Ruby Lane's Past Times Newsletter for September 2010

In This Issue

• Ruby Plaza Promotion: Sell for Only $9/mo. Through 2010!
  
• Join Ruby Lane On Twitter and Facebook!
  
• Shop Spotlight: We Invite You to Visit Maire McLeod!
  
• The Story of Weiss Jewelry
  
• Shop Sampler: Vintage Clothing and Accessories on Ruby Lane!
  

RUBY PLAZA PROMOTION: SELL FOR ONLY $9/MO. THROUGH 2010!

The promotion continues! Are you looking for venue to sell your home decor items (both contemporary and vintage) ranging from furniture and accessories to lighting, bedding and window coverings? Or perhaps you, or someone you know sells new and vintage fashion and accessories, and/or jewelry. Maybe you are a crafter with items such as bath and beauty products, candles, handcrafted dolls, needlecraft, woodworking, toys, or supplies to sell. If so, spread the word - as now you can try out our sister site, Ruby Plaza, just launched in April - for only $9 a month through 2010 with no set-up fee!

From now until December 31st 2010, Ruby Plaza is making it easy and affordable for sellers to join Ruby Plaza. And the sooner you join the more time you have to sell for only $9 a month while you check us out. Already over 700 shops have joined us with over 150,000 items added to the site.

There are no contracts, no cancellation fees, and the only expense out of your pocket is $9 a month.

Spread the word!

For more information visit www.rubyplaza.com, then under SELL, choose Open A Shop. We hope you'll join us!

JOIN RUBY LANE ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK!

Ruby Lane is now active on both Twitter and Facebook, and we invite you to join us. Both services are free to join and participate.

Follow us on Twitter: Twitter

Become a Fan on Facebook

SHOP SPOTLIGHT: WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT MAIRE MCLEOD!

On Ruby Lane since 2007, Mary McLeod of Maire McLeod specializes in Fine Textiles, Vintage Clothing, Linens, Antiques, Fine Art, and Photography.

Here's what Mary says about her shop:

"Our business gives me such a sense of connection to our past, and all the interesting souls who lived before me. I really do try to honor their memory, and lives. Through this window on our past and our history, I have connected with amazing people today.

I also come to this business through my grandparents. My grandmother was an Antiques Dealer, my grandfather was her patient companion on their long buying trips, and official restoration service (when not working at his job). This was a passion of both of theirs. As one of their grandchildren I would often accompany them on meandering road trips (that never went where they were supposed to). There were lots of "Old World Parlor" visits and house calls with... what seemed like very very old people (they were probably 50).

With my Grandparents, I climbed around countless mysterious attics, opened trunks and crept around basements, barns and out buildings. Their home was host to an endless variety of magical, mystical and mysterious objects they collected through the years. I am so grateful to them for sharing this world with me. This lifestyle and love of antiques and their history continues today to be an endless source of enrichment in my life. They are dearly missed.

My mother continued this tradition as an avid
collector. Virtually every member of my family appreciates and loves antiques and collecting....including my children."

A few examples of items you'll find in Mary's shop include a Vintage 1940's Bustled Black Cocktail Dress w/ Bolero Jacket *Rhinestone Straps *Sm ($395), a FR Tripler c1950s Velvet Dinner Smoking Jacket * Grossgrain Peak Lapels *40 * ($245), and a Goslings, Bermuda Vintage Woven Silk Neck Tie - 3" ($23) (see above).

We invite you to visit Maire McLeod

THE STORY OF WEISS JEWELRY

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Albert Weiss would undoubtedly be flattered today, as his costume jewelry creations have been widely imitated. He would also notice that the imitations fall short of his original creations, although they have come close enough to create confusion and controversy.

Despite the popularity of the pieces today, the company itself is shrouded in a bit of mystery. This article will mention several different versions of certain aspects of the company, all from reputable sources, as no definitive account exists. Albert Weiss had worked for Coro, and perhaps Marvella. In 1942 or 1943, he started his own company, the Albert Weiss Company, in New York City. Some sources claim that Weiss never designed or produced their own pieces, while others credit the company with the design, but not the manufacture of the pieces. Yet another version is that Weiss produced some, but not all, of their own pieces. Some references credit Albert Weiss himself with some designs. It is known that some manufacture was contracted to others, including Hollycraft. The balance of the line may or may not have been made by the Weiss Company.

The Weiss line showed some very diverse styles over the years. Tailored items, in clear and colored rhinestones, mimicked the look of fine jewelry. Some items featured larger and showier art-glass stones. Enameled and japanned finishes were used, and plastics were also present in the line. Weiss was a bit of
a trendsetter with many styles. Rhinestones with an Aurora Borealis finish were frequently used. Weiss promoted a "Black Diamond" line, which featured rhinestones in a color similar to smoky quartz.

The Christmas pieces are perhaps most familiar to today's collectors. Many of these, including many Christmas tree pieces, are alleged to have been made by Hollycraft. However, figurals, florals, fruits, and Maltese crosses were also well known pieces in the line. The company's butterfly pieces are quite collectible. The floral Long Stemmed Beauty line, produced around 1960, is also quite desirable. Some trembler pieces were produced.

Other manufacturers imitated many of these designs within the season. This is perhaps most evident in the Christmas designs and the butterfly pieces. The world of costume jewelry manufacture during this time was a fast moving business, and many companies used subcontractors to produce pieces, or to do part of the production. These practices led to a lot of piracy of designs. The sub-contractor that produced pieces for one company this month might be producing similar designs for a different company next month. Designs and mechanisms could be patented, but that was a rather lengthy and time-consuming process. A design patent was only good for 3 ½ to 7 years, and the production of a trendy design may have been finished by the time the patent was granted. In 1947, patent laws were amended to include jewelry designs. Copyrights were easier
and quicker to attain, and last for a longer period of time than design patents. The first legal action involving jewelry copyright infringement occurred in 1955, when Trifari took action against The Charel Jewelry Company.

Some Weiss designs were copyrighted, and the presence of a copyright mark on any of their items indicates production after 1955. However, many post 1955 items did not have a copyright mark, so the absence of a mark is not indicative of age.

Weiss used a number of marks during their three decades of production, most involving the Weiss name. "ALBERT WEISS NEW YORK", in two lines, and "WEISS N. Y." may have been the earliest, both in upper case block lettering. "WEISSCO" was first used in 1947, and is not seen very often. "WEISSCO N. Y.", in an oval cartouche was also used. The well-known "WEISS" in an oval cartouche appears to have been first used in 1951. "WEISS" may also be seen in raised relief, either in a rectangular block or on the piece itself. "WEISS" and "Albert Weiss", both in script, are also alleged to date from the early 1950s. The "AWCO" mark, with a larger crowned W, is a rare and desirable mark. Some collectors feel that this mark indicates a design by Albert Weiss himself. Weiss items have also been found marked "TOP" and "WEISS", on the same piece, and pieces marked only "TOP" are assumed to be Weiss items. Many of these marks may appear with a copyright mark, after 1955, or without one. As noted above, the absence of the
copyright mark is not indicative of age.

"Jewels by Albert Weiss" , with the AWCO crown mark, has also been seen on insert cards, and Albert Weiss boxes are also seen. Weiss pieces were also produced without marks, probably for sale to stores that preferred to market them as "private label" pieces. These pieces may have been displayed in boxes emblazoned with the retailer's name. Sets were also produced where only some of the pieces were marked.

Like so many other jewelry companies, the 1960s were not kind to Weiss. Faced with fashion changes they could not adjust to, changes in distribution, and new competition from overseas, sales declined. Albert Weiss either died or retired in 1969. His son, Michael ran the company for several years, and the doors shut in 1971.

As costume jewelry, made by Weiss and others, became popular, fakes began to emerge. Unlike contemporary makers, like Tiffany or Cartier, no one attempts to protect the name and reputation of a defunct company. The issue with Weiss knockoffs became so widespread that it was the focus of a New York Times story in 2006. Weiss Christmas pieces, especially the Christmas trees, have been widely copied. Many of the more obvious fakes featured a textured back. While Weiss did use a textured back on a limited basis in the last years of the company, it was a patterned texture, unlike that of the fakes. Genuine Weiss pieces exhibit certain signs of quality, such as prong set stones. Many of the fakes feature stones that
are simply glued in place. Some may have prongs, but the prongs are decorative and do not actually hold the stones. Genuine Weiss pieces, as a rule, feature high quality plating, on smooth backs. Detail is good, as is enamel quality. There are, allegedly, some newer earrings on the market that are marked "Weiss". The newer pieces have, so far, stayed away from the use of larger stones and art-glass type stones, and tend to feature smaller standard stones. However, those making fake items with the intent of deception adapt quickly to discovery, and improve their products continually. Unmarked clip back earrings are reportedly being produced, and may be combined with matching Genuine Weiss pieces.

There are probably a large number of dealers that have innocently sold a bogus Weiss item. The site wide return policy at Ruby Lane, which allows a return for any reason, helps protect buyers in these cases.

SHOP SAMPLER: VINTAGE CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES ON RUBY LANE!

Easterbelle's Wonderland Emporium: Carefully Curated Extra Special Collectibles, Jewelry, a Few of Your Favorite Things

Rare and Unique Signed Vintage Miriam Haskell Belt

This extraordinary vintage belt from Miriam Haskell speaks to the movie star in all of us! In fabulous matte and shiny gold-tones, the belt ...

Marcie's Vanity: Antique and collectible objects of beauty for a woman and her vanity

Navy Blue, Vintage 60's Wool Cape

I offer to you this basically wonderful blue wool cape. A simple style can be seen on this lovely cape with high collar. Lines of three silver toned ...

Everydaysagift: Specializing in antique and vintage ladies accessories, vanity items and other unique collectibles

Vintage Stand Up Jeweled Frame Purse Handbag Pristine

This bag is simply a stunner! No doubt it has been packed away for many years as it appears completely unused. Imagine wearing a vintage 30-40's ...

The Vintage Merchant: Classic, wearable vintage clothing accessories from the 1930s through the 1970s

Vintage 1970s Elf Green Velveteen Empire Peasant Dress

Adorable empire cut sheath dress with raglan cut, off the shoulder puff sleeves and flirtatiously attractive deep square neckline. This simply slips ...

Sunnyboy Antiques and Collectibles: Antiques, Deco, Bakelite ,Collectibles,Glass, Watches etc Palm Beach ,Boca Estates

Vintage 50's Pink and White Polka Dot Apron

This vintage 50's apron goes over the head and ties in the back.It has front pockets and is in the very popular 50's colors of pink and white.Apron is...

Alley Cats Vintage: Looking for that Perfect Little Black Dress

Vintage Pink Beaded Italian Handbag Purse by Simon

This is an adorable pink beaded handbag, labeled 'Styled by Simon, Made in Italy. The condition is just perfect, showing no wear at all and I don't ...

TOINETTE'S Vintage Clothing Jewelry Patterns MORE: Vintage Jewelry ~ Sewing Patterns ~ Fabric ~ Collectibles ~ Party Clothes ~ Added Daily

Ultimate 1960s Cocktail Wiggle Dress! Chantilly Lace Satin Unworn Bust 36

Ladies, this is the ULTIMATE Mad Men fashion find! Unworn and so HOT! This one piece Chantilly lace cocktail wiggle dress is circa 1962. Fancy ...

Decotini WEST: Unique Antiques and Collectibles

Adorable Vintage Buster Leather Brown Baby Shoes For Child or Doll

I remember when it was a splurge to have my mom buy my sister and I a pair of Buster Brown shoes! This little pair is just adorable. They are little...

Enduring Treasures: Eclectic mix of collectibles enduring past times treasures

Vintage Campbell Man's Brown Fedora - size 7

Campbell Handcrafted Deluxe Mans Fedora - Size 7 Brown felt with brown grosgrain ribbon trim Label Made expressly for the stores of Stern Field ...

Glamour Girl Vintage: Specializing In Vintage Clothing Accessories ~ Member VFG Vintage Fashion Guild

Vintage 60s Men's Embroidered King Louie Two Color Blue Rockabilly Bowling Shirt Size Large or Extra Large

From a San Francisco estate is this amazing embroidered vintage men's bowling shirt by King Louie. Circa 1960s era. Please take a look of the ...