I’ll bet there’s not a person out there, of any generation, that doesn’t recall a Fisher-Price toy in their lives. But did you know how the company got started? Here’s a quote from the Fisher-Price website:
Once upon a time (back in 1930), Herm Fisher thought the world needed better toys. Toys that “appeal to the imagination, that do something new and surprising and funny.”
So he joined forces with Irving Price and Helen Schelle (who didn’t get her name in the logo. Sorry, Helen). Their first line of toys was called “16 hopefuls,” and included a couple of darling ducks.
Since then, Fisher-Price has kept the original vision of those founders in mind. Along the way, we introduced what’s now known as baby gear – all the stuff that makes baby showers worth having, and adds comfort, security, and convenience to the lives of new parents and babies.
We also remember what started it all—what would make Fisher, Price, and Schelle smile. So our goal is to keep enriching the lives of young families. To help parents soothe newborns to sleep. To encourage babies to make that next “I did it!” move. To see the wonder as toddlers discover the magic of play. To hear a preschooler imagine new worlds and explore everyday ones.
To keep bringing joy to generations.
Here at Bahoukas Antique Mall we have a wonderful collection of Fisher-Price Toys that just might delight another youngster for the holidays – or add to someone’s collection. Do any of these bring back memories?
Among the items above are the Busy Bee, Tractor & Wagon, Assorted Little People, milk crate & bottles, a Party Boat, Cassette Player, and even a Daredevil Skydiver, plus a snowmobile with Little People, and the Clown Jalopy.
Elvis Presley was rock & roll’s first real star, not to mention one of the most important cultural forces in history, a hip-shaking symbol of liberation for the staid America of the 1950s. A white Southerner singing blues laced with country, and country laced with gospel, he brought together American music from both sides of the color line and performed it with a natural sexuality that made him a teen idol and role model for generations of cool rebels. He was repeatedly dismissed as vulgar, incompetent, and a bad influence, but the force of his music and his image was no mere merchandising feat. Presley signaled to mainstream culture that it was time to let go. Four decades after his death, Presley’s image and influence remain undiminished. While certainly other artists preceded him to the alter of rock & roll, he is indisputably The King.
We have an entire section dedicated to ELVIS – THE KING including music wind-ups, Gold Records, Whiskey Decanters, telephone, collector plates & tins, AM Radio, dolls, figurines, stamps, puzzles, and shot glasses. If you loved ELVIS, or know someone who does, we can definitely help you find the perfect gift for your or their collection! Check out this awesome youtube video …. just in case you forgot how amazing ELVISwas!
Here are a few more photos of a small portion of our ELVIS COLLECTIBLES available at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum. Stop by soon and pick up the perfect ELVIS collectible for you pleasure or to give as a gift this holiday. Don’t forget – we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
On this special day of the year, Americans celebrate:
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgivingcelebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. from History.com
Here, at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum, we want to first wish each and every one of you a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving. We also want to remind you to take a moment to truly be thankful for all that you have… love, family, friends, food and shelter. At the same time, take a moment to reach out to another who may not be as fortunate.
Most of all, take time to breathe: breathe in the wonderful aromas of the season, breathe and smile for those you share it with, breathe and let go of all that feels like a burden, breathe… relax … give thanks.
No – not Goldilocks! Nope – not locks of a canal. But locks that require a key or a combination.
Here we have several railroad locks: B&O RR, PA RR, and Southern Rio Grande Pacific. We also have Master locks,a showcase lock, and even ‘handcuffs.’ We have a variety of old keys as well.
Over 6,000 years ago, locks may have been simply special knots tied in a rope that would tell the owner that someone had been in their belongings. From History of Locks, we offer this interesting quote:
History of mechanical locks started over 6 thousand years ago in Ancient Egypt, where locksmith first managed to create simple but effective pin tumbler lock that was made entirely from wood. It consisted of the wooden post that was affixed to the door, and a horizontal bolt that slid into the post. This bolt had set of openings which were filled with pins. Specially designed large and heavy wooden key was shaped like modern toothbrush with pegs that corresponded to the holes and pins in the lock. This key could be inserted into opening and lifted, which would move the pins and allow security bolt to be moved.
The History of Locks also mentioned this interesting bit of information concerning the Dark and Middle Ages in reference to locksmiths:
to try to confuse or compound lockpickers with new tactics. Instead of one simple lock they created multiple key mechanisms, increasingly complicated key designs, they obscured keyholes with detailed ornaments, created fake keyholes (with fake mechanisms inside), and more.
The first recorded mention of handcuffs appears in Virgil’s telling of the myth of Proteus…
MASTER LOCK PADLOCKS
Most of us are familiar with the name “Master Lock” and probably have owned a few over the years. We can think of bicycle locks, a lock for our school locker, or maybe even a lock on our tool box!
Master Lock was founded by Harry Soref in 1921.
In 1924 they started running ads like the one in this photo from their website,
If Bank Vault Doors and battle ships were built in laminated layers of steel for greater strength, why not make padlocks the same way? The first Laminated Steel padlock was invented and patented on April 22nd.
And did you know that Harry Soref helped Houdini? Here’s a quote from the Master Lock website:
By 1925 Harry Soref became a recognized icon with padlocks. Escape artist Harry Houdini visited Soref after he was unable to escape from a pair of handcuffs. Soref advised Houdini on trick places to hide padlock keys between his fingers and under his tongue during stage shows.
… and yes, they even did really well during Prohibition!
On February 20th, 1928 a container of 147,600 padlocks was shipped to federal agents in New York City. These locks were used to lock down many of the establishments that continued to sell the outlawed alcohol during prohibition.
These are just a few tidbits we discover when we write our blog posts.
No matter … stop by and see if one of these items would make a perfect gift for the magician on your Christmas List or maybe a great decorative item! We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Jewelry is a very much loved gift for many on our list. Have you ever considered an antique or collectible to fill that wish?
The above photo is a ‘mere sampling’of the many unique and fun pieces of jewelry we have available for you this year!
Have a techie in your group that still wears a tie – or maybe one who would love to place this on a scarf? Check out the little ‘robot man’ tie tack (toward the bottom of the photo by the wreath).
We have a variety of wonderful jewelry items in red to add that festive charm to your outfit or to give to someone on your list. Possibly a vintage ladies watch or pocket watch might brighten the eyes of someone you know.
Whether it’s fun and frivolous, or classic and stylish’…
…we have jewelry pieces for as little as 2-for-$3 to hundreds. We can help you find that perfect stocking stuffer, that beautiful piece that you know will be perfect, and even a silly gag gift – you know – just like ‘ugly sweaters’! Stop in to Bahoukas Antique Mall today… we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Havre de Grace Collectibles Make Day 11 Gift Giving Special
We KNOW there are folks on your list who would truly appreciate a gift from our Havre de Grace Collectibles. We have a variety of canning labels which, by the way, make great decorating for the kitchen! Above is also a milk bottle from Westwood Farm and two commemorative plates – one from the US Bi-Centennial and the other the Havre de Grace United Methodist Church. We have a nice variety of history books for Havre de Grace and Harford County to choose from.
The collector items at the top would make great pieces to add to your holiday decorations – tucked in greens and candles for a buffet table or mantle piece. Lots more ideas await at Bahoukas. Stop in soon… the 44 Days of Gift Giving is counting down… we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
This metal doll house offers hours of playtime for a child in your life. Bahoukas also has a wonderful assortment of furnishings and accessories for your doll house to add even more fun!
Here’s a view of the outside of this really delightful doll house.
Ha ha ha – not sure but I think George was peekin’ at the tv show. Anyway, here’s the beautiful outside view of this cute doll house.
TWO GREAT ARTICLES TO MAKE PLAYING WITH A DOLL HOUSE EVEN MORE FUN!
Another one is from Melissa and Doug’ssite, explaining Life Lessons that can be learned from playing with a doll house.
Stop in soon and browse the shop. We have some really fun toys and collectibles that may be a perfectly deLIGHTful gift for someone on your list. And yes, as always, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
It may not look like a holiday gift, but to the wrestler enthusiast, it’ll make a fine gift. In the photo above, the figures (left to right) are: Hulk Hogan, Hillbilly Jim, Junkyard Dog, Iron Sheik, and George “The Animal” Steele. The photos behind the figures are (l to r): Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage and Elizabeth, and Ultimate Warrior.
These would make great stocking stuffers for the ‘big or small’ wrestling enthusiast on your list.
By the way, are you aware there is a Pro-Wrestlers Hall of Fame. Yep…. Click on that link and check it out. By the way, they’re working on updating their site… so keep checking back on their site.
Be sure to check out the continued 44 Days of Gift Giving Ideas that we’ll be sharing throughout the holiday season. Then stop by our shop… ’cause we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
In this photo we have a sampling of the many ways we’ve listened to music over 100+ years that include: vinyl records of 45 rpm, 33 rpm, and 78 rpm. The bottom right displays a cassette tape and an 8-track tape. We bet you learned how to use a pencil to rewind a tape that has gotten twisted and pulled out of its case! We also have many record players for sale. CLICK HERE for a post on record players and maybe you’d like to learn about a Caliphone.
The bottom left of the above photo is a wax cylinder record – very fragile (not for sale).
In the photo above is a 1903 Columbia AP Gramophone.
Below is a larger image of the informative card in this display:
CLICK HERE for a wonderful history of the Gramophone!
Do you remember the name of the dog used in the RCA Victor logo?
You many already know that Thomas Edison is known for the Blue Amberol Records. Here’s a bit of info from Wikipedia:
Blue Amberol Records was the trademark name for cylinder records manufactured by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. in the US from 1912 to 1929. They replaced the 4-minute black wax Amberol cylinders introduced in 1908, which in turn replaced the 2-minute wax cylinders that had been the standard format since the late 1880s. Blue Amberols can play for as long as 4 minutes and 45 seconds and have a surface layer of the “indestructible” plastic celluloid, which Edison tinted a trademark blue color. Edison brand phonographs designed to play Amberol cylinders were named “Amberolas”.
At Bahoukas, we have some surprising finds to make it easy for you to find the perfect gift. And you have 36 days left to complete your gift-giving shopping! Hurry in … and remember, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
I’ll bet you haven’t thought of Bahoukas to find unique puzzles for the “enigmatologist” on your list! Well, here’s a sampling of what we have available. From JigSaw puzzles for children and adults, a Rubix Cube, and a variety of uniquely shaped puzzles in nearly every form.
enigmatologist
noun[countable]
someone who studies and writes mathematical, word or logic puzzles
enigmatology also enigmatography
noun[uncountable]
‘The annual war with words was spawned a quarter-century ago by enigmatologist Will Shortz, current puzzle editor of The New York Times.’
We have a few books around our shop. But we also found this interesting websitefor the ‘cruciverbalist on you list.
Maybe you follow Will Shortz as the Puzzle Master on his Weekend Edition Sunday Morning NPR program!
Will also edits the NY Times Crossword Puzzle.
If you love these, just do a search for Will Shortz and NPR Puzzle Master or the New York Times for plenty of information about Will and also plenty about solving puzzles.
Have fun! But don’t forget to stop by our shop to find that intriguing puzzle that may stump one of those puzzle-lovers on your gift list. Well, at least for an hour or two!
George gathered up the above items to add to your home or office decor – or to give as a very useful and beautiful gift. More importantly, you’ll always know the weather pattern where you’re at! The tall black case with brass trim includes a thermometer, barometer and hygrometer. We know a thermometer gives us the temperature. But do you know what a barometer or hygrometer tell us?
Temperature and humidity are the two most basic of weather variables and all of us are interested in what they are right now and what they will be in the future. Hygrometers measure the amount of moisture (or water vapor) in the air, commonly referred to as humidity. By knowing the percentage of humidity in the air along with the current temperature, dew point temperature and heat index can be calculated. These factors can be important to those who work and play outside. They are also important to farmers and other agricultural concerns with regard to stress in livestock or plants, or in properly irrigating crops. With an easy-to-read display and fast response time, analog hygrometers offer excellent accuracy and the ability to be calibrated. from weathershack.com
Barometric pressure plays a large part in the ever-changing weather pattern.
As a very loose rule, a high-pressure area will be clear, and a low-pressure area will be cloudy and rainy. from Science: How Stuff Works
The ‘pilot wheel’ is a thermometer created as an advertisement for Carney-Berman Mfg. Other items include “Old Salt” wood carvings, a coffee grinder thermometer, wood framed barometer-thermometer-hygrometer, a plastic Springfield thermometer, a woman silhouette that is a thermometer and an advertisement for Campus Pharmacy. There is also a glass thermometer for fish tanks by H-B Instrument Co., made in Phila PA USA, and a small a/c thermometer.
We doubt that you’ve really thought about all the possibilities for gift-giving available to you at Bahoukas Antique Mall. Be sure to stop in soon and discover for yourself. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
There are many combinations that can be created for your Holiday table and buffet. This is just one sampling. Beautiful gold and white would most certainly add an elegant touch to your holiday theme. We have place settings, salt & pepper shakers, an amazingly stunning gold tea set, and a variety of serving dishes. Or many you just want a ‘splash’ of interest – a serving dish … or maybe just the tea set!
Mix and match items give your personality to your holiday decor. Here at Bahoukas Antique Mall we have plenty to ‘mix & match.’
We encourage you to click on this link to visit RealSimple.com and get 26 unique ways to celebrate the holidays with a bit of splash! Don’t forget that along with what we post, Bahoukas has plenty of wonderful finds to put that ‘splash’ in your holiday theme! We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
‘Tis the Season to fill your home with warmth by sharing a wee bit of your personality! Do you love flowers? Flowers and Candles?
You will love our Day 4 of 44 Days of Gifts. These wonderful floral frogs allow you to add a bit of color and flair by arranging your favorite flowers with ease. Some even include a candle holder. Other pieces offer great sculptures to accent the flowers.
Add your favorite holiday flowers and create a beautiful table centerpiece, possibly use one of the sculptures to add a bright accent to your fireplace mantle or bookshelf. Large and small, these floral frogs make it easy to add the splash of color and a warm welcome to your upcoming holiday entertaining. Using the floral frogs allows you to easily create a Hostess Gift that can be easily transported and will surely be appreciated!
Here’s a great video that shows you how to use a ‘floral frog’ … with just the sweetest touch of Southern Hospitality!
You know my now that “we’ll be watchin’ for ya” at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum!
1963 – JFK Assassination probably the most remembered event
With the release of 13,000 documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, it seemed an appropriate time to mention some of our JFK collectiblesavailable at Bahoukas Antiques. Above are a few of the JFK Tapestries we have. They are beautifully done! Possibly a grandparent or parent would appreciate one of these items. Then take the time to listen to their stories from those days long gone.
Above is a small selection of the many JFK Memorabilia we have for you at Bahoukas. Included are several magazines (Post and Life), a vinyl record of the actual speeches of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, small busts, figurines, banks, tokens, and even a PEZ Presidents Collection.
Along the bottom of the above photo are a few photos taken of the Kennedy grave site in March/April 1964. To the left is a larger image of one of those photos. (Apologies for the blur)
Are you interested in reading these documents for yourself? Click this link to the government archives. Read them for yourself. We will note that there are still many redactions.
Do you wonder what else happened in 1963?
Let’s see:
The Lava Lamp was introduced (photo from Wikipedia)
AT&T introduced the touch tone phone
The Beatles released their first album,
“Please Please Me”
Martin Luther King gave his “I Have A Dream” Speech
Curious about other trends and happenings? We can point you to more by having you click this link.
Many items besides the JFK Memorabilia are available at Bahoukas Antique Mall. Always we invite you to stop in and browse. And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya.
On Day 2 of our 44 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas we are reminded of our family holidays and traditions. Then we thought about E.T. asking to ‘phone home.’ For the lover of all things E.T., we have the following that includes a very collectible lunch box (thermos included), E.T. glass, and several different sizes of E.T. figures, some with movable parts. Of course, there’s plenty more lunch box collections and movie memorabilia.
Below is a great youtube video from the movie, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. A great movie … so grab a copy or look for it on the internet and join the kids for a great evening of movie watching and popcorn. Of course, that’ll be right after they’ve opened their Christmas gift and received an E.T. collectible. In the mean time, take some time to ‘phone home’ and let those you love know that you’re thinking of them. Stop in soon to Bahoukas Antique Mall. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
During the next 44 days we’re going to offer some creative ideas to help you find the ideal gift for that very special ‘someone’ in your life. Your significant other, your kids, your grandkids, maybe a best friend or someone in the office. No matter, we’ll have a number of suggestions to help you discover the perfect gift.
With the NASCAR race tonight (11/10/2017) at the Phoenix Speedway, and the Grand Finale on 11/17/2017 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, it’s the perfect time to remind you of the NASCAR collectibles we have waiting for you to choose a few items for the NASCAR collector on your list – or maybe you just want to encourage someone to ‘start’ their collection.
So enjoy the races and then pop in to Bahoukas to grab the NASCAR collectible and memorabilia that will complete your collection! They make perfect gifts as well. Stay-tuned. We have 43 more days to go. In the meantime, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
and cooking things like soups and stews help us to take the chill off the house. We thought it was also a perfect time to share a most unique implement that many of you have in your home – the simple rotary egg beater and a bit of its history!
Below is a collection of egg beaters available at Bahoukas Antique Mall. Top row (l to r) include red-handled Merry Whirl 1916 egg beater (USA), 1916 egg beater, A&J 1923 egg beater – red or green handled – made in USA, and a steel handled egg beater (USA).
Bottom row includes (l to r): Ladd egg beater by United Royalty Corp NY – 1929, high speed super center drive beater, child’s egg beater, One Hand Whip – this one you squeeze, 1904 Dover Pattern Improved egg beater (USA), Dunlap’s Sanitary Cream & Egg Whip – no spatter/no waste – 1916, and an A&J Whippit – cream whip.
…By the 1870s, the Dover cast-iron rotary eggbeater hit the market and revolutionized cooking in American kitchens. Now, that 90-minute chore took just 5 minutes. Cooks all over the country could rest their weary arms and still produce light, fluffy egg whites. In fact, Dover eggbeaters became so common that all eggbeaters were called Dovers, even when manufactured by another company.
…(Taplan created an improved Dover)…In 1903, this eggbeater could have been purchased at any one of the 10 hardware stores listed in the La Crosse city directory. Fifteen years earlier, such a fancy tool would have cost more than a dollar, but, by the turn of the century, these beaters were so common they could be purchased for less than 10 cents.
Yep, if you’ve read this far, you’ve learned that a “Dover” was what most folks called the egg beater – kind of like when we use the trademarked “Kleenex” to mean a facial tissue!
Amazingly, it took nearly 90 minutes to get fluffy egg whites until the egg beater reduced that chore to 5 minutes!
Would you like to know exactly how the rotary egg beater works?
CLICK HERE for a description of the mechanics of this labor-saving kitchen tool from the BBC – history of the world or you can watch this video!
Imagine…. it took 90 minutes to accomplish those fluffy egg whites before the invention of the egg beater!
Happy Baking!
When you need a break, or a practical tool, stop by Bahoukas Antique Mall. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Lance and Planters Collectibles just in time to use for your Halloween Party!
The peanut plant probably originated in Peru or Brazil in South America. No fossil records prove this, but people in South America made pottery in the shape of peanuts or decorated jars with peanuts as far back as 3,500 years ago.
European explorers first discovered peanuts in Brazil. As early as 1500 B.C., the Incans of Peru used peanuts as sacrificial offerings and entombed them with their mummies to aid in the spirit life. Tribes in central Brazil also ground peanuts with maize to make a drink.
Peanuts were grown as far north as Mexico when the Spanish began their exploration of the new world. The explorers took peanuts back to Spain, and from there traders and explorers spread them to Asia and Africa. Africans were the first people to introduce peanuts to North America beginning in the 1700s. ….
…Their popularity grew in the late 1800s when PT Barnum’s circus wagons traveled across the country and vendors called “hot roasted peanuts!” to the crowds. Soon street vendors began selling roasted peanuts from carts and peanuts also became popular at baseball games. While peanut production rose during this time, peanuts were still harvested by hand, leaving stems and trash in the peanuts. Thus, poor quality and lack of uniformity kept down the demand for peanuts.
Around 1900, labor-saving equipment was invented for planting, cultivating, harvesting and picking peanuts from the plants, as well as for shelling and cleaning the kernels. With these significant mechanical aids, demand for peanuts grew rapidly, especially for oil, roasted and salted nuts, peanut butter and candy.
Who invented peanut butter?
There is evidence that ancient South American Inca Indians were the first to grind peanuts to make peanut butter. In the United States, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (of cereal fame) invented a version of peanut butter in 1895. Then it is believed that a St. Louis physician may have developed a version of peanut butter as a protein substitute for his older patients who had poor teeth and couldn’t chew meat. Peanut butter was first introduced at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904.
Peanuts and peanut butter became an integral part of the Armed Forces rations in World Wars I and II. It is believed that the U.S. army popularized the peanut butter and jelly sandwich for sustenance during maneuvers in World War II.
(A bit of info regarding our love of peanuts in America)
…Peanuts, peanut butter and peanut candy are some of the most popular products in the United States. Americans eat more than six pounds of peanut products each year, worth more than $2 billion at the retail level.
Peanuts are still a staple for Americans. And the story of Lance and Planters Peanuts are American stories of entrepreneurial spirit. Stop in and choose your collectible to either add to your personal collection or to add to holiday decorating. Remember, we have thousands of unique items available at Bahoukas Antique Mall. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
