Last week (1/16) Russel Johnson died at age 89 in Washington Ste. That’s a long way from Gilligan’s Island.
For those of you old enough to remember the original show (which continues in reruns) Gilligan’s Island was a 1/2 hr. comedy about a captain, his bungling first mate (Gilligan), a rich couple, movie star, girl next door and the Professor. It only was on for 3 years (1964-1967) but it still has a fan club (www.gilligansisle.com/‎). Johnson played the Professor (his name was actually Roy Henkley) and he could make anything, except a patch for the wrecked boat. Of note: there are two members of the shipwrecked party still surviving: Ginger and Mary Ann.

OK keeping in the TV mode I continue with my weird collectibles that will be offered on my web site: A Grandpa Munster doll–that show started the same year as Gillian (started in 1964 but only lasted until 1966). It was about a family of Monsters–including the wife’s father Grandpa who was a Dracula type character. My doll is probably late 90’s rather than 60’s but he’s still in good shape and I’ll have him listed when I get the web up.

When I did a quick search on the internet for 60’s TV collectibles I found everything from a signed publicity shot for Petticoat Junction to several Batman themed items including a Batman car and a Barbie Doll in Cat Woman mode. My favorite was a Munsters salt and pepper shaker with Grandpa and Herman Munster figures. As far as weird: a 7×9 B&W photo of Jack Palace in his character as Mr. Hyde in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Original CBS TV show that aired 46 years ago this month.

SO if anybody out there has TV vintage items they’d like to sell or put on my web site (I research the value and best price to sell) as a consignment let me know.

OK gotta get a little work done today as this afternoon I’m picking up some items and tonight I have a class on bookkeeping and insurance—boring but very necessary. Oh and I have to cover the plants again. Down to freeing tonight….

Show kindness today: consider others feelings and then try your best to respect them.

Tell me it’s not true First a Velveeta Shortage and now a Velveeta Recall—the world may never be the same.
Did you know that Velveeta was developed in 1928 by Kraft and according to Delesh.com was approved by the AMA in 1931 and released in 1937. Oh by the way there was a shortage the year it was released TOO–in Germany–where it was, I’m told, in great demand. Original Kraft’s serving suggestions included melting 1/2 lb of the product with 1/4 a cup of milk and serving it “over toasted sandwiches of peanut butter and sweet pickle relish”. And it still survived—amazing.

I checked for Velveeta collectibles and found a few. These included 2003 Kurt Bush and Jeff Burton (NASCAR drivers for the non-fan) Velveeta Tins (something I missed in my collection) My favorite is the Kraft Velveeta 110 camera (described as very rare–I can believe that) in a Velveeta Shell Cheese Dinner box. Honest: check out e-bay if you don’t believe me. The most expensive (under $20) was a Tupperware Velveeta 2 lb. cheese keeper with knife. No idea on the year that was produced. Even Amazon is in on the Velveeta thing with a trading card of Jeff Burton Velveeta Driver no less.

OK I promised to review some of my weird inclusions. First I thought the Snicker’s Ghost shaped Halloween candy container, but then I spied the Godzilla 1998 cup holder. These were given out as toys (not for use with hot drinks is clearly printed in the inside) by Taco Bell. All part of the promotion for the Godzilla movie released in 1998 (one of a long line of movies either about or inspired by the original 1954 Japanese conceived monster who’s original name seems to have meant something like gorilla whale?) starring Matthew Broderick which was poorly received by critics and viewers alike, though it still shows up on TV from time to time.

OK enough weird for the day, which includes me. Plan to work on organizing again. Don’t forget to let others know I’m out here and I’m looking for participants. Will feature more weirdness—I’m the Dragon Lady what else could I do—from the world and my collection alike–tomorrow.

Today is a new day–begin it well, keep you spirits high and your old burdens subdued and make the most of what the universe gives you. Oh and stay weird of course, the world would be so boring if everyone was NORMAL.

Happy Martin Luther King Day.

Hey I’m back, lucky reader. The Dragon lady is draggin’ this morning, don’t know why. Did the deeds I need done on Friday and ended the day munching with friends. Sat. was slow as one friend who hasn’t been well cancelled out on a movie (She wanted to see Ride Along, which I understand is #1 movie for the weekend.) but I did meet some friends for dinner–OK more food, and drink–I see a trend here. Sunday found me in front of the TV watching football. Thought Denver game was interesting–I wasn’t sure if New Eng;and was going to show up for that one. The Sea Hawks and San Fran showed up, but neither seemed to ever develop any rhythm and the game seemed a bit disjointed to me. I pick Denver in Super Bowl.

Last week I mentioned getting an Avon music box. I did some research and was shocked to find that Avon has been in business since 1886 (who knew?) in New York City-but with the name California Perfume Company (why not New York, maybe not exotic enough?). In 1906 they put out the first color brochure and had 10,000 representatives out there selling the product. “California Perfume Company Calling” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Now given they’ve been around so long it’s not a surprise they’re collectible. My 1985 music box (which didn’t make the most collectible item list) is just a baby compared with what might be out there waiting to be discovered. Oh by the way according to the “Official” Avon list of collectibles/best sellers are:
6. Steins
5. Ornaments
4. Collector plates
3. Plush products
2. Dolls
and the most popular—drum roll please
1. Figurines

Avon offers collectibles through the company that include “Exclusive” or “first-on-the-market, which often come with certificates of authenticity.

Unfortunately Avon collectible products usually do not bring high prices which for a dealer like me isn’t great, but on the other hand if you’re a collector it’s obviously a good thing.

Please note that I am interested in hearing from people who

1. Have item they might want included in consignment either on line or later with my store.
2. Artist that have jewelry or other small items that you might want to add to a co-op program either on line or when I open my store.
3. Anyone who has items that they might be interested in selling outright.
Please note that I am not selling on line yet only working on it at the moment.

OK tomorrow we can discuss some of my most weird finds. Until then I’ll spend my time wishing for warmer weather.

Stay warm and follow your dreams.
Remember if you don’t chase them, you’ll never catch them.

FRIDAYS ARE my lazy days. After I complete this I’m running away from work for awhile. I have to do banking, go to my favorite book store to get one of Katie McAllistar’ books—a paranormal dragon romance (what else) and then meet friends for drinks. It’s my effort to get me in the mood for the weekend (as if I need a reason).

OK I promised that I would give you an update on my venture into second hand/resale this last weekend.

I think the cutest things I found is the Golden Dreams Porcelain Music Box which is a 1985 Avon collectible The music still plays but I am not able to identify the song.

There was also an Itty Bitty “Star Glory” angel Christmas tree decoration and 4 Sebring Pottery: Serenade design 22 K gold decorated bowls (4 A-50 I-K-S518)

I thought the most interesting items though were the 3 collector plates of Rockwell’s paintings.

I found that Norman Rockwell was born in NY state in 1894. By 14 he had enrolled in art class and two years later he left high school to study art full time. He in fact received his first commission at age 16 to do Christmas cards.

In 1916 he did his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post and he continued doing covers for them for 47 years and 321 cover. It was his Greatest “show window in America.” In 1961 he changed to doing covers for Look magazine and continued with them till 1971.

Though once felt to be too sentimental by the art community he did become more popular in his later years and has been described as encapsulating “life in 20th century America.” Over a life time he produced over 4,000 paintings.

The plates I found were the first three of Rockwell’s Rediscovered Women collection which are numbered and were produced in a limited edition (limited to one hundred firing days) and certified as a “True Rockwell Classic” by the Rockwell Society of America. They were produced by Knowles of W. Virginia. The ones I was able to secure were Dreaming in the Attic, Waiting on the Shore and Pondering the Porch. All charming depictions of American women in an earlier age and life style.

The plate thing seems to be a reoccurring item with me as the last time I went out buying i found 3 Wizard of Oz plates (1992) also by Knowles.

So I guess I have taken enough of your time for today. Thanks for stopping by and seeing me again Please come back to share my efforts in retail and life in general.

It’s Friday—get out there and have an ADVENTURE THIS WEEKEND. I’ll update you on mine on Monday.

OK we’re finally up and I’m getting the hang of this project.

Since I worked on my last blog I’ve been continuing on my vintage jewelry review and I’m almost done. The latest item I looked at was a religious medal with the inscription “Heart of Jesus, Be my Love, Pope Leo XIII.” Since I’m not a Catholic I looked all this up and discovered Pope Leo XIII (Pope from 1878-1903) was noted for his attempts to define the position of the Catholic Church with regard to modern thinking (Not exactly sure what that means but sounds interesting). He was called the “Rosary Pope” because he promoted the use of the rosary and the scapular (sacrament worn by Roman Catholics and some Lutherans). He was the first Pope to have a sound recording made and the first to be captured in motion pictures.

The metal itself is silver with the previous inscription on the back and the baby Jesus on the front. I have found several on line, but all the ones on line include: “300 Days Once a day” and then “May 21, 1892 Vatican Rome Italy”. Mine does not. I understand that the metals I looked at on line were indulgences: which is a granting of full or partial remission of temporal punishment for sins, after granted confession and absolution. That’s for those other non-Catholics out there. I was wondering if anyone knew if there was another metal issued or if mine is in error or what? I understand these were popular in the 1960s, if that’s any help.

It’s cold and getting colder. But since I’m in Florida and we probably won’t get below 38 degrees tonight I don’t expect any sympathy from the rest of you. I grew up in Michigan and have seen much worse temperatures. But after living here since the 70’s that’s cold weather for us Floridians.

Tomorrow I will tell you about what I found on my exploring yard sales and resale shops (remember when we called them second hand stores) this weekend, it’s an interesting way to spend your Saturday. Any way: Have a good day and stay warm.

Whomever advised that business is an adventure forgot to tell me the tedium of setting things up. And today I got a notice from the state, that Surprise, I have to file a report by May. Hopefully by May I will have done more than work on my inventory. At this point I have done little but set up this blog and gotten my LLC (Adventure Chase), fictitious name (Dragon’s Lair) and the Catch Phrase “Because Dragons bring treasurers back to their caves.” And reporting that will cost me $150, $400 if I’m late (after May 1st). Maybe I should give up retail and start my own government. Then I don’t have to do anything but send out notices to make people set up useless reports that will become public knowledge—not what sounds like some interesting reading.

It is amazing all the things one finds in ones storage areas. NASCAR stand-ups, including a couple of Dale Earnhardt, a fully stocked antique first aid kit–I think my late hubby picked that up at an antique market sometime, somewhere, its very old but the iodine is still present and liquid–now that’s a good seal though I seriously debate its sanitary status. Some things like a very old cupid picture ended up damaged and a loss of a small Cupid Awake published by Taber Phang who according to my research went broke and the publishing was picked up by another company for a few bucks. Anyway the cupid which use to grace my grandmother’s wall along with its mate Cupid asleep which has long been lost, is a loss as well.

I have also been looking into vintage jewelry and have been able to purchase a gross collection from an estate sale. I am still researching the 70 or more pieces and learning a lot about OLD jewelry. This particular set has pieces from the 1930s to probably 60’s and maybe early 70’s and includes some signed (has the name of the manufacturer on it) pieces from Coro and Monet to name a few. I am looking into purchasing another lot in the near future.

Well enough for now–have to get back to my inventory efforts.
Until later Your DL out

GREETINGS FROM THE DRAGON LADY  That’s me:

Hello and welcome to my world.  I’m a recent retiree (just over 2 months) and have decided to leave the world of nursing for an adventure in retail—but not just any retail—I am most specifically interested in jewelry (if you knew me you’d know that this is a real passion as I usually am heavily bedecked).

I also inherited a collection from my late husband of 1980-2000 NASCAR collectibles including drivers that aren’t with us any more (Earnhardt and Davey Allison to name a couple) and some beer (Bud steins and taps) items.

For my other collectibles my goal is to find persons  like myself that are a bit older (though if you’re a younger collector I do not discriminate), need to down-size, or have a spouse that has left (either by incapacity or departure) them with a long-term collection.  I want to provided an alternative to the usual give it to the kids—who will usually downsize it themselves—or do a yard sale, or give it to whatever charity will pick it up at the front door.  I would offer a consignment option for them.  I would do the research for value and then work to list the collection for sale.  Thus allowing a profit rather than a give away.

This blog is a step in getting interest as well as participation in both co-op with craftsmen/artists and persons with collectibles for consignment as well as let you know a little about me and why you might want to join my adventure.

So stay tune tomorrow and I will update you on my progress and when you might be able to participate.