It’s been a while since we’ve shared our variety of bottle collections. An old bottle is a great way to upcycle – use to keep pens, show off a small bouquet or a single flower, or just add to a windowsill with a sprig of ivy. Check out just a few of our collections in the store.
Milk Bottles
A great collection of milk bottles
Milk Bottle Sampler
Medicine Bottles
Do you love flowers? Well, our collection of bottles can give you beautiful cut flower containers. Consider these for a bud face or simple flower:
pharmaceutical bottles
CLICK ON OUR BOTTLES category (on the right side of our page) to see more complete posts about our many bottles available.
Vintage Bottles
Unique vintage bottles
Whether you have a windowsill filled with tiny bottles or a cabinet filled with your collection, we encourage you to stop into Bahoukas Antique Mall to see if one – or a dozen – might add to your collection or to your decor!
…working men protected their lunches from the perils of the job site (just imagine what a coal mine or a quarry could do to a guy’s sandwich) with heavy-duty metal pails.
Historic lunchbox, 1880s. A tobacco box was recycled as lunch box. Harold Dorwin / SI
Soon after…
Around the 1880s, school children who wanted to emulate their daddies fashioned similar caddies out of empty cookie or tobacco tins. According to the timeline, the first commercial lunch boxes, which resembled metal picnic baskets decorated with scenes of playing children, came out in 1902.
Do you have a favorite boo character/tv show/celebrity collectible lunchbox? Or maybe you’ve been looking for one? Stop in and visit us soon to see our extensive collection.
More lunchboxes from the collection at Bahoukas.
Yes, we are watchin’ for ya! And don’t forget, school is right around the corner. Possibly your youngster would love to have a lunchbox from Bahoukas!
We have two fine beer tap handles celebrating Natty Boh! Just two of an amazing collection of brewmania throughout our shop and in our Beer MuZeum upstairs.
CLICK HERE for a great piece about us from the Baltimore Sun.
The other side of these wonderful beer tap handles for National Bohemian!
Natty Boh Beer Cap Puzzles
Did you know there were puzzles to be solved under the beer cap? Did you realize that recently there are no puzzles? Read this article for details.
Want to learn some fun facts about Natty Boh? CLICK HERE
What kind of facts? Well, did you know that National Bohemian was the first to bottle beer in 6-pack cans in the 1940s?
We’ve heard that the bottle cap puzzles will be back. We sure hope. We also hard that there may be an app available for the beer cap puzzles. That would be fun!
This company, founded by Samuel Sabin in 1946, did not manufacture china, but it decorated “blanks” (i.e., undecorated pieces of china) purchased from ceramics companies that made the actual pottery and porcelain. Sabin applied decoration to these blanks — often by using decals — and then resold them to a variety of wholesalers or retailers. It is reported that Sabin also decorated glass.
People collect dolls for many reasons. Some collect them because of fond childhood memories, others for the artistry that goes into making them, others for historical value, and still others for their resale value. People collect what appeals to them and reflect their desires and values.
Here in our store, we have gathered quite a collection of dolls (and stuffed animals). Our “Barbie” collection is fairly extensive. But we’ve other delightful additions to consider whether it’s a gift for a young one to enjoy or to be added to a collection.
Shirley Temple Doll
This delightful doll can be purchased with 6 outfits, but we have a total of 16 if you’re interested!
Brief History of Dolls
Another excerpt:
Dolls in the Middle Ages were often made from clay, tin, or glass. Clay figures of horses and knights and figurines from glass and tin have been found. In addition, dolls made from bread representing various saints were eaten on religious feast days. Beginning in the 1400s, fashion dolls were created to display the latest Paris fashions to wealthy customers.
In America, one of the oldest dolls is the Kachina, made by the Hopi Indians in Arizona. Kachina dolls were hand carved from cactus root or cottonwood, painted with symbolic colors and designs, and dressed in traditional dresses. These dolls were intended as sacred objects for children to study, and were not used as toys. During religious ceremonies, Kachina dolls were given out by masked priests who dressed as ancestral spirits and offered petitionary prayers for the tribe.
Colonial Americans made dolls from whatever materials they had on hand, including corn husks, corn cobs, fruits, nuts, and gourds. Northern Indians and Eskimos fashioned their dolls from whalebone, walrus tusk, and mammoth teeth.
We’ve been posting about dolls over the years. CLICK HERE to see some of those older posts.
Wonder Why We Collect Dolls?
You’re in good company if you love to collect dolls of any kind. Some famous people, such as actress Demi Moore and actor Johnny Depp, collect dolls. Even British singer, Sophie Ellis Bextor, collects a variety of dolls because they’re full of personality and charm. You may collect dolls purely for investment purposes. After all, an original and mint condition G.I. Joe doll can fetch a pretty penny, as can a rare, vintage, or designer diamond-encrusted Barbie doll. But you likely already know that not all dolls are worth a fortune, so there may be another reason behind your habit.
Whether you’re looking for a Barbie to add to your collection, a Victorian doll, or a princess or baby doll, we may be able to help. So we encourage you to stop in soon. Yep, we’re always watchin’ for ya!
Gentle Reminder:
Might we add that 5 months from now will be the Christmas Holidays.
In 2020, thanks to a covid pandemic, delivery to our door has become commonplace for just about everyone! But if you’re familiar with Jewel Tea Co., you may not realize they started their door-to-door business in 1899.
Although many remember the Jewel Tea Co. which closed in 1981, few are probably aware of just how unique and entrepreneurial this company was. The following quote is a great example of how nimble and quick-thinking they were:
There were many tea companies at that time, and they all sold door-to-door, giving premium coupons with grocery purchases. When enough coupons had been saved, the customer had a choice of premium items offered. One day Mr. Ross knocked on the kitchen door of a prospective customer and had hardly stated his business when she grabbed a broom. He returned later that same day and learned that the lady had saved coupons for six months buying coffee and tea from a “wagon man” and had expected to get a rug with her coupons. However, the wagon man stopped coming around. Mr. Ross quickly offered her a premium to be left with her first order, to be paid out with a later trade.
This story varies from a broom to hot water, but the fast-thinking Mr. Ross with his idea of advancing the premium set the Jewel Tea Company apart from all other existing tea companies of the day.
Jewel Tea Co. “Autumn Leaves” dishware by Hall Co.
Many of the baby boomers today will recall these dishes from having had them in their homes growing up. They were premiums offered by Jewel Tea Co. and made by Hall China Company.
In the mid-1920s, the directors of Hall China made a decision to associate with the Jewel Tea Company to produce an exclusive line of dinnerware for them. Jewel started using Hall teapots as premiums, and then expanded the promotion to include its own line of distinctive dinnerware and kitchenware. New pieces were introduced by Hall China for Jewel until 1980.
This image is from a tching.compost and shows both the Autumn Leaves and Cameo Rose designs.
Do you collect the Cameo Rose pattern?
There’s much to be learned from earlier successful companies. And it’s always fun to start a collection where you can share a bit of the ‘story’ that comes with them.
Drop by and chat with us, browse our 9,000 sq. ft. of collections. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Yes, we’re living in a world full of selfies. Smiles that are so practiced that we’ve nearly forgotten what a great, spontaneous smile actually looks like. But stop by our shop for a great history of photography as you browse our vintage camera collection.
Over the past year or so, here at Bahoukas Antique Mall, we’ve acquired a surprising variety of antique, vintage, and collectible cameras. Whether you’re a photographer who loves to collect vintage cameras or someone who just loves how they look as unique decorating items in your home or office, we have a wonderful selection to choose from.
In researching the collecting of cameras, we found this most informative blog post on “How to Start a Camera Collection” from the blog Amateur Photographer. CLICK HERE to read a great post and maybe tickle your ‘collector self’ into considering a small camera collection.
Wonderful variety of vintage cameras at Bahoukas!
Here’s a short video that gives you a bit of camera history as well as the joy of collecting.
Did You Ever Make A Pinhole Camera?
Many can remember, as a kid, making a pinhole camera from an old shoebox. Did you ever do that? Have you shared that with your kids or grandkids. In today’s busy, techie world, it might be fun to share this simple project with a youngster in your life while teaching them a bit about how our eye and brain work to give us our vision and the pinhole camera is a great example.
Vintage Fun
Stop in today and browse our wonderful variety of cameras. Add to or start your collection today!
Of course, as always, we’ll be watchin’ for ya. Stop by and say ‘hello’ and share your favorite collectibles! You might just discover an addition that “you’ll just have to purchase!” See you soon!
At Bahoukas we have a great assortment of Action Figures from movies and television shows including Star Wars to Star Trek, Sports with Starting LineUp and even bobbleheads!
Star Trek Action Figures
Star Wars Action Figures
Star Wars Action Figures
Love Sports?
A wide variety of sports are represented with our Starting Lineup Action Figures!
Starting Lineup Action Figures
Starting Lineup Action Figures
Along with a wide variety of action figures, we also have sportsbooks, bobbleheads, and more.
Sports Books, Bobbleheads, and more
So if you enjoy Action Figures…
You’ll definitely want to stop by Bahoukas Antiquesand browse through our collections. Whether you’re looking for a special one for your own collection, helping someone start a collection, or just want to play with some, we have a nice variety – many more that what we show here.
So yes, we’ll be watchin’ for you and ready to show you our Action Figures Collections!
Are you serious about reusing items to keep them out of landfills? Many items in antique stores, besides adding to a collection or being a wonderful decorating item, are also quite useful.
Kitchen Utensils to Repurpose!
Look at this photo of one wall of kitchen items that could easily enjoy another few years of purpose.
Just one wall of great kitchen utensils that could be used today!
We also have
… rolling pins, cake dishes, pie tins, and cast iron pans to name just a few easily repurposed.
So many great ideas…
Cast iron pans
It’s well worth a visit to Bahoukas Antique Mall to see if we might have ‘just the item you need.’ If you need a link for other ideas, CLICK HERE. You’ll find dozens of items you probably never would think to look for at Bahoukas. Of course, we’re always watchin’ for ya!
These two antique pieces arrived recently. We’re excited to share them with you.
Civil War Naval Cutlass
First, let’s share a little background regarding this Naval Cutlass:
First cousin to the longer, lighter cavalry saber, the naval cutlass was designed for sea-fighting as the saber was adapted to land-battles. Because boarding actions were fought on the crowded decks of small vessels amid tangles of shrouds and splintered spars and struggling shipmates and foemen, Jack Tar’s blade had to be short for easy control, and heavy enough to provide its own momentum in slashing. (Unlike the cavalry trooper’s trusty saber, Jack’s cutlass did not have the weight of a galloping horse behind it!) The cutlass had a straight or slightly-curved blade designed both for cutting and thrusting. A large, enclosed guard shielded the swordsman’s hand.
from website History.naval.mil
Are you wondering just who “Jack Tar” might be? Here’s a bit of info:
Jack Tar (also Jacktar, Jack-tar or Tar) is a common English term originally used to refer to seamen of the Merchant or Royal Navy, particularly during the period of the British Empire. By World War I the term was used as a nickname for those in the U.S. Navy. Members of the public and seafarers alike made use of the name in identifying those who went to sea. It was not used as a pejorative and sailors were happy to use the term to label themselves.
US Naval Cutlass on left – Ceremonial Sword of Knights Templar on right
There’s an interesting link from this cutlass to Havre de Grace via Commodore John Rodgers.
In 1808, Commodore John Rodgers of the Brooklyn Navy Yard awarded Nathan Starr a contract for 2,000 cutlasses at $2.50 each. This weapon was 35 ¼ inches long with a single-edged, straight blade. The guard was made of iron, beaten to concavity and lacquered black. The grip was a maple cylinder protected from splitting by two metal rings (ferrules) clamped around the handle near its upper and lower ends. In the hands of New England seamen, these cutlasses felled scores of Britons during bloody boarding actions in the War of 1812, including the capture by HMS Shannonof James Lawrence’s Chesapeake in 1813, and Wasp‘s victory over HMS Reindeer in 1814, one of the fiercest cutlass-fights in the annals of the sea.
Rodgers Tavern (where Abbey’s Burger will open later this month) is connected to the Rodgers Family and their history with Havre de Grace. Here’s a tribute to Commodore Rodgers from Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton:
When I first saw Commodore Rodgers, which was after I had reached senatorial age and station, he recalled to me the idea of those modern admirals, and subsequent acquaintance confirmed the impression then made.
He was to me the complete impersonation of my idea of the perfect naval commander; person, mind and manners with the qualities of command grafted on the groundwork of a good citizen and good father of a family and all lodged in a frame to bespeak the seaman and officer. His very figure and face were those of the naval hero such as we conceive from naval songs and ballads and from the course of life which the sea officer leads exposed to the double peril of waves and war, contending with the storms of the elements as well as with the storm of battle. We associate the idea of bodily power with such a life, and when we find them united the heroic qualities in a frame of powerful muscular development, we experience a grateful feeling of completeness which fulfils a natural expectation and leaves nothing to be desired.
Now you can see how easily you can get pulled into learning a bit of history while at the same time having fun!
Knights Templar Ceremonial Sword
There is a great deal of folklore and conspiracy theory when you speak of the Knights Templar of the Middle Ages. For an interesting read, consider this article – 10 Thinks You Never Knew About The Knights Templar by Dan Jones in the British Edition of GQ Magazine.
The sword with its scabbard is probably early 1900s. George is still researching it.
Here’s another photos of these two awesome antique pieces:
We look forward to having you drop by and view these two pieces of history. Remember, George is the “Collector of Collections.” We’ll be watchin’ for ya to stop by so we can help you find your favorites!
As we keep reminding you, we have something for each and every age, taste, and style! Now, we know there are adults that have Pez Collections (Just ask George about his!). But we’re sharing some fun items for kids this time.
PEZ
Kids-of-all-Ages
… love PEZ collectibles. And George is our expert on All-Things-PEZ.
Do your kids have favorite characters from movies, cartoons, etc?
Bring them in to see if there are some PEZ items they might enjoy collecting.
CLICK HERE for more PEZ related posts on our website.
PEZ – PEZ – PEZ
books – Books – BOOKS!
Books for all ages and all interests at Bahoukas.
From classics to Dr. Seuss and everything in between, our shelves of books for children are sure to make a perfect escape on a rainy (or simply ‘too hot’) day! Bring them in and give them the opportunity to discover something of interest: Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, Donna Parker, the Classics, and a great variety of Golden Books.
Of course, we have comics and puzzles, and other fun items for kids.
And don’t forget, we also have a wonderful selection of books and magazines for adults including the complete Pulaski Seriesby Robert Lackey that are historical novels that center on Havre de Grace beginning with our canal and lockhouse time period. In fact, he visited with his latest book of the series, #10 Pulaski’s Redemption.
You’ll notice all kinds of fun events related to “Christmas in July.” Here at Bahoukas Antique Mall, it’s like Christmas all year when you browse our 9,000+ sq ft of treasures and discoveries!
Christopher Radko included
Included with the latest addition to our Christmas collections, are several dozen beautiful ornaments that include some Christopher Radko designs. Do you know that Christopher Radko is still alive and making gorgeous Christmas ornaments? Do you know the history?
CLICK HERE for interesting background from his website.
Watch the video below to see how they create a Christopher Radko ornament. Here’s the link to their page with more details. At Bahoukas we love sharing bits of knowledge about our wonderful collections, it’s our ‘thing.’
Since you’re in the mood for “Christmas”
CLICK HERE for more info about Christmas and Holiday Decorations at Bahoukas from previous posts!
And just in case you didn’t realize, we have a wonderful Christmas in July event THIS SATURDAY, July 10, 2021, at our local Joseph L. Davis Post 47 American Legion. Here’s the info below.
Be sure to visit us Bahoukas …
We’ll be here til 8pm! And yes, you can be assured, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Whether you’re looking for an addition to your tins and can collection or you just love to use them for storage or accent pieces in your decor, we have a wonderful variety of cans that include everything from coffee to tobacco.
To view more of our posts for tins and cans, CLICK HERE
Selection of tin cans – coffee, tea, nuts, toothpaste, etc
Coffee Tins to Beer Cans
How do you display your tin collection? Do you actually use any of them? Stop in and share your unique uses of your collectible tin cans. CLICK HERE for just one beautiful example of decorating with vintage tins to get your creative juices flowing!
Don’t forget that in our Beer MuZeum we have a huge – huge – huge collection of beer cans as well!
To view more of our Beer Cans and Brewmania, click on Beer MuZeum in our categories. For a really intriguing collectible in our Beer Can selections, CLICK HERE
Can Collectibles
Of course, you know we’ll be watchin’ for ya. Stop by Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum soon. Share your interests and stories.
This #24 Jeff Gordon item is only one of scores of collectibles you may enjoy.
An Independence Day Celebration
Along with parades and fireworks, Nascar racing has also become an American tradition for July 4th. This year they’re back. CLICK HERE for this Sunday’s Nascar schedule.
In the meantime, stop in and browse our collection of NASCAR memorabilia. We have quite a few items from older NASCAR collections.
The above # 24 Jeff Gordon NASCAR collectible is part of the Brookfield Collectors Guild and is in it’s original box.
In the meantime, we’ll be watchin’ for ya at the store. And to help make your weekend special, we’ve included the activities happening over the Independence Weekend in Havre de Grace. CLICK HERE
Here at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum we have a delightful collection of character glasses.
Just a few of the characters include:
Looney Tunes Adventures
Warner Bros.
McDonald’s
Archie Jelly Jars
Preakness & Kentucky Derby Glasses
and others
Some of the Character Glasses available at Bahoukas
Decades before there were Happy Meals, Welch’s Grape Jelly was the mother of cross-promotion targeted to children.
For the past 62 years, a new jar of Welch’s Grape Jelly has held out the magical promise of turning an ordinary jar into a juice glass adorned with colorful, images of popular kid-culture characters — a bonus for consuming the sweet, purple yumminess within.
The company sponsored the “Howdy Doody Show” in 1951 and three years later they issued their first of a series of “Howdy Doody” jars that when emptied became colorful, character-festooned “Howdy Doody” glasses. It was ingenious. The more jelly kids ate and the quicker they ate it, the more glasses they could collect. And as incentive to drink their juice in the morning (hopefully grape juice), a surprise stamp of a character’s face was imprinted on the bottom of the glass.
We look forward to welcoming you to our shop and to Havre de Grace as you enjoy the many activities over this weekend’s July 4 Celebrations. CLICK HERE for all the details. Then know that, yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Bahoukas Antique Mall & Beer MuZeum has a military collection worth browsing. This recent collection includes a variety of DUI – Distinctive Unit Insignias including many from WWII, a Coast Guard Cap, Awards Ribbons, A Unit Patch (we have many more), a Cap Badge, and a Spec 5 Patch.
WWII Distinctive Unit Insignia
WWII Distinctive Unit Insignia
A distinctive unit insignia (DUI) is a metal heraldic device worn by soldiers in the United States Army. The DUI design is derived from the coat of arms authorized for a unit. DUIs may also be called “distinctive insignia” (DI), a “crest” or a “unit crest” by soldiers or collectors. The term “crest” however, in addition to being incorrect, may be misleading, as a DUI is an insignia in its own right rather than a heraldic crest. The term “crest” properly refers to the portion of an achievement of arms which stands atop the helmet over the shield of arms. (Nevertheless, a minority of DUIs happen to depict crests, such as those of many National Guard state area commands.) The U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry is responsible for the design, development and authorization of all DUIs.
From Military Wikia
WWII Distinctive Unit Insignia
WWII Distinctive Unit Insignia
Unit Patch – we have many more
Spec 5 Rank Patch
Here’s a link to our Military Posts.
MILITARY LINK – Some of these items may no longer be available, but you’ll get a pretty good idea of the variety of Military Collectibles that we have. And we’re always receiving more.
Stop in over Havre de Grace’s Independence Weekend Celebrations and browse the shop. We’ll be watchin’ for ya. And just so you don’t miss out on anything, here’s the schedule of events!
We absolutely love this collection. If, per chance, you don’t remember what Depression Glass is, here’s a bit of background:
Glassmakers couldn’t sustain through the Great Depression by providing the popular labor-intensive cut crystal glass of the 1920s to the upper class. Much like we’ve seen distilleries pivot to hand sanitizer and designers pivot to mask production during the COVID-19 pandemic, glass companies that once made luxury crystal were forced to reconsider their products. In an attempt to keep people employed, glass factories in the Ohio River Valley pivoted to mass-producing significantly cheaper molded, patterned glassware thanks to an innovative machine that could produce upwards of 1,000 pieces a day.
Lovely Pink Depression Glass bowls and parfait dishes, goblets and pitchers.
What’s really exciting is that, according to this Architectural Digest article, the interest in collecting Pink Depression Glass (and others) could be gaining new interest.
This is just one “Collection of our many Collections! Stop in soon and browse Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum. Yes, we’re watchin’ for ya!
Bahoukas Antiques continually delights our shoppers of all ages. Check out these amazing wooden doll house furnishings. You have to see them to appreciate them.
Beautiful wooden doll house furnishings
Did you know originally dollhouses were for adults?
Before they were toys, <they> were used to show off wealth and teach domestic roles.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Do you know names used for the early dollhouses of the 17th century? (answer at end of article)
Did you collect FAIRYKINS?
In 1962 the Louis Marx Toy Company introduced another line of miniature hand-painted figures based on characters made popular by nursery rhymes and fairytales, such as those by the Brothers Grimm. The 35 cute but generic Fairykins figures are often confused with Disneykins. They were packaged and sold in basically the same formats as Disneykins and were also miniature remakes of popular 1950s figures.
