Ignoring the Decades

1980's Panetta Necklace offered by popgoesmyvintage

When my wonderful Grandma passed on, my aunt & Mom went through her items, selecting what pieces they wanted. The remaining items were spread out on blankets throughout the house. My brother & I, the only grandchildren, were told to take what we wanted. My mom and aunt were born between 1939-1942. To my surprise, I found they left most of the items from the 40's, 50's, and 60's.  I remember my Mom saying that the brightly colored California pottery from the late 40's was tacky.

1985 Breeders Cup Book offered by goodlookin

I have found this true ism applies to most people. No one seems to value items from the decades they've lived through. I have encountered this time and time again in my estate liquidation business. I've found this to be true of myself: I can't imagine wanting to wear a 1970's dress, much less sell it!

1980's Kinetic Earrings offered by mascarajones

That said, I know I need to remain open minded. I see other shops doing quite well with things from recent decades. But to be honest, I have a hard time accepting that vintage now applies to 1991. Due to this bias, what are we overlooking as sellers? What high ticket items are we passing by?

Jointed Ceramic Snoopy 1970's Ornament I sold

Would you think Snoopy is worth anything? Many sellers just consider Peanuts a modern cartoon, not recognizing Charles Schultz has been gone for 11 years now and Peanuts was introduced 61 years ago. Pieces from the late 70's and mid 80's can be very valuable. I sold a jointed Snoopy ornament from 1979 recently for several hundred.

1970's Wayfarer Sunglasses offered by dahlilafound

I saw a mid 1980's Atari game sell for almost $1200. I almost fell over. I never knew Jessica McClintock dresses from the late 70's were desirable. I found calculators from the early 1980's selling for strong prices-for way more than I ever thought any such device could go for! Now you likely don't sell these things and are asking yourself, why should I care? Because you're out there. You're at sales. If I placed $500 in a box for you, you'd take it. So why pass by recent vintage that will provide more spending money for the real vintage you love?

One of the rarest games from the 1980's, worth a mint

The trick is to educate yourself. Yes, eBay can help a little, but dig. Prices are variable and you'll need to have several examples before settling on a price you can depend on. I prefer looking at collectors websites and reading blogs. Look at shops on Etsy that specialize in the recent decades. I've been amazed by what Etsy sellers are able to get for 1980's pieces. Way to go Etsy sellers!

1980's Valentino Sweater offered by hillbillyfilly

Be flexible. Be open minded. Embrace change. Next time you walk into an estate and only see recent vintage, embrace it. Don't run because you don't see classic pieces. Look with a sharp eye and nab those items that are the modern collectibles of today.

Fenton's Violets in the Snow

Fenton Silver Crest
Violets in the Snow Vase
by MyMilkGlassShop

To continue my series on Fenton Silver Crest, this week I will discuss the decoration, Violets in the snow (VITS). VITS is the first Louise Piper decoration, and was first seen on Silver Crest in 1968.

Louise Piper is a renowned Fenton artist who came to the company in 1968 and was a beloved fixture in the decorating rooms - many artists expanded their skills under Louise's tutelage.  Fenton glassware with Louise's name on it are highly sought after and extremely collectible.

Louise's gorgeous decoration of delicate purple flowers graces more than the Silver Crest line, and first appears on Spanish Lace in 1974. VITS was discontinued by the end of 1984.

The hardest to find pieces include the ashtray, the candy box, the table and classic lamp, the pitcher, and the square planter.

This glassware makes a stunning, everyday decoration. I'm especially fond of the Silver Crest Violets in the Snow Handled Bon Bon, which I use to offer small treats on the coffee table.

It is with a sad heart that I end this article w/the notation that Fenton will be shutting down its main furnace and discontinuing its traditional glassmaking business.  We are witnessing the end of an era and the disappearance of US made decorative glassware.

Fenton Silver Crest Spanish Lace

Fenton Silver Crest
Footed Cake Stand
by Treasure Hunt Vintage

Last week I talked a bit about Fenton Silver Crest and alluded, in that blog post, to a highly sought-after treatment to Silver Crest, known as Spanish Lace.

Spanish Lace was first introduced on a Silver Crest footed cake plate in 1962.  Spanish Lace continued in production until the 1980s.  The hardest to find in this slightly common line are the footed salt & pepper shakers,  and the Gone w/the Wind hurricane lamp, a most impressive piece at 24".

Collectors can also find the hand-painted decoration, Violets in the Snow, on Silver Crest Spanish Lace, but I will talk about that treatment next week.

Fenton Silver Crest
Spanish Lace Candleholder
by Silk Creek Gallery

Spanish Lace is not exclusive to the Silver Crest line, and can be found on a number of crests, including the teal and plum crests.  Additionally, Spanish Lace can be found w/out the crest in limited supply, on lines such as carnival glass, Country Cranberry, Persian Pearl, and Ivory Satin Glass.  Spanish Lace without a crest continued in production until the late 1990s/early 2000s, with some of these lines being made for QVC.

I'm a big fan of milk glass, and think, in general, it decorates a table like nothing else, especially at Christmas & Hanukkah time.  But when you couple milk glass with a highly ornate, and sometimes hand-painted, treatment - your guests are sure to be envious of your table and have nothing more to do than shower you with complements.

This classy Fenton line looks spectacular paired w/red and green, or blue table treatments.  Even placed on the mantle or on side tables to offer holiday bon bons, Fenton Silver Crest Spanish Lace simply dazzles.

The Etsy Vintage Team offers a wide selection of Fenton - please click here to review those pieces.