Quality To Last At Mama's Treasures I receive a lot of questions regarding the new interest in collectibles from people who are not looking to collect but to use the item in a functional way.
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - I receive a lot of questions regarding the new interest in collectibles from people who are not looking to collect but to use the item in a functional way. I’m often asked why buy old instead of new. Many items are now being reproduced so well it’s hard to tell the difference at a glance. I suppose if you are looking to use something for decorative purposes only, there’s not much difference. My answer to most of the questions is that if
the item is going to be used then you want quality, and items today are not made to last.
The other day I was looking at some reproduction Yelloware canisters at Sam’s Club. My first thought was that if you breathed on them they would chip. The materials used today are nothing like the ones from the midcentury so you really can’t make a comparison. The
clay isn’t the same in pottery. Glass isn’t made the same way. Many would say that things have been improved, but I have to wonder if that is really true.
Today if you drop a piece of glass or pottery it’s in little bitty pieces. I dropped a 1970’s set of Pyrex cranberry nesting bowls on a concrete floor and it’s as good as new. I’ve dropped all kinds of old pressed glass without it breaking. Pottery used to be made out of clay found on riverbanks and it was meant to last. When I lived in Red Wing, Minnesota I found all sorts of pottery that had been tossed under my porch in the 1950s. Most of it
was buried in mud and rocks. I cleaned it up and it looked brand new. I wanted a can opener like the old Edlund ones and I found a place that sold them. My Edlund had finally given up it’s life after 55 years. The new one broke after a month of use.
I really believe that when things were made back then even if they were mass produced, they were meant to last a lifetime. Now I think we’re lucky if something lasts a whole year. No two ways about it you can’t beat quality and the definition of quality has changed
over the years. So if you’re looking to buy something to use on a regular basis, drop by Mama’s Treasures. I really try to find products that have quality rather than just importing or wholesaling in items for a quick sale. I promise if something is new I’ll tell you. I’ll also
tell you about any flaws I’ve been able to find. I’m happy to answer your questions even if you’re not buying.
Mama’s Treasures has a large inventory of kitchen items from Primitives through the 1970’s. If the kitchen isn’t your thing, we have lots of Advertising, Primitives, Christmas, China & Dinnerware, Pottery, Home Decor, Garden, Jewelry, Lady’s Hats & Hankies and Vintage Sewing. We’ll always consider any reasonable offer and we love to answer questions. If you love
