At Home : Appraisals : 1950s and '60s Collectibles : Home & Garden Television

Mary Melton's home is straight out of the 1950 and '60s. She loves collectibles from that time period so much that she decorated her entire home with memorabilia from that era. Like many collectors—she knows what she likes, but doesn't know what it's worth. Collector Inspector Harry Rinker takes a look at these treasures to give her an idea.

Figure A

Melton found this 1960s turquoise loveseat with a walnut finish (figure A) at a Long Beach swap meet for $75. There's a maker's label on piece identifying it as Baumritter, a company founded by brothers-in-law in 1932 that eventually became Ethan Allen in 1969. The loveseat is a super find with the original label still on it.

Figure B

This little globe bar is from the 1950s (figure B).

Figure C

Melton had bamboo stored in this vase (figure C) that she kept on the floor. Rinker thinks the piece is either Phoenix or Consolidated Glass from Pennsylvania. Both companies produced high-end art glass in the 1930s. Conservatively, Rinker values it at $150 to $225.

Figure D

This canister set from the 1960s (figure D) is still being put to good use in Melton's kitchen.

Figure E

These aluminum newspaper holders (figure E) from the 1950s are still put to good use, too. Melton and her husband use them every morning.

Figure F

Melton found this Russell Wright bed (figure F) at an antique store in Orange, Calif., for $500 to $600.

Figure G

Figure H

Melton's great-grandmother stitched these needlework pieces (figures G and H)—a guest welcome sign and a California state outline. Rinker advises her to display the needlework on risers so a constant temperature is maintained on both sides of the pieces. When mounted directly on the wall, the wall temperature is generally cooler than the air temperature. Textiles, paper and prints should all be displayed in a constant environment, not one that's cold one side and hot the other.

Figure I

Here's a pair of turquoise flamingoes (figure I) that Rinker tried to barter for, but Melton wouldn't give them up. Obviously, she knows a treasure when she sees one!

Also in this Episode

Collector Inspector : Episode CTI-105
•	1950s and '60s Collectibles
•	Family Collectibles
•	Re-Purposed Collectibles
•	Crossover Collectibles

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1950s and '60s Collectibles

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