Business

Circle Pins: How Wearing One Had Special Meaning In The ’50s

admin

The circle pin is a classic piece of jewelry that was particularly popular in the 1950s and 1960s and was often worn on a cardigan or blouse. Apparently, there were different stories about the pins and their meaning. They were said to have different meanings depending on the style of the pin and where it was worn. Here are some examples of what it might mean to wear a circle pin in the 1950s and how they were worn.

“Circle pins mean you’re a virgin.” The story is that this type of pin was given to a girl by a guy in the 1950s to show that they were dating. It was also a symbol of one’s virginity status. Supposedly, once the write was done, the pin could not be used again. Some sources say that if the pin was worn on the left side, it meant you hadn’t “done” it yet. After that I would change the pin to the right side. The musical Grease has a famous part involving the iconic pin: In one scene, Frenchie uses a “virgin” pin to pierce Sandy’s ear.

“Circle pins symbolize everlasting love.” The round shape symbolizes eternity. Wearing a circle pin was a way to “set yourself” and show that you are very stable without The Ring. A pin with a pearl meant true love. Other gems and sparkly additions to a pin would often have invented personal meanings by high school lovebirds. For example, a pin with a bow could mean “we are getting married.”

“For friendship.” The girls exchanged matching pins to show friendship. Sometimes, if they were all in the same sorority, club, or school group, all the girls would wear matching pins to show membership and belonging.

“Circular brooches are scarf holders.” Some people say that round pins were originally designed as holders to help keep a scarf neat and in perfect position. It really works wonders and looks really cool! When you thread one end of a sheer scarf through the center of the pin and then fasten the pin, it will help keep the scarf in place and complete the look. This actually makes sense as sheer scarves can be very slippery.

Do you attach meanings to your circular pins? Whether they’re homesick for you or you’re just coming into fashion, they’re a great accessory with a cute and cheesy past. Vintage pins are the perfect little gift to give to the person you love.

Home Kitchen

Unique Early American Furniture-The Pie Safe

admin

The early 19th century cake safe was a wooden kitchen cabinet with several narrow shelves enclosed by tight fitting doors. The doors were made of various materials, such as perforated tin, bars, screens or fabric. Although the cake safe was made to protect the sweets from rodents and insects, the construction allowed for air circulation. The air circulation was actually an incidental positive feature, as it helped reduce mold growth on stored food. With the lack of modern refrigeration and food preservatives, cooks had no other way to ensure the freshness and safety of their cakes.

Building

The standard American pie safe was on the floor supported by 4 legs. However, in the Pennsylvania Dutch region, during the 18th century, pendant models were popular. Some cake safes from this region have been found to have wooden extensions with holes in them, allowing for flexibility of the piece resting on the floor or being hung. Doors in the Pennsylvania Dutch region were typically made from tinplate that featured unique and interesting patterns. By the 1830s, tinsmiths were producing quality doors, while cabinetmakers had perfected the craft of making more durable cabinets. The production center for these cabinets was Connecticut.

regional differences

It is possible to identify the region of the country where a pie safe was crafted by the type of wood used in the construction.

Cabinetmakers in the Carolinas and Virginia used yellow pine.

In the Pennsylvania and New England region, soft pine was the wood of choice. In Texas, pie safes were made from Spanish cedar. Those made of cherry and curly maple are rare in all regions.

Determination of value

With many antiques, the following list provides the factors that help determine the value and cost of a piece. However, value is often in the eye of the beholder and cost follows value. However, here are the main determinants of value.

  • age
  • Region of the country where it is made
  • Construction: eg chestnut wood is rarer than pine, oak was rare, poplar was common
  • Door construction and complexity: tin punch with detailed patterns will cost more than solid doors
  • Unique finishes: painted or unpainted, preferred colors are red, green, goldenrod
  • Provenance: Can the piece be attributed to a particular cabinetmaker or tinsmith, or to a historically significant figure who once owned the piece?

Realized Prices

Merchant records in the 1830s show that pie safes advertised for between $8.00 and $12.00.

2013, a 19th century American chestnut wood with eight pinwheel cans and old red paint sold for $2300.00 at auction.

2013 an American, first half of the 19th century made of pine with poplar doors and sides, sides and bottom drawer of perforated tin with wooden handle made at auction for $645.00.

Progress

At the end of the 19th century, cake safes were produced in factories. They were no longer unique creations of individual cabinetmakers. As the century progressed, oak became the popular wood for producing ice chests in which a block of ice was used to store food. This marked the beginning of early refrigeration and the end of food storage in a pie safe.