The Vintage Avenue

Record Information
In 1948, Columbia Records introduced what would become the standard delivery method for long play material for the next 35 odd years...the LP Record.

Such records were not new to the record business. RCA made them in 1932 but removed them from the market a year later because the material they were made from just didn't work well with the heavy pickups of the time and after a few plays, your record was ruined and you were mad.

The length was determined because at the time, classical music dominated the music industry and about 90% of the classical music of the time would fit in about 34 mins of time until its shipment, it was actually lengthened to about 44 mins. This created a war of sorts between classical music from Columbia on the LP and pop music from RCA, which was released on the popular 45 record.

LP records were a hit right from the beginning. 45s became popular in the 60's and early 70's. Mainly for the one time pop hits. 78's are out of date these days are made with heavier vinyl. After the record was invented by Thomas Edison in 1870, a new flatter format was sought to replace the cylinder recordings used by Edison. In 1900, 78 records arrived on the scene. Though these records were a vast improvement to the cylinders, they were still heavy, fragile, and just couldn't hold enough material. In effect, they disappeared in 1960.

Can be trying at times. Use new boxes, as they lose one-half of their strength after the first shipment. I have found to ship glass is to wrap it will bubble wrap. Get a box about twice it's size so it isn't touching the side of the box. Fill alittle of the bottom with packaging peanuts or grumbled up newspaper. Then lay the galss down on top of that and fill the rest of the box. I have been know to even fill a glass vase with shipping peanuts before wrapping it with bubble wrap to help with all bouncing it will do. Pieces for this exterior space, pack it down firmly so it can't "settle" down. Over filling the box can harm the glass too. With pressure all around it.

If shipping more than one piece together. It is always good to have peanuts in between them.

The Post Office ships faster in Priority and the less time old glass is in transit is better so Priority is our favorite Post Office choice. This is especially true in very cold or hot weather. The Post Office rates are higher and it also charges a lot for insurance but they make up for it in untimely claim settlements.... up to 6 months.

Lastly, in extreme hot and cold weather, remind your recipient to allow the box to allow several hours for the box contents to come to room temperature before opening the box. Old pattern glass is very brittle and, in addition to not being able to withstand microwave ovens - ahem- it hates sudden changes in temperature.
I have created a hot pink note I put on the outside of packages I send when the weather is HOT or COLD that say: "Caution! If the temperature outdoors is over 20 degrees different than the temperature inside, please give the package contents sufficient time to acclimate before opening. This adjustment can take several hours in extreme climates."

A word of caution; if you are sealing your box and say to yourself, "I hope this makes the trip," don't send it, repack it!

Women have been wearing charm bracelets since the prehistoric era. They think that the first charm to be worn dates back to 500 to 400 B.C. They were made of the material of that time. Lapis lazuli, rock crystals and other gems. With small designs were inscribed into them. And immediately were thought that they had special powers which faded through time amd were more thought of as jewelry.

In WWII the men would pick up charms for wifes and girlfriends that they brought home to them. To this day charms still remain a popular item. Today there are many different kinds of them from the charm itself, shoe/clog charm or doodle, italian charms and European glass beads. They can be used on cellphone strap and zippers too.

Italian charms, a genre in and of themselves, do not dangle from a chain like traditional charms. Instead, they are soldered onto flat links which snap onto an extensible bracelet. They are embellished with letters, symbols, pictures or stones, or have enamel pictures painted on them. Charms can be snapped on and off these modular bracelets to create new configurations to match different moods and outfits. They are traditionally made of stainless steel or 18k gold. Italian charms are of the same standard size and the resulting bracelet can be customized to fit every wrist; a small size holds 17 or less links, a medium 18, and a large 19 or more.

Many differnt companies make the italian charm and the start bracelets. Same with the European galss beads which have been classed under charms for the different ways they look. Colors are mixed and weaved together along with things pasted on. Most have .925 Silver Core but there also are the ones with Crystals, Oblong, Square, Unique Shaped, Colored Enamel, Sterling Silver, Foil Glass, Dangle and Metal Alloy beads.

The price of them can range from a dollar to over 20 dollars. They also make key chains, wrist bands and necklaces so the men and children can even use them today. But they are NOT recommended for small children that might harm themselves swallowing the charm.

They are fun to collect. To remind yourself or a loved one of a event in their life or yours. Or just to let them know that you are thinking of them.