If it ain't Broke- Don't fix It!!!!!!

The new August issue of Victorian Homes magazine.

Victorian Homes magazine Editor, Hillary Black.

Address of the editor at Victorian Homes magazine.

The Mailbox section of Victorian Homes Magazine, August issue, with mention of, My Old Historic House.

   I am in a deep debate, with the editor of Victorian Homes Magazine, Ms. Hillary Black. The magazine did a 12 page feature of ,My Old Historic House, in the June issue. The newest issue, August, is soon to be on the news stands and it also, has a 1 page article ,about my home. Thanks to a lot of my Blogger friends who emailed and commented , about  the June article. One of my good Blogger buddies, Curtains in my tree, was mentioned, and, as was my blog, My Old Historic House. That is all very good for the blog world. When the June issue came out, with the article about my home, I got a lot of people who commented , that they did not like the last few covers. So I passed this along to the editor. True to form, the newest issue, August,  has another cover that is un-Victorian. To me, it looks like,Better Homes and Garden or House Beautiful. If you want those magazines, buy them, but we want, Victorian Homes, that is why we buy or subscribe to this magazine. I know where the editor is going, she is trying to reach  more readers,by attracting Old Home owners, who are not die- hard Victorian interior lovers. I understand the concept, so put it inside ,and put, Victorian on the cover. I am just saying!!!!I am so afraid, next, we will see a Victorian home, void of color, shabbied up, like so many of the other magazines on the market today. Is there no magazine, "GOD"' anymore. Please do not show ,a Victorian House ,with a flat screen TV above the parlor mantle.

A mock up cover, I did, from a house featured  in the August issue, which one do you like better?

 

Another Mock Up Cover I made, using a picture of my entrance hall, taken from the June  issue.

A Mock up issue, showing my kitchen, can you compare it to the August issue cover, showing  the greenish, yellowish, kitchen.

    The June issue and August issue are both in a greenish,yellowish, muted, void of color,  bah-bah-bah, tone,
of a bed room and a kitchen. I would not have bought either issue, if I had just looked at the cover. I might have taken the time to look at it, on the news stands, and bought it, after the fact. I just wonder if this is the personal taste of this editor. If so, I am asking, is she the right person for this job, editor of a Victorian Homes Magazine??? What do you bloggers think? If you agree or dis-agree, I am sure the editor would love to get you're feed back.
   I emailed the editor yesterday, and stated the same facts to her. She was very nice and emailed back in great speed. I asked her if the  past 2 issues had done well on the news stands. And now this is the third issue to look this way. Her answer was, that the numbers have not came in yet. Takes awhile, but she would keep in touch. I know the June issue did pretty good, as I , bought and sold 150 copies. And she did say that the June issue, with my house, had gotten a lot of attention. Her other comment was, that covers that are lighter and brighter, do well on the news stands. Well, not all Victorian Homes are dark. I have tried to do some mock up covers, so you can see what a different cover might have looked like. Ms. Black, the editor, did say that the Dec. issue would please me and she was still  working on Oct., and she would keep my comments in mind.At least she seems to be listening!

Does this excite you???

The cover of the new August issue of Victorian Homes Magazine, with a kitchen the same color as the bed room on the cover of the June issue.

What magazine do you think this was from???

This is wonderful, my favorite from the new August issue of Victorian Homes magazine.

How many of us have a porch like this? 

 
     Ok, now that I have ranted and raved,I just wanted to announce that once again, My Old Historic House, was mentioned  in Victorian Homes Magazine, the August issue, soon to be on news stands every where. Just thought you might like to check it out.
   I would love your feedback. I blog for comments, you know. If you like the direction the Victorian Magazine is going. Vote -Yes. If you don't like the new format, vote -No. If you would like to see the magazine go back to more of a Victorian look, vote- Yes. If you think I am nuts, and just about crazy, please don't say a word. As, you are probably right.Or, maybe you just don't care!
   I hope you enjoyed my Victorian Homes Magazine review. Come by some time and see me at, My Old Historic House. I would love to give you a tour. Sissy Dog will meet you with a jump and a Kiss and I will leave the lights on.

Would you rather see this than a green bath tub?

 

A Quest for the Golden Raintree!!!!

The beautiful Golden Yellow blooms of the Raintree.

Talk about Romance, How about a Golden Raintree and a Purple House. Where is Alice?

    I do not believe, that I can look at a Golden Raintree and not be taken back in mind, to a former day and time. There is Romance, War, Sadness, Happiness, and Mystery, all wrapped up in those branches, bearing those long golden blooms.
    The story of the Golden Raintree is  long, complicated, and excites in  a  novel like, experience,. un-written, just flashing through my mind, like a movie.There  has always been Romance associated with the Golden Raintree,  from the opera, "Flower Drum Song", to a best selling novel. "Raintree County", and even a block buster,epic, of a movie, "Raintree County". Once you see the trees burst open in full bloom and fall gently to the ground below, making a golden blanket up on the ground, you can not help, but to fall in love with them. My little Mid- America town, Clarksville,Mo. is full of these Golden Raintrees and they are, yes indeed, in full bloom. Close your eyes, as you look at my pictures and see if you don't see the same, Romance and Mystery, come to life.

 
     The Golden Raintree-or "Goldenrain",   are from  Asians ,where the trees first came from. The correct name is, "Koelreuteria  Paniculata". It is  popularly grown as an ornamental tree in temperate regions all across the world , because of the aesthetic appeal of it's flowers, leaves and seed pods. The seed pods look like lanterns on a string, and  in the fall, many floral designers, collect them, and use them in there arrangements. The seeds are edible when roasted, but  not commonly consumed. They are considered a  invasive species and hated in some places. I think ever seed that falls, grows. Often called weed trees, because of this reason. Sometimes known as stink trees, as when you break a branch ,there is a bad smell.  None of this sound Romantic, yet?----Just be patient, you will see.

    The Golden Raintree, is also known in some parts of the world as, "The Pride Of India". or,"China Tree"
They are native to Eastern Asia, especially, China and Korea. It is not really known how they made it to the United States. Some people  believe they were imported here, on spice trade ships ,from Asia. They are a small to medium sized deciduous tree and domed shaped. They bloom in mid June to early July. The flowers are bright yellow with 4 pedals, growing in a large terminal, down hanging, in  a weeping effect. In the fall the blooms turn into a lantern looking seed pod. Some say that the seeds were scattered all over the United States by Johnny Appleseed. Now, there is some Romance!
   In 1948 a Novel by Ross Lockridge Jr, was the start ,of making the Golden Raintrees, what they are  today.The title of this novel was, "Raintree County". Raintree is a whale of a book, in every sense of the word. It took six years to write and several more years to do research, before the writing could take place. It runs 1060 pages. It is a Great American Novel. A bold drama full of love and conflict. A love story as daring and  frank as any other ever written. There are secrets,  mental illness and demons to be  fronted.The story is told all in one day, July 4th,1892. Replete with history, romance and adventure. The tale is brillantly intertwined with a series of flashbacks.It tells a story of a small town in mid-western America. There is a teacher and poet, named John Swanessey, who, in younger days, before his service as a Union Soldier in the Civil War, meet and married a beautiful Southern Belle, however, her emotional instability leads to the destruction of their marriage.  The novel, set in fictional, Raintree County, Indiana, is essentially in two parts, before  and after the war.It spans the 19th century, history of the United States, from Pre-Civil War, Westward Expansion, to the debate of Slavery,the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution and Labor Movement, , which followed.  The book takes readers on a quest to find the legendary Golden  Raintree, which supposedly was planted somewhere in Raintree County by Johnny  Appleseed.
     In 1951, the  film rights for the movie was bought from Lockridge by  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, for $150,00.00 and a movie, by the same title, "Raintree Country", was made.  The movie, was filmed in Louisville,Kentucky, and stared, Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor. And Eva Marie Saint played the left behind sweetheart. It was filmed toward the end of Hollywood's Golden Age, in the tradition of a great traditional Civil War Romance. The movie was lavishly conceived, made for the wide screen, with a great musical score by Johnny Green. The film premier was in 1957 in Louisville, Kentucky.My best friend in St.Louis, was Richard Haley, he was from Louisville and  the movie company rented his family home for Ms. Taylor to live in during the filming. That makes the whole story, even more Romantic!
     Suzanne, played by Elizabeth Taylor, is a beautiful Southern Belle who tricks  Shawnessey, into marring her, by saying she is  with child. She is surrounded with  mystery from her early childhood ,when she lost her parents in a house fire., that some people think she started.  She was raised by the Black Nanny, whom she thinks, might be her mother. She has a thing for dolls and keeps them in the bed she shares with her husband. Shawnessy drifts away from his child hood sweetheart, played by Eva Marie Saint, to his loveless marriage to Suzanne. Swanessey who is a teacher and poet, spends the most of his free time, looking for a rumored Raintree. No one really knows if it actually exist. Suzanne driven by the fact, she might be part black, runs off into the swamp in a rage  and is found at the end of the story, dead, under the falling golden flowers, of a Raintree. Now that is Romance!!!!!

From the Movie,Taylor, Saint and Clift, visit the home  that brunt when Suzanne was a small child, killing her parents.

From the movie, Raintree Country, my favorite scene, where Taylor and Clift get rid of the dolls.

Taylor was a true beauty and made for this part.

   If you have not read this book, I would suggest you do so soon. It is hard to put down and the 1060 pages go fast. The movie, is just about perfect. The only other, I like better, is another Civil War story, "Gone with the Wind". Taylor is young in this movie and is more beautiful than one can imagine. She plays the part with great passion. Her Southern  actions are the best, I have seen. She gives her best performance during a scene when her and Clift,  get rid of the dolls. I always set on the edge of the chair when this takes place. I just want to pitch a few dolls out the window along with them.I would say, if you have not seen this movie, do so, soon.
   When I was restoring, My Old Historic House, I had to make a decision,  on what kind of porch rails to use. The original ones were long gone. Doing research, I came up with some cast iron ones, that had a lamb under a Raintree. I knew there was no reason to look any more, as this was it. Having the Raintrees in Clarksville, and the love of the movie and novel on my mind, I had no choice but to pick these . I get so many people, who comment on them, stop and take pictures of them ,and I only wish I could tell this story, about the connection, to them and the Golden Raintree.
   When the Raintrees started blooming, I knew I wanted to share this story with all my friends on the Blog.  I wish you could come see me and Sissy Dog while the Raintrees are in bloom. Take a tour. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will meet you with a big jump and a kiss. If you get a chance, I would suggest you plant a Raintree. They grow very fast and there is a wonderful story behind those Golden Blooms.
     

The porch rails at, My Old Historic House, with a lamb, under a Raintree.

A real beauty.

This is how the seed pods look in the fall.

Is it Sterling?????

French Sterling Tea set bought at a St.Louis,Mo. Estate Sale. Tray was not with it, I added it latter and it, like most trays, is plate.

Ms. Susie's English Sterling Punch set. Found in her closet in a pillow slip.

I think this was a Dog Show trophy at one time. I bought it at an auction in Chicago and it was really reasonable. I did not know when I bought it, that it was sterling. Found the marks latter. So was a real find.

I found the sterling pheasants at the ABC Carpet and Hope store in New York city. They have an antique section. I went over board on these. I might need a doctor!

   When I had my antique shop in St.Louis, I always carried a lot of  silver items. Large epergnes, tea sets, flat ware and punch sets. The first  question most customer would ask, is, "Is it sterling." More often  than not, it was not, sterling, but silver plate. Some people just don't seem to get it.They are both wonderful, and some of the old silver plate pieces are far more wonderful,  than most sterling pieces, and are actually affordable.  I  have had, a love-hate relationship, with silver for many years. I love how it looks when all shined up, bright and pretty, but, hate when I have to do all that polishing to make it that way. Over the years, I have weeded out the silver garden and have kept only a few favorite pieces. I thought, let some one else polish and love you.If you are looking for perfectly polished silver, don't continue on this post. I do the best I can.
    Because of the memories they evoke for us, I think antique silver objects are often among our most treasured things. Handed down from one generation to the next, they become one of the threads in a family history. Often, when I had my shop, 35-40 year old couples would call and want to sell there mother's flatware. I would always say," when you grow up", you may wish you had this. My Mother never had any sterling flatware, but if she had, and had given it to me, I bet you're life, I would never have sold it. I would want to pass it down to the next generation.

All the spouts are Eagle heads.

   Silver is also a part of special celebrations-the festive punch bowl and its generous ladle at Christmas, the gleaming silver coffee urn on the side board at an anniversary dinner or a simple salt and pepper shaker set on a everyday table. These pieces travel with us through our lives, growing older with a special grace.
    My punch set was found in the bottom of a cloths closet. A very dear friend, who had once been part of a very well to do family, had fell on hard times. She was forced to live in a carriage house and do housework for her rent. She died there and I had the task to clean out her things. I found this beautiful punch set in a pillow slip under piles of cloths. I knew I should give it to her family, but in the end,I thought,I'm the one that loved her, looked after her,gave her a funeral,so I felt I should have it, in her memory. It is English Sterling and it has a proud place in my Dining Room. When I use it, and I often do, I always raise a cup and say," here's to you Susie!"
    I like to use a silver pitcher to serve water at my everyday meals, nothing looks lovelier than the silver beaded with moisture as I set and have dinner.
    When buying or collecting silver, I study a piece and there are three criteria that must be met. It must have a good design, fine craftsmanship and be in good condition. After this-labels enter in, age,makers mark, historical connections, rarity of form and anything else that makes the piece special,.my mind is looking and weighing and judging all these criteria at the same time. One can always find  marvelous pieces, you need an open mind to get out and discover them. Since the price of sterling has risen to all time high, it makes it a little harder to snatch a bargain. Sterling is selling to day at $35.47 a troy once. Makes people want to sell there old things, which is so sad, as you know they are going to melt them down and they will be lost for ever. A troy once is the way silver is weighed, it is far more complictaed than this, but basically, they subtract the weight of the alloy, from the total weight of an piece, and that is the troy once. My sterling, French, hand chased tea set, was a real find. I went to an Estate sale,  several days before it opened to the public. The set was wonderful, I knew I wanted it, but, could not have ever been able to pay the amount they had on it. I left a low bid and said, that's all I can do. Well, at the end of the sale, I got a call and I had won the bid. Today it is one of my most prized items.

I loved the dog, that is why I bid on this item.

This coffee urn came from a antique show in Chicago. I  did the show and I loved this piece. I could not really afford it, but the dealer that had it, did some horse trading for it, (I learned that from my Daddy.) The handles are stag heads.

   Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% of silver and 7.5%, by mass, of another metal, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum of 925 sterling. It is basically  agreed that sterling originated in Continental Europe, and was being used for commerce as early as  the 12 century. In England, as early as 1158 during the reign of Henry the 1st. The first legal defination of sterling appeared in 1275, when a degree from Edward 1st, specified that 12 ounces of silver for coinage should contain,11 ounces of silver and 1 ounce of an alloy. Silver alone is very soft and  would never hold up with out the alloy.
   Around 1840- United states and Europe were using sterling flat ware to set a proper table. And there was a marked increase in the number of silver makers at that time.The craze for sterling made companies make paper clips,pencils,letter openers,calling card holders,cigarette cases and boudoir pieces.
    Over the years, some countries have developed a system of hall marking silver. This would indicate the purity of silver, identify the silver smith and date/and or location of the manufacture.The standard mark of English sterling is of a lion Passant , the form of a lion walking, to the left, with one foot up. It was introduces in 1544 and guarantees the the 92.5 percent sterling standard.
     As the purity of the silver decreases, the problem of tarnishing increases. Chemically, silver is not very reactive-it does not react with oxygen or water, so it does not easily tarnish. However, the other metals in the alloy, usually copper, may react with oxygen in the air and cause the silver piece to tarnish.
     There are several  terms that are common with silver: Repousse', is a process used to roughly emboss a metal object from the back or inside with  larger punches than those used in chasing. Basically mean, push out. Chasing, is a technique of detailing the front surface of silver with various hammer stuck punches. Hand forged, is a process that has as it's primary purpose the alteration of the original thickness of metal. This usually is through hammering. Forming, is changing a sheet of metal into a three-dimensional object. Sinking, is hammering a flat sheet of metal into a bowl shaped form to create a concave piece of metal.
   The first silver smiths were coin makers. Latter they developed there trade to making useful and beautiful objects.

There is a Eagle on the top of each piece.

I don't really polish these. I like them this way. I do hit them a lick or two while I am doing other polishing.

    Sterling  on todays market is selling for $35.45 a troy ounce. Last year silver has more than doubled, more like a 80% increase in price. This is all figured in troy ounces, which is the weight of a piece less the weight of the alloy metal. I am so sad that they never consider the age, craftsmanship and beauty, they just consider the dollar value. Please stop people from melting our precious Sterling treasures. Money is not every thing.
   Thanks for stopping by, My Old Historic House. I hope you enjoy this tour and my Sterling. Come by any time for a real tour. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will meet you with a jump and a Kiss. Heck, we will even have some punch from Susie's punch set.
   Finally, I did a post around Memorial Day ,about a shopping trip, I made to buy mercandise for my gift shop. Well all my great stuff was delivered yesterday and I have it priced and in place. I have included a photo to share my joy. Come shop sometime.
 

This is some of my new stuff, that I found at the importer shop, in Jacksonville,Ill. I think it all makes a nice grouping.