This violin appeared today in a local antique shop. It appears to be tin glazed earthenware, and my feeling is it could be quite old. I’ve never...
No, just flaking paint.
This is about the closest match I’ve managed to find:...
If it is older, it’s not going to be from the 1800’s. More like early-mid 20th century, I’d think. Maybe it hung under sign with the company name?...
This big (about 30 inches long), three-dimensional tin fish appeared today at a local antique shop. I can’t decide if it’s an older trade sign, or...
I hadn’t heard of this company but may send them an e-mail…
At $50 Canadian, I couldn’t get my money out fast enough! And, I agree with you about the bespoke nature of the piece. The plaque on top with...
Thanks, but this one never had a crank. To make it larger or smaller you just turn the base.
Thanks! Interesting. I wonder how the hat stretcher in your first link worked? Sure wish there were more photos…
Interesting! Does it have a special name? I’m having no luck finding another example online, but maybe I’m not using the right key words.
For sure. I see it was given to Marjorie for Easter, 1933. Maybe her Easter bonnet needed stretching, before the parade. ;)
Good thinking! I’ll search the patent databases and see if anything similar turns up.
Maybe this thing is a one-off, invented and made by Laurence in his shed?
Yes, I’ve seen the stretchers that I believe you have in mind, that expand in one direction when a crank is turned. This one opens like a flower...
Today I found this interesting hat stand, or wig stand, or hat stretcher (not sure which!). Google Lens isn’t turning up any matches, so I’m...
Thank you! Looks like what I read about Brophey being located in Montreal was wrong. Toronto’s good, too, though.
True! And, I didn’t realize you were from Montreal. Cool!
Found these never-worn men’s sock garters today. I don’t know much about these, but the maker Brophey appears to have been an umbrella...
Thank you! 1904-1914 seems about right for the date of this creamer, so I expect this is the correct Insular Line.
This little creamer has been thumbing its nose at my research efforts. I can’t find anything about the “Insular Line”, which I’m guessing was a...
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