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Then,
by Jo DeYoung-Patrie
Antiques
to tempt museum supporters
As the cold winds start to blow and the days shorten, many people head
inside for recreational hobbies such as antiquing. This is a great time
for antiquing, and our area offers many opportunities.
The Marquette County History Museum will host a live and silent auction
of antiques, collectibles and unique opportunities on November 2 at
Upfront and Company. Auction items include toys, dolls, wine, costume
jewelry and more. There will be something for everyone.
Some auction items are of local origin, including vintage local books
and a framed George Shiras photograph. George Shiras, III pioneered
the use of night photography. Also up for auction are the two-volume
set of his books, Hunting Wildlife with Camera and Flashlight.
In the late 1800s, at the time of glass plates and large, bulky cameras,
Shiras came to his family camp in Northern Michigan every summer where
he developed the first trip-wire photography of animals at night. His
amazing photographs won prizes at the Paris Exposition of 1900.
A Munisingware bowl also will be auctioned. Munising Woodenware Company
was established in 1911 and merged with Marquette’s Piqua Handle
and Manufacturing Company in 1934. The “Piqua” was built on
the then-outskirts of Marquette, on the site of today’s Marquette
Senior High School in the late teens. (There’s also a short street
named after it, running from Fourth to Seventh, between Park and Magnetic.)
The “Piqua” made utility pieces such as broom handles, kettle
knobs, window screen frame, trays, bread boards and rolling pins. Some
of these have the “Marquette” brand; spoons and bowls were
made there as well. During World War I, the manufacturing of Army tent
poles delayed its grand opening, presumably for security reasons.
The two companies began separately, but merged in 1934. Ownership changed
several times, and the company name changed to Munising Wood Products
in 1940. Munising operations ceased in 1955; Marquette operations ceased
in 1960 after plastics caused the market to narrow.
A glance at the brand on the bottom will confirm its place of origin.
The brands have changed from straight to slanted to arched script and
from a pointy “M” to a round-toped “M.” The earliest
brands seem to carry the straight, block lettering of “Munising.”
The woodenware was distributed nationally to companies such as Sears
and Marshall Field.
A distinction often is made between an antique, a vintage item and a
collectible. An “antique” can be defined as at least seventy-five
years old and collected because of its rarity, condition, utility or
other unique features. Some might say a true antique is only something
as old as ancient Rome and Greece. But many take a more liberal definition.
A “vintage” item, by contrast, may be thought of as an item
about fifty years old and collected for its rarity, condition, etc.
Though the term “vintage” also is used to describe much more
recent items, as in 1980s vintage leg warmers.
A “collectible” refers to a manufactured item either designed
for collecting or later adopted as a collectible item. Many plates and
figurines are marketed as collectibles. Some toys begin as toys, but
items such as Beanie Babies and Star Wars action figures are now marketed
as collectibles rather than simply toys. On the other hand, “collections”
can be made up of coins, antiques, minerals or other natural specimens;
thereby differing from collectibles.
People collect for many reasons, including nostalgia, the thrill of
the hunt and as an investment. Some of the best advice is simply to
buy what you enjoy.
Condition also is important. However, what is considered good or excellent
condition for one item to the next can vary by age, rarity and how the
item was used. A collectible toy from the 1970s may fetch high prices
only in its original package, yet a tin toy from the 1920s may be highly
valuable if unusual and an interesting subject, even with minor wear.
This auction also offers a unique opportunity to tour the Grand Island
Lighthouse and lunch with the Grahams, featuring the island’s history
and Loren Graham’s book Face in the Rock and possible upcoming
movie. Other opportunities include lunch and discussion at Peter White’s
camp and trout fishing with artist Paul Grant and a visit to John Voelker’s
camp.
Timeless Temptations: An Auction of Antiques, Collectibles & Unique
Opportunities begins at 7:00 p.m. on November 2 at UpFront & Co.
in Marquette.
Hors d’oeuvres and a chance to sign up for raffle prizes, bid on
items in the silent auction, and listen to music by the Don Bays Trio
will be provided. There will be a cash bar. The auction begins at 8:00
p.m.
Tickets are $15 each and are available at the museum store or by calling
226-3571. A limited number will be available at the door. All items
for this event have been donated. No items from the museum collection
will be included. For an updated list of items, visit www.marquettecohistory.org
Other upcoming museum events include a holiday open house from 5:00
to 9:00 p.m. on November 16 at the museum.
Celebrate the season with refreshments, local entertainment, door prizes,
free admission and sales in the museum store. See the special exhibit,
“Person to Person,” which explores the many ways people communicate,
from pictographs to fog horns to photography. Bring your family and
friends and explore downtown; many businesses will be open late.
In addition, the 2007 Historic Calendars are available. The “Our
Past in Pictures” calendar contains images from the museum’s
photograph collection and makes a great gift. Calendars are $17.50 each.
The calendar is a fundraiser; proceeds help fund the museum’s operational
expenses.
—Jo DeYoung-Patrie
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