ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512060004
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Antiques & Designs
SOURCE: KATHY SUE GRIGGS
The beauty of collecting costume accessories is that you can find them everywhere. In your grandmother's button tin or at auctions or yard sales; some costing only a couple of dollars.
Most women in the early years of this century, wore their hair long, pinning it up with combs and clips and covering it when outdoors. In fact it was considered extremely ill-mannered to be seen outdoors without a hat until the 1960s. Because of that, hats can be found easily. And often at modest prices.
Nineteenth-century bonnets can be bought starting at $10 and up. I used to collect baby bonnets. I got started when my mother gave me my baby bonnet, which I stuffed with white paper and put in my bookcase. My collection started growing from there. At one point I had about 35. I sold them all except one - mine, of course.
Hatpins are a hot item. Their design varies greatly, and many are topped by gold, silver, glass or semiprecious stones. Hatpins were made in large quantities and can still be picked up fairly inexpensively.
With the hatpins come the hatpin holders. I have a ceramic one that's so small that at first glance it looks like a salt shaker.
Hair combs and clips are out there in handfuls, often at a cheap price.
Parasols and umbrellas are remarkably cheap. Early 19th-century parasols ribs were made of whalebone, and some have carved ivory ribs. (By the way, to test for ivory, heat a pin and see if it sticks into the material. If the hatpin goes into the material, it's a type of plastic. If the pin doesn't penetrate the item, it very well could be ivory.)
Carriage parasols with folding handles and fringed edges can still be found and most in good repair.
Walking sticks are highly collectible. Ones with hands that unscrew to reveal a sword or flask are especially desirable.
Purses and bags have been used since the Middle Ages, some used to carry sweetmeats as well as money. Nineteenth-century purses of knitted silk with metal beads, along with art deco bags are fun to use today. I have several old purses and use them every opportunity I get.
Fans, handkerchiefs, gloves, compacts and so on are fun to collect and use. It gives a touch of days gone by without needing a lot of room or money.
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Roger Hart. Items that often can be found at grandma'sby CNBhouse, at auctions or yard sales include celluloid mirror, button
hook and hair brush, cut-class perfume bottle and
turn-of-the-century compacts. color.