VINTAGE IS MY MIDDLE NAME

German Papier Mache Egg Candy Containers

Even though my knee is recovering nicely, I still can't go up and down my basement stairs, so my collections of Easter decorations will be staying down there snug in their Rubbermaid tubs. I do miss those wonderful harbingers of spring. The more I began to collect Easter decorations, the more I turned toward vintage decorations, which in my definition can mean anything from the 1950s back to near the turn of the 20th century.

It's these vintage decorations that I miss the most, so I thought I would share with you pictures of the types of vintage Easter items that capture my heart. There's just something about them. I think it's because they are beautiful without being cutesy. The paper items were printed by a process called chromolithography, which was invented early in the 20th century. The colors were surprisingly vivid for such early technology, and remain vibrant today.

In my mind, Germany was the best producer of vintage paper and papier mache decorations. Unfortunately, war with Germany stopped the importation of these fabulous goods.

I am glad I amassed my collection when I did, because I could not afford them anymore. Most are now sold on eBay rather than in the places I found them, in local flea markets and antique stores.

I do not mind reproduction Easter decorations, as long as they have that indefinable vintage look. The Victorian Papers catalog is a good source for these fine reproductions, as is the German Country Store, which you can find online.

What modern resin chick figurines could compare to these great old Lefton china chicks?

Gurley, manufacturer of famous vintage Christmas candles, also made wonderful Easter candles.

I have a couple of German papier mache rabbit candy containers similar to this one, which is going for $75.00 on eBay. These are among the most expensive of the vintage Easter collectibles.

These colorful lithographs, called scrap, are actually reproductions. (For those of you who think scrapbooking is a relatively new hobby, I'll have you know that people have been making "scrap" books since the Victorian days.) These scraps are made from the same plates used to make the originals. They're available from the German Country Store. There are other styles to choose from, and they are very inexpensive. (They have been photographed on a background, but actually they are pre-cut and are just connected by those yellow "ribbons" which can be easily cut away to make each piece individual unto itself. )



In addition to scraps, there were die-cut decorations which were made into cards. Because of my previous post, you know about my collection of vintage Easter postcards, but I also have some of these vintage Easter greeting cards, and a few precious Easter booklets, usually religious in nature.

And last but certainly not least, these vintage chenille chicks, which I hate to say are from my childhood. Hate to say, because that makes me vintage too. How I loved these little chicks, which I purchased at the five and dime store. I loved their puffy little chests and orange feet. I especially loved the ladies in their fancy hats, and those sporting feathers. I still get a little thrill upon seeing one today.

I hope you enjoyed these vintage bits and I want to wish a Happy Easter to everyone, and Happy Spring to my pagan friends.