See You Later, Ligator. . . .

. . . . in a while, crocodile!

But you won't want to wait to see this beautiful vintage Italian purse. Elegant, yet sizable, this drawstring tote combines high fashion with utility. 

The haute handbag comes with its original dust bag, which carries the name of "Acutis Pelletterie."

Inside are two tags, one engraved "Piero Acutis Made in Italy" and the other, with an image of a crocodile, states "Ligator di Vero Coccodrillo," which translates to "ligator of crocodile skin." Ligator is a process in which genuine crocodile or alligator skin is treated, dyed, polished to a high gloss, then backed with leather. The Acutis Pelletterie was founded in 1942 in Turin (Torino). A family-run atelier, Acutis soon gained a reputation for craftsmanship and the use of fine and costly materials. However, the third generation did not want to continue in the family's leather goods business; the company was subsequently purchased by another Italian premium leather company, Trakatan, which combines the traditional craftsmanship of Acutis with modern design.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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Unforgetable. . . .

They say an elephant never forgets. Well, this unusual and elegant elephant table is certainly memorable!

Of bronze, with a leather-covered base and a beveled glass top, this extraordinary end table is by Paul Maitland-Smith Ltd. and dates from the 1970s-80s.  Paul Maitland-Smith began his career as a London antiques dealer, specializing in rare and unusual finishings and decorative items. In 1979, he founded his eponymous company in Hong Kong, reproducing Chippendale chairs well as other 18th Century furniture and decorative accessories. His carefully curated creations, crafted by hand, often used unique or costly materials, such as brass, bronze, eggshell, lacquer, leather, mother-of-pearl, porcelain, stone, and wrought iron. Skilled artisans reproduced intricate designs in marquetry, inlay, reverse-painted glass, and gilding. In 1981, he opened a factory in the Philippines and was one of the first entrepreneurs to operate in Vietnam. Maitland-Smith valued his employees and artisans, paying them good salaries and providing on-site health centers and shower facilities at his manufacturing operations. In recognition of his contributions to interior design and the home furnishings industry, Maitland-Smith was a 2019 inductee into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame. Maitland-Smith Ltd. still is renown for its high-end handcrafted furnishings incorporating exotic or whimsical elements inspired by antique and modern design and its vintage pieces are highly sought after by collectors and designers.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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I'm a Barbie Girl. . .

. . .in a Barbie world

Life in plastic, it's fantastic

Whether you want to make your own music video to the 1997 hit "Barbie Girl" by the Danish-Norwegian

pop group Aqua or want to be ready to act out your favorite scenes from the upcoming "Barbie" movie, this vintage Barbie and friends are just what you'll need.

The star of the show is of course Barbie (her full name, according the the backstory created by Mattel, is Barbara Millicent Roberts). Introduced in 1959 and designed by Ruth Handler, Barbie was advertised as a teen-age fashion model. However, this wholesome all-American girl owes her inspiration to a blond German bombshell, Bild Lilli. Lilli was the character of a cartoon drawn by Reinhard Beuthien for the German tabloid "Bild;" she was a frankly a floozy and gold digger, pictured in skin-tight dresses or various states of undress. The cartoon was so popular, in 1955 Bild introduced a Lilli doll. Originally she was marketed to adults, mainly to men as a type of mascot or gag gift. However, little girls, bored with child and baby dolls, were drawn to the curvaceous Lilli and soon German companies began producing additional outfits and accessories. In 1964 Mattel acquired the rights to Lilli, ceasing production of Barbie's fräulein predecessor. 

This ravishing red-haired Barbie has a hairstyle known to collectors as "bubble cut." The bubble cut Barbies were produced from 1961 through 1967; this leggy lass is marked on her bottom "Barbie ® Pats. Pend. ©MCMLVIII by Mattel Inc.," indicating that she dates from 1961. Her hair color is know as "Titian" and she wears her original black and white swimsuit. Barbie comes with her vinyl carrying case that includes some clothing and accessories, including a "fur" stole, a tiny transistor radio, and a blue princess phone.

Midge, Barbie's best friend, was introduced in 1963 and produced in this straight-legged version until 1967. This Midge (full name Midge Hadley) has Titian hair and wears her original two-piece bathing suit.

And of course, there is Barbie's boyfriend, Ken (full name Kenneth Sean Carson). The first Ken doll, issued in 1961, had fuzzy flocked hair, but the following year he came with painted blond or brunette hair. This model was produced through 1968. Ken wears his original red swimming trunks, a red and white striped jacket with a white terry cloth collar, and cork sandals with red straps. Like Barbie, he has his own carrying case and some assorted clothing and accessories.

Barbie's little sister, Skipper, was introduced in 1964. This Skipper comes not only with her own carrying case with some assorted outfits and accessories. . . 

. . . she comes with her best friend Skooter, introduced the following year. 

Also introduced in 1965 was Ricky, sometime called Skipper's boyfriend. This Ricky retains his original blue swimming trunks, striped jacket with white terry cloth color, and cork sandals with red straps. Apparently, things between Skipper and Ricky didn't work out, because Ricky was produced for only two years. 

Come on Barbie, let's go party!

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

Bedding Down. . .

 . . .which is what you do both figuratively and literally with this so-called Murphy bed. At first glance this handsome piece of vintage furniture appears to be a nice wood dresser.

It even has a pull-out bottom drawer.

However, open up the front panel and inside is concealed a folding bed. Although there were various types of fold-up bedsteads before, in the early 1900s William Lawrence Murphy received patents for a "disappearing bed." According to legend, Murphy wished to court a young lady, but was living in a single room apartment. At that time it would have been considered improper for a single man to invite a woman into his bedroom, so Murphy created his eponymous folding bed, thus converting his bedroom into a more proper parlor. Murphy beds became a popular space-saving device, either installed in a wall or hidden in a cabinet or dresser. In 1989, a federal appellate court held that because the term "Murphy Bed" had entered common usage, it was no longer eligible for trademark protection. Murphy or wall beds are still a popular option for small apartments and homes, often combined with other functions, such as shelving, storage or a home offce.

This example has nice art deco detailing on its handles.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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Terrific Trifari

This pretty pussycat pin with gleaming green eyes is a very collectible piece from Trifari, an American company renown for its beautifully crafted costume jewelry. 

As big as it is beautiful, this vintage brooch displays the solid construction, meticulous detail, and creative craftsmanship that Trifari was famous for. This fascinating feline would enhance any outfit.

Trifari was founded in 1919 by Gustavo Trifari, who came from an Italian family of goldsmiths. Collectors agree that the force behind Trifari's quality and creative designs was designer Alfred Philippe, who joined Trifari in 1930. Philippe had previously worked for high-end fine jewelry companies Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and he applied the same craftsmanship,  fabrication techniques, and quality control to Trifari's pieces. Philippe remained with Trifari as the lead designer until he retired in 1968, and collectors consider the pieces produced during Philippe's tenure among some of the finest and most desirable pieces of collectible costume jewelry.  Trifari designed custom pieces for Broadway and Hollywood stars and Mamie Eisenhower even wore Trifari to her husband's inauguration. 

Philippe introduced the famous Trifari crown brooches, enhanced by shimmering stones, and the pins were so popular that Trifari added a crown to its signature mark around 1937. This classy cat carries the Crown Trifari mark with a copyright symbol, dating it from 1955 to 1969. 

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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Heart of Gold

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this large and elaborate charm is all you need to convince your true love that you indeed have the golden touch. Of gleaming 14 carat gold, this beautiful vintage pendant features a blank disk, the perfect place for setting a precious stone or engraving an initial, surrounded by a swirl of stamped lines. The heart is framed delicate lacy filigree. This unusual and eye-catching charm would be the perfect love token or a wonderful way to commemorate a sentimental occasion. 

On the back the heart is stamped with the maker's initial's "TC" and "14K.'

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New but things can sell quickly!

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Not the Same Old Grind

This antique hand-cranked coffee grinder was made by the German company of Stahl-Mahlwerk CA Lehnartz.  It is of warm honey-colored wood and carries the company's red rooster logo.  Founded in 1925 by Omar Lehnartz, by the 1930s, this company was producing up to 100,000 coffee grinders a year.  However, with the advent of electric coffee grinders, the company discontinued its coffee grinder production and today produces painting equipment.

Some coffee connoisseurs assert that these hand-cranked vintage coffee grinders can create a finer and more uniform grind than many modern electric grinders.  They certainly are far less noisy and far more environmentally friendly.  Plus this handsome beautifully-crafted piece would be a delightful adornment for any kitchen or coffee shop. 

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!