Here are two stunning vases that are completely on trend at the moment.
These in-demand ceramics are made by the famous Scheurich Keramik company.
The Bavarian based company goes back to 1928, and from about 1948 onwards started to branch out into the world of homeware ceramics.
By the 1970s they were producing innovative and modern designs like these examples.
They had a simple numbering system that denotes the pattern and the height of the vase in centimetres.
My vases have the same pattern number, 289, which was the Foligno design, with the green and orange vase being 18cm in height.
And the brown vase being over twice the height at an impressive 41cm.
You can start your collection of iconic West German ceramics right away with these two vases!
Then you can really get into the super-cool Mid-Century look, by placing them on this fantastic 50s wooden table, which has that typical curved shape from the era. How cool is that?!
All these can be yours if you come along to the EXETER FLEA MARKET this Saturday, on the 14th April, as they'll all be at my stall there!!
Hurry along and be the first in the queue!
Got a great selection of the classic cars made by Corgi Toys to show you!
The company first started producing toy cars in 1956 as a direct competitor to Dinky Toys, and they proved to be a big hit straight away.
My collection dates from the late 70s to early 80s and they all have their original boxes.
The design for the boxes was a masterpiece. With their distinctive colour scheme of dark blue and bright yellow, with added coloured lines and clean, clear typography they completely stood out on the shelves. It looks both retro and modern.
This is just a small part of the collection I've got!
Here is a great example of the design of the boxes, with those distinctive dark blue and yellow colours. There was always an extra coloured stripe, usually in different colours for each box.
The side of the box. Just look at that simple but brilliantly stylish design!! Clearly denoting the model number of the car, the name and the Corgi logo.
The back had the great touch of a picture of the real car, and also lists any of the features it had. On this one it had opening doors.
This sporty number is a BMW M1.
An American Chevrolet-Superior 61 Ambulance with added medic and patient.
This Jeep and Surf Rescue boat was from the mostly forgotten Australian TV series Chopper Squad. Which ran from 1977-1979.
Close-up of the Jaguar XJ12C.
Really cool Land Rover 109WB in bright red and with Forest Fire Warden stickers.
Customised Mazda B1600 Pick-up Truck, which has a "Truck-on USA" sticker on the bonnet!
Classy looking Rolls-Royce Corniche, which unusually had a picture at the front of the box.
Great Superman Daily Planet Jetcopter, which tied in with the movie that came out in 1978. It even still has spare rockets that would fire from the front!
Iconic London Taxi, the older shaped ones you sadly don't see anymore.
A rally version of the VW Polo, showing off all the opening door features it has.
All these cars and many more will be on sale on my stall at the EXETER FLEA MARKET on 14th April!!!
Your chance to snap up a design classic!
Everyone knows the board game Monopoly, but did you know there was a special war version?
As the Second World War was progressing, resources became more and more scarce. So hefty cut backs were being made in every walk of life. Board games included!
So the makers Waddingtons began to produce editions of the game without the traditional metal tokens. They were replaced with cardboard versions instead, thus saving on precious metals.
Even the dice was now just a flimsy bit of thin card, so beware not to step on it!
Inside the box there is a small orange bit of paper with an explanation of what was going on.
It says that in the WAR TIME PACK "the trinkets have been replaced by wood pieces".
Curiously, it also says that the dice have been substituted by a spinner, although my version of the game includes that card dice. Maybe the restrictions had tightened further by then?
It still retained all the classic cards with their famous London locations though. Even if they were being bombed at the time.
If you would like this unique version of the iconic game, then come along to the EXETER FLEA MARKET on the 14th April and you'll find it on my stall!
It starts at 7-30am, so get your skates on!!
Ever fancied having a real retro kitchen?
Well, here's how to start the new look today!
These fantastic scales were made by Harper in the 1950s, and would look brilliant as a decoration or even as a working pair of scales to use every day.
Yes, that's right, you can actually use these scales, because included are the weights!
They even have their extremely rare original box, which is a lovely extra to have.
And it still has the string!!
Inside you will find the fantastic silver coloured weights.
Now it's time to start weighing out ingredients and get baking!
You can find this retro gem on my stall at the EXETER FLEA MARKET on 14th April.
I'll also have many other amazing 50s homeware items, so come along and see them all!!
I bought this delightful vase some years ago at Covent Garden Antiques Market in London as a gift for someone. Then, on the very next stall I found something more appropriate for that person, so I ending up keeping it for myself!!
The hand-painted 1930s vase was made in the Czech Republic, then of course Czechoslovakia, by the Ditmar-Urbach company.
The company's roots go back to 1841, being formed by two brothers, Karel Rudolph and Friedrich Ditmar. After a complicated history and various take-overs they seemed to have traded as Ditmar-Urbach from 1919 to 1938.
If you look close enough you can spot a few tiny influences from three titans of the Art Deco ceramics world.
The tree and flowers, with their flowing surreal shapes and bright colours have more than a hint of Clarice Cliff's unique designs.
The mottled effect on brown tones, coupled with the dot patterning, reminds me of Charlotte Rhead and her fantastic charger plates and vases.
And the ribbed shaped vase even made me think of the crisp and simple lines of Keith Murray's Wedgewood vases.
I've never seen another example of this vase anywhere, either online or at any fairs or markets, so this really is rare find.
And lucky you, if you fancy owning this deliciously Deco piece, then come along to the EXETER FLEA MARKET on 14th April and you will find it on my stall!!
In these currently crazy times I thought I would show you a rather apt board game ...
SPY RING was made by Waddington's, the makers of board games and card games, at the height of the Cold War in 1965.
And with spies, lies and paranoia all swirling around at the moment, it could be up for a revival!
I've no idea how you play it, but I really like the very 60s-style cartoons on the box and inside.
Here are a few piccies to give you some clues on what to do!
Inside the box, showing all the bits and those brilliant illustrations.
This is the board with all the various embassies of different countries.
Including the Russian and British embassies!
And very handily here are the original instructions.
You also get these sinister and shadowy looking figures to plonk on the board!
So if you fancy having a go at being a spy, you are in luck!!
You'll find this game on my stall at the EXETER FLEA MARKET at the Exeter Livestock Centre on 14th April!!
Plus loads of other games and vintage goodies, see you there!
