Do you know the history behind the plastic pink flamingo?
First designed in 1957, the fake birds are natives not of Florida but of Leominster, Massachusetts, which bills itself as the Plastics Capital of the World. At a nearby art school, sculptor Don Featherstone was hired by the plastics company Union Products, where his second assignment was to sculpt a pink flamingo.
…A flamingo-friendly trend was the sameness of post-World War II construction. Units in new subdivisions sometimes looked virtually identical. “You had to mark your house somehow,” Featherstone says. “A woman could pick up a flamingo at the store and come home with a piece of tropical elegance under her arm to change her humdrum house.” Also, “people just thought it was pretty,” adds Featherstone’s wife, Nancy.
Part of this amazing story is that Don Featherstone’s net worth was about 5 million dollars.
Our beautiful, pink flamingo TIN sculpture stands 4′ high.
By the mid-1960s, the environmental back-to-nature movement more-or-less declared the very word ‘plastic’ an adjective for fake, and the American Dream was exposed as an empty ideal based in consumerism.
The plastic flamingo became a bit of a class symbol as in, “Oh I’d never have that in MY yard!” The whole idea of ‘plastics’ was now gauche.
Enter John Waters of Baltimore
In 1972, Waters released the film Pink Flamingos, which was called both an abomination and an instant classic. The movie has almost nothing to do with the tropical fowl that stand sentinel during the opening credits…
The plastic pink flamingo following WWII was received as a symbol of the American Dream and optimism. Later it became the ridicule of all things plastic! Only to be revived as a kind of cult acceptance.
The plastic pink flamingo is a perfect example of perceived style going ‘out’ and returning years later. Sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sometimes with genuine appreciation, the pink flamingo seems to be a mainstay in American Culture, often just to be a bit silly or even contrarian!
But OUR PINK FLAMINGO is the creme de la creme – she’s a beautiful tin (not plastic) sculpture.
So whatever reason you might have to own a pink flamingo, you’ll definitely want to consider ours!
In the media and fiction, plastic flamingos are often used as a symbol of kitsch, bad taste and cheapness.
The movie Pink Flamingos is named after them and helped them become an icon of trash and kitsch.
In the television sitcom ALF, jokes about the garden flamingos of the neighboring Ochmonek couple are a running gag.
In the computer game The Sims, plastic flamingos are the cheapest garden decoration.
The animated film Gnomeo & Juliet features a garden flamingo named after its inventor, Featherstone, voiced by Jim Cummings.
In the television show The X-Files episode Arcadia (The X-Files), Mulder places one on the lawn of his rented house, contrary to the neighbourhood rules.
Here at Bahoukas, we try to be able to share a bit of trivia with our collections. As you can tell from this article, we work to discover little tidbits that will make your purchase extra special! Don’t forget, we’re hear and ready to say, “Welcome” (and maybe share a bit of trivia with you)!
Another wonderful addition to our many, many collections just came in the door recently. A beautiful assortment of Classics Illustrated comics from the 1940s! Hurry in and see if you can find one that might be missing from your collection. Or maybe you’re ready to ‘start’ collecting!
Biographies to Books to Superheroes!
These are so much fun to look at from the amazing art work to the stories and more…
Just two samples:
I know some folks see comics as ‘wasting time.’ But the Classics Illustrated series offers recognized books in comic form. Everyone can enjoy the classics! In Britain, they’ve created Classical Comics, founded in 2007, offering selections that include Shakespeare and Dickins.
Classics Illustrated is an American comic book/magazine series featuring adaptations of literary classics such as Les Miserables, Moby-Dick, Hamlet, and The Iliad. Created by Albert Kanter, the series began publication in 1941 and finished its first run in 1969, producing 169 issues. Following the series’ demise, various companies reprinted its titles. Since then, the Classics Illustrated brand has been used to create new comic book adaptations. This series is different from the Great Illustrated Classics, which is an adaptation of the classics for young readers that includes illustrations, but is not in the comic book form.
Remember, you just never know what collections and items might arrive in our shop. So stop in often and find the perfect piece for your collection. Better yet, start a new one! We’re here and ready to say, “Welcome to Bahoukas!”
WINGS – a series from TOPPS non-sports collector trading cards
We’re excited to once again add posts to our website!
We’ve updated regularly on our FB page, but we’ve ignored our website. We hope you’ll enjoy our new posts and visit our store. We’re located in a wonderful community that not only managed to survive, but actually thrive this past year. We are grateful! Masks are not required at this time, but if you wish to wear one you are most welcome.
TOPPS WINGS Series Trading Cards
The Topps Company, Inc. is an American company that manufactures chewing gum, candy, and collectibles. Based in New York City, Topps is best known as a leading producer of American football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, soccer, and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.
It is currently the only baseball card manufacturer with a contract with Major League Baseball. Topps also produces cards under the brand names Allen & Ginter and Bowman.
“Wings” was the second Giant Size set issued by Topps, right in the midst of the 1952 Baseball cards retail blitz. Hugely popular, the set’s 200 cards feature a sweeping array of aircraft, mostly planes, displayed in colorful, if slightly muted tones. The fronts feature the aircraft’s name in a large font together with some military affiliation information in a black text box below. Reverses feature a large card number, a block of text, some statistics about the craft presented in a fashion similar to the stats on the 1952 baseball cards and a feature called “Friend or Foe”, which displayed silhouettes of planes and played on the fact the nation was still at war. The backs also have the usual T.C.G. copyright, a 1952 date and a “Courtesy Herald Tribune, Inc.” credit line, presumably for the text.
The Modern Hobby Guide to Topps Chewing Gum: 1938 to 1956 by David Hornish.
Memorial Day weekend seems the perfect time to highlight these latest collections that arrived in our shop. May we remember the sacrifice our Veterans made and honor them.
Bowman’s U.S. Naval Victories Trading Cards
The Bowman Gum Company was a Philadelphia-based manufacturer of bubble gum and trading cards in the period surrounding World War II. It was founded by Jacob Warren Bowman in 1927.
Bowman produced a line of baseball cards, which were highly popular in the 1940s. Bowman also produced American football and basketball cards. The company was acquired by Topps in 1956, and the brand was discontinued.
Bowman’s 1954 U.S. Naval Victories card set consists of 48 cards. Issued against the real-life backdrop of the Cold War, each card evokes a sense of patriotism by displaying an American battle at sea from the beginning of the nation’s history to the early 1950s. The front of each card features only a colorfully drawn battle scene within a small white frame. Card backs (printed in blue ink) identify the set title, card title, card number, a brief description of the scene, and a quiz on “Do you know your Navy’s insignia?”
Please enjoy a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. Be sure to take some time to honor the Veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Be safe in all ways. And be sure to stop by BAHOUKAS ANTIQUES AND BEER MUZEUM in Havre de Grace, MD. We’ll be waiting to say, “Welcome!”
The word “pickle” comes from a Dutch word ‘pekel’ or northern German ‘pókel’ meaning “salt” or “brine,” two components that are essential in the pickling process. Pickling in America is largely synonymous with the act of submerging cucumbers (or other fruits or vegetables) into a salty brine or acidic solution along with various spices to create an environment where no unhealthy bacteria can survive and your vegetable is preserved.
Stoneware crocks were used for pickling and fermenting foods for centuries! The process also gives you an easy and effortless way to make probiotic-rich fermented foods a part of your life. And if you remember pickles or sauerkraut from your grandmother’s pantry, you probably remember the flavor being much more complex and tasty than those you buy in a jar today.
Historically, the process of pickling was a necessity and an invaluable way to preserve foods for sailors and travelers. It provided families with food through the colder months.
If you’re interested in an easy-to-read introduction to pickling/fermenting,CLICK HERE for a great blog post and answers to the many questions you might have. And one more site that may be of interest in choosing and caring for a crock, CLICK HERE.
More stoneware crocks and jugs available at Bahoukas Antique Mall
But maybe you just love, love, love these old crocks and jugs. Visit this pagefor photos of great ways to decorate with crock pots – 36 ways, in fact.
Maybe you’ve found a container that you’d like to make it ‘look’ like an old crock. Here’s a great do-it-yourself solution.
So, as you can see, we have the crocks and jugs. You can decide which ones you like and how you might use them. Stop in soon and choose your favorites. Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Early optical Laserdisc technology was invented by David Paul Gregg in 1958. By the time Gregg had patented his transparent videodisc system in 1961 and again in 1969 he decided to sell the patents to electronics manufacturer Philips. Philips had already been working on a reflective videodisc system at the time and gaining ownership of Gregg’s invention helped them push technology forward. Philips’ main goal with the Laserdisc was to sell feature films on them to consumers, so they teamed up with MCA, an entertainment company that owned the rights to the largest catalog of films at the time, to bring the Laserdisc technology to market. Collaboratively, Philips and MCA demonstrated the technology in 1972 and made it available for consumers on December 15, 1978. Philips manufactured the hardware players and MCA made the discs. The format went by many names including DiscoVision, but most referred to it as Laserdisc. from CultureandCommunication.org
A little more of the history…
DVA traces its beginnings to 1965 with the formation of Gauss Electrophysics, a company started by David Paul Gregg to pursue the storage of video information on optical disc media. At the time, video information was stored on large reels of large-width magnetic tape. Magnetic tape and the equipment used to read and record magnetic tape was expensive at that time, while VHS and Betamax tape systems were still years away from being created.
During the time that David Paul Gregg formed Gauss Electrophysics, MCA (the movie company) was interested in finding a suitable storage medium to mass market MCA’s large movie library to consumers to allow people to watch MCA’s movies in their homes. MCA learned about the work being performed at Gauss Electrophysics and purchased the company in 1968.
The Laserdisc format was more popular in Japan than it was in North America because it was a big force in the anime market. Collectors of anime content helped drive the sales of the format in Japan.
The instant-seeking functionality of Laserdiscs allowed developers to create interactive video games for LD players. The most popular LD game was Dragon’s Lair and it used pre-recorded animated scenes to tell a story. A user would use a remote or joystick to command the story to move forward and make decision for the on-screen characters. Gameplay was similar to current RPGs.
Although Laserdisc is a dead format today, it was a major stepping stone for the industry to reach modern technologies such as the CD, DVD, and MiniDisc. Many of David Paul Gregg’s early patents were licensed by companies to create these formats we know today.
We have a laserdisc player and a number of fine movies available at Bahoukas
JAWS – The first LaserDisc title marketed in North America was the MCA DiscoVision release of Jaws on December 15, 1978. The last title released in North America was Paramount’s Bringing Out the Dead on October 3, 2000.
Powder Horns and other unique items can be discovered at Bahoukas!
Our shop offers a dizzying array of antiques and collectibles. But don’t let that make your head hurt. Just give yourself time to browse our 9,000 sq ft of yesteryear! From Havre de Grace history to the amazing Beer MuZeum and everything in-between, you’ll be recalling stories from childhood!
Just two photos of the unique collectibles that we have are the recent selection of collectible/antique powder horns and the medical/pharmaceutical collectibles below.
This is just one tiny shelf of the medical/pharmaceutical/advertising collectibles in our shop.
Along with very practical mortar and pestle sets, we have many unique medical collectibles that will remind you of products that you may have used in your early years or even items your parents/grandparents may have mentioned.
Whether you just like owning a few ‘conversation pieces,’ or you collect them en masse, we just might have the item that will suit your need or complete your collection.
Stop in soon and enjoy your own adventure as you travel our nostalgia lane! Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
What a super package of games – something for everyone!
Young or old, everyone loves a great board game. At Bahoukas Antique Mall we have hundreds to choose from.
Seriously – hundreds of games!
So come and enjoy the Havre de Grace Ice Festival 2020, then return home to warm up and enjoy board games with family and friends! Stop in to pick a game or two. Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Doesn’t this window just make you feel warm and cozy?
What an inviting window display to encourage you to step inside Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum! Although we’ve just had an amazingly warm January weekend, we know it won’t last. Stop in and see what we might have to keep you busy on a colder January day!
A wonderful collection of spiced tins, vegetable cans, scales, iron, pottery, blackboard, and more all waiting for you to visit Bahoukas!
The entire window reminds you of the cozy warmth of days of yore. Here we see a variety of spice tins and vegetable cans, scales, irons, old shoes, pottery, a blackboard and so much more.
Stop by and take a look. See how inviting it is. Then pop in and tell Norma you love her window designs! And, of course, everyone at Bahoukas is watchin’ for ya!
Did you know the first glues created by chemist William Nelson LePage were formed from fish skins. The above LePage’s became a household name throughout North America. Between 1880 and 1887, LePage’s sold 50 million – 50 MILLION – bottles of glue worldwide!
This information is from the book, fascinating canada, a book of questions and answers, by John Robert Colombo, 2011.
William Nelson LePage Born August 25, 1849, and died September 14, 1919
Seventy years ago Le Page was born in Prince Edward Island. His mother was a great-granddaughter of that Thomas Spratt, who was Bishop of Rochester and Dean of Westminster. As a boy Le Page crossed to the United States, became a chemist, settled in Gloucester, Mass., and there established a factory for utilizing the by-products of fish.
In time he placed upon the market mucilage and glue which bore his name. He became wealthy and in the pages of Harper’s Magazine and in other popular journals of the seventies he initiated advertising campaigns which startled the American public. He is said to have spent a fortune in advertising his product. He was among the forerunners of the great national advertisers of the present time. His success with such an ordinary product as mucilage and glue having inspired other manufacturers of that period to successfully try out the mysterious powers of printers’ ink in marketing their products.
Le Page invented many preserving processes. He invented a holster for a pistol. He invented a rowlock which he sold to Admiral de Gama of Brazil for a small fortune.
A selection of cast iron skillets and more at Bahoukas
The History of Cast Iron Cookware
The first known use of cast iron cookware was during the Han Dynasty in China, around 220 A.D. Casting techniques became widespread in Europe by the 16th century, and since then, this versatile equipment has been a staple in households all over the world. In 1707, Abraham Darby patented the sand casting method, which is similar to the way we make cast iron today. Because of Darby’s contribution, the 18th and 19th centuries saw a boom in cast iron cookware. Cast iron pots and pans were so important to daily life that in his book, The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith says they were worth more than gold. Cast iron cookware saw a decline in the 20th century as other cooking materials like aluminum grew in popularity.
Many pieces that seem too difficult to clean-up may be handled with several soakings in vinegar. That and other suggestions are in the following video.
A very informative video re cast iron pans
We have several cast iron cooking/baking pieces that will be great in your home, at the hunting lodge, or to use on your campfire!
Cast iron cookware has been around forever, and it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. If you want to get in on this trend, follow these tips and you’ll be whipping up pan-seared steaks and skillet cornbread in no time.
Did you know there was a time when picking up your soup bowl and sipping was proper? That’s right!
If it looks like a teacup with two handles and it fits nicely into a matching saucer, then this item is a soup bowl. It was once considered polite to gently sip one’s soup. Quietly using a spoon came later and now soups are considered one of the “naturally” messier foods out there.
As winter temps settle in, we all look forward to savoring a wonderful warm bowl of soup. What’s more wonderful than enjoying that soup from a bowl designed to pick up and sip!
Beautiful Vintage Double-Handled Soup Bowls
Stop into Bahoukas Antique Mall soon and choose a couple for your home! MMMMmmmmmmmm… I can spell that soup now! Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Maybe you can’t get him the ‘real’ one… but we have some models that would make perfect stocking stuffers!
Duck decoys
Our selection of duck decoys is limited but very interesting. Stop in to see what we have!
Bob Lackey is known by many in Harford and Cecil County and definitely by residents of Havre de Grace. We carry his books – the entire series. This is a great historical fiction series that starts in the canal days of Havre de Grace and is truly a wonderful way to get a feeling of what life was like in those years gone by.
Of course, our Brewmania collection… well stop in and see for yourself!
Bahoukas’ Beer MuZeum is amazing! Huge selection of brewmania for any man cave! Whether a collector or just adding to the ambiance, we have something that will work!
We have several slot machines and jukeboxes.
Stop by and check them out. Nope – won’t fit in a stocking, but just might be the perfect gift!
Vintage tools are always of interest … stop in and see if we have something that guy on your list can use – or to add a bit of interest to the decor! We can help you with your choices.
Heddon Fishing Lures
The fisherman (or woman) in your life may be VERY familiar with these lures. Stop by and check them out. They are a collector’s dream Perfect extra thoughtful gift!
Of course, these gifts aren’t limited to the guys. And remember, we have over 9,000 sq ft of items to discover. When Thanksgiving is over, we’ll be ready to help you with your holiday shopping. Join us for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday… or ANY day that you’re in the mood to discover the perfect gift. (We promise not to tell you bought something for yourself while you were here!)
And yes, we’re here… and we’re watchin’ for ya! Happy Thanksgiving!
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!
Looking for a beautiful piece to add a bit of class to your holiday table?
We have a wonderful selection of serving pieces. Oh, you say they don’t match what you have? Well, put on your creative decorating hat and use them as ‘accent pieces’ rather than ‘matching pieces.’
Platters and Tureen
Upcycling is not only practical but can truly be beautiful.
When you find a perfect serving piece to accent your table and to show off that favorite side dish, you’ll have the perfect match!
Chips and Dip? Or maybe a beautiful salad bowl!
This lovely glass serving dish will add a bit of color to your buffet table and has just a touch of holiday hue!
Butter Dishes and Small Tureen
Beautiful covered butter dishes are so much nicer than a plastic tub.
From simple lines to beautiful cut glass, we have a wonderful selection. Did you notice the beautiful small tureen? It’s a gorgeous piece for serving that yummy side dish.
These are just a few of the beautiful pieces we have that will add a touch of color, class, and even conversation to your holiday meals. Stop in soon and pick out one or two for YOUR decorating.
In the meantime, you can be sure that we’ll be here and we’re watchin’ for ya!
As you head into the holidays, plans are being made for “what should we take with us to dinner!” Here at Bahoukas, we can offer a bit of help by sharing a number of collectibles to give that dish extra special attention. In this post, we’re sharing cake trays and carriers.
Beautiful glass Cake Trays and unique ceramic spoon holder
Bahoukas has beautiful glass trays and plates for presenting your beautiful cake in all its splendor. We also have metal carriers to help you get it to the party all in one piece!
Glass Cake Trays and metal cake carriers
So whether you’re presenting in a beautiful covered glass dish in your own home or you need a carrier to take it to a dinner party, we just might have what you need.
A beautiful glass Cake Tray with Cover
Recycling and Upcycling make shopping at Bahoukas the best ‘first stop’ on your agenda. You may just find the perfect item and unique while adding a bit of color and story to your gift and/or presentation. All while saving a perfectly sound item from our landfill. Seems like a perfect match for the upcoming “THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!”
Well, that’s not exactly how it works. While George visited family in Montana, Barbara put her ‘shoulder to the wheel’ and began to clean and organize. The following photos don’t do the items justice (glassware is a bit challenging):
pink depression glass
Betty (one of our steady ‘volunteers’) wanted a bit of ‘pink’ near the counter. The above pink depression glass is much more beautiful when you stop by the shop to see it. We also had a great suggestion from one of our ‘regulars’ – the pink depression glass is stunning on a navy blue tablecloth!
beautiful leaded and art glass
These wonderful shades of green are absolutely stunning. There are some amazing pieces that are waiting for you! Just one could add a dash of class to your holiday decor.
glass serving trays and more
These glass plates can be used to serve nearly everything from delectable chocolates to a vegetable and dip. Wonderful macarons from Les Petits Bisous would be perfect!
Covered serving dishes and other items for your holiday decor plus some mixers to help in the preparation.
The white covered serving dishes above would make a great dish for those yummy and much anticipated holiday dishes – mashed potatoes or a green bean casserole. YUM! There are many fine items throughout the shop to add a bit of eye appeal to your holiday festivities. Add your favorite recipes to fill the dishes and you’ll have some very happy family and visitors.
Stop by and see how many items have been brought to life with the elbow grease and determination of Barbara. She loves showing off the great collections at Bahoukas Antique Mall. of course, there’s no end to this task. So we encourage you to stop in frequently as more items are cleaned, shined, organized and readied for your holidays!
Be sure to stop by and say “hi” to George. 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!
