important when it comes to growing up and learning about the world around us. Younger children use toys to discover their identity, help their bodies grow strong, learn cause and effect, explore relationships, and practice skills they will need as adults
Kitchen accessories, baking tins, hand mixers, rolling pins and more – sized perfectly for kids!
Besides perfect toys for kids, it didn’t take long for marketers to realize the value of making kid-size representatives of their ‘brands.’ Who didn’t want a refrigerator “Just like mom’s.”
The following is a perfect example of this new marketing tactic that quickly built a huge toy market from the 1950s forward. (photo courtesy of Smithsonian Nat’l Museum of American History and Sears)
Pop into Bahoukas and see what fun items might be perfect for one of your youngsters. We really do have some great items. And yes, we’re watchin’ for ya!
By the fifties, America was moving firmly past the Second World War and into an era of unprecedented prosperity. More and more Americans felt they could afford some pleasant distractions. About this time Joseph and Gennaro Giammarino got together with John Cuomo and Abe Shikes to create a company that would become an icon of the American toy industry – Aurora Plastics Company. While you could fill a book with the history of this innovative business, we will focus on their contribution to slot cars and only briefly touch on some of their many accomplishments.
By the end of 1976, AFX sales hit their all-time high of about $45 million on the back of the stunning popularity of the new technology. Quite an increase from the roughly $15 million in sales for the line in 1970.
In doing a bit of research, we’ve been made aware that slot car racing is still alive and well in many countries. This interesting book, published in Dec. 2018, is an example of this interest.
THINGIES, a Retro Futuristic Slot Car Story
Here at Bahoukas, we have a small collection of slot cars as well as a number of slot car tracks.
Slot Car Tracks by TYCO available at Bahoukas Antiques
You can visit the Spanish site (also in English) SlotCar Today and discover how active the slot car hobby is today! It’s fascinating to realize how actively the concept of slot car racing is today.
Plus AFXRacing.com gives a great account of the many countries with a history of slot car racing.
Stop in and visit us. Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
SMURFS have been BIG business! Here’s a quote from Wikipedia:
The Smurfs is a Belgian comic book series created by Peyo in 1958. It became well-known worldwide with the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series in the 1980s. With the popularity of the Smurfs came a wide range of toys and spin-off products and use of the Smurfs in merchandising. Smurfs’ merchandising in 2008 generates about 5 to 12 million euro per year in Europe alone, while the total figure after fifty years worldwide is about $5 billion.
Do you know how many female Smurfs there are? Do you know their names? We’ll give the answer at the end of the post.
Are you familiar with FLIX?
Recently acquired: FLIX Candy Gumball Machines
No, we’re not talking about the soft fur of a beaver or software! We’re talking about the fun FLIX Candy Gumball Machines.
This recently acquired collection are in their original packaging and included Power Ranger Super Heroes and Flintstone Characters. These are another great way to start a youngster in the joy of collecting.
We invite you to bring your youngster in to browse the shop. Share your stories with them and encourage them if they show signs of wanting to ‘collect.’ We love meeting young collectors. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
The answer to the Female Smurfs: Smurfette , Sassette, and Nanny. When the movies came out, more were created.
Yes, small is beautiful … and fun! These cars, trucks are more are proof!
Do you remember playing with Hot Wheels and other little cars and trucks as a kid? Do you share that fun with your own kids or grand kids?
At Bahoukas we have a wide variety of small metal and plastic mini-vehicles. From fire trucks to construction equipment, possibly your favorite car of your youth, we have scores to choose from.
These little cars have a long history… TootsieToy made die cast cars in the 50s. They were crude and not very detailed. Then MatchBox hit the market in the mid-50s. And Hot Wheels burst onto the scene in the 60s.
We have a variety of the scale model, mini-vehicles and believe it’s a great way to share your stories of playing with them (and, of course, sharing those favorite ‘car stories’) with the youngsters in your life. It’s also a great way to start the kids collecting. What a wonderful way to enjoy years gone by.
The following quote from an article at Hemmings.com shares the love of these mini-cars in those early years:
Before you could drive, there was the desire to drive. Before you could put your name on a pink slip, you could ask Grandpa for a dollar to buy something cool. The rip of the package, the smell of the fresh paint that escaped the blisterpack, the bounce of the suspension, the fast roll of your new ride. More than a few car junkies will have to admit that playing with (and collecting) Hot Wheels was their first step into loving cars.
Stop in at Bahoukas and see the variety of die-cast cars and more. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Of course, you’ve seen our Christmas Tree decorated with PEZ! And we have a huge selection in our shop. Did you know that George has an entire room in his home dedicated to PEZ. Yup, he sure does!
Canning labels are very collectible and can add to your kitchen decor as well.
Canning was a major industry in Havre de Grace for many decades. And collecting canning labels is a passion for many. Our label reprints make for some very colorful items to create decorative pieces especially for your kitchen.
We encourage you to visit Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum to discover our many ‘collections.’ George really is a “Collector of Collections”! We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
One of the things we hear people saying is how ‘commercial’ Christmas is. We can help change that if you visit us at Bahoukas Antique Mall. We have a wonderful variety of toys and gifts that add value and excitement to your gift-giving.
Above is a well made, wooden firetruck sure to please that young toddler on your list. Nothing fancy, nothing to break, just a great toy! Stop by and see it for yourself.
Create a reader with these Golden Books and more
Remember all of your favorite books of years gone by. You can bet that we have some of them in our store. Come browse our children’s book section and find a couple that you’ll definitely want to share with the young reader on your list. Remember, there’s nothing kids love more than having you read to or with them!
Lunch Boxes for nearly every tv show or movie character.
Everyone had a favorite tv or movie character, often on their favorite lunch box. We have a huge collection of character lunch boxes that you’ll surely discover the perfect one for the lunch-carrying kid on your gift list. Or maybe, they just want to hide their treasures in one. Oh, and don’t forget, there are ‘big kids’ that love carrying one of these to work! So come in and pick out a couple for those on your gift-list that carry lunches or have treasures to hide!
Puzzles and more…
This is only one shelf of a huge collection of puzzles for all ages. We have large puzzles of 6-8 pieces for the toddler, 24 pcs for the pre-school, and plenty of other puzzles of all shapes, sizes, and number of pieces to entertain any puzzle lover – toddler to adult!
So while you’re enjoying tonight’s Holly Jolly First Friday with parade at 6, the lighting of the tree, carolers and stilt walkers, Santa’s arrival, shops open late, plenty of eateries – indoors and outdoors, take a few minutes to check out all that we have to offer for those on your gift list (and yes, even for yourself)! You can always come back tomorrow when the kids aren’t with you.
In the meantime, enjoy the festivities. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
That was in 2016. It’s projected to be 8.12 billion U.S. dollars in 2021! Yes, that’s BILLIONS! *
BOARD GAMES THRIVE and we’ve got them!
George just added about 75 games to his game shelf. Some of them have never been opened. Yep, you know George, can’t leave a good deal behind. So we’ve started cleaning the toy area to make room. Check out our game shelves!
Not only do we have new and nearly new games, but we also have older and very collectible games. There are games for every age and every type. Like puzzles? You won’t believe the unique puzzle-twisters we have. Seriously, stop in and check them out (while they’re still neatly stacked!).
Yes, Games are IN! So if you, your family, and friends enjoy a game or two, you just might want to stop in and see what we have. I can guarantee we have games you’ve never seen that are positively amazing. Try one. Surprise your family with a unique game. Consider this:
Board games are returning as a mainstream entertainment among families, kids, and even child-less millennials looking for a new way to socialize with friends.
The board game boom has not only led to the creation of new games but also to cafes and bars focused on gaming. from CNBC.com
Seriously, if games are on your list for Holiday Gift Giving or just to be ready for the coming holiday fun, you’ll want to drop by and see what we have. And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya! And while we’re thinking of it, how about a game cafe!! Of course, or local coffee shops and pubs might be just the place!
Howdy Doody was an American children’s television program (with circus and Western frontier themes) that was created and produced by E. Roger Muir and telecast on the NBC network in the United States from December 27, 1947, until September 24, 1960. It was a pioneer in children’s television programming and set the pattern for many similar shows. One of the first television series produced at NBC in Rockefeller Center, in Studio 3A, it was also a pioneer in early color production as NBC (at the time owned by TV maker RCA) used the show in part to sell color television sets in the 1950s.
Remember this – here’s a show from 1947 from YouTube!
Click on the Wikipedia link for the history of the Howdy Doody Show. It’s most interesting. Also, we share a few photos from the show (also from Wikipedia ). Do you remember these characters? Did you have a favorite?
The other items in the top photo, available at Bahoukas Antique Mall in Havre de Grace include, a 1950s Howdy Doody puppet, on the left is a 1960s cloth hand puppet with a plastic clown face, goat and fox “push puppets”, a 1970s lady hand puppet and int the front right is a plastic frog hand puppet from the 1970s.
BRIEF HISTORY OF PUSH PUPPETS…
….where did they come from ? When were they first made? All Puppets in photos are from my own collection. Push puppets were first made in Switzerland by a wooden toy maker, Walter Kourt Walss in 1932. These articulated,wobbling toys were known as WAKOUWAS; taken from the first few letters of each of Walter’s names! The dancing, wiggling toys are now known by many different names around the world from Pomsie’s Push Puppets
Take a peek at the Pomsie site … you’ll even see a Howdy Doody push puppet!
It took three times around the shop to actually find all the ‘play horses!’ And we’re not even talking about the horse figurines, which we’ve posted in the past. These amazing rocking/springy/bouncy children’s horses come in all shapes and sizes. But don’t stop there.
We also have several wooden horses including this Fench Rocking Horse from the early 1900s. It’s not in the best of shape, but someone out there could create a beautiful upcycled pieced, we’re certain.
The other fun ‘horse-y’ items are the 1940s stuffed horse and jockey. These are just too cute.
You might notice in our slideshow two unique pieces. One is a stick horse which requires actually walking/running around pretending you’re riding a real horse. Hey, exercise that’s fun! The other is a huge wagon wheel. Why? I don’t know, just seemed to fit with horses. One is all metal; the other is wood with a flat metal tire. These are large wagon wheels at least 3 feet in diameter. Can you come up with a unique upcycle?
Stop in and think creatively. Whether you purchase one for your bouncing, active little one or you upcycle it in some way, we have a nice selection to choose from. Stop by and share your stories of playing on your bouncy, springy, rocking horse. Yessireeee… we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Father-In-Law Day honors your loving, funny, and cheerful father-in-law. Okay, so perhaps sometimes he is a little grumpy and intimidating. Regardless of his personality and charms, this day is dedicated to your spouse’s Dad. And, he certainly deserves a little recognition.
Good ways to celebrate this day are to send him a card, spend a little time with him, or give him his favorite snack.
Important note: If you gave your Father-In-Law recognition on Father’s Day, it’s okay to give him a little recognition and a show of appreciation today, too.
To help you celebrate Father-in-Law Day, we thought we’d round up a couple items that may be of interest. Of course, we have plenty of other interesting ideas if our 9,000+ sq ft or retail space.
It’s also International Friendship Day!
The world is filled with too much hatred, too much fighting and too much mistrust of others. The International Day of Friendship is certainly an opportunity to stop, and to reverse, these worldwide problems.
According to the United Nations, the official sponsor of this special day, the International Day of Friendship is day set aside to promote friendship among peoples, cultures and countries. Today is a time to encourage efforts towards peace, and to build bridges among different people. It is a day of respect for others, and a day to celebrate diversity.
According to the United Nations, on this day people, groups and governments should hold events and activities to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation.
On an individual level, use this day to promote friendship in big and small ways. You can begin by “extending an olive branch” to a sibling or a family member, a neighbor, or an old friend who we’ve had a falling out with. If we all try just a little the world will be a friendlier, more peaceful place.
This was a bit trickier to find in our store. But when we thought of friendship, these pieces came to mind:
The origin of International Day of Friendship has roots as far back as 1919 in the United States. The country of Paraguay first celebrate this day on an national level on July 30, 1958. Other countries with early celebrations include: several countries in South America, Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia. Different countries celebrated this day on varying dates in July, August and April.
In 2011, the United Nations declared this an official international day, to be celebrated annually on July 30th.
Finally, this month we celebrate MUTT’S DAY!
Mutts deserve their day in the spotlight, as much as a pure breed. If you own a mutt, or you are a mutt (reading this), then you know this day is for you.
By definition a mutt, sometimes called a “Half-breed”, is a dog that is of mixed breed. They come from two to several breeds. Purebred owners, and sometimes the public in general, view them as lesser in many ways. Mutt owners know better. They value the diversity and uniqueness of their mutts. Sure, a mutt doesn’t carry the expensive price tag that a purebred with papers has on its head. To the mutt owner, however, the mutt is invaluable. In addition, mutts don’t walk around needing to prove anything. You won’t see them strutting around any dog shows trying to prove they are the best.
To all mutts and and mutt owners, we hope you thoroughly enjoy Mutt’s Day. Spend the day relaxing and doing all the things you and your dog like to do. Do so with both of your chins held high. For your mutt is worth a million bucks!
We have soapy’s and PEZ, a figurine and pull toy, and a large figurine to celebrate Mutt’s Day!
This rounds out our month of unique and interesting holidays that are fun to celebrate. We enjoyed the search for both the holiday and the gift ideas! Of course, no one needs one of our silly reasons to stop in and check us out. It’s just 9,000 sq ft of treasure hunting. So stop in soon. Yes, we definitely will be watchin’ for ya!
We have a variety of Ice Cream scoops and a few unique dishes for enjoying your ice cream. From HolidayHindsightswe’ve learned:
National Vanilla Ice Cream Day celebrates one of Americas favorite ice cream flavors.
Vanilla and chocolate ice cream vies for the taste buds ice cream lovers. Chocolate may win the popularity contest. But, vanilla is a close second. It is also more refreshing, and more versatile.
Its easy to celebrate Vanilla Ice Cream Day on a hot summer day like today. Enjoy it in a cone, a dish, a float, a shake, or in a cake. If you get it in a cone today, ask for extra scoops, and worry about the calories later. Just make sure to eat it quickly, before it melts.
We might add that a trip to Bomboy’s Ice Cream on Market Street just might make the day perfect.
To help with celebrating Old Joke Day on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, we share these thoughts from HolidayHindsights:
No doubt about it. Today, will be a fun-filled day, with lots of laughter. To fully participate and enjoy this day, just tell some jokes. You can do it in person, or pass along a few humorous emails. That’s easy enough to do. The more jokes you tell, the more fun this day will be. We also encourage you to listen to many jokes today. Everybody is getting into the act, and in order to tell a joke, someone has to be present to listen to the joke.
To celebrate Tell An Old Joke Day, we have 2 ‘adult jokes’, wonderful MAD Magazines, Jack & Jill Magazines (that always had fun jokes), and an 8mm film “Have Badge, Will Chase” with Abbott &* Costello!
… on Tell an Old Joke Day, you should tell old jokes. The logic behind this, is to keep old jokes from fading away. If they were once funny, they will still produce a laugh. On National Tell a Joke Dayon August 16th, you can tell a new joke, or an old one.
So come on by and pick up an ice cream scoop, a pretty dish to enjoy your ice cream, and grab a magazine for a joke or two! Hey, maybe you have an old joke you want to share with us. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
