Tag: retro
Letterman Mid-Century Modern Paintings
It’s not often you find oil paintings with such a well-defined and readable signature, but the one on this triptych we have in our booth at Fargo Antiques and Repurposed Market is clearly LETTERMAN, stylized with extended letters to evoke modernity and motion.
And, not only is the name so readable, the signature readily identifies a variety of other works from this artist, all large, geometric paintings, all with the same readily-identifiable signature.
Don’t try to find “Letterman”, though: this isn’t an artist’s signature, it’s the name of a line of high-end decorator art sold in department stores, particularly JC Penney’s, during the 1970s, sourced and distributed by Artmaster Studios of California. A few are attributed to an Antoinette Letterman but I believe these are misattribution to the wrong “Letterman”; Antoinette’s signature looks less like a logo and more like a human signature from the examples I can find.
The paintings, all done with quality higher than the usual starving artist works you find prescribed by interior designers, appear to be unique, even if there are similarities in styles. Paintings range from very geometric to realistic photos of animals. They mostly share a common palette, primarily browns and yellows and neutral colors.
Unlike a lot of decorator art, the unique and stylized art produced under the Letterman logo demand a high price today. Collectors recognize the uniqueness of the style, and are willing to pay high prices for these rare works of art.
Celebrating Independent Retailer Month
We’re celebrating Independent Retailer Month – With a sale, of course!! Check out our Etsy Clearance Sale – 30% OFF Select Items!
Remember, if you are in the FM area, local pickup can be arranged! Just convo us!
Holiday Record Sale, December 7th!
Hey, Fargo-Moorhead record lovers, we’ve got a pop-up flash sale for you!
This Saturday, December 7, 2019, ALL records in our booths at Fargo Antiques & Repurposed Market (aka The Farm) are HALF OFF!
Yes, this includes all our vintage vinyl: 33 1/3 LPs, 78s, 45s – even classic kitschy kids’ Christmas records! Even if already marked down! All our records are 1/2 off!
Fine Print: One day only. All records. Dealer code YES, booths 25-27. Shop opens @ 10am, open until 7pm.
(Pretty simple, right?)
Vintage Playground Rides, Anyone?
Just scored a pair of vintage playground rides — and brought them into the Fargo location of F.A.R.M.!
Both are believed to be made of cast aluminum, with modest wear to what’s believed to be original paint. As always, contact us with your interest. We will ship — however, due to size and weight, we will need to calculate the exact cost based upon your specific location. Also, we would ship via UPS with their proper insurance and professional packaging service so as to ensure safe arrival.
The super cool — and ultra coveted — Gametime rocket! Another great old Saddle Mate aluminum playground ride designed by Robert S. Wormser. Complete with USAF on the tail. Marked patent pending, however also lists a patent number 210393. Circa late 1960s, early 1970s. Sadly, this classic, mid-century, space-age playground rocket ship design is no longer in production. What a thrill it must have been to ride! And what a thrill to own one!
[Shown here with a very cool bit of retro red & white vinyl — looks a lot like the old diner seats, doesn’t it? Likely a handmade piece which may have served as the back to a bench or a trunk? Who knows?! Half the fun is finding it and making it suit a decor purpose in your own home! Cool diamond design implemented with thumbtacks. Also available for sale.]
Last, but not least, this vintage Saddle Mates Toucan! Also known as the Saddle Mate Bird or Swampy, designed by Robert S. Wormser. Circa late 1970s. Also marked “Pat Pend”, so an early production. Super cute & quite charming as is, but these vintage playground pieces can be repainted to suit your decor and whimsical desires too.
Both pieces were each once on large springs. Those had removed before we found them; however, each vintage playground ride is in good enough condition to once again be attached to a new spring or “ride” mechanism, should the collector wish it.
Very cool mid-century pieces of childhood nostalgia.
If these old aluminum playground rides bring back great memories, you may wish to check out Once Upon a Playground: A Celebration of Classic American Playgrounds, 1920–1975!
New Vintage Clothing Shop In Fargo-Moorhead!
The Fargo Antiques & Repurposed Market (F.A.R.M.) has expanded, opening a new, second location in the Moorhead Center Mall — and we’ve expanded too, taking another two booths there. You can see a bit of our space in this photo taken for the article about the new location in the July 7, 2016 issue of the FM-Extra.
The two booths are together, but one side (currently) focuses on Mid-Century Modern furnishings and decor (that link is just a sneak peek; will share more photos later, I promise!) and the other booth is filled with vintage clothing. Yes, Fargo-Moorhead has another shopping venue for authentic vintage clothing!
Our space features, easily, 100 years of vintage fashions, from Victorian all the way to retro 1990s pieces. There are some truly rare beauties, including “Mad Men” fashions from the 1950s and 60s. We have couture dresses (including quintessential little black cocktail dresses and wiggle dresses), classic rhinestone jewelry, “popcorn” bead handbags, violet vintage gloves, pink chiffon hats — even vintage hat boxes, train cases, vintage glove drying racks or hand forms (with adjustable thumbs!), and fashionable vintage sewing advertising signs!
And we are proud to offer a number of new old stock (NOS) fashions from the 1980s and 90s which have their original sales tags! These dresses and jumpsuits came from the Stamas Boutique in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, where the wives of Milwaukee Brewers and other well-heeled society shopped. (I know; I used to work there back in the 1980s — I probably handled some of these very same garments!)
In addition to our vintage clothing, several other dealers at the new FM Antiques & Repurposed Market store also have vintage fashions for sale. So why not come on down to the Moorhead Center Mall and check it out? In fact, hubby & I will be working there today (Saturday, July 9th) so we can help you out!
Look for more photos on our Twitter, Tumblr, & Facebook Page too!
June Is For Brides
June is for weddings! Here’s a bit of what we have for sale at F.A.R.M.:
A vintage boxed set of handkerchiefs – with blue embroidery, so it’s both the “something old” and the “something blue” (and maybe even covers “something new” as it’s new to you!)
And a pretty vintage bride doll. She’s made of cloth and I believe her dress is silk, her veil silk chiffon. Quite fragile; very lovely!
Also, see our vintage train cases & a very cool, ultra mod, round Tourister Tiara suitcase in white. Vintage suitcases well-suited for your honeymoon travels!
While these are in the shop (booths 25 & 26, dealer YES), we will ship. You can call the F.A.R.M. shop at 701-356-9199 between 10 am and 7 pm Central time Monday through Saturday (noon to 6 pm on Sundays). Or, you may contact us directly here or on Facebook.
Vintage Service Station Automobilia Advertising Metal Tool Cabinets
If you like automobilia, if you’re looking for some cool vintage advertising for your man cave, take a look at these vintage metal auto part storage boxes.
Original metal wall-mounted tool cabinets which once hung in Sahr’s gas and service station in downtown Fargo, North Dakota, these were pretty stinkin’ dirty. This is them after being sprayed with the hose, before any scrubbing took place. But we cleaned them up and now they are spiffy enough to use in your home.
Even better than metal advertising signs, these vintage metal cases hold things! They can be used, as they once were, as tool and supply cabinets to hold auto, fleet, farm, and marine parts; or you can store anything you’d like inside as there are shelves as seen in the photo above — but don’t worry, all clean now!
I think the black and white box with the retro 70s car, boat, tractor, truck, bus, and boat graphics would be a cool way to store Matchbox and other collectible cars — for little and big boys. But once you buy it, fill it with what you like!
Super functional; super cool.
Uncommon pieces as they were only available to service stations, auto supply shops, and the like; not for consumers.
The taller upright metal Napa & Belden cases are likely from the late 1960s-1970s; the shorter, wider, unit with the green and gold Filko advertising is circa late 1940s-1950s.
You’ll find these items, and many others, in our booth at the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market this weekend in Wisconsin. Our booth is located outside, near the entrance to the flea, in booth #214. Call 701.306.6145 if you need help finding us!
PS We travel to the flea tomorrow, so keep an eye on our Facebook Page for updates with photos!