Old Time Radio Cookies

My daughter's High School  Playmakers Group is putting on a Vintage Radio play this week.  As usual, I signed up to make cookies for them to sell at intermission.  These are what I came up with.

 Little vintage radios!

 

None of them are the same, I cut them by hand, and none of them look "perfect" but that's okay.  I also made circular cookies with white frosting, intending to put a Hitchcock head on each one, but they didn't look right AT ALL so we left them with only their white frosting.

I also set up all of the Radio and news equipment I had on hand to create a fun cover photo for my facebook page.
Thanks to my Dad for loaning me his KEYZ radio microphone.  There is a mix of eras in this photo, but I don't care haha!  It was fun to put together.

 

 That's all for today!  Until another time, have a happy, vintage day!

 
 
 
 



Garage Sale Finds part 2

As I said last time, I visited a garage sale right down my own street and they had loads of vintage goodies to offer.

Now, some of you may know that I LOVE old time country music.  I have downloaded many radio programs such as WLS National Barn Dance and some Grand Ole Opry episodes from 1939.  There was even a 10-2-4 Ranch show (sponsored by Doctor Pepper, hence the title) that played country music.  Some of my favorite performers are Hank Snow, Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Johnny Horton...the list goes on and on.

So, when I spotted this I knew it would really help me to know these performers better!  It's like it was meant to be! 

 

 

There are two autographs on the back, but I really can't make out the names.  They are most likely band members, from someone's show...who knows, but they are kind of cool.

 

 

This is a souvenir program, so there are little write-ups on many of the country stars of the day.  Funny, there is NO DATE on this program and that drives me nuts!  There is one hint!  In Grandpa Jones' write-up they say he is a "youngster" of 41.  So I did some figuring and Grandpa Jones turned 41 in October of 1954...so I'm guessin' this booklet is most likely from late 1954-1955.

 

 

 

I just love all the neat photos!

 

Then, I finally found a little travel alarm clock.  I've wanted one for quite some time and IT WORKS!  My dad showed me how to wind it up and set the alarm and turn it off again.  It's a loud little bugger, but it will be fun to use sometime.

 

 

 

Well, I think that is everything we found at the little garage sale down the street.  It was a great day!

 

I'll leave you now with one of my favorites by Kitty Wells. It's an old, old video, therefore the video quality is a little strange, but the sound quality is pretty good.  ENJOY!

 

 

Until another time, ya'll have a happy vintage day!

Little Philco Transitone PT-6

Some of you may remember, from previous posts that I enjoy old time radio (OTR)...a lot.  I listen to it everyday (no, I'm not kidding, I'm that much of a geek).  Because I'm a vintage loving gal, I have a love/hate relationship with modern technology, including computers and smart phones.  But I have to admit, if it wasn't for my computer I wouldn't have discovered OTR. Without my computer I would not have the capability to download great music and shows from The Internet Archives and OTR websites. And without my iPhone, I wouldn't be able to listen to my OTR playlists anywhere, anytime. 

Along with my love of OTR I love old radios.  Not so much of a love that I want to collect them, I just want ONE perfect little radio from the late 30's or early 40's, and this past spring, I FOUND ONE!!

 

 It's a cute little Philco Transitone PT-6 from 1941.  It's in pretty bad shape (that's the understatement of the year) and I don't plan to refinish it anytime soon.  The insides are all there, but it needs new tubes, a new cord, and do-dads here and there.  But for 10$ I'm not picky.  I just loved the look of it!

 

 

 

Just for kicks I looked on YouTube to see if anyone has one that actually works...someone does. 

It's about a 3 minute video (my Dad will like it).  It's just too bad that it only plays modern stations.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have time traveling radios that could somehow tap into old airwaves, and we could always have OTR playing on our old radios.  Ha!

 



  

Well, that's all for today, until another time, have a happy,

Rockin' Relics and a 1938 Wurlitzer

While on a trip to visit the folks, we stopped into Rockin' Relics café in downtown Rugby.  This particular café used to be an old hardware store, and the owners have put many hours of work into the old place to create one of the most fun and creative cafes I've ever visited.  You can check out their progress and daily specials on their Rockin' Relics Facebook page. 

 

Here is the café back in 2012 during our first visit.

 

 

That's my daughter (way back in 2012) with her jaw practically on the floor as she spies an antique jukebox.  She has a thing for jukeboxes just like her Momma.

 

A "real" soda from the soda fountain!

Not only is the food delicious (this last time, I had a cheese burger and baked curly fries), you get to eat it at a 1950s chrome and formica table!  The ambiance is wonderful, and it's like stepping back in time to the late 40s or 50s.  There are tin ceilings, and antique shelves full of fun little collectables, most for sale.

 

 

But the one thing I LOVE the most is this 1938 Wurlitzer Jukebox. (1938...No wonder I love it.) 

 

What a beauty!

This is not your typical "chome and bubbles" jukebox, much like you see from the 1950s.  No sir, this one is special.  I like the antique wood look this one has.  And take a look at the songs inside!  Songs like "Ole Buttermilk Sky" (one of my favorites) and "When the Lights Go On Again" (another one of my favorites) "A String of Pearls", and "Alexander's Ragtime Band".

 

 

It's SO cool!  I would love to know where it came from and if it still works. I'm sure needles for playing the old 78s are getting hard to come by, much like the Victrola needles.

 

 

Apparently, after a bit of digging on the internet, I found out that this is a 1938 Wurlitzer 500 Multi Select.  There were around 12,000 of them made, and they are a favorite among Jukebox collectors.

 

Here is a YouTube of one that is in tip-top shape, playing Life is A Dream.

 

 

Look at those amazing lights on the side!  Can you just imagine this beauty in a small, dimly lit canteen in the early 40s, ladies with victory rolls and pretty dresses and shoes, gentlemen in uniforms, dancing to a slow tune.

 

In closing, I'll leave you with one of my favorite tunes from the 1940s, Vera Lynn singing "When the Lights Go On Again".  Have a box of tissues handy. 

 

 

I can't wait to return to Rockin' Relics, this time for a malt, and to visit my favorite little Jukebox.

Until next time, have a happy, vintage day!

 

 

 

Old Time Radio Birthday Cake

My birthday came and went and my family saw to it that it was an enjoyable day for me.  Even the daycare kids were extra good for me that day!

 

After work, Shannan and Autumn surprised me with the most awesome cake, that proves they really do pay attention to my hobbies and interests.  What's better than a REAL 1939 Philco Radio?  

A frosted one that you can EAT!

 

 

Autumn teased that since I am now "officially" an antique, I should have an antique cake.  Haha!

 

 

AND, Autumn spent the morning working on a "top-secret" project that turned out to be my gift bag.  She found and printed vintage pictures off of Pinterest and glued them to a gift bag.  How Sweet!

 

 

What a wonderful day it was, and what a delicious CAKE!  (I love cake).

 

That's all for today. Until another time, have a happy vintage day!

 

The Burns and Allen Show---Not Just For Radio--TV Too!

My daughter and I have listened to "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" on Old Time Radio for a few years now and we love it. 

Just recently, I discovered some of their TV episodes from the early 1950s on You Tube. 

Both Burns and Allen were comedy geniuses, but I gotta say, Gracie just takes the cake!  She is SO funny, both in what she says, and what she does as she's delivering her lines. 

 

Here is a funny clip (only 4 minutes long) where Gracie tells a story about standing in line at the store.  Funny stuff!

 

 

 One of the things I love about the early shows (I've only seen a few from seasons 1 & 2) is the fact that George Burns completely "breaks the fourth wall" and talks directly to the audience.

 

Here, George is standing just beside the set of his house, talking to the audience.  We are getting "the scoop" on why he won't be buying a new dress for Gracie.

The set was an "open" type of set.  George would jump into the house setting, run through the house and out the side door.

 

Neighbor, Harry, has just walked onstage, George needs to talk to him.  He doesn't just tap him on the shoulder...

 

 

...George hops into his house, runs across the living room and to the back door....

 

...and walks out the door just in time to catch Harry walking by.

 Below is the full PILOT episode from 1950.  George Burns begins by talking to the audience and introducing us to the characters and settings.  The show is a full half-hour and fun to watch.  (Not to sound mean...but the loud, cackle-type of laugh we hear coming from the audience is only there the first few minutes of the show).

 

 

My favorite scenes from the pilot episode is this dialog between George and Gracie.  Gracie has just walked in with a large bouquet of carnation flowers.  (keep in mind that their sponsor was Carnation Milk).

 

George:  "Well, what beautiful flowers!"

 

Gracie: "Aren't they lovely?  And if it weren't for you I wouldn't have them."

 

George: "Me?  What did I have to do with it?"

 

Gracie: "Well, it was your idea.  You said when I went to visit Clara Bagly in the hospital, to take her flowers......so when she wasn't lookin', I did."

 

George:  "Gracie!  I ah...Look, I said for you to..."

 

Gracie:  "Isn't it good they're carnations, dear?  I'll put them in the refrigerator, we'll milk 'em later."

 

 

 

That's all for today.  Until another time, have a happy, vintage day!

 

Cool Black and White Picture

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this photo found on Pinterest really speaks to me!  There are so many things to see in this picture!  I wish I knew more about the photo so that I could give credit where due.  The photographer really caught a slice of life, and it doesn't seem to be too overly posed. 

The woman's pants that have laces at the bottom, her scarf, the small radio above the cupboard that is plugged into an outlet placed between the cupboards (how odd is that?). Could the wine bottle in the high right corner be a souvenir from a honeymoon, first date, or housewarming party?  I wonder what is in the cupboards, and I also wonder why there are canned foods stored above the cupboards.

 

The gal is wearing saddle shoes and I love the pattern on the linoleum floor.  There is a rug in front of the sink, maybe to catch water splashes or to act as a cushion for tired feet.  Take a long look at this cool photo, and enjoy this step back in time. 

Until another time, have a happy vintage day!

Flea Market Finds--April

Last weekend the folks joined us at the April flea market.  This flea was the biggest one I'd seen yet!  I found a few treasures.  Sitting here, I'm trying to decide on a favorite, but just can't! 

They ALL make me happy.

 

 

 The table cloth in the background is one I couldn't pass up.  I have two of the matching napkins in one of my vintage linens boxes and plan to use them all during springtime (If I'm ever able to own a REAL, old-fashioned, little, rectangular, farm kitchen style table like the one below).

 

 

Anyway, back to the flea...I really liked these "springy" napkins.  The flowers are little scraps of cloth that have been appliqued onto the napkin.  The detail and handiwork are amazing!  I highly doubt these are machine made, and must have taken someone a long time to make.  The fruit one is just so wonderfully cheerful. 

 

 

 

 

These items below, I bought from a lady that I like to chit-chat with about crochet and embroidery.  She's usually working on something as she sits waiting for customers.  The Keepsake Needle Arts catalog isn't vintage (unless you think 2006 is vintage) but I'd never seen one before!

 

 

Not sure why I bought this, just thought it was cool.  I can store some little things in it I suppose.  It would've been even cooler had there been a Super-8 film in it. Someone's home movies perhaps, or an amazing train derailment (just a little movie humor there...if you haven't seen the movie Super 8 I recommend you do).

 

 

Autumn and I LOVE this next item, in fact we split the price (even though it cost about the same as a candy bar haha!).  She will use it when she plays with her 1940s era dolls and I will use it all other times.  It's an actual, working, plastic radio but the batteries had corroded inside.  I gave it a good cleaning with an old toothbrush, replaced the little felt pieces and connected a small box on the back that my iphone can slip into.  It now sits on my counter and "plays" 30s and 40s music!

 

My last purchase at the flea was this October 1941 Ladies Home Journal.  I'm always tickled to find old magazines and this one is a beauty, full of neat old ads and articles! (More on this magazine in a later post).

 

 

As we were leaving, my dad surprised me with this P&G soap that I've had my eye on for quite some time.  Thanks, Dad!!

 

 

 

Then it was off to one of my favorite little places in town, Vintage City where I purchased a book and two Needle Craft Magazines from 1916, to add to my little collection.  The book is called Ginnie and Geneva and is by Catherine Woolley.  It was written in 1948 and looks similar to the Carolyn Haywood books I love so much.  I find it interesting that written on the inside is "fifth and sixth" which I'm thinking might mean grades.  But the story and vocabulary is so simple!  I do believe our children today are learning a much heftier vocabulary than those in 1948 (but I could be wrong).

 

 

 

And the magazines.  I can't wait to leaf through these and scan a few pictures and ideas from them.

 

 

Well, it was a fun weekend!  There are only one or two fleas left this spring, and then it will be summer and garage sale season.  Garage sales around here mostly consist of baby items, old game systems and Tupperware.  There's not much luck to be had in the "vintage" department. 

 

Well, until another time, have a happy vintage day!



Victor Victrola

This 1917 advertisement for Victor Victrola caught my eye as I was browsing the Internet.  1917!  That's almost 100 years ago!  Heavenly days, look how times have changed.

Of course I love the little "Nipper" in the lower left corner.


I love Nippers

And that Victrola is stunning with it's curved edges and feet.  Then, I saw all of the people standing on the stairs.  Do they all live in that house?  No, they are the musicians that Santa will "usher into your home on Christmas morning."

As I looked at the names, I realized I hardly recognized any of them.  Feeling that I should remedy that I did a bit of research on a few of the names.
These musical artists of my Great-grandparents' day-n-age were like the Celine Dions and Andrea Bocellis of our present time.

Some of the names include...
Gluck
Harry Lauder
Hempel (Frieda Hempel Soprano who lived from 1885-1955)
McCormack (John McCormack a Tenor who lived from 1884-1945)
Melba (Nellie Melba, 1861-1931 a soprano) HERE is a link to her song "Goodbye".
Sousa (as in John Philip Sousa?  Must be)
and Terrazzini (for whom I can not find anything about)

One of the names is Frances Alda.  Click HERE for a sample of her work as a soprano.  She had a beautiful voice!


Another name include Victor Herbert who had an orchestra and played cello.  According to Wikipedia, he and his orchestra recorded works for The Victor Talking Machine company from 1911 to 1923.  Here is his photo...

Victor Herbert

Another musician mentioned in the advertisement above is Enrico Caruso who sang tenor.  Click HERE for a link to a page containing some samples of his work.  I'm not a fan of Opera, but he was really good!

Enrico Caruso

For some reason this advertisement sucked me in (that's what ads are suppose to do I suppose).  I think the staircase is what caught my eye.   And once I started researching the musicians and found their music on Internet Archives (which is an amazing site, by-the-way), I spent at least an hour listening and searching for many different musicians and songs.  The search for one musician often leads to the discovery of another.  I really get sidetracked when it involves music from the 40's (and there's hours of it on Internet Archives!)

Until tomorrow, keep humming along and have a great day!

PS...to my parents, who loyally read my blog.  This is in NO WAY shape or form a hint that I want the Victrola for Christmas....not even a little bit.  I'm serious.  I'm glad you have it and I believe it is happy and content living in your house.  Someday I would eventually like to "take it off your hands", but for right now it will not fit anywhere inside our cracker jack box size of a house.  Love to you both.

Johnson's Glo-Coat Can

My aunt and uncle stopped by for a quick visit the other night and surprised me with this!

WOW!  Thanks guys!  I've been wanting one of these for a very long time because Johnson's Wax sponsored my favorite radio show, Fibber McGee and Molly.  I mentioned this to my uncle a couple of years ago and he remembered.  It's in very good shape too with no rustiness or dents and I love that it says "Made in the U.S.A." right on the side.  I also love it's little red plastic cap.  Uncle Stan says it might be Bakelite!  Cool.

 

I came across this Glo-Coat ad in one of my vintage magazines.  This one is from a 1951 Woman's Day.

And here is one of my all-time favorite Fibber McGee and Molly shows, "Fibber Needs Glasses".  Take a listen if you'd like.

Until Later...Have a Happy, Glo-Coat Shine of a day!