Artists at Work

                             Artists at Work

This blog is in celebration of two artists I have the pleasure of working with at the jewelry manufacturing facility here in our fair city, Richmond Virginia.

   The first artist is the first person I met when I came to work at the precious metals company. He is extremely talented and has since gone out on his own to make his way in this life using his hands. Greg has sold his work to The Mariners Museum Gift Shop and The Virginia Aquarium Gift Shop in the Tidewater Virginia area this year. Pieces can be purchased at the gift shops. Greg`s next show is  at The 10th Annual Ginter Park Arts & Crafts Show. Greg is waiting to hear from the Natural Bridge about another contract for work for their gift shop. Greg`s most recent work can be seen on his website at GregMontgomeryDesigns.com

Greg Montgomery  GM Designs

Born in Radford, Virginia, 1955, I began drawing at a very early age; as I began to grow the drawings became collages; as I matured the collages became objects. For the past 30 years, these objects have become my voice. 

Plate of Bobbie Pins

Greg Montgomery Designs

   The next featured artist is Daniel Dicaprio. I am very fortunate to work with Daniel and see some his personal projects being cast in our facility while he is managing production in the Bench Jewelers/Solitaires/Earrings assembly department. Daniel was featured in the October/November issue of American Craft Magazine. He produces work for a gallery in New York. You can learn more about Daniel and his work on his website DanielDicaprio.com

DANIEL DICAPRIO

            The pieces I make in wood and precious metals, explore my interest in adaptation. The forms I work with stem from plant and animal anatomy often combining different aspects from each. During my process of making, I am often reflecting on people’s roles in the living world. I think about how we evolved to the place we are currently, and what other possible changes could happen in the future. I consider my sculpture to be organisms on the beginning of their evolutionary path. Referencing what we are and where we came from, the pieces are created in recognition of the past, while alluding to the future. The process of making this work is as seductive to me as an artist, as I hope the work is for the viewer or wearer.

Colony Necklace

Whom Bloom

Thanks to the two featured artists for their beautiful work. Comments would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 Laura Smith 

Owner at SundayHistorical.com

Bulova VFW Bubble Glass Clock Vintage

This Bulova bubble glass clock may appeal to Bulova clock collectors and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The description is below the last picture. It can be seen and purchased on two venues listed at the end of this blog.

Bulova 5 glass face

 Non Metalic back

See it at www.shop.sundayhistorical.com

Vintage Electric Bulova VFW Clock. 15" round clock, glass face with Veterans of Foreign Wars logo. Clock marked Bulova 5 on face. Nice bubble glass on front, no cracks. Chrome metal tension rind holds glass on. Running and operational. This clock does not have lights. The case is non metallic. Photos were taken outdoors, therefore some reflections are evident. 

It can be seen on Sunday Historical`s website and online store. It is also for sale on Ebay right now. The Ebay item number is 141109215175.

Thanks for checking it out!!!

Vintage Hat Sizer Hatter`s Treasure

Hat Designers, Hat Makers & Mad Hatters, check this out!

Vintage Electric Hat Sizer / Stretcher 
by Domke & Ulm Manufacturing Company, Chicago

Electric Hat Sizer

Shop Now

 

 Head Size & Inch Scale

Handle expands & contracts Heated Hat Block


Everything is in working order on this vintage millinery Electric Heated Hat Sizer. It has an on & off switch, a faceted red light and the fabric covered cord and electric system are original. The measurement scale is in very good condition.

It is up for auction on Ebay right now. The auction ends Sunday August 25th at approx. 10:15 pm Eastern Time or (Aug 25, 2013 19:40:20 PDT)
The last one sold on Ebay on July 9th, 2013 for $295.00. Click on this link, scroll down & Compare

If you want to skip the auction and just shop for it on Sunday Historical`s website, you can find it at www.shop.sundayhistorical.com in the Vintage Collectible category.
Enjoy!

1978 Iron Worker Whiskey Decanter at Auction

   Collectors of liquor decanters and Iron Workers of America, Sunday Historical is pleased to announce the auction of an Iron Worker Whiskey Decanter distributed in 1978 by Old Bardstown Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, manufactured by Willett Distillery in Bardstown Kentucky.

The figure is holding a wrench, wearing a tool belt with more wrenches and a hard hat with goggles. He is quite a tribute to Iron Workers across America and in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks, despite being 35 years old!

Ebay Auction

The Iron worker whiskey decanter is up for auction right now on Ebay. If you don`t want to click on the link above, you can search for Ebay item number 141021254313. The auction ends Sunday July 28, 2013 night at approx. 7:45 pm Eastern Standard Time. He is also for sale on my website, sundayhistorical.com if you would rather skip the auction. 

Shop Sunday Historical

The first one I auctioned in May was well received and sold for $118.49. I was amazed that I ran across this one, as they are quite rare. Check out the auction and the website and enjoy yourself!

Sunday Historical Website & Online Store is Live

   Sunday Historical now has a website complete with online store and quick shopping cart! The website is still under construction, but should be functional enough to navigate. Please check out the Sunday Historical  website and leave your comments here on this blog or email them to sundayhistorical@gmail.com. There is still a great deal of work to be done, but I decided to make it live now. No time like the present you know. The online store has about 24 items at this writing, but more will be added daily. Below are just a couple items that are on the website store.

New in box

                                                                 

union case

           

see baby Moses in the basket

UNION CASE, MOSES AMONG THE BULRUSHES
MANUFACTURED IN FLORENCE, MASS BY LITTLEFIELD, PARSON & CO.
BROWN THERMOPLASTIC CASE WITH DAGUERREOTYPE OF LADY
FRONT OF CASE CHIPPED OFF OF HINGE, HINGE SLIDES OUT, SOME CHIPS AROUND INSIDE EDGE
CASE IMAGES AND PHOTO LOOK GOOD
CASE MEASURES 2 3/16"  X 2 5/8"
I USED MICROSCOPE MODE ON A SEVERAL OF THE PHOTOS TO CAPTURE THE CASE MOLD OF BABY MOSES SCENE

A brief history of Littlefield, Parson & Co. below:

From 1856 to 1865, the business of Littlefield, Parson & Co. gave employment to from 75 to 199 hands. Very great success attended the business after the first two or three years, particularly the manufacture of the union cases. The demand for these goods was so great that during a considerable part of the time the factory was run to its utmost capacity, night and day, producing daily 89 to 150 dozen cases. Although this case was a beautiful article, and ranked high in market, its great success was due quite as much to the extraordinary demand which existed at that time for cases of some sort, and if this company had manufactured any other variety its success would have been inevitable.


Thanks for your support, Laura

R.S. Prussia Porcelain

Rare R.S. Prussia Bowl  1905-1910

         
                                         
 Rare R. S. Prussia bowl mold # 106. Antique Reinhold Schlegelmilch porcelain manufactured between 1905-1910, marked with red & green Prussia Wreath & Star.
Mold #106 (Mary Frank Gaston Collectors Encyclopedia of R. S. Prussia) - "five recessed domes alternating with fleur-de-lys sections" bowl measures 10.5 inches wide and 3.25 inches tall.

The center pattern is Rose transfer, one bloomed and one not yet bloomed pink rose and one yellow rose with green leaf trim. Gold paint on edges is in good shape for its age, there is some minor gold loss. Bowl has a hairline crack and repair near top edge as evident in the two photos.

This bowl was part of a designers estate and was in storage for many years until now.

The close up photo of the mark was taken on microscope mode, hence the white LED dots. There is some reflection in the photos that could not be avoided and still use natural sunlight.

You can see it on the Sunday Historical website www.sundayhistorical.com online store shop.sundayhistorical.com

Ornate gold painted details

Genuine Makers Mark

Rose Floral Pattern

R.S. Prussia for sale

These are highly collectible pieces and  some can sell for high dollar amounts depending on pattern and condition.   Does anyone own one like this or have you seen one like it? Let me know what you think.

                                                                               

Norfolk & Western Hotel Roanoke Carafe Frame & Flatware at Auction

 This rare R. Wallace 1947 Norfolk & Western Hotel Roanoke silver plated carafe frame was  part of a personal N&W Hotel Roanoke collection at a Monument Ave. Richmond VA estate until  I purchased them in March 2013. The original owner purchase this and many other items at the 17 day Sale of Contents at the Hotel Roanoke in 1989. It is the cream of N&W Railroadiana and Hotel collectibles.
The carafe frame does not have have the glass insert. It stands about 9.5" tall to the top of the finial. It has the manufacturers mark on the bottom back of handle which reads  8-47 R. Wallace 0389 T, Silver Soldered, Norfolk & Western. I wanted to let as many Railroad memorabilia collectors as possible know of this fabulous historical piece. I have been hanging on to it since March, but need the proceeds to fund Sunday Historical`s upcoming events.

View ebay auction

This rare silver plated carafe frame, which was the rage on railway dining cars and hotels in the 1940`s. It is currently at auction on Ebay. The auction ends tonight, Sunday April 21, 2013 at 9:27pm EST. There are two bids at this writing.

I have included the history of the Norfolk & Western Railway`s  Hotel Roanoke below.

The Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke Virginia, was built in 1882 by the Norfolk and Western Railway (now part of the Norfolk Southern), which had recently constructed its administrative offices in the city, bringing in over a thousand railroad workers. It officially opened on Christmas Day, 1882. 1882

Roanoke was a little town named Big Lick when enterprising railroad magnate Frederick J. Kimball chose it as the site of a railroad juncture and a major city. After Kimball combined two of his railroads into the Norfolk and Western Railroad, he built his vision of a comprehensive community with the Hotel Roanoke as its grand centerpiece. Travelers coming to the city or breaking a tiring rail journey made the Hotel Roanoke their haven.
In July, 1898, a fire started in the kitchen which shut down the hotel for several months. The hotel was reopened in January, 1899, restored with a few additions.
The next major renovation took place in 1938, remodeling the hotel to have a more Tudor look. Additional new wings were added in 1947 and 1955.
In 1989,  deeded the Hotel Roanoke to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) for $65,000 (USD). After the flag lowering ceremony on November 30, the hotel was closed. Sale of the contents began and continued for 17 days.
In 1992, the "Renew Roanoke" campaign was launched to raise enough money to reopen the hotel. Virginia Tech had set a deadline of December 31, 1992 to have enough money. By late fall, the campaign was still short $1,000,000. In an unprecedented Christmas-time fundraiser, the campaign succeeded, raising $5,006,000. Norfolk Southern then donated an additional $2,000,000; 30 times what it received for the hotel. The Hotel Roanoke reopened in 1995 and still operates today.
Roanoke's landmark former passenger rail station was built across the street from the hotel. In 2004, it was converted in a museum devoted to the photography of O. Winston Link as well as housing the Roanoke Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau.

This Norfolk & Western water carafe frame is in remarkably good condition as evident in the following photos

This item sold on Ebay! Check out shop.sundayhistorical.com for more railroad collectibles.

finial on lid

side view

rear view

makers mark

Take a look at the auction on Ebay, there are quite a few folks viewing it and several watching, as well as two current bids. I will be glad to answer any questions today before the auctions ends at 9:27pm EST Sunday April 21, 2013.

There is a second Hotel Roanoke item at auction on ebay right now.
Four Norfolk & Western Railway Hotel Roanoke Engraved Flatware Knives are at auction on ebay. The auctions ends at 8:45 pm EST April 21, 2013. These came from the 17 day Sale of Contents at the Hotel Roanoke in 1989 and were a part of the Hotel Roanoke collection at a Monument Ave. Richmond VA estate until March 2013. N&W Railroadiana and Hotel collectible.
They have dings and scratches. The butter knife is the only one with a stainless blade. They come in a flannel case that is not original to the pieces. 

These sold on Ebay! Check shop.sundayhistorical.com for more railroad collectibles.

close up photos taken on microscope mode 

flannel case to protect them from further dings

Thanks for checking out these Norfolk & Western Hotel Roanoke items from Sunday Historical

1950`s-60`s TV & Motion Picture Productions Exhibit at Virginia Production Alliance Meeting

   TV & Motion Picture Productions, Inc. owned by John C. Wood operated in the 1950`s and 1960`s in Richmond Virginia during the height of 16mm industrial films.

   Wood`s son John C. Wood Jr. and John Payne of (WWII Round Table of Virginia) were the presenters of an exhibition at the  Virginia Production Alliance Presentation and Meeting Monday night February 25th, 2013 at Artworks, featuring John C. Wood Jr.`s father`s company  TV & Motion Picture Productions. The presentation was at 6:30 pm followed by a business meeting at 7:30. "The Virginia Production Alliance (VPA), headquartered in Richmond, was formed to promote production in the Commonwealth. We unite the Virginia creative community — professionals involved in film, video, audio and new media — and provide valuable educational, social, and networking opportunities that help grow the industry."

   The exhibit consisted of photos from John C. Wood`s life, including his days as a photographer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and his WWII service. The highlight of the exhibit was the continuous showing of a 16 mm film by TV & Motion Picture Productions made for the Appalachian Power Company (American Electric Power Company) in 1962 called Sky Hook For A High Line, which I secured from Creative Services at AEP Communications. J.C.Wood Jr. shared with the attendees his experiences accompanying his father on movie making adventures. He told of flying in helicopters and planes while his father shot footage while flying the crafts.

    Appalachian Power had a project to build power lines from Roanoke across the mountains to West Virginia. The mountainous terrain and limited access caused Appalachian Power to come with the idea of using helicopters to airlift aluminum transmission towers to remote locations. John C. Wood loved to fly and took some fantastic footage of the mountains of Virginia. In pages 3-12 of the book Hollywood Homestyle: Making Motion Pictures During the Brief Heyday of 16mm Industrial Films, Fred Frechette, author and one time partner of Wood, describes his experiences during his partnership with Wood and the filming of Sky Hook For A High Line. Frechette was present at the screening for the company`s top brass at AEP headquarters in New York .

    John C. Wood made a number of films for companies such as Reynolds Metal, Philip Morris, A.H. Robins Pharmaceuticals, Seaboard Airline Railroad, Thalhimers, American Machinery & Foundry, Westinghouse, General Electric, Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Electric Power Company, and American Oil, before his death in 1967. TV & Motion Picture Productions had their office at 207 East Main Street as well as Dawn Street in Richmond Virginia. Wood was also a correspondent for CBS. John C. Wood Jr. has a vast collection of his fathers negatives which I hope to digitize over the next couple of years. It will be a huge undertaking, but there is a chunk of 1940`s -1960`s Richmond history waiting to be rediscovered when I turn those negatives in to photo images. John C. Wood Jr and I are discussing making some of the photographs available for sale as well.

    The manager of Creative Services at AEP has requested me to send photos made during the filming of Sky Hook For A High Line and the Smith Mountain Lake project to him to add to AEP`s historical archive.
   J.C. Wood Jr. worked with me at R.T. Sunday Company until it went out of business in 2004. We have remained friends ever since. I look forward to working with him on digitizing his fathers negative collection.

    Two images I made from Woods negatives were on display at the VPA presentation and I have included them in this post. Please contact Laura Smith at SundayHistorical@gmail.com regarding this post.

John C. Wood exhibit at Virginia Productions Alliance presentation

John C. Wood Jr. at Virginia Productions Alliance presentation

advertisement for TV & Motion Picture Productions

awards from the Richmond Times-Dispatch

discussion of the film

J.C. Wood with John Payne

J. C. Wood Jr. beside book Hollywood Homestyle and his father`s film presentation

John C. Wood & his mobile camera platform atop his 55 Chevy Nomad on Monument Ave. at the Robert E. Lee Monument

John C. Wood shooting photos from a piper cub plane


Please contact J.C. Wood Jr. (804-779-2714)  if you know any of the employees pictured in the TV & Motion Picture Productions company photo, or if you or any one you know might have known John C. Wood, the photographer & movie maker.

Please contact me at SundayHistorical@gmail.com regarding this post or if you are having trouble commenting on this post.
Thanks Laura Smith

Vintage Watchmaker/Jeweler Parts Cleaner

Vintage Watchmaker/Jeweler Parts Cleaner

I found this and could not pass it up. It predates the ultra sonic for cleaning jewelry and watch parts.

The Master model  L & R Precision Cleaning Machine manufactured by L&R Mfg. Arlington, N.J. Their technology sure has changed since they began business 80 years ago.

This machine is so cool. It operates by lowering the motorized basket into one of 3 glass tanks, then lower it over the dryer (where it is pictured). It works and looks really cool. Just had to share this. Look for it soon on my website & online store www.sundayhistorical.com

basket is in the dryer

faceted  red light and toggle switches

twist the basket out, it has a propeller  to circulate the cleaning fluid

mfg label

one of the glass tanks

view from the top looking down on the crank handle