Creative Collections: Vintage printing blocks

'Creative Collections' blog post banner

pile of wooden vintage printing blocks

We love typography and fonts – and have amassed quite a collection of vintage letters & numbers in various forms – printing blocks, stencils and old retail signage.

details of a pile of wooden vintage printing blocks

We’ll concentrate on wooden vintage printing blocks for this edition of Creative Collections. Aren’t they wonderful? The array of wood grain & colour, sizes and shapes.

details of a pile of wooden vintage printing blocks

One of those perfect things to collect over the years that make up into a really interesting & eye-catching display – whether it be a random selection or spelled out words.

vintage printing blocks with a letter 'C' in the foreground

Even the traces of residual ink can add interest.

vintage printing blocks with a number 5 in the foreground

We’ve just bought a large collection of blocks like these pictured. So, if you’re missing that perfect letter Q to complete a phrase…

set of wooden vintage printing blocks spelling out H is for Home

…or you’d like particular words to display – name or house number perhaps – just drop us a line and we’ll see if we can oblige.

pile of wooden vintage printing blocks

Prices vary depending on size, the quality of carving & rarity – but generally speaking we sell the smallest letters for £2-£3, medium cost £4-£8 and the largest £10-£25.

Another valet

'Another valet' blog post banner

vintage valet stand with suit jacket, cuff links and watch

In a blog post almost 3 years ago we featured a gentlemen’s valet stand. It sold quickly and you wouldn’t believe the number of enquiries we’ve had subsequently asking if it was still available to buy!

vintage valet stand

Since then, we’ve kept our eyes open for good-quality, vintage stands. This example, picked up last week, really fits the bill.

detail from vintage valet stand showing the Brevettato label

It was produced by Brevettato of Italy in the 1960s.

vintage valet stand with suit

The wood looks to be teak and it has clean, mid century modern styling.

detail from vintage valet stand showing vintage 'A' cufflinks, Smiths watch and tie

In addition to the main hanging racks for jacket & trousers, there are also nice touches such as the shelf for wallet, loose change, cuff links, watches, keys etc.

detail from vintage valet stand showing vintage Smiths watch

Also charming, extendible finials – which can be used for hanging watches, bracelets or ties. To the base is a simple shoe rack.

detail from vintage valet stand showing vintage brown leather brogues

The whole piece stands on lovely, little castors for ease of movement around the room. Perfect!

Gentleman’s Valet

"Gentleman's Valet" blog post banner

tabletop of the vintage gentleman's valet

We bought this lovely vintage gentleman’s valet stand last week.

tabletop of the vintage gentleman's stand tabletop of the vintage gentleman's valet

The main structure is elm with some chrome & Formica detailing.

full length view of the vintage gentleman's stand full length view of the vintage stand

It incorporates both jacket & trouser hangers – over which ties, belts or braces can also be placed. In addition, there are shoe rests and a small, circular top shelf for wallet, watch, cuff links etc.

base of the vintage gentleman's valet
The atomic or Sputnik styling to the base gives it a real fifties look – perfect for all you Mad Men fans. We bet Don Draper has one just like this!

Housing Stock

"Housing Market" blog post banner

three vintage hand painted wooden houses

These were an interesting little buy last week.

vintage handmade hand painted wooden house with red roof and door

A group of three vintage handmade toy houses.

detail of blue vintage wooden house detail of yellow vintage wooden house

They’re constructed of ply around a solid block of wood – then painted.

underside of handmade hand painted wooden house

We’re not sure when they date from, although they obviously have a bit of age – 1940s/50s probably.

vintage handmade hand painted wooden house with yellow roof & door

We love these naive toys and folk art.

vintage handmade hand painted wooden house with blue roof & door

Probably made by dad or grandad for a young child… very sweet!