Albuquerque Antique Mile

Depression Glass

2012-01-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

Depression glass is clear or colored translucent glassware that was distributed free, or at low cost in the United States around the time of the Great Depression. The Quaker Oats Company and other food manufacturers and distributors, put a piece of glassware in boxes of food as an incentive to purchase. Movie theaters and businesses would hand out a piece simply for coming in the door.
Most of this glassware was made in the central and mid-west United States, where access to raw materials and power made manufacturing inexpensive in the first half of the twentieth
century. More than twenty manufactureres made more than 100 patterns and entire dinner sets were made in some patterns. Common colors are clear (crystal), pink, pale blue, green, and amber. Less common colors include yellow (canary), ultra marine, jadeite (opaque pale green), delphite (opaque pale blue), cobalt blue, red (ruby & royal ruby), black, amethyst, and white (milk glass).
Although of marginal quality, Depression glass has been highly collective since 1960's. Due to its popularity as a collectible. Depression glass is becoming more scarce on the open market. Scarce pieces may sell for several hundred dollars. Some manufacturers continued to make popular patters after World War II or introduced similar patterns which are also collectible. Popular and expensive patterns and pieces have been reproduced, and reproductions are still being made.

For more information about Depression Glass visit Wikipedia's free encyclopedia site here.

HO HO HO - Happy Holidays from Albuquerque's ANTIQUE MILE

2011-12-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

Lots of Christmas specials and discounts on the Antique Mile.
Check out the map on the left and get your Christmas shopping done while walking down memory lane.

Albuquerque ANTIQUE MILE joins 40 other businesses to celebrate the North Fourth Street HOLIDAY STOP and SHOP!

2011-11-09T18:51:00.000-08:00

Visit any one of our Antique Mile Shops for savings, refreshments and more.
Two days of fantastic savings and Holiday Celebration!!

For details visit the North Fourth Holiday Stop and Shop website.

About Roseville Pottery

2011-10-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

(From www.JustArtPottery.com)

The Roseville Pottery Company was founded in 1890. Roseville initially produced simple utilitarian ware such as flower pots, stoneware, umbrella stands, cuspidors, and limited painted ware. In 1900, Roseville Rozane became the first high quality art pottery line produced by Roseville. In 1904, Frederick Rhead became art director for Roseville pottery. Rhead was responsible for the production of scarce art pottery lines such as Fudji, Crystalis, Della Rovvia, and Aztec.
In the early teens as demand for the more expensive, handcrafted art pottery declined Roseville pottery shifted production to more commercially produced pottery. Roseville's ability to nimbly adapt to market conditions was one of the potteries' greatest attributes as Roseville was continually able to produce the most popular patterns and styles compared to their immediate competitors.

In 1919, Frank Ferrel succeeded Harry Rhead (Frederick's brother) as art director for Roseville pottery. Frank Frerrel and George Krause combined to produce many of today's most popular Roseville pottery patterns including Dahlrose, Rosecraft Hexagon, Ferella, Sunflower, Blackberry, Cherry Blossom, and Wisteria.
Roseville pottery introduced Pinecone in 1935. Pinecone became the most successful and highest volume pattern produced during the existence of Roseville pottery. The pattern includes over 75 different shapes in blue, brown, and green.
World War II necessitated another production change for Roseville pottery. During this time period, Roseville introduced such patterns as Fuchsia, Cosmos,Columbine, White Rose, Bittersweet, and Zephyr Lily. While these patterns were still the best quality art pottery in the market at this time, it was not enough to save the company. Roseville Pottery ceased operations in 1954.
Throughout Roseville's days of production, its versatility and innovativeness served to keep the company at the forefront of the various decorating styles and buying public trends. Even to this day, Roseville pottery still represents the most widely known and most collectible art pottery ever produced.

Welcome to the 40th INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA!!

2011-09-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

Tintype (an excerpt from Wikipedia)

2011-08-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

Tintype, also melainotype and ferrotype, is a photograph made by creating a direct positive on a sheet of iron metal that is blackened by painting, lacquering or enamelling and is used as a support for a collodion photographic emulsion.

Photographers usually worked outside at fairs, carnivals, etc. and as the support of the tintype (there is no actual tin used) is resilient and does not need drying, photographs can be produced only a few minutes after the picture is taken. An ambrotype uses the same process and methods on a sheet of glass that is mounted in a case with a black backing so the underexposed negative image appears as a positive. Tintypes did not need mounting in a case and were not as delicate as

photographs that used glass for the support.

Find more info here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintype

2011 Lavender (Festival) WEEKEND, Abq North Valley, July 8th and July 9th!!!

2011-06-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

Even though the Village of Los Ranchos will not be able to present the Lavender Festival this year,

The Albuquerque Antique Mile will continue it's sponsorship of
Lavender Weekend Friday & Saturday, 7/8 and 7/9!!

Participating Stores include:

Legacy Antiques

7809 4^th St. NW …... 265-5827

The Antique Co-Op

7601 4^th St. NW…….898-7354

Antiques Consortium

7216 4^th St. NW…….897-7115

Red Rock Rose

7209 4^th St. NW….... 898-4488

Vintage & More

7005 4^th St. NW …...344-7300

Cabin & Cottage

6855 4^th St. NW …….344-1168

A Few Old Things

8833 4^th St. NW …….922-1209
Los Ranchos Antique Mall

7901 4^th St. NW …...312-7729

What is LUSTREWARE? (Lusterware)

2011-05-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

Lusterware

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lusterware or Lustreware (respectively the US and British English spellings) is a type of pottery or porcelain with a metallic glaze that gives the effect of iridescence, produced by metallic oxides in an overglaze finish, which is given a second firing at a lower temperature in a "muffle kiln", reduction kiln, which excludes oxygen.

The first use of lustre decoration was as painting on glass. While some scholars see this as a purely Islamic invention originating in Fustat, others place the origins of lustre decoration in Roman and Coptic Egypt during the centuries preceding the rise of Islam. Staining glass vessels with copper and silver pigments was known from around the 3rd century AD, although true lustre technology probably began sometime between the 4th and 8th centuries AD. Lustre glazes were applied to pottery in Mesopotamia in the 9th century; the technique soon became popular in Persian and Syria. Lusterware was later produced in Egypt during the Fatimid caliphate in the 10th-12th centuries. While the production of lusterware continued in the Middle East, it spread to Europe - first to Al-Andalus, at Malaga and other centres of Hispano-Moresque ware, and then to Italy, where it was used to enhance majolica. In the 16th century lustred majolica was a specialty of Gubbio, noted for a rich ruby red, and at Deruta.

Metallic lustre of another sort produced English lustreware, which imparts to a piece of pottery the appearance of an object of silver, gold or copper. Silver lustre employed the new metal platinum, whose chemical properties were analyzed towards the end of the 18th century, John Hancock of Hanley invented the application of a platinum technique, and "put it in practice at Mr Spode's manufactory, for Messrs. Daniels and Brown", about 1800. Very dilute amounts of powdered gold or platinum were dissolved in aqua regia and added to spirits of tar for platinum and a mixture of turpentine, flowers of sulfur and linseed oil for gold. The mixture was applied to the glazed ware and fired in an enameling kiln, depositing a thin film of platinum or gold. Platinum produced the appearance of solid silver, and was employed for the middle class in shapes identical to those uses for silver tea services, ca. 1810-1840. Depending on the concentration of gold in the lustring compound and the under slip on which it was applied, a range of colours could be achieved, from pale rose and lavender, to copper and gold. The gold lustre could be painted or stenciled on the ware, or it could be applied in the resist technique, in which the background was solidly lustred, and the design remained in the body color. In the resist technique, similar to batik, the design was painted in glue and size in a glycerin or honey compound, the lustre applied by dipping, and the resist washed off before the piece was fired.

Lustreware became popular in Staffordshire during the 19th century, where it was also used by Josiah Wedgwood, who introduced pink and white lustreware simulating mother o' pearl effects in dishes and bowls cast in the shapes of shells, and silver lustre, introduced at Wedgwood in 1805. In 1810 Peter Warburton of New Hall patented a method of transfer-printing in gold and silver lustre. Sunderland Lustreware in the North East is renowned for its mottled pink lustreware, and lustreware was also produced in Leeds, Yorkshire, where the technique may have been introduced by Thomas Lakin. Wedgwood's lusterware made in the 1820s spawned the production of mass quantities of copper and silver lustreware in England and Wales. Cream pitchers with appliqué-detailed spouts and meticulously applied handles were most common, and often featured stylized decorative bands in dark blue, cream yellow, pink, and, most rare, dark green and purple. Raised, multicolored patterns depicting pastoral scenes were also created, and sand was sometimes incorporated into the glaze to add texture. Pitchers were produced in a range of sizes from cream pitchers to large milk pitchers, as well as small coffeepots and teapots. Tea sets came a bit later, usually featuring creamers, sugar bowls, and slop bowls.

Large pitchers with transfer printed commemorative scenes appear to have arrived around the middle of the 19th century. These were purely decorative and today command high prices because of their historical connections. Delicate lustre imitating mother-of-pearl was produced by Wedgwood and at Belleek in the mid-century, derived from bismuth nitrate.
Under the impetus of the Aesthetic Movement, William de Morgan revived lustrewares in a manner more reminiscent of lustred Hispano-Moresque wares.

In the United States, copper lusterware became popular precisely because of its lustrousness. Apparently, as gaslights became available to the rich, the fad was to place groupings of lusterware on mirror platforms to be used as centerpieces for dinner parties. Gaslights accentuated their lustrousness.

Wishing You & Yours a Wonderful EASTER!!

2011-04-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

The Antique Mile stores wish you all a blessed Easter weekend!

Milk glass

2011-03-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Milk glass is an opaque or translucent, milky white or colored glass, blown or pressed into a wide variety of shapes. First made in Venice in the 16^th century, colors include blue, pink, yellow, brown, black, and the white that led to its popular name.

19th-century glass makers called milky white opaque glass "opal glass". The name milk glass is relatively recent. The white color is achieved through the addition of an opacifier, e.g. tin dioxide or bone ash.

Made into decorative dinnerware, lamps, vases, and costume jewelry, milk glass was highly popular during the end of century. Pieces made for the wealthy of the Gilded Age are known for their delicacy and beauty in color and design, while Depression glass pieces of the 1930s and '40s are less so.

Milk glass has a considerable following of collectors. Glass makers continue to produce both original pieces and reproductions of popular collectible pieces and patterns.

Notable manufacturers include: Kanawha Glass Co., Fenton Glass Co., Fostoria Glass Co., Imperial Glass Co., Mosser Glass & Westmoreland Glass Co.

STONEWARE CROCKS (an Excerpt from EHow)

2011-02-19T07:30:00.000-08:00

In this day and age, history books note the contributions of women such as Betsy Ross and Martha Washington to the Revolutionary War cause. However, these books greatly underestimate the covert rebel activities of other women frequently overlooked as housewives and relatives of the army leaders. Even their husbands, fathers and brothers did not suspect their contributions. When the men got home after a long day of speechifying or shooting at the British, their dinner was on the table, so they assumed that their wives had been at home preparing their meals. But the wives had a revolutionary weapon of their own, one which allowed them to cook in absentia as they sabotaged bridges in Concord or set fire to ammunition storage buildings in Bunker Hill and still be home in time for the evening meal. The English hardly suspected the colonial wives of such devious behavior, but little did they know...

The secret weapon of these colonial cooks was the crock pot, which allowed them to prepare the ingredients for a feast well ahead of time and cook them while they were gone. Due to the slowing-cooking nature of a crock pot, the stew could simmer for hours and still not be overcooked, just in case rebel activities did not go as planned. If you can track down one of the stoneware crocks which served the Paul Reveres and George Washingtons of this world, you could really make Antiques Roadshow viewers green with envy.

In this series of free antique collecting videos by EHow, their expert will show you just what to look for in New England crocks that makes them valuable. She discusses how damage affects the values of crocks, as well as how to restore and display them. And of course she discusses their historical value.

Valentines Gifts on The Albuquerque Antique Mile

2011-02-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Let us help you find the perfect Valentines Gift!

Collecting BAKELITE

2011-01-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

Bakelite is the trade name for phenolic resin, an early form of plastic. Today objects made from Bakelite are considered highly collectible, although in its glory days of the 1930s and 1940s, Bakelite was seen as an inexpensive alternative to high-end jewelry materials such as jade and pearl.

Leo Baekeland used his profits from the sale of Velox, a film treatment used by newspapers, to set up an independent lab in Yonkers, New York around the year 1901. Dr. Baekeland spent several years working on a durable coating for the lanes of bowling alleys, similar to today's protective polyurethane floor sealants. He combined carbolic acid and formaldehyde to form phenolic resin. This resin would remain pourable long enough to apply to hardwood flooring, but then become insoluble and impermeable after curing. Dr. Baekeland patented this early form of plastic and started his own Bakelite corporation around 1910 to market it to heavy industry and automobile manufacturers. Bakelite could be used for electric insulators or as an insulating coating for automotive wiring.

After a decade of primarily industrial applications, Bakelite soon entered the consumer market. Thomas Edison used Bakelite as the base for his early commercial phonograph records. It was also used to form billiard balls and as decorative handles for flatware and hand-held mirrors. Bakelite could be melted and poured into lead molds to form the shape of drinking glasses, flower vases, musical instruments and other consumer goods. It replaced an earlier, more flammable form of plastic called celluloid.

Bakelite products were not often mass-produced through an injection mold process. Craftsmen who wanted to create jewelry or other decorative items from Bakelite would order it in the form of cylinders or blocks. Powered hand tools and grinders would allow artisans to carve out individual pieces for resale. Bakelite jewelry became the rage among fashionable consumers, but its relatively low cost also made it popular among the general public during the Depression. In 1927, the original patent for Bakelite expired and the rights to the process were bought by a company called Catalin. Manufacturers learned how to add a full palette of colors to the resin and Bakelite-Catalin continued to be popular until the late 1940s.

Ultimately, Bakelite-Catalin's labor-intensive process proved to be its undoing. After World War II, mass production became the plastic industry's buzzword and Bakelite became a pleasant memory. Collectors today prize it for its patina and its versatility. Unscrupulous dealers, however, have tried to sell other plastic items as authentic Bakelite. One test for authenticity is called the hot pin test. Interested buyers should find an inconspicuous area of the object in question and apply a heated pin. True Bakelite gives off a distinctive odor as it melts, very similar to the scent of burnt human hair. If the pin melts the object but no formaldehyde/burnt hair odor is detected, it is most likely an imitation.

HAPPY 2011 from Albuquerque's ANTIQUE MILE with some of Albuquerque's finest antiques!

2011-01-02T16:54:00.000-08:00

Hope to see you this year at THE ANTIQUE MILE!
in Albuquerque's North Valley or

North Fourth Street

between Osuna and Ranchitos

Albuquerque, NM

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-22T04:46:00.001-08:00

Well....If you missed the

Customer Appreciation Event early this month,

you missed

a "Heck of a Good Time".

Antique dealers and collectors, as well as, repeat customers and intrigued Christmas shoppers took advantage of the celebrated event and visited these fine Albuquerque Antique Stores and their huge variety of Antiques, Christmas food and treats, entertainment and music, and lots of special Christmas deals and prices offered to

Albuquerque locals and visitors alike.

wwwWOW!

There are still more great deals, collectibles, antique furniture and lots of gifts to take advantage of.

Lots of Abq. holiday shopping at its best. Make sure you visit any one of the special Antique stores, on North Fourth Street in Los Ranchos,

to complete your Christmas shopping. Always free parking and lots of New Mexican dining.

Lots of thanks and appreciation to all the

Customers, Dealers and Vendors...

Happy Holidays!

Albuquerque Antique Mile celebrates Customer Appreciation Day

2010-11-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

We would like to show our Customers our sincere appreciation for their patronage over the years, as well as, invite prospective customers to visit our Antique Mile.

Please join the Seven Albuquerque Antique Mile

Stores on North Fourth Street, for refreshments,

discounts & Holiday Cheer!

Saturday, December 4th,

10:00am-5:00pm

If you need directions, refer to the map at left.

Visit the ANTIQUE MILE during Abq. International Balloon Fiesta!!

2010-09-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

There's lots to do while visiting Albuquerque.

Make sure you don't miss

Albuquerque's Antique Mile!!

"Even the most streetwise Albuquerquean would be surprised by a ramble along Fourth Street Northwest ...The street's traditional Antique Mile has been given a dose of glamour, with new destinations existing side by side with family businesses that have been around a half-century or more", says Sunset Magazine. Local IQ Magazine and the Weekly ALIBI magazine have also acknowledged Albuquerque's Antique Mile and its popularity.

The area is quaint, the Albuquerque antique shops are clean and all stores specialize in different eras, collections & products. Their staffs are friendly and helpful.

Many consider this collection of Albuquerque's antique shops their personal favorites and

some of the best antique stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

See what all the fuss is about!!!

Bring your friends and make a day of it...

Visit Albuquerque's Antique dealers at the Albuquerque Antique Mile in Los Ranchos or Albuquerque New Mexico.

The Antique Mile sponsors LAVENDER FAIR on FOURTH STREET

2010-05-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

In a collaborative effort along with the Lavender in the Village event and weekend (www.LavenderintheVillage.com),

the Antique Mile is sponsoring the first ever

LAVENDER FAIR ON FOURTH STREET.

This event will promote Fourth street businesses and commerce, as well as, provide a venue for the many talented Artists and Crafters in the vicinity. Fourth Street businesses will participate by providing great discounts, sidewalk sales, free parking and a "Fair-like" atmosphere during the event. As this is the first year, the sky is the limit. Who knows what deals and surprises you may find. Mark Saturday, June 26th from 10:00am - 5:00pm on your calendar. It's happening on Fourth Street between Ranchitos Rd and Osuna in the Village of Los Ranchos de Abq.

Click on the map at left for better directions or look for all the Lavender and Purple!!

If things go well, the party may continue all weekend long.

Check it out - the more the MERRIER!!

For more info contact the Lavender Fair Chairperson, Donna at 505.344.7300.

An Introduction to TRANSFERWARE

2010-04-01T21:01:00.001-07:00

Transferware is a style of ceramics including pottery, dinnerware, and other delicate items. It uses transfer printing, a decorative technique which was developed in England in the mid-18th century, particularly around the Staffordshire region.

The process starts with an engraved copper plate similar to those used for making paper engravings. The plate is used to print the pattern on tissue paper, then the tissue paper transfers the wet ink to the ceramic surface. The ceramic is then fired in a low temperature kiln to fix the pattern. This can be done over or under the glaze, but the underprinting method is more durable. The process produces fine lines similar to the engraved prints in old books. Before transfer printing ceramics were hand painted, a laborious and costly process.

Twentieth century major English manufacturers include Crown Ducal, Enoch Wood, Royal Staffordshire, Royal Crownford, Alfred Meakin, Spode, Johnson Brothers, and Mason's. The most actively sought-after patterns, are: Crown Ducal's "Bristol", "Calico", "Castles", "Charlotte", "English Chippendale", "English Scenery", "Friendly Village", "Historic America", "Italian", "Liberty Blue", "Old Britain Castles", "Rose Chintz", "Tonquin", "Tower", Vista", and more. The process was popular in other countries including Germany.

How to COLLECT ANTIQUE QUILTS

2010-03-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

Are you intrigued by the idea of collecting antique or vintage quilts? Perhaps you love the idea of the fellowship of quiltmaking. Do you imagine the women who made them and appreciate the time that went into piecing a quilt together? Each genuine article is a piece of our history that connects us to our past. Here are some tips to help you spot antique quilts among the imitations.

Collecting Quilts

If you are considering beginning a quilt collection, approach the process as you would if you were collecting in any other area.
There are really just two rules: collect what you love and always do your homework!

Think about:

What kind of quilts appeal to you (size, color, fabric, pattern)

Area of specialization, if any (regional, historic time period, ethnic origin, contemporary)

Whether you plan to use your quilts, display them, or store them

What price range you can afford

Whether you have the time and means to care for them properly.

Want some tips for buying antique quilts, and getting your money’s worth?

Tips for Buying Antique Quilts

Price tags for antique quilts can run into the thousands. Remember that fabrics will deteriorate over time, and with use. To make sure you’re getting value for your dollar, always consider these factors:

Condition (pay more for good condition)

Quality of repairs (if any)

Age (as with any antique, the older the quilt, the more valuable it is)

Beauty

Rarity (an unusual design is typically more valuable)

Craftsmanship (the quality of design, piecing, stitching, use of appliqué or other embellishment)

Provenance (pieces that are signed, or attributable through history to a particular family, will bring a higher price).

Always establish the credibility of the source you are purchasing from, as with anything of value. Many antique quilt dealers are members of state-specific or regional antiques associations.

A beginner's guide to collecting antique postcards

2010-02-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

In these days of email, voicemail, faxes, and phones, postcards are starting to seem quaint and antiquated. Since 1893, when the first picture postcards were sold at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, postcards have been the communication tools of choice for travelers and tourists. The format has changed only a little over the years. In late 1901 the words "Post Card" began to appear on the back of printed cards. Until 1907 only the name and address of the recipient was allowed on the back of a postcard; any message had to be written on the face of the card, on and around the design. Beginning in 1907, cards were printed with "divided" backs - a line down the center separated the address from the message, and kept the face of the card unmarked. Just five years after the first appearance of postcards, the postcard publishing industry flourished: the period between 1898 and 1918 is called the "Golden Age" of postcards. During those twenty years billions of cards were mailed as adults and children around the world took up collecting.

Collecting postcards is still an enjoyable hobby. Although a card which cost one penny in 1912 might cost two or five or twenty dollars today, it is possible to amass an impressive collection of postcards without an enormous financial investment. And one of the best things about postcards is that they take up so little space.
There are a couple of things a beginner can do to get started collecting postcards. First, do some reading. There are good reference books at your library, including The Encyclopedia of Antique Postcards by Susan Brown Nicholson; The Postcard Price Guide by J. L. Mashburn; The Collector's Guide to Post Cards by Jane Wood; and Picture Postcards in the U. S. 1893-1918 by Dorothy Ryan. You can also find several periodicals, such as "Barr's Post Card News," published in Lansing, Iowa and "Postcard Collector," published in Iola, Wisconsin.

Next, decide what kinds of postcards you'd like to collect. You'll create a stronger collection and make shopping easier if you have some kind of focus. Do you like view cards? Perhaps you'd like to search for cards from a particular region or city. Perhaps you'd like birthday postcards or holiday postcards. Halloween postcards and cards with images of Santa are considered "very collectible" - meaning that they are popular, can be hard to find, and can be expensive compared to other cards. Are you interested in advertising, animals, politics, or sports? You can find cards in these topics, too. Or you might want to restrict your collection to a certain time period, like 1900 to 1920 or the World War II years. Once you have at least some idea of what you want, it's time to start shopping.

For the true thrill of the hunt, nothing beats prowling through antique stores, flea markets, and estate sales for old postcards. You'll need to be observant, because postcards are often tucked into shoeboxes in the corners of shops and stalls, or pasted into albums stacked under tables. Of course, you can always ask, but it's so much more fun to seek and find.

There are some real advantages to starting a postcard collection in antique stores. First, you'll see what's out there - what types of cards are easy to find and which are more elusive. Second, the more you study and handle antique cards the better you'll get at dating unmarked cards and spotting reproductions. Third, you can find some real bargains. If a dealer is charging the same price for all the postcards, that's a great big clue that he or she doesn't know how to price them individually. This can, of course, work to your disadvantage - you may be charged $5.00 for a $2.00 card - but the more time you spend shopping for cards, the more likely you'll spot the $10.00 card in the $5.00 box.

Regional postcard clubs are a good way to meet other collectors, learn about the hobby, and acquire cards through trade. Clubs also frequently sponsor postcard shows, where you can buy cards from dealers who will display their merchandise in albums or boxes. Sometimes postcards are sold at coin and stamp shows or trading card shows. Some postcard dealers sell their stock through the mail or in actual brick and mortar shops. The selection and quality of cards at shows and in postcard shops is much better than you can find in generalist antique stores. Dealers almost always price cards individually, and while the cards should be fairly priced, it is unlikely that you will find any bargains. Good postcard dealers know how to price their stock for the market.

Internet auction sites also carry lots of postcards, but this is not a good place for a beginner. It is impossible to adequately assess a postcard without feeling the paper and inspecting the condition. Creases, tears, and soil always detract from the value and should be reflected in the price. Stay away from Internet sales until you have a clear sense of what you want.

Before you buy, the most important thing is to look, look, look. The more time you spend studying old cards the better you will get at spotting genuine antiques. Until you reach that level of confidence, try these tips:

1. Only buy cards that have a legible postmark on them. A handwritten date may be genuine, but might not be; a government postal cancellation mark is pretty trustworthy. If a card is postmarked 1914, for example, you can be reasonably sure the card is at least 86 years old.

2. Notice the thickness of the card stock. Modern cards tend to be thinner and feel glossier than antique cards.

3. Notice the overall condition. Even cards in excellent condition will show signs of discoloration, fading, grime, and/or handling after 80 or 100 years.

4. Check the design of the card. If the paper feels right and the back is undivided, it probably dates before 1907.

5. Read the small print. Seems like obvious advice, but sometimes it's easy to be fooled: check to see if there is a copyright date or even if the word "Reproduced" appears on the card.

As you begin to amass a collection of postcards you will want to store them. If you want to preserve and protect the cards, you will need to follow some basic guidelines. Postcards are made of paper, and all paper is acidic to some degree. This means that your cards will self-destruct over time, no matter what you do. You can significantly delay the inevitable by housing your collection in a controlled environment. If possible, maintain the temperature between 70 and 75 degrees F. and the relative humidity at 50 to 55 percent. Limit exposure to light of all kinds, but especially avoid direct sun. Never use anything but pencils near your collection, and keep your cards far away from glue or tape. Keep your hands clean and hold loose cards only around the edges. Store cards upright in acid-free boxes or in archival-quality pages or albums. Separate cards from each other with acid-free paper or Mylar sleeves. Mylar or polypropylene pages and sleeves are ideal because they allow you to study the cards without actually touching them. Suitable storage materials can be obtained from library and archival suppliers like Gaylord, University Products, and Light Impressions; some postcard dealers also carry storage supplies.

VASELINE GLASS ARTICLE provided by the Vaseline Glass Collectors, Inc. website

2010-01-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

Vaseline Glass was primarily made from 1840, up to just before WWII, and then was continued from 1959 to the present. Current manufacturers include: Fenton Glass and Mosser Glass, as well as some small independent shops such as Gibson Glass and Jack Loranger (HotGlass.cc). Vaseline Glass was in its' heyday during the Victorian period from the 1880's to the 1920's. The yellow-green glass did not sell as well as other colors of glass, so during the depression years, glass manufacturers started adding more iron oxide (commonly known as RUST) to the glass mixture (but still included the Uranium Dioxide) and this had the effect of making the glass more green. Because of this, most green depression glass will glow. The government confiscated all supplies of uranium during WWII and halted all production of Vaseline Glass from approximately 1943 until the ban was lifted in Nov. 1958.
Only after years of testing by the various regulatory departments of the government were glass companies once again allowed to make this glass. In Victorian times, glassblowers who made Vaseline Glass usually died at a relatively young age of lung cancer, and the 'stories' have persisted for years that this was due to their exposure to molten Vaseline Glass. However, when this information was discussed with different experts on radiation (from University of Missouri and University of Oklahoma), they felt that there may have been other reasons for their early demise, as radiation tends to affect the thyroid glands the most. I guess this will also be a subject for long debate.
Due to the tight regulations on Uranium Dioxide and the expense of this ingredient, only very limited quantities are being produced today. Due to this, most collectors are aware of the limited nature of its' production and this is reflected in the marketplace.
Vaseline Glass Collectors, Inc., (VGCI), is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization incorporated in 1998 to educate and unify Vaseline Glass collectors everywhere! There are different definitions of what is or is not "vaseline glass," depending on what part of the world you are located. Our organization uses this definition: Vaseline Glass is a particular color of yellow-green glass that is made by adding 2% Uranium Dioxide to the ingredients when the glass formula is made. The addition of the Uranium Dioxide makes the glass color yellow-green. Vaseline Glass is ALWAYSverifiable by using an ultraviolet light (blacklight) on the glass item. When this is done, the glass turns a bright florescent green! Sometimes, even the most trained eye can be fooled by a piece of glass that looks like Vaseline Glass, but will not 'glow' or fluoresce bright green under a blacklight. Not all yellow-green glass will turn florescent GREEN when a UV light is shined on it. When manganese is added to the glass formula (which also makes a yellow-colored glass) instead of Uranium Dioxide, for instance, the end product will glow under a black light, but the color is an orange/peach color OR a lime green color that is much fainter than the bright neon green under UV light. Manganese was added to the glass mixture to counteract the minor traces of iron that would give the glass a 'coke-bottle' greenish tint to it.

Open House - WOWwwWW!!

2009-12-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

Well....If you missed the

Albuquerque Antique Mile Annual OPEN HOUSE

this past weekend, you missed

a "Heck of a Good Time".

Hundreds Thousands of antique dealers and collectors, as well as, repeat customers and intrigued Christmas shoppers took advantage of these fine Albuquerque Antique Stores and their huge variety of Antiques, Christmas food and treats, entertainment and music, and lots of special Christmas deals and prices to offer Albuquerque locals and visitors.

wwwWOW!

There are still more great deals, collectibles, antique furniture and lots of gifts to take advantage of.

Lots of Abq. holiday shopping at its best. Make sure you visit any one of the special Antique stores, on North Fourth Street in Los Ranchos,

to complete your Christmas shopping. Always free parking and lots of New Mexican dining.

All the Antique Dealers and Antique Vendors are committed

to make the Antique Mile,

Albuquerque's newest and most popular destination spot.

Lots of thanks and appreciation to all the

Customers, Dealers and Vendors

who made this year's event

THE BEST EVER!!!

ANTIQUE MILE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

2009-11-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

Come one, Come all!!

Join the ANTIQUE MILE on Saturday, December 5th, 2009

at their Annual HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

from 10:00am - 7:00pm.

Lots of refreshments, discounts and Holiday Cheer

will be had by all.

To enter the ANTIQUE MILE Holiday Drawing,

click on the photo above, and print your invitation.

Write your name, address, and email on the back.

Next, bring your invitation to any of the following stores on December 5th, between 10:00am and 7:00pm:

Legacy Antiques, 7809 4th St. NW, 265-5827, http://www.LegacyAntiqueShop.com
Antique Co-Op, 7601 4th St. NW, 898-7354
Antiques Consortium, 7216 4th St. NW, 897-7115
Accents, 7209 4th St. NW, 898-4488, http://www.AccentsInside.com/
Vintage & More, 7005 4th St. NW, 344-7300
Cabin & Cottage, 6855 4th St. NW (Behind Calico Cafe), 344-1168

Come visit Albuquerque's ANTIQUE MILE on North Fourth.

2008-12-22T19:27:00.000-08:00

The New Mexico film industry recognizes

the Antique Mile's vast array of

props, wardrobe & set-dressing options provided by this collection of abq antique dealers and abq antique shops and frequents the many abq. antique stores often.

The area is quaint, the albuquerque antique shops are clean and all stores specialize in different eras, collections & products.

Their staffs are friendly and helpful.
Many consider this collection of Albuquerque's antique shops their personal favorites and
some of the best antique stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

See what all the fuss is about!!!

Bring your friends and make a day of it...

Visit Albuquerque's Antique dealers at the Albuquerque Antique Mile in Los Ranchos or Albuquerque New Mexico.

They're located in Albuquerque's North Valley, also known as the Village of Los Ranchos,
on Fourth Street between Ranchitos Road and Osuna Road.

The following are
Albuquerque's Antique Mile shops on North Fourth Street,
in order from North to South: