(If you prefer, you can listen to this as a podcast! Smells Like Grandma, episode 1 – 5.)

A few weeks ago I spent the weekend washing out old perfume bottles. Well, technically, washing vintage & retro figural eau de cologne bottles – because perfume rarely comes in such bottles. Which is why most of us refer to such bottles as “fragrance bottles,” but collectors consider the category to be “perfume bottles,” a subset of vanity collectibles, or “collectible bottles”, a subset of “decorative collectibles.” But I digress.

I was washing old fragrance bottles. The majority of these were Avon bottles – primarily the figurative types. And perhaps it was the strong smells from the near 100 different bottled grandma scents, but I started giggling.

At the risk of further digression, I feel the need to address a few other things before I completely offend a great number of Avon ladies & Avon fans.

I’ve been an Avon Lady – not once, but twice, including after having reached one of the highest points in the beauty products game by working for Estee Lauder. So I’m not knocking Avon.

Not only is Avon the oldest beauty company in the United States, with a long history of economically empowering women, but Avon has for decades been the #1 fragrance-cosmetic company in the US with high rankings worldwide. Not so much #1 recently (which is a longer story about marketing and changing markets – and corporate buy-outs), but Avon still ranks in the top 10-15 worldwide every year. This means lots more people than grandmas are wearing Avon. But the nickname still holds – as we shall see.

In any case, there’s a whole lot of Avon bottles circulating. And being collected.

While most collector pros will focus on the obvious things (condition, condition, condition – the importance of boxes, true limited runs, fan favorites, etc.), in this podcast we like to talk about objects in context. In this case, the objects are vintage & reto Avon bottles, and the context of “grandma scents” is also a nostalgic nod to scents of the past.

According to science, smell and memory are linked. Dr. Alan Hirsch, founder of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, says, “The quickest way to affect somebody’s moods or behavior, quicker than with any other sensory modality, is with smell.” So collecting perfume bottles, Avon or not, is closely linked to memory.

Vintage scents may link you to your grandma, yes. Maybe it’s a scent she wore. My grandma wore Avon’s Charisma for special occasions, so it’s part of Christmas for me. But vintage perfume scents may remind you of your grandma, or grandmas in general, at least in part, because most fragrances tend to go bad & get that funky old smell after 3-5 years – and who doesn’t have a grandma who has old fragrance bottles getting dusty on her dresser? (Hence all the washing I’ve been doing!)

Or the scents may link you to your own past – a special occasion, your first big girl perfume, your first kiss – your own teen spirit, if you will. Meaning you might now be the “grandma” part of “grandma scent.”

But another part of the context of collectible Avon bottles is the heading-toward-us-like-a-bullet-train holiday season.

As I found in my sink, there is a ton of evidence of the gift-giving of Avon. Perhaps none as obvious as the array of men’s fragrance decanters.

There are a ton of cars, which may seem gifty enough for the generic men in your life. I mean, I guess glass cars look cool… I tend to like the kitschy stuff, including white poodle Avon decanters, so who am I to judge?

But there’s more. Including a plethora of men’s footwear options…

So.

Many.

Boots.

As a woman who used to sell men’s shoes, let me tell you there is nothing – & I mean nothing – like the odor of a teenaged boy’s feet. You learn in the shoe business to inhale deeply before you even begin to bend toward the feet – slowly exhaling as you go, so that you will not need to inhale again before you have exited the danger zone. You also learn to smile with commiseration with any mothers about – because they know what you are going through and are suffering in mortified silence as well.

So anyway, the notion of selling any fragrance in footwear form is, well, it just doesn’t smell right. Yet Avon has more variations of boot cologne bottles than seems possible.

Not that Avon figural bottles are necessarily shaped like scents. For example, the car decanters don’t smell like car exhaust or those cardboard trees. The 12-inch tall grandfather clock Avon bottle doesn’t smell like… clock. Nor does the spool of thread with thimble cap portend of a specific olfactory delight. In fact, most of Avon’s figural decanters seem perplexing to those of us who understand the marketing of fragrance… But still, men’s boots do suggest unpleasant scents. So I wrinkle my nose.

Perhaps my favorite – and by favorite, I mean most giggle-worthy – Avon men’s figural fragrance bottle is the weather vane – cupola combo.

In case you aren’t familiar with a cupola, it’s a small structure on the top of a building. They were used as lookouts, or to hold a bell or clock. Today, these small clocktowers typically provide ventilation or are purely decorative, perhaps holding up a weather vane. Just like this Avon bottle of aftershave. A decorative barn-red cupola topped with a black horse weather vane. “Thanks for thinking of me, grandma!”

Oddly enough, the weather vane – cupola combo container holds Deep Woods or Wild Country aftershave. And neither of those cologne names – i.e. the scent fantasy of a rugged outdoorsman who can’t be tamed – sounds like it belongs to a dude who wants to be domesticated by a farmhouse decor style.

This bottle does, however, lend itself to a gift-seeking grandma or & aunty who doesn’t know what to get a gent over the age of say 12.

Clearly, Avon has banked a lot of bucks from grandmas… But I think most folks would prefer the traditional $5 in a greeting card.

Feel free to share this with a grandma.

This Week's Story Avon Podcast Fargo Fair Oaks Antiques
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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?)

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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!

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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.

new-antique-shop-in-moorhead-center-mall-FMextra

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!

vintage-clothing-store-fargo-moorhead

vintage-dresses-clothing-fargo

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!

vintage-purses-handbags-purple-suede-shoes-fargo-moorhead

vintage-hats-and-hat-boxes

vintage-nylon-slips-and-lingerie-for-sale-fargo

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!)

vintage-retro-rhinestone-sequined-dresses-NOS-with-tags-80s

vintage-retro-1980s-jumpsuit-red-patent-leather-veil-hat

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!

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vintage-hats-fashion-accessories-fargo-moorhead

Look for more photos on our Twitter, Tumblr, & Facebook Page too!

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June is for weddings! Here’s a bit of what we have for sale at F.A.R.M.:

vintage bride doll in silk dress silk chiffon veil

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!)

vintage boxed white hankies with blue embroidery

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!

vintage bride doll fair oaks antiques

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!

ultra mod round Tourister Tiara suitcase in white vintage

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.

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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.

vintage dirty wet auto part advertising sign graphics metal storage boxes

dirty with shelves mancave metal wall cases

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!

before-after-napa

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!

vintage belden auto parts wire metal wall mounted storage box

Super functional; super cool.

Uncommon pieces as they were only available to service stations, auto supply shops, and the like; not for consumers.

vintage metal filko crown jewel automotive products service station wall unit box

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!

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Sometimes I don’t think we talk enough about the cool things we have in our Etsy shop… So it’s time to highlight some of the items recently listed in our Etsy shop, including additional information about them.

We have a fabulous retro mod Sculptura telephone (aka the “doughnut phone”) listed for sale — just like the one you can see on FX’s The Americans!

Also listed is a vintage Marx Midget Climbing Fighting Tank with original box — which appears to be an uncommon variation of the toy. Note how the one we are offering has the gun turret done in camouflage.

We’re offering a complete st of 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Transit Tokens — something hubby wrote about a few years ago.

Last, but not least, I learned some interesting things about vintage greeting cards with teeny-tiny Bibles on them.

we have your collectibles fair oaks antiques

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