They may be older, but many function better than their modern-day counterparts. Even more of them are hard to find.
At Bahoukas, we have a wonderful variety of kitchen utensils and decorative items sure to add both function and interest to your kitchen decor.
Check out this great article of 25 Vintage Kitchen Tools You Don’t See Anymore!
I’m willing to bet that we have most of them. Stop by and check it out.
Those heavy, cast iron, painted door stops that you use to hold a door open. With cooler days approaching, turn off your air conditioners and open the door. Let one of these whimsical cast-iron door stops hold the door open for fresh, cool air to circulate through your home or office.
They can be whimsical or historical, but cast-iron doorstops were always functional before air conditioning and central heating. In 18th century England where they originated they were known as “door porters. They were made in America in the early 19th century. Historically, President Andrew Jackson is said to have had figural frog doorstops with the slogan “I croak for the Jackson wagon, “ used during his campaign. _from The Antique Shoppe Florida
In the above photo, the duck is a reproduction. The dogs and the ship “The Constitution” are originals.
After the Civil War when iron casting techniques became more refined doorstops became of a status symbol for the upper class and many subjects from animals to ships became popular. Whatever was trendy at the time was turned into a doorstop. During the 1850s when trading with Japan began figural doorstops were images of Buddha. _from The Antique Shoppe Florida
Door stops first appeared in England in the late 1700s. Made of cast brass, they were used to help prop open the heavy English doors, allowing air to better circulate through homes. The earliest door stops had wooden handles so they could be easily moved. Handles disappeared in the 19th century; by then, cast iron had replaced brass. Most door stops you’ll find today were likely made in America sometime between the turn of the last century and 1940. They hit their peak of popularity during the 1920s and ’30s. _from Yankee Magazine
Coca Cola has been a part of the Havre de Grace economy for decades. Here’s a small news clip (3rd column a little more than half-way down the page) from the Midland Journal that describes the plant managed by J. C. Hebditch. The date was November 1, 1940. It reads:
Coca Cola By Hebditch
Adhering to the fine principles of production which make Coca Cola the nation’s outstanding drink, the Coca Cola Bottling works has grown rapidly under the management of J. C. Hebditch, who established the plant 17 years ago (1923). It is located in Havre de Grace, on Juniata St.The modern plant sterilizes every bottle and distrbutes its products throughout the Harford and Cecil counties, keeping service above par at all times. A call for a case of Coca Cola receives prompt attention, with gas and soda orders also filled on prompt schedule.
-The Midland Journal, Friday, November 1, 1940
Another interesting news clip re: J. C. Hebditch of Havre de Grace Coca Cola Bottling Co.
Rotarian Offers Land For Swimming Pool HAVRE DE GRACE, Md., Sept. 27, 1944 – from The News Journal from Wilmington, DE – J. C. Hebditch, a soft drink company representative for Maryland, has offered a tract of land on the dual highway opposite the Chesapeake Courts for a swimming pool and also has donated $100 toward the $2,000 needed for the civic enterprise. The Havre de Grace Rotary Club, of which Mr. Hebditch is a member, will sponsor the project and has agreed to return all money donations if the pool is not built within eight months after the goal has been reached.
Click here for some fun history from the World of Coca Cola website.
Are you a collector? You might want to check out this page from Coke’s Website!
You’ve seen them – the little lambs and chickens, giraffes and bears, baby items and puppies, and so much more. These delightful ceramic planters can be used for many other things than plants. Although, a cute grouping of perfect little plants in these ceramic planters would be awesome. But consider using them to hold a variety of items: business cards, pencils, crayons or colored pencils, paint brushes or pens, toothpicks and cotton swabs. They can be functional and beautiful and most definitely put a little flair in any room! Go ahead, let your creative side show!
There are some really fun ways to enjoy the colorful ceramic planters of yesterday. Visit this Pinterest page for a few of them. Then stop in at Bahoukas to pick out 3 or 4 or 5 for your latest decorating idea. And don’t forget, in a week or two the kids go back to school… then it’s a slippery slide to the holidays and gift giving. You could have a lot of fun with a project using a few of our beautiful ceramic planters. Stop in soon!
These amazing vintage printer’s trays are sturdy and beautiful pieces of wood in their own right. Today they are often used for shadow boxes where folks put a variety of ‘collectibles’ in them and usually hang them on the wall. We might add it’s a great way to keep those smaller collectibles together and add a beautiful display piece to your home or office.
But are you aware that they were used to hold the letters for the old letterpress. Well, we say ‘old’ with the exception that Letterpress has become popular again. Just ask Glyph’s in Havre de Grace. Beautiful cards, stationary, and posters are being created today using the Letterpress.
But have you ever wondered why there are so many different layouts. CLICK HERE for some history and also CLICK HERE to read a bit of how they’re being used with a Letterpress today.
Here’s a beautiful assortment of ways to use the old printer’s trays in Pinterest. Gorgeous. Do a search and you’ll thousands of ways to use these old printer’s trays. Enjoy!
When you discover items at Bahoukas Antique Mall, ask George about it. He always has a few tips about the amazing collectibles in his shop.
We always recommend giving yourself plenty of time to browse our shop. Here are two pieces of pottery made in Italy! The right ‘find’ will add beauty to your home and create a wonderful conversation piece.
any type of decoration or accessory that sparks interest or curiosity among first-time onlookers.
Often they will ask questions regarding its origin, how you acquired it…etc. , thus leading to a conversation.
“I don’t know how you got that Model T Ford in your living room, but I gotta say it does make an interesting conversation piece!”by polo September 06, 2004
The beautiful, hand-painted, musical, porcelain clowns by Waco are enchanting – sad maybe – but enchanting. They require batteries. But look at the detail. Colorful, creative designs with a song to match. Stop in at Bahoukas and choose one or all for your collection. They’re waiting for that special someone who appreciates their gift of entertainment even through their sadness! These are from the 60s.
As you can see, the topics vary … but we know the perfect decorative sign is here for you! Need more ideas? Check this group out.
And check out this selection….
I told you we had a HUGE selection of decorative signs for you home or office. Seriously, if you can’t find something that works for your decor, we’ll be surprised. And this still isn’t all of them. Along with these we also have a few that are magnetic.
So stop in to Bahoukas today and chose your decorative signs to add a bit of whimsy (or even a smidgen of sarcasm) to lighten the day! We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
At Bahoukas Antique Mall you already know we have an amazing array of vintage, antique, collectible, and just plain interesting inventory. Check out these scales… many can be used. Others would make great planters, or decorative items in your home.
And finally, this most unique scale for eggs. What a great kitchen decorative or a perfect item for those who raise their own poultry.
Stop in and see us at Bahoukas today – you’re bound to find something that works perfectly for your collection, decorating, and even your workshop! We’ll be waiting for you!
But look at the exquisite work on these lamps. For instance, the two that have oriental figures are wonderful. The photos do not do them justice. (Click on the photo to see a larger view – then click back on your browser to return to the page) Better yet, stop in and see them at Bahoukas!
Next is a most beautiful lamp that features a bride (or beautifully gowned woman). I could also see this piece used in a bridal decor with a little creativity!
Then we have “Truly Unique” lamps – a dog, ships, and a pheasant. (At this time, the electrical component on the pheasant is not available. George is on a search to find them. This pheasant is fairly rare!)
And finally (but never the last of those available), this Madonna – or Mother – and Child is so beautiful. The sculpture of this piece is amazing. The colors are soft and gentle, accenting the very piece.
Here’s a close-up to show how astonishingly beautiful this tv lamp is. It would be beautiful displayed as sculpture.
(Apologies for the blurry photo – no matter what we did, we either got blur or reflection!)
Jimmy told George years ago that his mom was a switchboard operator and the service was located on the 2nd floor of the old Post Office Building (where JoRetro is located) on the corner of Franklin and Union.
Now you knew that Bahoukas Antique Mall would certainly have a unique line of antique and collectible phones to complete this piece of history. Check these out (and they work!):
This is a beautiful phone. It’s a Western Electric “Stowaway” – it’s in a most beautiful wooden case and has a retractable cord on the phone. It’s from the 70s and talk about ‘stylish’! WOW! This piece is beautiful. You have to stop in and see it.
Then check out this unique phone. It’s almost a piece of sculpture. It’s an Ericsson, made in Sweden. The dial pad is on the bottom.
The next phones are a Bell System 1940s dial phone (on the left) and a Princess Style Phone from the 70s on the right. The color of the Princess Phone is rare.
Of course, we can’t ignore the wonderful working reproduction of the Candlestick phone with dial pad. And we encourage you to “Phone Home” just like E.T.
Did you know about the switchboard operator that worked on the 2nd floor of the old Post Office building? Anyone in cyber-land have any stories to add? Stop in one day soon at Bahoukas and share your stories with George.
We are always meeting wonderful folks at Bahoukas. But sometimes we are really amazed at the incredible talent that shows up. This guy bought several old, tarnished portholes a while back. One day he came back to the shop to purposely show Betty what he does with them. Astounding.
Meet Oscar Sommer. He is 63, retired, and living here in Havre de Grace enjoying the art he loves – finding the perfect items to re-purpose. He also loves painting and photography.
Here’s the first item he brought in to show us:
The top shows what Oscar purchased. Below is the beautifully
cleaned, wire brushed or buffed piece.
He loves bringing the beautiful back into brass pieces.
But that’s not all. Here’s what he creates with some of them.
Here he creates a wall hanging, the porthole window opens… and there’s a love note to Popeye from Olive Oil!
In this beautifully finished piece to the left, he placed a mirror.
He has dozens of ideas or will make one to suit your needs.
Before talking with us, he hadn’t really thought about selling these. But we think they are too beautiful not to share.
Let us know if you’re interested, and we’ll be sure to put you in touch with Oscar.
Below is another unique piece, where he’s lovingly returned the beauty and utility to this old hand-cranked ice cream maker. which has all the internal parts working.
