Saturday, November 17, 2007

Antique STAR TUFTING EMBROIDERY MACHINE 1892 Tool, Box! - (eBay item 290182932108 end time Nov-24-07 20:44:07 PST)

Antique STAR TUFTING EMBROIDERY MACHINE 1892 Tool, Box! - (eBay item 290182932108 end time Nov-24-07 20:44:07 PST)

This vintage hand tool is marked, "The Star Mfg. Co. Limited, Washington, PA. Pat. Feb. 2, 92." That's 1892! The instructions are very brittle and fell apart even more after photographing, so we'll provide a photocopy you can read without worry.

The instructions claim this tool is so easy to use any ten-year-old can manage it.
  • With canvas or jute from coffee sacks, load needle with rag strips or yarn and create rugs.
  • A pair of driving mittens uses Java canvass or soft crash toweling and Germantown yarn worked two or three strands together.
  • Ladies or children's mittens can be made on unbleached muslin or Java canvas with soft Saxony, Germantown or zephyr yarn, clipped or not.
  • Lab robes worked in good yarn can wear for years.
  • Fancy work uses zephyrs, silks, worsteds, tinsel, etc., for raised and flat embroidery to create stand scarfs, lounge pillows, instrument covers, stool covers, lambrequins, screens, curtains, slippers, cushions, pillow shams, banners, tidies, robes for baby carriages, paper-holders, toilet sets, card, handkerchief and slipper holders, dresser covers, mantle covers, etc.
It looks like printed fabric patterns cost $1.00 and something was $4.50--maybe the machine? (That bit of paper is missing.) I don't see what the little star shapes are for.

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Vintage Stainless Steel SANDWICH CUTTERS in Box, Sweden - (eBay item 290182902205 end time Nov-24-07 19:30:00 PST)

Vintage Stainless Steel SANDWICH CUTTERS in Box, Sweden - (eBay item 290182902205 end time Nov-24-07 19:30:00 PST)

This vintage box contains 3 of the original 4 sandwich cutters: the diamond, heart and oval. The circle shape is missing. The box says, "Sandwich-Cutters, Stainless Steel, Made in Sweden, No. R 140, Rostfritt stâl, Sandwichmått."

I don't know exactly when these were manufactured, but the box bears a Kaufmann's price sticker for 59 cents.

They're well made with rolled top edges, still sturdy, shiny and bright. Are you ready to make some fancy sandwiches?

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Vintage 100 SHERATON POKER CHIPS Interlocking, Orig Box - (eBay item 290182912545 end time Nov-24-07 19:04:55 PST)

Vintage 100 SHERATON POKER CHIPS Interlocking, Orig Box - (eBay item 290182912545 end time Nov-24-07 19:04:55 PST)

This vintage box is marked "Sheraton Poker Chips, an A.M.C. Product, 100 Interlocking Poker Chips, 1 1/2 In." The box contains 24 red, 51 white and 25 blue chips. I assume they're made of plastic.

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Vintage SPIRATONE PROXISCOPE Macro Focus Geared Rail! - (eBay item 290182888437 end time Nov-24-07 19:00:00 PST)

Vintage SPIRATONE PROXISCOPE Macro Focus Geared Rail! - (eBay item 290182888437 end time Nov-24-07 19:00:00 PST)

This vintage Proxiscope from Spiratone comes with the original shipping box and all the literature. The sheet titled How to Use the Proxiscope says,
The Proxiscope is a geared rail device which can be attached to virtually any tripod or copying stand and in turn mounts to any camera. Its basic purpose is to make possible vertical or horizontal camera movement within a 5 1/2" range. The type of movement provided by the Proxiscope is primarily useful in closeup photography.

Screw the camera into either stud of the two camera mounting platforms at the end of the Proxiscope. To tighten camera in position, turn knurled chrome screw or rubber covered platform, depending on which mounting position you have selected. The choice of the two camera mounting platforms permits you to place the camera so it will face vertically or horizontally.

On the extension part of the large transport wheel are two tripod sockets, at right angles to each other. The Proxiscope is mounted onto the tripod or copying stand through either of these sockets depending on whether a vertical or horizontal position of the camera is desired...
There's more, but I won't type it all. They end by saying how extremely versatile the tool is and it might become a steady companion to your camera.

Made in Japan, this Proxiscope SR looks as good as the day it was manufactured long ago. The rail grooves are crisp and sharp, no wear.

One paper dates this item at 1961 and the price was $9.95 or $11.88, depending on if this was Series V or Series VI. The Homestead, PA owner overpaid by 20 cents according to a card. Also included is Vol. 1, No. 1, February-March 1961 issue of Spiratone News and Views with lots of tips on buying film, lens elements, gadget bags and books.

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Vintage OLD MAID CARD GAME Great Graphics Box 1920-30! - (eBay item 290182831498 end time Nov-24-07 18:30:00 PST)

Vintage OLD MAID CARD GAME Great Graphics Box 1920-30! - (eBay item 290182831498 end time Nov-24-07 18:30:00 PST)

This Old Maid Card Game is very old. Just look at the old-fashioned graphics on the box and the character cards. They could be from the twenties or thirties. The box says, "Made in U.S.A., 4115, Milton Bradley Co., Springfield, Mass. U.S.A."

I have no idea why the box is so big. All 35 cards plus the directions card are in it with tons of room to spare. The art on the box and the art on the cards don't match. Two different artists did the work. Perhaps these cards weren't the ones originally in this box.

The 17 pairs of cards are:
  • 1 Milkman
  • 2 Grocer
  • 3 Postman
  • 4 Gardner
  • 5 Doctor Busby
  • 6 Policeman
  • 7 Banker
  • 8 Coalman
  • 9 Iceman
  • 10 Lawyer
  • 11 Milkman's Son
  • 12 Grocer's Son
  • 13 Gardner's Son
  • 14 Iceman's Son
  • 15 Policeman's Son
  • 16 Lawyer's Son
  • 17 Coalman's Son
Plus the Old Maid and the Directions card.

The cards are lightly soiled, softened with use and have some creases. The Old Maid card has fared the worst, the poor dear. She's much dirtier and more creased than any other card. I love the graphics on the box.

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Antique NO. 2A BROWNIE MODEL B Box Camera Pat. 1916! - (eBay item 290182808000 end time Nov-24-07 18:15:00 PST)

Antique NO. 2A BROWNIE MODEL B Box Camera Pat. 1916! - (eBay item 290182808000 end time Nov-24-07 18:15:00 PST)

This camera is marked on the film cartridge, "No. 2A Brownie Camera Model B., U.S. Patents Feb. 1, 1916, Mar. 21, 1916." It's covered in black paper textured like leather and has two view finders for portrait and landscape photos.

Embossed on the camera back is "Use Film No. 116" and a metal tag says, "Made in U.S.A. by Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., U.S.A. 14408."

To disassemble, unhook the two latches and pull out the film advance crank. The shutter lens is gone and so is the carry strap. The shutter lever still works and on top are two sliding tabs to set Time and Diaphragm. The spool in the film cartridge is wooden.

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