Per Ye Olde Faithful, Wikipedia, “An antique is defined as an old collectable item. It is desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features. It is also an object that represents a previous era or time period in human society.”
Ah yes, the above could be a a perfect description of moi, except for condition and beauty. When one is creaky and avoids mirrors, condition is debatable and beauty must be overlooked. Certainly age and rarity fit, and utility – definitely utility. And alas, you could say I represent a previous era in human society.
This morning I went browsing with two good friends at the local antique mall, and photographed recognizable things from childhood. Small towns and country roads often yield real treasures and we entered a great warehouse chock full of fabulous old stuff. I asked the owner how a thing merits the “antique” designation these days. And she said, “It used to be standard that an object over 100 years old was considered antique. But now anything from the 1950’s on back is in the antique category.”
The 1950’s????? Wait a minute. At the rate I am finding familiar objects in this place, I can duplicate our entire house with exactly the same contents as it had in the 1940’s! I knew there was a reason I avoid antique stores and mirrors!
But, why can’t I just be designated a COLLECTABLE? The definition of a collectable is something that is less than 100 years old and is possibly an antique of the future.
AN ANTIQUE OF THE FUTURE! That has a nice ring to it. I feel slightly better now.
NAME THIS OBJECT
See if you can recognize any of the objects below. I have invented a NEW game called Name this Object. There is even a clue list to help you on your way. And don’t come crying to me if you identify them all.
- Tabletop Radio (With On, Off & Volume)
- Brownie Camera
- Manual Typewriter
- Apple Cookie Jar
- Coco-Cola
- Toy Truck
- Shirley Temple Pitcher
- Flatiron Rest
- Doll House
- Singer Sewing Machine
- Old Radio
- Metal Saws with Wood Handles
- Washboard
Virginia Views 
Hey, I have an old Underwood typewriter just like that stored away somewhere in my basement. I always wondered if it was worth anything.
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Hang onto it! They say the kids are “into” manual typers now. They are intrigued with letters that appear magically on a sheet of paper! I’m not kidding. 🙂
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This post is ageless! (Are you sick of me yet?) Love it!
Before I read it, I was saying, “The 1950’s???????” I learned to type on a typewriter like that!
I love that Shirley Temple pitcher! It would be great for a batch of … Shirley Temples!
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Nope – Not sick of you yet Amiable. I love your wry comments, so keep em coming. I learned to type on a typer like that too – you really had to pound the keys.
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1950s–that’s a laugh!
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Depends on your birth year! 🙂
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It kinda cracks me up when I go to “antique” stores to see what is considered antiques. I guess I qualify as one too! 😉 And I’m not crying, but I did identify everything on your list. LOL
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That makes two of us not crying over being “collectable” (not antiques)! Thanks Mama. 🙂 Dor
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My mother had an apple sugar bowl and a singer sewing machine just like that one. I love antique browsing. 🙂
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Thanks Lori, for not saying you “grandmother” had one! 🙂
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I can’t comment because it would unfair ! as I used to be In the Antique trade.
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