We have a full collection of Imperial Knives from the 1970s. These knives were recognized for excellent prices and fair quality. They were made in the U.S. until the late 80s from everything we could find.
Imperial Cutlery has been producing great knives for incredible prices for over 100 years.
… The prices are amazing, the quality is fair. You get more than what you pay for.
Complete Set of Imperial Diamond Edge Knives (1970s) Made in the U.S.
Other Knives in our collection
Pocket Knives
Along with the above Imperial Knives Collection, we have an assortment of other knives from small penknives to larger pocket knives.
A Bit of Pocket Knife History
The earliest known pocket knives date to at least the early Iron Age. A pocketknife with a bone handle was found at the Hallstatt Culture type site in Austria, dating to around 600–500 BCE. Iberian folding-blade knives made by indigenous artisans and craftsmen and dating to the pre-Roman era have been found in Spain. Many folding knives from the Viking era have been found. They carried some friction binders, but more often they seem to have used folding knives that used a closure to keep the blade open.
Roman Archeological find of the Roman period of a folding or pocket knife and reconstruction, original found at Gellep, Germany
You know, it’s time to begin your holiday shopping. Do you have an adult in your life that would appreciate the gift of a pocket knife? Well, you know, we’re here and ready to help. Yep, we’re watchin’ for ya!
Many have fond memories of their milkman delivering local milk in bottles. Some even remember having an insulated box that sat outside the door for the milkman to place your bottles.
Wonderful Local Collection
Bahoukas has acquired an extensive local collection of Havre de Grace milk bottles. Besides George’s personal collection, we have plenty to share.
Dairies often embossed their name, logo, or initials onto the base of their milk bottles. This made it easy to identify their bottles at stores and bottle exchanges. Since milk bottles were used over and over again, it was important for a dairy to get their milk bottles back after use. The more times a milk bottle was used, the more profit for the dairy.
There are so many delightful ways to use these bottles besides just having them in a collection, sitting on a shelf.
Fill with colored water and place on a window sill. Better yet, add some fresh flowers.
Maybe you have a collection – like different colored sands or buttons – that would look lovely kept in these bottles.
Don’t forget the rest of our milk bottle collection!
We have an extensive collection of milk bottles. Here’s a pic:
Huge collection of milk bottles at Bahoukas Antiques
Don’t forget that these would make interesting flower or candle holders for a wedding or other special events. Stop in and look over this collection. You know, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
The Panasonic RQ-830S Dynamite 8 Track Tape Player was introduced in 1974.
It is very easy to use, as Panasonic wrote down in their advertising:
“Slide in the tape. Out booms the music from an explosive-sounding dynamic speaker. Then push the plunger to change your channel and to change your tune.”
You can thus only change the volume and push the plunger to change your favorite song. Although its limited features, this 8 Track Player was considered to be one of the most innovative track players, also because of its design.
It works on batteries but also an adaptor is available.
Thereby, it was possible to take your music along with you, like in your car, on the street, on the beach …
This 8 track player was an interesting piece that worked by hitting the plunger like on a detonator for dynamite to change the channel/track! See below to see how it works…
They came in Deonator Red, Bomb Blue, and Explosion Yellow! We are pretty sure they later came in black and white versions.
8-track in your cars!
8-track players had a relatively short life and were followed by a more versatile cassette player. So a ‘fix’ was created so that you could play your new collection of cassette tapes through the 8-track player in your car.
Cassette Adaptor for your car’s 8-track player by Audiovox
How the Cassette to 8-track worked
If you have a vintage car with its original 8-track player, you may the above video as it also goes into detail to make the converter work for cassette/8-track to mp3.
Stop in soon. We’re having fun here at Bahoukas and we’re watchin’ for ya!
In 1968, tempered glass sphere models emerged that would eventually shatter, sending glass shards into the face of the user and anyone nearby. In the early 1970s, manufacturers changed them to plastic spheres suspended on each string. When they were swung up and down, banging against each other with a lot of force they made the loud “clacking” sound. Clackers are similar in appearance to bolas, the Argentine weapon. They are formed out of two solid balls of polymer, each about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, attached to a finger tab with a sturdy string. The player holds the tab with the balls hanging below and through up-and-down hand motion makes the two balls swing apart and back together, making the clacking noise that gives the toy its name. With practice one can make the balls swing so that they knock together both above and below the hand.
Clackers have also made some appearances in pop culture media. They are featured in the television shows of Dan Schneider, most notably the 2007 episode of Drake & Josh, “Megan’s First Kiss,” and in the 2008 Zoey 101 episode “Rumor of Love”, which described the toys as “the hottest in the 1993 Netherlands”, and which increased interest in the toys. Clackers were a plot point in the 1993 “Love and Sausages” episode of The Kids in the Hall TV series. They were also used as weapons by Joseph Joestar, the protagonist of the “Battle Tendency” arc of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure; their appearance there is anachronistic, as “Battle Tendency” takes place in 1938.
Or maybe you just remember driving your mom crazy with the ‘clacker’ sound!!! Check out this video!!
Showing you how Clackers – also known as “Knuckle Busters” – work!
DIRECTIONS FOR USING
Directions for using Clacker Balls
We don’t recommend using these since they are the originals and we don’t want anyone hurt. But if you’re a collector of toys, they’ll be a great addition!
EXPLODING CLACKER BALLS
Did you ever have the clacker balls explode? Evidently, it created quite a stir. At one point the FDA, Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and even the Consumer Product Safety Commission deemed them a hazard. Read more about them by CLICKING HERE
It appears that you can still get Clacker Balls. They are made of plastic and do not shatter. The noise will still make one crazy. (chuckle)
Don’t forget to stop in soon. We’re watchin’ for ya!
During the 1970s phone subscribers were permitted to own decorative housings for their phones for the first time. Teleconcepts was one of the pioneers that provided innovative decorative phones.
This unique and quite charming clamshell phone is the “Shellamar” by Teleconcepts. It has a retractable fabric cord and YES, it absolutely works. I believe the color would be ‘caramel.’
Did you know deregulation brought us these phone designs?
The Deregulated Phone The 1977 breakup of AT&T revolutionized telephone design, which had been, as Michael Sorkin noted, “sheltered from the vagaries of taste and the manipulations of the marketplace.” The phone was no longer a standardized, leased portal into AT&T’s network; it became an object unto itself, with results that verged on a kind of giddy kitsch, as if people were overcompensating for the long gray-flannel winter. “Today Alexander Graham Bell’s invention comes in a menagerie of forms,” the New York Times wrote in 1986, “that include Coca-Cola bottles, toucans, peekaboo Lucite globes and, in the case of the desk-top Versailles phone, with a reproduction Renoir discreetly planted in the number card.”
Cabbage Patch phone, Turkey phone, Airplane phone The Farmer’s Novelty Phones/gifarmer.com; Shoe phone dldt via ebay. from SLATE.com
What fun it is to consider the changing look and feel of telephones and the continuing changes from big, boxy, cell phones to our modern-day ‘smart’ phone where the telephone function is a small part of the instrument!
In 1973, the company came up with a prototype of the world’s first portable cellular telephone, using the DynaTAC (Dynamic Adaptive Total Area Coverage) system. In the year 1983, the world’s first commercial hand-held cellular phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X phone, got FCC’s approval.
Weighing in at 28-ounce (794-gram), it went on sale the following year. The device used to take 10 hours to fully charge, and offered around 30 minutes of talk-time. Capable of saving last 30 dialed numbers, it carried a price tag of $3,995.
The phone had long appeared in advertisements in the hands of executives as they sat in their cocoons of power, surveying their empire below, but a new kind of power was typified in the 1987 film Wall Street, in which Michael Douglas’ Gordon Gekko clutches a Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. “Oh, jeez, I wish you could see this,” he tells Bud Fox, as he walks a Hamptons beach, “the lights coming up over the water.” It’s like an advertisement for dominion over place: You can’t be here, but I can, and I’m going to use this wonderful instrument to remind you of that fact. A descendent of Motorola’s walkie-talkie work for the military (and looking like it), the DynaTAC, designed by Rudy Krolopp, came on the market in 1984, at just below $4,000 and 28 ounces.
The LUCITE CLAMSHELL PHONE is a beautiful collectible from 50 years ago that reminds many of us just how quickly things have changed. We look forward to showing you this great piece and any collection ‘of our many collections’ that you might want to peruse. Yes… we are watchin’ for ya!
We’ve posted about our cast iron figures many times. To see other posts, VISIT HERE.
Cast Iron Banks
Several of our cast-iron figures are actually banks. Great way to encourage a little saver to collect those coins found on the sidewalk!
The lion is a cast iron bank. The others are outstanding cast iron paperweights or perfect for a shelf!
Cast iron dog figures. The one on the right is also a bank.
cast iron cow
Closer detail of the fox and the lion cast iron figures
Are these just the cutest cast iron dog figurines!
Here, at Bahoukas Antiques, we have a wonderfully diverse collection of cast iron figures that also include mechanical banks and huge door knockers. Some are vintage and very collectible, while others are reproductions. All of them are beautiful! Stop in soon. Yeppir, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Back to school, whether at home or in the school building, means reading! Growing up, I’m sure many parents (and definitely grandparents) remember The Golden Book series. Here at Bahoukas Antiques, we have a wonderful selection of Golden Books and many other books for children and teens.
In October 2022, Golden Books will celebrate 80 years!
Golden Books – old and new
Everyone Loves Golden Books
More choices from Golden Books
Golden Books First Published in 1942
If by some chance you aren’t familiar with Golden Books, here’s great article about them.
Little Golden Books offers a fun unique appearance. Did you know a copy of The Poky Little Puppy bought today is essentially the same as one printed in 1942?
Both copies are readily recognizable as Little Golden Books. At the time of the series’ golden anniversary in 1992, Golden Books claimed that a billion and a half Little Golden Books had been sold. Could you imagine creating a product and selling that much of what you created?
In the above Mommies Reviews , they suggest using Golden Books as part of your homeschooling lesson plans. CLICK HERE for some printable pages you can use with the Golden Books to encourage more reading among your young students.
October 1, 1942: Little Golden Books launch at 25 cents each, democratizing reading for young Americans. At this time, children’s books sell for $2 to $3 and are a luxury for many families.
The Pokey Little Puppy is the best-selling Little Golden Book of all time!
So, as the days grow shorter and the shadows longer, give your young students a great way to love reading. Stop by and pick out a few Golden Books to start their library. Remember, Christmas Holidays aren’t far away! And for sure, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
It is always intriguing the items you can find in our shop. These Brodie Knobs, also known as ‘suicide knobs’ are just one of those unique finds!
Let’s look into the background of these “Brodie Knobs” which teens from the 50s and maybe early 60s will remember:
The “Steering Wheel Spinner Knob” was invented by Joel R. Thorp of Wisconsin in 1936. The Brodie name is a reference to Steve Brodie and was meant to describe all manner of reckless stunts. The device is often called a “suicide knob” because of being notoriously useless for controlling the wheel during an emergency. It is also called a “knuckle buster” because of the disadvantage posed by the knob when letting go of the steering wheel after going around a corner, the wheel spins rapidly and the knob can hit the user’s knuckle, forearm, or elbow. If the driver is wearing a long-sleeved shirt, the protruding accessory on the rim of the steering wheel can also become caught in the sleeve’s open cut by the button. Other names include “granny knob” “necker’s knob” and “wheel spinner.”
Contrary to popular opinion, these Brodie Knobs are not illegal. You can check outthis post and do your own research.
As we love to do, here’s another interesting tidbit for those of you not familiar with these Brodie Knobs:
The term “necker knobs” came about when it was discovered that the driver could steer his car one-handed and wrap his free arm around his girlfriend, who was usually resting her head on the driver’s shoulder.
To some folks, these tiny things are just ‘stuff.’ To the artist or collector, they’re a gold mine, priceless.
We’ve seen these ‘tinies’ added to shadow boxes, used to create jewelry, and destined for someone’s very special collection.
A case of “Tinies,” also known as Tchotchkes.
No matter how you might use them, we have a number of tiny collectibles in our store just waiting for you to find them! Yesiree… we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
A Toby Jug is a figural ceramic jug. Each jug is molded in the shape of a notable character. Historically, Toby Jugs feature a hearty man holding a mug in one hand and sporting a tricorn hat. His hat doubles as a pouring spout. Each character is outfitted in typical period fashions.
From the same source as above, we learn that there are Toby Jugs, Toby Mugs, and Toby Character Jugs.
Toby Jugs: A Toby Jug is a figural jug that depicts a character’s entire body. Original Toby Jugs showed a seated man, sporting a tricorn hat, puffing on a pipe, and holding a mug of ale. Toby Jugs also must have a spout, designating that it’s used to pour a liquid.
Toby Mugs: A Toby Mug is a Toby Jug that doesn’t have a spout. Without a spout, it’s used for drinking, so it’s a mug.
Character Jug: A Character Jug is a jug that only displays a character’s bust (head, face, and sometimes shoulders).
There are competing theories for the origin of the name “Toby Jug”. One is that it was named after the intoxicated, jovial character of Sir Toby Belch in Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night. Another is that it was named after a notorious 18th-century Yorkshire drinker, Henry Elwes, who was known as “Toby Fillpot” (or Philpot), who was mentioned in an old English drinking song The Brown Jug, the popular verses of which were first published in 1761.
This fine collection just recently arrived at Bahoukas Antiques and Beer MuZeum. Now that you know ‘more of the story,’ you may want to add a couple to your own collections or gift as a gift.
The history of the Royal Doulton Company is intriguing in its own right. They manufactured ceramic sewage pipes, toilets, taps, and cast iron baths. But they later manufactured architectural stoneware. It’s a most interesting company. Read more about Royal Doultonby clicking here.
Of course, with this knowledge, we encourage you to stop in and take a peek at this collection. And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya.
Okay, maybe that’s not a real word. But a person who collects “petroliana” is collecting gasoline and the oil business memborabilia.
Gas Stations on Every Corner
In the early days of automobile travel, service stations were unfamiliar and often poorly lit at night. So lighted gas-pump globes and other oil company signage were key to reassuring and drawing in motorists. And since pumping gas was a new experience, early pumps allowed motorists to see if the gasoline was clean (through a small glass window), and later to watch the price as the gas was pumped (a major innovation).
Do you remember when every busy intersection had a gas station on each corner? How many different brand names do you remember?
Reproduction Gasoline Signage at Bahoukas
We wonder if there will be similar scenes where there will be electric charging stations everywhere designed to keep our cars and trucks moving? What do you think?
Stop in and chat. Since a number of folks ask for these fun collectibles, we found a nice selection for you to browse. Think holiday gift-giving!! It’s not too early to start – after all, 14 weekends from now you’ll be open gifts under the tree. WOW! And, of course, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
The history of the music box is much more complex than one might think beginning with the Middle Ages.
The first known music box was the carillon. This was very prominent in the Middle Ages mostly because it is what they called the very mechanism that told the people the time. It was also normally attached to a large bell which is struck by a hammer every hour to help tell time.
Then in 1796, we learn of clockmaker Antoine Favre-Salomon:
The clockmaker Antoine Favre-Salomon, a native of Geneva, invented a musical pocket watch in 1796. Since then he is considered to be the inventor of the music box, and Sainte-Croix became the world capital of mechanical music. Music automatons are still produced here.
This music box opens to place jewelry or powder and still works.
This music box still works in spite of looking well-used.
This music box is a larger and egg shape.
American soldiers returning home after the Second World War were the unwitting creators of a real trend by bringing music boxes back in their luggage, a symbol of victory and a new life about to begin. Thus, it was then that a keen interest developed for the little Swiss musical movements from the other side of the Atlantic that were fitted into all sorts of products.
As we’ve learned here, some of the simplest collectibles have a unique and colorful history. If you delve into the music box history, you’ll also realize that they’re connected to Edison’s invention of the phonograph. (We have some old phonographs as well! Just in case you were wondering.)
The weather’s turning a bit cooler and it’s a pleasant time of year to browse our shops. So you know, we’ll be watchin’ for ya.
Bahoukas has just received an interesting collection of old newspapers.
Ephemera
Old newspapers can give us the feel of a particular time period, details of history from the news stories and editorials, and a good deal about life through their ads and human interest stories. So why do people collect them?
Well, often they’ve kept papers from a historical period – a war, presidential news, disasters, and such. Sometimes a newspaper may connect to a particular birthdate, death, a favorite sports team, and other more personal topics.
Kennedy Assassination
LINDBERGH
This 1927 newspaper is in good condition for coming out of someone’s attic.
Japanese Surrender – WWII
We have others in our recently acquired collection of old newspapers. It’s so interesting to read from the very day of these events. In many cases, these are complete newspapers giving you the opportunity to really get the atmosphere in our country surrounding these historic moments!
Why Would Anyone Collect Newspapers?
Sometimes, newspapers writing of historical events were tucked away only to be left in their hideaway for a later generation to discover. But there are collectors who save papers of historical significance. Others collect them for the feel of a particular time period, a birth or obituary, news of someone famous or notorious, and for an event in the family’s life.
There are even collectors who love to save the advertisements, whether for a particular product or brand, or just advertising in general.
Whatever the reasons, we have a rather wonderful collection that, if you love old newspapers, you may want to come in and take a peek. And you can be sure – we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
How often do you think of your local antique shop for great ideas for wedding decor. Does the bride and/or groom collect something special that may be used in the decorations? Maybe you’re looking for unique serving dishes or goblets.
Fun and Funny Wedding Topper Collectibles
Or consider ‘insulators’ for table decor:
A variety of insulators
Here is a tea light holder made from a green glass insulator and a rusty bed spring. The two together have a great industrial look that is really unique.
An old insulator and a rusty bed spring upcycled to a candle holder – easy wedding decor (or holidays)
Other Wedding Decor Ideas
We have oil lamps of all shapes, colors, and sizes to add to centerpieces or highlight a particular area of your wedding reception.
Don’t forget that we also have vases of all shapes and sizes.
We have an array of glass ware …
Pink Depression Glass – just a small sampling
Perfect for the bride’s table, special guests, or everyone, we have a wonderful variety of glassware you may enjoy incorporating in your wedding decor. Special cake platters, serving dishes, full sets of dishware, are available.
GIFT IDEAS
Don’t forget the our “Collection of Collections’ offers some pretty unique gift ideas for the bride and groom, or from the bride and groom. And don’t forget the children! Be creative if you have children in the wedding party.
Think out of the box for your wedding!
from bahoukas
And don’t forget, we’re here to help you find the perfect items. Yep, we’re excited for your big day and we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
This amazing Nascar – Coca Cola pedal car is in great condition. What a perfect item for your collection. Or even better – what a wonderful gift for a youngster in your life.
Coca-Cola / Nascar Pedal Car
This was a promotion item used for window displays. Stop in and see if for yourself. Don’t forget, the days are growing shorter and Christmas isn’t really far away! In any case, you know we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Are you old enough to remember where you were when you heard that Elvis Presley had died? Do you have a favorite song? To coordinate with our post, we include the ‘title song’ here for your enjoyment!
Elvis Memorabilia
Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He died aged 42 on August 16, 1977 but during his short life and since his death he has become one of the most well known cultural icons of modern times.
If you’ve not visited our shop, you may not realize that we have a great selection of Elvis collectibles.
Visit our ELVIS section!
For Elvis collectors, there is a mother lode of Elvis Vegas collectibles to be had, from menus (festooned with Elvis’ image), table cards, posters, postcards, matchboxes, dice and swizzle sticks. Krein says that ’70s memorabilia is another favorite he collects — pins, tour programs and posters, jewelry, belt buckles, lipstick cases.
You’ll definitely want to drop in and see the ELVIS collection at Bahoukas. We have figures, games, statues, pictures, recordings, and so much more. Don’t forget, if there’s an Elvis collector among your family and friends, it’s a great time to think ahead for Christmas. (Just sayin’!)
More…ELVIS!
In the meantime, you know we’re always watchin’ for ya!
Do you remember that? We may be smoking less today, but anyone of a ‘certain age’ will remember that slogan for Lucky Strikes cigarettes. Maybe you remember buying a pack of candy cigarettes and riding on your bicycle pretending to be smoking. Okay, okay… maybe you didn’t. (chuckle)
TOBACCIANA
2 corn cob pipes and a wood-carved pipe
Tobacciana is the collecting of anything tobacco-related. Old tins, cigarette packs, cigarette papers, pipes, ashtrays, tobacco tins, etc.
Choosing a favorite among tobacco memorabilia may be the most challenging aspect of this hobby. From the art to the accessories, selecting which items to collect is a great challenge.
corn cob and wood-carved pipes, cigarettes, smoking tobacco, cigar ashtray, hand-carved buffalo and owl pipes.
close-up of the buffalo and owl hand-carved pipes
If you really want to delve into the world of Tobacciana, you may want to check out this Tobacco Pipe Glossary. In the meantime, stop in and see just what we have in our Tobacciana Collection!Of course, we’re watchin’ for ya and can’t wait to say, “Welcome to Bahoukas!”
Scouting memorabilia collecting is the hobby and study of preserving and cataloging Boy Scouting and Girl Guiding items for their historic, aesthetic and monetary value. Since collecting depends on the interests of the individual collector, the depth and breadth of each collection varies.
