Military Collectibles

From Civil War to WWII and more…

Collecting military items has always been an interest at Bahoukas. From Civil War photos to various headwear, lead and plastic toy soldiers to invalid feeders. Stop by and browse. Take a minute to chat with George.

canteens and more
Canteens and other gear in our military section at Bahoukas

It’s amazing the variety of items we have. Along with the above canteens, belts, etc., Bahoukas also has currency (including WWII Japanese currency), military books, military DUI, and patches. CLICK HERE for posts related to our military category.

Stop in soon. We’re here… and we’re watchin’ for ya!

Lunch Boxes and School Desks

A bit of Lunch Box History

Dads carried metal tins with lunch to their jobs in the coal mines and factories. Of course, it wasn’t long before their children wanted to copy their dads.

… the first commercial lunch boxes, which resembled metal picnic baskets decorated with scenes of playing children, came out in 1902.

from Smithsonian Magazine

The first lunch box decorated with a famous licensed character was introduced in 1935. Produced by Geuder, Paeschke & Frey, it featured Mickey Mouse, and was a four-color lithographed oval tin, with a pull-out tray inside. It had no vacuum bottle, but did have a handle.

In 1950, Aladdin Industries created the first children’s lunch box based on a television show, Hopalong Cassidy. The Hopalong Cassidy lunch kit, or “Hoppy”, quickly became Aladdin’s cash cow. Debuting in time for back-to-school 1950, it would go on to sell 600,000 units in its first year alone, each at US$2.39. In 1953, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were featured on models introduced by American Thermos.

from Wikipedia
lunch boxes of metal and plastic at Bahoukas
Huge collection of decorated lunchboxes in plastic and metal

Many of the latest additions are complete with thermoses as well. Do stop in and check it out. They are a great last-minute gift for a child in your life – or your favorite collector. Remember, not just great for lunch, but fun for picnics, playing, keeping treasures, and more.

School Desks

Wooden school desk, cast iron base, lid lifts to a cubby for storing paper and books
Beautiful wooden and cast iron school desk.

The above desk is in beautiful condition. We also have another as pictured below:

wood school desk with cast iron base, lid lifts up for a cubby that can hold books and papers
Another beautiful wood school desk.

Another choice is this wood desk:

The front of the desk had the bench for the desk that sat in front of it

1881: The Fashion School Desk

The First Model

The first school desk was made in 1880 by John D. Loughlin in Sidney, Ohio. The desk, known as “The Fashion Desk,” proved to be extremely popular across the country. The practicality of the desks allowed for many to be put together in a one room schoolhouse, and the fashion aspect of it was aesthetically pleasing to those in the education industry. Loughlin’s marketing campaign also helped to sell these desks, which would eventually sweep the nation. The “Fashion Desks” were desks attached to one another and were big enough to seat two or three children. Usually, there was an inkwell so that the student could replenish his pen’s supply.

from TheClassroom.com

The Sidney School Furniture Company, located in Sidney, Ohio, began manufacturing the popular “Fashion” school desk in 1881. Advertising for the desk claimed, “No desk in the market is made with more care, nor of better materials than the ‘Fashion,’ and none has met with a more popular reception, or gives better satisfaction.” The desk featured a Patent T-head, which eliminated screws and bolts by joining the wood of the top, back, and seat to the legs, which were made of cast iron.

from EdTechMagazine.com
old wooden school chair with writing pad

Old School Chair

… with writing pad. These are solid and have a shelf on the bottom to place books and bags.

So whether it’s a lunchbox or a school desk, we can add a last-minute ‘surprise’ to your holiday gift-giving. Hurry in. We’re watchin’ for ya so that we can help you with your last-minute searches. Don’t forget, we DO CLOSE for Christmas Day and New Years Day. (Give us a call to be sure we didn’t leave early on the eve of both!) Happy Holidays!

Colorful Novelty Radios

These very collectible radios – and they ALL WORK – include a 1950s Baseball Player Radio, a Panapet 1970s Red Ball Radio by Panasonic, a 1970s Snoopy Radio, and a 1998 promotional Pepsi Cola Radio.

close-up view of the 1950s Baseball Player Radio
Baseball Player Radio – 1970s

The Panapet radio is a round novelty radio on a chain, first produced by Panasonic in the early 1970s to commemorate the World Expo in Osaka. Two chrome plated dials on the surface are for tuning and volume, and a tuning display is inset on the surface of the ball. The Panapet is AM band only – no FM. There is a jack for a mono earplug. The Panapet came in several colors including red, yellow, white, blue, purple and avocado green.

from Wikipedia
Pepsi Cola bottle cap styled radio 1998, 1970s Panapet Red Ball Radio, and a 1970s Snoopy character radio at Bahoukas
Novelty Radios – Pepsi Cola, Snoopy, and Red Ball

The Snoopy AM Radio, 1970s, by Determined Productions, Inc.

Connie Boucher, a pioneer in licensing cartoon characters who provided the inspiration for “Happiness Is a Warm Puppy,” a best-selling 1962 book about Snoopy, the “Peanuts” comic strip character, has died at age 72.

Ms. Boucher, who died here Dec. 20 of complications following heart surgery, was a window dresser for I. Magnin in 1959 when she grew dissatisfied with the quality of coloring books available for her two sons. With her husband, Jim Young, she created a Winnie-the-Pooh coloring book, using a character that was in the public domain. The book sold 50,000 copies.

Two years later she founded Determined Productions Inc. to develop other products based on licensing characters. One of her first efforts was a calendar using the characters in the Charlie Brown comic strip.

The Pepsi-Cola Bottle Cap Radio is vintage 1998.

1998 was also the 100th Anniversary of the Pepsi-Cola brand. CLICK HERE for a bit of history. Do you know what Pepsi was originally named before being branded in 1898: See bottom of this post

Whether you love very collectible novelty radios, early transistor radios, or truly vintage radios and phonographs, we have a wonderful collection. Stop in soon. We’re watchin’ for ya!

Answer: Brad’s Drink

Action Figures Fun

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 Trek Action Figures
Star Wars Action Figures
Star Wars Action Figures
Star Wars Action Figures
Star Wars Action Figures

Love Sports?

Starting Lineup Action Figures
A wide variety of sports are represented with our Starting Lineup Action Figures!
Starting Lineup Action Figures
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 at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
Sports Books, Bobbleheads, and more

So if you enjoy Action Figures…

You’ll definitely want to stop by Bahoukas Antiques and 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!

Love Comics?

Another wonderful addition to our many, many collections just came in the door recently. A beautiful assortment of Classics Illustrated comics from the 1940s! Hurry in and see if you can find one that might be missing from your collection. Or maybe you’re ready to ‘start’ collecting!

Very collectible comics assortment of Classics Illustrated at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace, MD

Biographies to Books to Superheroes!

These are so much fun to look at from the amazing art work to the stories and more…

Just two samples:

Very collectible Classics Illustrated comic #50: The Adentures of Tom Sawyer by Samuel L Clemens at Bahoukas Antiques in Havre de Grace, MD

I know some folks see comics as ‘wasting time.’ But the Classics Illustrated series offers recognized books in comic form. Everyone can enjoy the classics! In Britain, they’ve created Classical Comics, founded in 2007, offering selections that include Shakespeare and Dickins.

Classics Illustrated is an American comic book/magazine series featuring adaptations of literary classics such as Les MiserablesMoby-DickHamlet, and The Iliad. Created by Albert Kanter, the series began publication in 1941 and finished its first run in 1969, producing 169 issues. Following the series’ demise, various companies reprinted its titles. Since then, the Classics Illustrated brand has been used to create new comic book adaptations. This series is different from the Great Illustrated Classics, which is an adaptation of the classics for young readers that includes illustrations, but is not in the comic book form.

from Wikipedia
Very collectible Classics Illustrated comic #47: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne at Bahoukas Antiques in Havre de Grace, MD

Remember, you just never know what collections and items might arrive in our shop. So stop in often and find the perfect piece for your collection. Better yet, start a new one! We’re here and ready to say, “Welcome to Bahoukas!”

Need Ideas for the Guys?

Bahoukas has some fine choices!

motorcycle models
Motorcycle models

Maybe you can’t get him the ‘real’ one… but we have some models that would make perfect stocking stuffers!

Duck decoys

Our selection of duck decoys is limited but very interesting. Stop in to see what we have!

Pulaski Saga by RF Lackey
Bob Lackey is known by many in Harford and Cecil County and definitely by residents of Havre de Grace. We carry his books – the entire series. This is a great historical fiction series that starts in the canal days of Havre de Grace and is truly a wonderful way to get a feeling of what life was like in those years gone by.
huge collection of beer taps at Bahoukas Beer MuZeum in Havre de Grace, MD
Of course, our Brewmania collection… well stop in and see for yourself!

Bahoukas’ Beer MuZeum is amazing! Huge selection of brewmania for any man cave! Whether a collector or just adding to the ambiance, we have something that will work!

We have several slot machines and jukeboxes.

Stop by and check them out. Nope – won’t fit in a stocking, but just might be the perfect gift!

A variety of old tools useful still today at Bahoukas
Vintage tools are always of interest … stop in and see if we have something
that guy on your list can use – or to add a bit of interest to the decor!
We can help you with your choices.
Fishing Lures by Heddon - great collection - Bahoukas Antique Mall
Heddon Fishing Lures

The fisherman (or woman) in your life may be VERY familiar with these lures. Stop by and check them out. They are a collector’s dream Perfect extra thoughtful gift!

Of course, these gifts aren’t limited to the guys. And remember, we have over 9,000 sq ft of items to discover. When Thanksgiving is over, we’ll be ready to help you with your holiday shopping. Join us for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday… or ANY day that you’re in the mood to discover the perfect gift. (We promise not to tell you bought something for yourself while you were here!)

And yes, we’re here… and we’re watchin’ for ya! Happy Thanksgiving!

We Need the Rain!

… and a perfect day for reading!

Children's Classic books - assortment available at Bahoukas
Books you may remember – fun for the young people in your life!
Hardy Boys Classics
Hardy Boys Series
Golden books and more make wonderful children's gifts for the holidays! They can be found at Bahoukas.
Even more Golden Books for all ages…

Books are a great way to enjoy a rainy day … or just curl up and read for the fun of it. At Bahoukas Antique Mall we have a surprising number of books in nearly every category. Stop in and discover for yourself that book you’ve always wanted to read!

20 volume set of World's Greatest Literature by Spencer Press available at Bahoukas Antique Mall in Havre de Grace
World’s Great Literature
world of cookbooks available at Bahoukas Antique Mall
World of Cookbooks and more…
Military books and more at Bahoukas Antique Mall
Military books
Collectible Comics Books at Bahoukas Antique Mall in Havre de Grace
Maybe you can’t convince a young one to read a book! But you might
get them started by having them read a comic!

Don’t forget we carry the Pulaski Saga series by Robert F. Lackey. It starts with Pulaski’s Canal and the setting is our very own Susquehanna Lock House! Book six recently released: Serpent’s Compromise. And continues through book seven: Despot’s Heel, coming out in November!

And yes – we’ll be watchin’ for ya! Stop in soon and we’ll help you find a book you’ll enjoy at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum!

Sometimes it’s not the rain…

that keeps us in – but the sun!

Wonderful Little Golden Books at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
Wonderful selection of Little Golden Books and more…

With temperatures heading up to the 90s this week, often it’s too hot for the young ones to be outdoors for too long at a stretch. We just might have a solution or two for you at Bahoukas Antique Mall.

More great books for the young reader at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
From princesses to cowboys, kittens to bunnies, great stories for your young readers

We have a wonderful variety of Little Golden Books and more for the young readers to enjoy. Maybe you’d like to bring them in to pick one out – or surprise them with a selection when you need to bring them indoors for a bit of cool, quiet time!

Nearly every category possible for young readers.

Along with this wonderful selection of books, you’ll also find a nice selection of games that the youngest to the older kids may enjoy! Make a game or reading party to encourage the youngsters to enjoy a respite from the hot sun!

Stop in today… we’ll be open all week. Yes, we are OPEN on July 4th – and we’ll be open on Saturday – parade day! Yessireeeee… we’re always watchin’ for ya at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum.

Collectibles and Flowers…

a perfect combination

Create a setting with a few flowers and an old pitcher.

Then sit down and enjoy…

A tiny pitcher with a sprig of tiny flowers makes a wonderful collectible arrangement.

Now you can sit down and begin your novel…

Inspiration…

Noticing these shelves with a mix and match of old vases and pitchers are what inspired this post. With summer fast approaching, flowers from your garden or picked while walking a country path make a wonderful arrangement in an old, collectible vase.

What collections do you have?

A simple bouquet of flowers from your garden and “VOILA!” – a perfect bit of summer on your table, bookshelf, or window sill.

This beautiful swan vase looks absolutely stunning with these flowers.

Stop in to Bahoukas Antique Mall today. You’ll find a dizzying array of collectibles to display your summer flowers. Pitchers, bowls, glass jars, vases, and so much more are waiting for you to choose a couple to take home! And of course, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Wednesday Surprise #10

Pianos!?!?

Do you have a player piano? We have the music rolls!

Well… not exactly!

Looking for unusual, and often forgotten, items, we found these up on a shelf. We have quite a selection of old Player Piano Music Rolls.

First, let me explain what a player piano is. According to Wikipedia:

player piano (also known as pianola) is a self-playing piano, containing a pneumatic or electro-mechanical mechanism that operates the piano action via pre-programmed music recorded on perforated paper, or in rare instances, metallic rolls, with more modern implementations using MIDI. The rise of the player piano grew with the rise of the mass-produced piano for the home in the late 19th and early 20th century.[1] Sales peaked in 1924, then declined as the improvement in phonograph recordings due to electrical recording methods developed in the mid-1920s. The advent of electrical amplification in home music reproduction via radio in the same period helped cause their eventual decline in popularity, and the stock market crash of 1929 virtually wiped out production.

WIKIPEDIA
How a player piano works

Now we’ll add a video to actually show you how it works. The first minute or so shows it before it’s fully repaired. About half-way through, you can see and hear it working. Pretty cool, huh?

So, what DO we do with these piano rolls?

Well, if you don’t have a player piano, you might want to consider a craft or two where these would be amazing. If you search Pinterest, you’ll find hundreds of ways to incorporate these rolls.

On the other hand, are you an artist who loves working with paper? Then you may already see a dozen uses. I’m wondering if those folks who sculpt using old books might find these of interest. Hmmmm….

CLICK HERE for just one blog post I found that’s pretty interesting. There are lots more.

If you’re still trying to picture using these rolls in a craft, view this blog post we found.

from twopurplecouches.com

Of course, now that you realize how beautiful these piano player rolls really are, you might want to stop in and grab a couple for yourself. Want a dozen or more, or even all of them, talk to George for a deal. Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Baseball Season

Baseball cards and more…

Ripkin Collectibles

Above are a set of baseballs for Cal Ripkin. Come check them out! While you’re here, check out the sports books we have available!

A unique gift set for the inaugural season of the Washington Nationals.

Baseball Player Bobbleheads

Of course, what’s a sports collectible without a bobblehead or figurine? Stop by and browse our collections! You might just find the one you’re looking for! Yes, we’ll be here and we’re watchin’ for ya!

Mother’s Day Ideas #2

Beautiful Cookbooks!

Cookbooks – just arrived!

These cookbooks just arrived last week. They are beautiful, in excellent condition, and would make a most wonderful gift for the mom in your life who loves food and loves cooking. (Who doesn’t!?!?)

There are others in the store, too. So stop by soon. We think these beautiful choices will go fast.

Remember, Mother’s Day is THIS SUNDAY!

Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Eyeglasses

… a fun and stylish collectible

eyeglasses – for history or style!

From Benjamin Franklin’s spectacles to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s sunglasses, eyewear plays an important role in our perceptions of history and culture. While the first eyewear emerged in the 13th century Italy, it didn’t mesh with fashion until much later. In 1730, an English optician developed a pair of glasses with two attached rods that rested on the wearer’s ears. From that point, corrective lenses became wearable accessories.

From AntiqueTrader.com

Did you ever make the connection between the invention of the Gutenberg Press and the popularity centuries later of printing for the masses would create the need, and popularity, of eyeglasses! Before then, few average people owned books. But once available, people then needed eyeglasses to improve their eyesight for reading.

It wasn’t until the 15th century, soon after the advent of the movable-type printing press, that concave lenses were developed in Florence. Florentine spectacle makers were so advanced, they had lenses graded for every five years of eye-sight loss for the age 30 and onward, plus two different strengths of lenses for the near-sighted.

from CollectorsWeekly.com

Today, eyeglasses are common. Of course, we also have contact lenses and corrective eye surgery to improve our eyesight. But collecting eyeglasses has gained popularity among history re-enactors who look for period eyewear to complete their costumes. The theater has always been a great place for using vintage eyewear.

Even more fascinating are those who love collecting styles that were worn by celebrities and famous individuals. Nearly everyone can remember the styles worn by Jackie-O (wife of the late President John F. Kennedy).

Jackie-O in her famous sunglasses

Check out this post that shares some great examples of famous people and their eyewear.

This iconic vintage glasses guide will take you through the lives of 10 of the most stylish and famous ladies from Hollywood and beyond.  We’ve even matched the eyepieces of our favorite iconic glasses wearers with our own frames, which are updated for today’s trends, so you can steal the look!

from VintandYork.com

Okay, now you know a little more about eyeglasses. Stop in to Bahoukas and pick a pair for your historical costume, a theater costume, or to add a bit of pizzazz the next time you go out! Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Super Heroes to Snoopy…

Why Do We Love Comics?

Comics encourage reading, imagination, and give us encouragement!

How many times have you looked at someone enjoying a comic book and wondering “why?” Well, according to Scribendi, there are a number of good things to come from enjoying a comic book including the one below:

#2: Comic Books Help Us Think Differently
According to University of Windsor English professor Dale Jacobs (2007), comic books require readers to create meaning using “multiple modalities.” Readers of comic books must process all the different components—visual, spatial, and textual—of what they are reading and integrate these components into one solid understanding of the story. This means that, even though comic books may appeal to readers for the same reason these individuals are drawn to other forms of entertainment, such as television and video games, reading these books actually involves much more complex processing. More research remains to be done regarding the neurological benefits of reading comic books, but it is evident that there is far more to this genre than simply “looking at pictures,” as some critics of comic books believe.

from Scribendi

I’ll bet you never thought about that. So possibly for you, or even for a young person who seems to not care about reading, maybe it’s time to start your own collection of comics. The article above has 5 great points to encourage enjoying a few comic books!

We have comics that include: Golden Age, Silver Age, Modern Age, Disney, Super Heroes, Villains, Adventure, and War. Well, those are just for starters.

By the one, did you know that this #1 Collectible Comic is SUPERMAN #1 Action Comic! Sorry, we don’t have one of those!! But we’ll help you browse our selection if you stop by and say ‘hi!’ It’s such a fine day! We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Edison’s Genius

Edison’s Gramophone 1912-1914

Beautiful Edison Gramophone 1912-1914

Bahoukas Antique Mall has a beautiful 1912-1914 Edison Gramophone with a selection of wax cylinders. It’s a beautiful piece. Edison had a wonderful view of the many uses that would benefit society that included dictation, recorded books for the blind, music boxes, and others.

Another view of the beautiful Edison Gramophone available at Bahoukas.

One use was to have music available for soldiers, that gave them a taste of home through familiar music. Though not considered by Edison, he welcomed the opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifice of American and Allied Nation’s soldiers in WWI. You can listen to Edison here:

Edison speaking public on a phonograph – 1917

Edison Invents the Phonograph 

Many of the uses Edison suggested for the phonograph have become a reality, but there were others he hadn’t imagined. For example, the phonograph allowed soldiers to take music off to war with them. In 1917, when the U.S. became involved in World War I, the Edison Company created a special model of the phonograph for the U.S. Army. This basic machine sold for $60. Many Army units purchased these phonographs because it meant a lot to the soldiers to have music to cheer them and remind them of home. This is an audio clip of Edison himself in which he expresses his pride in the soldiers and reminds Americans of the enormous sacrifice and contribution made by the other allied nations. 

from AmericasLibrary.com

Stop in soon and see this beautiful Edison Gramophone. We have others as well as newer model phonographs/record players. You do know the records are coming back – right? Well, we’ll be watchin’ for you!

Need a Little Color…

a few thoughts of Spring!

Glass Paper Weights can add a bit of color to a drab day.

We decided that with the crazy weather patterns that in the past week or two have included 50 degree days and sunny, ice-sleet-snow days dropping to single digits, and just about everything in between, we’d add just a splash of color.

Abstract or simple, the paperweight adds a hint of sunshine.

Glass paperweights are just that hint of color, sunshine and spring that you might need. Add one to your desk, kitchen counter, bookshelf, or bedroom nightstand.

These paperweights look almost like they have coral inside of them.

Choose one for its coloring, the flower hidden inside, or the abstract ones that tickle the imagination when you find your gaze fixed on them. But give them an opportunity to inspire thoughts of spring and remind you that it won’t be long!

Glass and pottery ‘frogs’ for the flowers that remind you Spring isn’t far away.

These ‘frogs’ are for used to arrange flowers. Some are complete, just add water and flowers. Others are placed at the bottom of a vase, then add flowers. These frogs allow you to create beautiful arrangements easily.


Why did we mention these ‘frogs’ along with the glass paperweights?

We thought that while you’re thinking about spring, sun, and color, you just might want to pick up some cut flowers and bring all of those beautiful thoughts into your home and/or office. And these ‘frogs’ will just make that task easy.

So enjoy a sweet touch of color and sun by stopping in to Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum and find one or two items that will brighten a corner of your desk, counter, home or office. Don’t forget to grab a bouquet of cut flowers on your way. In the meantime, you guessed it, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Holly Jolly First Friday and Bahoukas

Love an old-fashioned Christmas?

Wooden riding firetruck!

One of the things we hear people saying is how ‘commercial’ Christmas is. We can help change that if you visit us at Bahoukas Antique Mall. We have a wonderful variety of toys and gifts that add value and excitement to your gift-giving.

Above is a well made, wooden firetruck sure to please that young toddler on your list. Nothing fancy, nothing to break, just a great toy! Stop by and see it for yourself.

Create a reader with these Golden Books and more

Remember all of your favorite books of years gone by. You can bet that we have some of them in our store. Come browse our children’s book section and find a couple that you’ll definitely want to share with the young reader on your list. Remember, there’s nothing kids love more than having you read to or with them!

Lunch Boxes for nearly every tv show or movie character.

Everyone had a favorite tv or movie character, often on their favorite lunch box. We have a huge collection of character lunch boxes that you’ll surely discover the perfect one for the lunch-carrying kid on your gift list. Or maybe, they just want to hide their treasures in one. Oh, and don’t forget, there are ‘big kids’ that love carrying one of these to work! So come in and pick out a couple for those on your gift-list that carry lunches or have treasures to hide!

Puzzles and more…

This is only one shelf of a huge collection of puzzles for all ages. We have large puzzles of 6-8 pieces for the toddler, 24 pcs for the pre-school, and plenty of other puzzles of all shapes, sizes, and number of pieces to entertain any puzzle lover – toddler to adult!

So while you’re enjoying tonight’s Holly Jolly First Friday with parade at 6, the lighting of the tree, carolers and stilt walkers, Santa’s arrival, shops open late, plenty of eateries – indoors and outdoors, take a few minutes to check out all that we have to offer for those on your gift list (and yes, even for yourself)! You can always come back tomorrow when the kids aren’t with you. 

In the meantime, enjoy the festivities. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Love Literature?

20 Volume Set by Spencer Press

20 volume set of World's Greatest Literature by Spencer Press available at Bahoukas Antique Mall in Havre de Grace

We have a set of 20 volumes of the World’s Greatest Literature in excellent condition. This beautiful set by Spencer Press is from the 1930s. Someone on your Christmas list will cherish this gift. 

In doing a little research, we learned a bit about Spencer Press and the marketing of the World’s Greatest Literature series.

The World’s Greatest Literature series seems to have been sold in the late 1930s and early 1940s, as shown in the newspaper advertisement near the beginning of this entry.

newspaper ad for World's Greatest Literature Series by Spencer Press

As said before, these seem to be the same books. (as the Spencer Library of Immortal Masterpieces … or Literature)  from SeriesOfSeries website

The history of marketing affordable books of World Literature in the early 1900s has a colorful history. We’re probably much more familiar with these tactics today. Here’s a quote from this colorful history from the SeriesOfSeries website.

Finally, the series is affiliated with the “American Home Library Foundation” which is portrayed as a charitable literary foundation, subsidizing the series to promote the reading of the classics. Together, the binding, the series name, and charitable literary foundation worked to convince potential book buyers that the Spencer Library was an opportunity they could not miss. That’s the spin: to sell copyright-free literary classics with dubious and fraudulent methods to gullible working and middle-class consumers who wanted to be at least perceived as a bit literary and intellectual.

No matter the tactics, we have this beautiful 20 volume set that is perfect for the right person! Do you know someone who would love this gift? If so, drop by Bahoukas Antique Mall today and grab it before the set gets broken up! And yes, we will be watchin’ for ya!

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