Ribbons and Tuning

It’s a Wednesday Surprise

typewriter ribbons, pitch master tuning, and more in Bahoukas's Wednesday Surprise.
Typewriter ribbons, an old Pitch Master Tuning

They’re not in a Surprise Box, but it is an interesting shelf. Among the items are old typewriter ribbons and a Pitch Master Tuner. Below is a quote from an article that talks about the movie from 2012 titled “Pitch Perfect.” Yes, there are 3 movies altogether.

Pitch pipes are pitchy. Like, I don’t even know why we use pitch pipes anymore. They sound like dying cats. But we keep using them because they are classic, and at the end of the day everything about a cappella has its roots in the old school, bougie, landed gentry with matching blazers, etc.

from ThoughtCatalog.com

Do you remember being in the chorus and having someone use the tuner to get everyone on pitch and ready to sing?

Below is a unique use of the Pitch Pipe as a sound healing tool to tone the instrument of your body, mind, and spirit.

As you see, we learn a lot of things working at Bahoukas Antique Mall. We love sharing it, too. So yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya. Come on in and pay us a visit.

Cast Iron Door Knockers

and their interesting history

… the history of door knockers begins several thousand years ago in Ancient Greece.

Greeks were a bit picky about unannounced visits to their dwellings, and it was considered a breach of etiquette to enter without warning.


Where Spartans would simply shout their arrival, the more sophisticated Athenians preferred to use a door knocker.

from Five Minute History

Doors had replaced hangings to provide better safety and privacy, and upper-class Greeks had slaves whose sole purpose was to answer the door.


It’s a bit like having a butler, but one that was chained to the door to prevent them wandering off. If they didn’t die of boredom, they’d fall asleep, and so to wake them up, visitors rapped the door with a short bar of iron attached to a chain.


from Five Minute History

It wasn’t long before some Greeks realized the short bar made a good weapon with which to attack the householder. So property owners fought back with new technology.


The knocker evolved into a heavy ring fastened to the door by a plate—dual purpose knocker and handle!


from Five Minute History


One of the most enduring themes for knockers has been the lion’s head.
Traditionally regarded as the king of beasts, the lion’s head symbolizes bravery, nobility, strength, and valor.


Lion’s head knockers were popular in the American colonies up until the revolution when the Eagle took precedence.


from Five Minute History

So we encourage you to visit Bahoukas and take a peek at these wonderful cast iron door knockers.

They’re really fun and will most certainly have your guests stop and enjoy! Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Hardee’s Fun

…check out this character sign

Large 4×4 Hardee’s characters sign

The animated characters in the TV commercials for children will include something old (Speedy McGreedy and Gilbert Giddyup, who have been used in Hardee’s advertising previously and something new (Frankenstein Mouth and Supermouth).

“Through characters like these, we want to generate the idea that there is no better way in the world to satisfy your appetite than by going to Hardee’s,” said Thomas W. Carey, a senior vice president and management supervisor of Benton & Bowles.

from NYTIMES.com
1970s Hardee’s Cartoon Commercial

Wilber Hardee opened his first namesake restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina in 1960. Five months later he had his first franchisee and over the years his burger chain has spread to become a favorite throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern United States.

from Hardees.com

Fifteen years later they celebrated the opening of their 1,000th restaurant. In the 80s with a little help from the California Raisins, they introduced their Cinnamon and Raisin Biscuits. By the end of the 80s, they’d opened their 2,000th location. Today, among other items, they are known for their Thickburgers(R) line.

If you’re looking for something fun and you happen to be a Hardee’s Fan, stop and check this out! Yep, we’re here and we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Chalkware…

What is chalkware?

Beautiful wall pieces of ‘chalkware’

Chalkware is an American term for popular figurines either made of moulded plaster of Paris (usually) or sculpted gypsum, and painted, typically with oils or watercolors. They were primarily created during one of three periods: from the late 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century, during the Great Depression, and during the ‘mid-century modern’ era as decorative lamps, figurines and wall decor from the 1940s-1960s. 

from WIKIPEDIA

These figurines were often hand-painted, sometimes glazed. When Carnival chalkware was popular in the 30s through 50s, it could be hand-painted or sometimes air-brushed. Below is an excerpt from a great article in ANTIQUE WEEK:

Condition of carnival chalkware, like other collecting categories, does affect price, but thankfully not all that much. The nature of chalkware lends itself to being easily chipped. That’s understood. The coloration is also known to fade mainly because these items were rarely glazed. Carnival chalkware might have worn a coat of beeswax or varnish for protection, but often their porous surface was left as is straight out of the mold with only paint as its finish.


Speaking of paint, the earliest carnival chalkware were usually painted by hand, so looking at the quality of the paint job helps collectors get a feel for when it was made.


Starting in the 1920s, many pieces were air-brushed to speed up the process and because of this, details, especially facial details, suffered. To hurry along production even more and cut down on the cost of hiring air-brush artists, stencils were later employed with details becoming even more generic.


Another indicator of age is the amount of paint on a piece; especially human figures like the Kewpie Doll, Sailor or Cowboy. If both the front and back of the figure is painted, it was probably made in the 1940s.
Additions on the figure can also be an indicator. Glitter is often found on pieces made after 1930. Other additions can include feathers or even a wooden “cigarette.” Many animals made between 1935 and 1950 have glass eyes.

What prizes did you win from the days of going to the carnival in early to mid-1900s? The history of chalkware is fascinating.

Stop in and see us soon. Check out our selection. And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Toy Kitchens

… instructional and great marketing

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.’

Kid-size pots and pans - great collectibles for the youngsters in your life! Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
A great selection of kids’ pots, pans, coffee pots and more!

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

from WIKIPEDIA
kid-size kitchen accessories - Bahoukas Antiques
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!

Slot Cars and Tracks

… a little bit of history

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.

fromAFXRacing.com
Slot Cars at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
Slot Cars Acquired Recently

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.


fromAFXRacing.com

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!

“Crazy Nutz” Necklaces

… for a day of crazee weather

Handcrafted necklaces carved from nuts. The large are Brazil Nuts.

On a day of snow, sleet, ice and hopefully clearing late, it seems the perfect time to share these “Crazy Nutz” hand-carved necklaces. A local person has a relative from out of the area who meticulously carves these little faces.

You have to admit that they are both funny and cute! And come on, be honest, can’t you picture the guy sitting in front of a tv watching his favorite show while periodically glancing down to carve one of these faces.

The medum are carved from Almonds and the small from Pistachio.

Give us a call to see if we’re in the shop today – Wed, Feb 20th. Then come on in and check these necklaces out. Truly unique. No two are exactly alike. They’d also be great on a key chain.

And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Collect Key Fobs?

Key Chains?

always fun to rummage through a box of key fobs to see what you might find. Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
An eclectic selection of key fobs

We have a fun-filled box of key fobs where you just might find one to add to your collection. And discovery is so much a part of ‘antiquing.’

Did we mention that we have a wonderful group of college-age guys who, when they’re all back home, have a “man-tiquing day.” Yep – “Man-tiquing” – what a wonderful phrase.

They actually get up and go “Man-tiquing” on Saturday morning. Their interests are wonderful old fountain pens, which they actually use. And it seems they also love old cameras.

For an antique shop owner like George, this is music for their hearts. So, stop by and see us. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Tiny Bubbles…

oops.. Bottles!

tiny bottles are great for creating your very personal tiny collection - at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
Tiny Bottles are so intriguing…

What is it about those tiny bottles we find in antique stores? So many sizes, shapes, colors, they’re just fascinating.

We have a wonderful collection of tiny bottles.

Shades of blue and clear glass bottles - beautiful on a window sill - Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
Shades of blue glass bottles

This selection has a few larger blue bottles. Can’t you picture them lining a window sill. Maybe you see them with a few wildflowers or a single white stem: a petunia, or a single white rose, or maybe just a beautiful white daisy.

No matter how you use them, tiny bottles make for a wonderful ‘collection’ and add a bit of personality to your home or office. Stop by soon, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Tiny Dogs

We missed these little ones…

Just like skunks, kittens, and birds, tiny dogs are VERY collectible

Earlier in the year, we shared a wonderful selection of tiny collectibles. Somehow we missed these three photos of tiny dogs – all shapes, sizes, breeds. Some look very poised and others are just silly and cute!

Tiny dogs 2

It’s never too late to start your own tiny collection. These cute little 4-legged fur-balls just might create the perfect beginning.

Tiny Dogs 3

Hey, it’s Valentine Day this week. Here’s a thoughtful item to add to their collection. Or maybe you think someone special would like to begin their very own collection. Either way, we’ll be here and, yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Wood Tools and

Crocks, Jugs and more

Miscellaneous collectible tools
Collection of Wood Tools and more…

For the woodworker, we have a variety of vintage tools plus a few others. Come check out our collection and see if we’ve got one to add to yours!

very collectible jugs, crocks, bowls and more at Bahoukas
A small portion of our pottery, jugs and crocks!

It’s been awhile since we’ve posted a selection of our crocks and jugs. But we have some beautiful items. In the coming blustery days, if you’re braving the weather, come on by. Yep, We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Wade Miniatures

Red Rose Tea and Teacups

Wade Miniatures - Noah's Ark - at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
Wades miniatures include Noah’s Ark and all the critters

When Red Rose Tea began to offer Wade miniatures in 1967, it wasn’t uncommon to promote food and beverage items with free premiums. Even so, the success of Wade figurines for Red Rose was unprecedented, boasting a production run for the first series of miniatures that numbered in the millions. The miniatures soon became a perennial item in boxes of Red Rose Tea. To date, it is estimated that more than 300 million Wade figurines have been given away in packages of Red Rose Tea in America.


George Wade came into ownership of Wade & Sons of Burslem, England in 1899, eventually renaming it George Wade Pottery. The style of figurines known as “Wade Whimsies” first appeared in the 1950s, and have been a regular promotion in Red Rose Tea in the United States since 1983.

from Red Rose Tea website
Stop by and see our amazing collecting of Wade miniatures.

Looking for a very special Valentine Day gift? Does she/he love tea? Consider a teapot and teacup set for 1 or more. Then add a few Wade miniatures. What a beautifully loving way to say, “I love you.”

We have an amazing selection of teacups and teapots.

Of course, with our huge ‘collection of collections,’ we’re sure we can help you discover a perfect gift for him or her that says, “I love you!” on that special day.

Yes, we’ll be watchin’ for you. Stop by soon.

Wheaton Glass

… a beautiful collection

Wheaton Collection that have herb designs on them – tarragon, etc.

These bottles are beautiful and decorative. They would be lovely with a flower or two, or just sitting on a window sill reflecting the sunshine.

Besides Corning, did you know there’s a wonderful glass museum in S. New Jersey?

The American glass industry began in southern New Jersey because of its availability of natural resources such as wood, sand, soda ash, and silica. The nation’s earliest successful glass factory was founded in 1739 by Caspar Wistar in nearby Salem County. Many of the nation’s foremost glass factories operate in South Jersey.

In 1888, Dr. Theodore Corson Wheaton, a pharmacist, began making his own pharmaceutical bottles in a glass factory in Millville. From these beginnings, today’s giant glass manufacturer, Wheaton USA (formerly Wheaton Industries, Inc.), evolved.

In the early 1960s, Dr. Wheaton’s grandson, Frank H. Wheaton, Jr., visited the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. He discovered that much of the glass created and produced in southern New Jersey was displayed in this museum. He felt that these treasured museum pieces should be displayed in the areas in which they were produced…southern New Jersey.

from WheatonArts.org
More of the beautiful Wheaton Glass collection recently received.

These bottles were popular in the mid-Atlantic region.

Residents of New Jersey north of Burlington County might not be completely familiar with Wheaton bottles, but Delaware Valleyans might consider them old friends. For at least a generation, a living room wasn’t complete without one on display.

If you lived in southern New Jersey, you regularly encountered these distinctive and brightly colored bottles featuring reliefs of famous individuals from history.

from NJ.com

Stop by and consider 2 or 3 of these beautiful bottles and add a stem or two of flowers. Then keep thinking ‘spring’… it’s not far away!

We’re here at Bahoukas and we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Harlequins and Hearts

Love and Valentines

Long before the advent of circus clowns, mimes trapped in glass boxes and stand-up comedians, there were harlequins — colorfully costumed tricksters whose role in theater productions and amusements at court was to keep audiences on their toes and fellow players in the dark.

from Classroom.Synonym.com
Beautiful Harlequin ceramic pieces

With the month of love sparking thoughts of Cupid and Valentine Day, you might find something as unique as your own true love while browsing the collections at Bahoukas.

The beautiful ceramic Harlequin pieces pictured above would make a wonderful gift! oAdd it to another item to bring a smile. Several of the Harlequin pieces are small containers that … well, might hold the ring you’d love to offer on your special day.

Possibly you prefer a bit of sparkle and gold! We have a select number of gold-colored vases or containers for a very beautiful gift.

We even have a beautiful small porcelain heart among other wonderful gifts for a different approach to your Valentine gift-giving.

Let the feeling of ‘spring’ warm you heart. Stop in at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum to choose a fine collectible for your “Valentine.”

Stop into Bahoukas. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Flix and Smurfs!

… fun for kids

Tiny Smurf characters - a great way for youngsters to begin collecting. Bahoukas iin Havre de Grace
Tiny Smurfs are a delightful collectible.

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?

FLIX Candy Gumball Machines collection at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace, MD
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.

German “Tinnies”

and Army Medals

Pre-WWII German “Tinnies”

According to Wikipedia, we have the following explanation of a German “Tinnie:”


“Tinnie” is the common term for a commemorative medal made from a non-precious metal such as zinc or tin (or even plastic) and with provisions for being attached to a garment and displayed while worn. Such medals were commonly sold or given away at public events to build group cohesiveness or to lend prestige to the wearer. The “golden age of the tinnie” was World War Two, and the Nazi Party and the USSR were among the most prolific disbursers of them. They are avidly collected today by hobbyists and, although usually inexpensive to obtain, are often collected in conjunction with coins, exonumiamilitary awards and decorations and other related small stamped or cast metal objects.

U.S. Army Medals

A wonderful way to learn about history is to collect U.S. Military Memorabilia. We have a section just for you! Included are these U.S. Army Medals.

We look forward to showing you this area. And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Beer Taps

… on tap

Our Beer MuZeum offers an interesting variety of beer taps

We love our Beer MuZeum. If you’re a collector of “Breweriana,” you’ll want to stop by and see our collection. We have a huge collection in our 2nd floor area that covers 2200 sq. ft. Plus there are many items to be found on our 1st floor.

Beer taps on tap at Bahoukas Beer MuZeum in Havre de Grace, MD

Or maybe you just have a ‘man cave’ or recreation room where a beer tap of your favorites would add a bit of ambiance to your decor. Besides beer taps, we also have mirrors, beer cans, trays, lights, signs, and more.

We look forward to having you stop by and browse our breweriana. After all, if our State Comptroller Peter Franchot can stop by to see us, we know you’ll love it. Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Toby Jugs

…or Character Mugs

Character Mugs at Bahoukas


Sleuthing out the difference between a toby jug and a character mug is elementary; jugs have a spout on the rim for pouring, while mugs are straight along the entire rim. A typical character mug is molded to represent just the head of a subject. A toby jug is fashioned into the full figure of a plump, jolly man named Toby Fillpot, who was said to have died from overindulging in drink and tobacco. Toby jugs depict their namesake dressed in a long coat and a tricorn hat, which forms the pouring spout. Toby also holds a mug of ale in one hand and a pipe in the other.

… from PressRepublican.com

In researching a bit more, we learned that the Toby Jugs and Character Mugs are popular with men. Maybe you’ll want to consider adding to your favorite guy’s collection (or help him start one)!

If you’re so inclined (or that serious a collector), you may want to visit the American Toby Jug Museum in Evanston, Illinois.

Stop by Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum soon and see more of this particular ‘collection of collections.’ Yes – we will be watchin’ for ya!

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