Forthcoming Attractions: Early September 2017

Collection of vintage packaging and advertising | H is for Home

We made one of our bulk purchases last week. We’ve featured other such ‘job lots’ in previous posts – products as diverse as textiles, magazines, lamps, even candle dowsers. This time it’s vintage packaging.

Collection of vintage sweet and biscuit tins | H is for Home

There were plenty of the classic ‘fancy’ biscuit tins in the collection, but it’s the more day to day product packaging that we gravitate towards.

Vintage Thermogene medicated wadding cardboard box | H is for Home

The interest that packaging generates for collectors comes for a variety of reasons. To start with, there’s the fabulous design and graphics which we love too.

Vintage Bishop's Move Tobacco tin | H is for Home

Then there’s the nostalgia factor; there’s such an amazing variety of products – some have fallen by the wayside, others have evolved into more updated versions. The same can be said of the manufacturers themselves.

Vintage Player's Navy Cut Cigarettes tin | H is for Home

It’s complete social history laid out before you.

Vintage Player's Navy Cut Cigarettes tin | H is for Home

Some items will be purely for display, others can still be used, such as the Blakey’s boot protectors. A perfect, authentic finishing touch to a vintage costume!

Vintage Blakey's Boot Protectors cardboard box with contents | H is for Home

Other pieces can be up-cycled for modern use. There are a thousand uses for storage tins of all sizes. They give you a little bit of pleasure every time you have to lift the lid.

Vintage Amovon Toe Caps tin | H is for Home

There were quite a few matchboxes in the lot. Justin is familiar with some of the boxes from his youth, but others date back over a hundred years – even he can’t remember those!

Trio of vintage matchboxes | H is for Home

These early Bryant & May’s Lion Matches are the star of the show. They’re actually Victorian in date – and still have the original matches inside; a rare survivor indeed!

Vintage Bryant & May's Lion matchbox | H is for Home

Even if you’re not actually going to use the products, a collection of vintage packaging makes such a wonderful display – both eye-catching and interesting. It looks great on a kitchen shelf or in a glass fronted case. You can even find old shop display cases which work really well.

Collection of vintage advertising packaging | H is for Home

In fact, when we look at them all grouped together, we’re a bit tempted to start a little collection ourselves – a couple of items might mysteriously disappear!

Our ever-changing spaces

Collection of vintage Criddle's Old Fashioned Black Treacle tins | H is for Home

Today’s post is very photo orientated. We just thought that we’d share a few images of how our two ever-changing spaces are looking at the moment. We’ve had some quite serious illness in the family over the last few months – both human and canine – which really has required lots of our attention and time. We’ve managed to keep on top of the blog, but we’d be the first to admit that our internet shop has suffered a bit. We’ve relied on these ‘physical worlds’ for selling most of our stuff of late.

Shelves of vintage pagkaging and cleaning products in Picture House Antiques, Todmorden

Our original pitch still has its vintage feel. In fact, one wall looks like an old grocery store at the moment with its brushes, soap, polish and old tins!

Shelves of vintage pagkaging and cleaning products in Picture House Antiques, Todmorden

Collection of new old stock boxes of Belvoir leather and saddle soap | H is for Home

New old stock tins of Day & Martin's wax shoe polish | H is for Home

New sold stock - various vintage cleaning brushes | H is for Home

New old stock - various vintage cleaning brushes in a wicker basket | H is for Home

New old stock - vintage Fox laces | H is for Home

There’s a nice Ladderax unit to another wall. We actually had seven of these! We’ve kept one for our house and have sold five in a few weeks – this being the last one remaining. It’s not surprising, as they’re such a fabulous design. They look great with their simple, mid century modern styling – and are so flexible in terms of where you position the shelves and cupboards – they’re easy to erect or move too.

Vintage Ladderax shelving unit | H is for Home

Vintage 'We Deliver Anywhere' glass shop sign | H is for Home

Elsewhere is the usual mix of furniture, crockery, artwork, fabric, lamps and so on.

Vintage wicker hanging chair with pair of vintage cushions | H is for Home

We’ve had some interesting chairs this month such as this lovely 1960s wicker hanging model.

Stack of vintage leather luggage cases, midcentury modern desk chair and large West German vase | H is for Home

Also, this 1950s red leatherette tilt back armchair. We’ve not established the designer as yet, but it really does have the look of Ernest Race about it.

Purple & white vintage dandycord chair | H is for Home

And how about this fabulous plastic weave chair in purple? It’s in great condition and the first time we’ve had one in this colourway.

Shelf of vintage toys | H is for Home

In fact, there’s no shortage of eye-popping colour wherever you look at the moment!

Vintage black & red GPO telephone | H is for Home

Our second shop space across the road has a slightly different look. Traditional antiques rub shoulders with mid century modern. It’s a bit more edited and pieces are given a bit more space to breathe.

Pair of antique miniatures | H is for Home

We love these much earlier pieces and have objects that date from the 16th to the 19th century. They have such character and history.

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

It’s not always easy mixing such divergent periods and styles, but we have a very eclectic mix in our own house – so a shop space offering the same range of items was irresistible. There’s only one thing left for the customer to do – decide what fits in their own home – and what works well together for them!

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

You’ll spy another one of those Ladderax units – a very dinky, cute little one this time (just sold). It’s currently displaying an assortment of lovely sculptural glass and the classic Cylinda Line tea set designed by Arme Jacobsen.

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

And just to prove that this place really does span eras, sitting against the same wall is an oak gate-leg table dating from about 1680. Vintage industrial storage rack and printing blocks atop. Also, a very sweet 18th century oak spoon rack on the wall – and a couple of framed silhouettes which we love. They look great against dark grey walls! The original vintage TWA travel poster dates from the 1960s and was designed by David Klein.

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

Here are a few more images so that you can have your own little virtual browse. Any questions, feel free to ask. And of course, if you’re ever near Todmorden – drop in!

Corner of our 2nd Picturehouse Antiques space | H is for Home

Detail from an antique iron candle holder | H is for Home

Collection of vintage printers block letters

Vintage Stelton stainless steel tea set | H is for Home

Trio of vintage art glass objects | H is for Home

…and fear not internet browsers – we’re back on the case now and will be photographing & listing some lovely postable items for the web shop this week.