Richelieu Pearls Jewelry Brochure

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

In among a few ladies needlework books was this beautiful brochure of Richelieu Pearls. With a little quick research I learned the company was founded in 1911 by Joseph H. Meyer & Bros. in Brooklyn, N.Y. producing Richelieu costume jewelry similulating creamy & colored pearls. I found no date on this brochure but by the style of the ladies clothing my thoughts are somewhere in the 1920's. It is a 4 page brochure is a nice quality full color print. Price range for the necklaces start at $293.00 down to 6.95 each with its own jewel box / case. Most pictured are single strands in varies lengths. One mentions a diamond platium clasp with others a white gold diamond clasp. Also mentioned were different qualities of the pearls. They seemed to be graded by "letters" such as the "Quality PO" group faithfully reproducing the creamy iridescent pearls of the South Sea Islands. With an added note at the bottom of each page "For Your Protection Each Richelieu Pearl Necklace has Guarantee Attached".

The Cause of Oxidation Stains In Textiles

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

Oh, those telltale signs of yellow stains on Grandmother's linens called oxidation. What causes this yellowing? I believe there are a number of factors that creates this streaking & spotting. However, simply put, much comes from the soil & stain left in the textile when stored. Over time this causes detoriation of the fabric. No matter how clean a piece looks before storage it is best to clean or dry clean before packing away. This will help insure no stains or soil (even the most invisible) will be removed before packing. After cleaning of the textile it is best to use acid free tissue or all cotton sheets (also laundered before usage) to wrap those precious keepsakes. Don't store in cardboard boxes as the box can give off an acidicty that will weaken fibers. Periodically remove the keepsakes to check for detoriation. Returning to storage with fresh acid free tissue or clean cotton sheeting.

Now under what conditions where does one store these treasures? As poor storage can also be harmful to any cloth item. It is recommended to store in an area, cupboard or closet that is relatively even in temperature. A hot attic would certainly not be appropriate. Not recommended either are closets that would be closest to the outside walls of a home as the temperature here would be greater than closets towards the interior of the home. Also store away from light source as this too can be harmful to textiles.

Reflections of Mother's Days Past

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

As I'm gathering up the chaos of shipping boxes, tissue & other shipping supplies from a day of wrapping sold items to ship on Monday I glanced at the photos of my grandchildren on my desk. How sweet their little faces smiling back at me & my thoughts turned to seeing them tomorrow. How always willing to greet you with a big hug and kiss. Thinking of them has reminded me of my own two little boys now grown into fine young men. Always caring and sharing. There always with a hug and a kiss. A pleasant thought to remember and one to look forward to. The little gifts of life somehow always seem to be the best.

The Priscilla Fancy Work Catalogue - Dated 1910

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

Looking through old turn-of-the-century needlework instruction books & catalogs provides a wealth of information for study. One such book is the Priscilla Fancy Work Catalogue dated 1910. Most of the offerings are for stamped good the needleworker could purchased for the purpose of embroidering , lace making etc. Over the years I have had many of these catalogs with each offering some unique patterns, however, this particular catalog offers perforated patterns for embroidering lady's (or men's ) hose. Two pages of hosery are shown with 24 different embroidery patterns offered. The description states each pattern is supplied with silk or cotton thread in suitable colors to the style of the pattern unless otherwise specified. It goes on to give the directions for stamping the stockings with the pattern, working the design as any embroidery is done, "padding" that need to be raised and covering with smooth satin stitches, filling with seed stitches between lines of outline stitch or working the flowers in lazy daisy, feather stitch or French knots. There is also a note: for a fee of 15 cents hosery could be sent to the company for stamping of any design offered. So, in other words, one could mail a pair of hose to the company & they would stamp the pattern for the 15 cent fee.

Embroidery patterns to choose from are flora, geometrics etc. Certainly some do have an Arts and Crafts look.

A pair of lady's embroidered stockings from the early part of the 1900's. Excellent condition.