Cool Vintage Finds
  • Home
  • About
  • Scouting Blog
  • Social
  • The Best eBay Stores
  • Get in Touch

Build your antique alphabet block collection

4/23/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture

We recently attended an estate sale where I discovered a box of antique wood blocks. The box contained four unique groups of blocks, which are now offered in our store.

Early alphabet blocks are hand carved and painted. They often feature word pictures and numbers as well as letters. The blocks shown above and below are 1.75" cubes with a color stripe painted across the sides with raised letters.

Picture
Antique blocks that have been played with and passed down over decades are rarely in original pristine condition. In my opinion, flaws that develop over the years such as wormholes, chips or fading simply add to the character of old blocks.
Picture
Carved letters and numbers are often painted with different colors on opposing sides. Word pictures on the sides of blocks can be flat or carved.
Picture
Blocks with ridges are another variation found in this lot of blocks. The ridges help the blocks stay together when they're stacked.
Picture
The letters are carved out rather than raised, while the word pictures are raised (the green zebra, for example). These blocks are smaller than the others, roughly 1.25" cubed.
Picture
These blocks are quite lovely old things. There's plenty of wear, but no limit to their decorative value and allure to collectors. Just imagine how they entertained and educated little ones long ago.
Picture
Naturally, some old alphabet toys are worth more than others. Complete sets typically fetch higher prices. The sets shown below sold at prices starting $95 up to $1500 (images and information from Worthpoint.com.
Picture
This charming set is blocks is more desirable because of the handmade vehicle that holds them.
Picture
These cute figural alphabet blocks are called Schoenhuts Alphies and date to 1882.
Picture
Victorian obelish alphabet block sets such as the one shown here are highly sought after and command a high price due to their rarity.
PictureItem sold by Etsy shopkeeper MilkweedVintageHome.

Vintage and antique blocks look great just as they are, displayed on a shelf in a nursery, kitchen or den. Some collectors like to complete the alphabet or spell out words. If you're the crafty type, check out Etsy to get ideas for upcycling old blocks into new and fun home accents. Whatever you do, don't pass up that box of blocks when you encounter them at a sale or thrift store down the road.


Visit our Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay to get your block fix or simply to peruse a fascinating assortment of merchandise.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    SCOUTING BLOG

    Learn about our recent discoveries and what captures our imagination in this blog, then peruse the treasures in our Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay.

    Brought to you by...

    ... Susan Buie, writer by day, vintage curator and co-proprietor of the Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay in all the moments in between.

    Guest bloggers welcome. Do you have special expertise you’d like to share? Guest bloggers receive full attribution and a link back to their web site, blog or store. For consideration, submitted blogs must meet our criteria, are subject to editing, are not compensated and cannot be published elsewhere.

      Sign up for more

    Subscribe

    Archives

    February 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    March 2020
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016


    Categories

    All
    2018 Gift Ideas
    Angels
    Animal Collectibles
    Animals
    Antique
    Antique Alphabet Blocks
    Antiques
    Asian Collectibles
    Australia
    Ball Jars
    Best EBay Stores
    Boards
    Brainxcape
    Brooches And Pins
    Bulldog
    Buy Used
    Ceramic Christmas Tree
    Cherubs
    Chinese Collectibles
    Christmas
    Christmas Candle
    Christmas Ornaments
    Coffee Tins
    Collectible Baskets
    Collectibles
    Collectible Tins
    Collectors
    Cookie Tins
    Crafting
    Craft Room
    Craft Room Decor
    Crafts With Kids
    Crazy Quilt
    Creepy Decorations
    Customer Satisfaction
    Dachsund
    DeGrazia Figures
    DeGrazia Goebel
    Dish Displays Ideas
    Dogs
    Doll Head
    EBay And USPS
    EBay Feedback
    EBay Global Shipping Program
    EBay History
    Ebay Seller
    EBay Seller Tips
    EBay Store Directory
    Email
    Embroidery
    Empress Doll
    Estate Sales
    Father's Day
    Feedback
    Flower Power
    Follow
    Following
    Foo Dogs
    Fun With Frames
    Ghosts
    Ghouls
    Gift Ideas
    Gifts
    Gifts For Dad
    Gifts For Her
    Gifts For Him
    Gifts For Mom
    Gifts For The Collector
    Gifts For Your Sweetheart
    Halloween Cacklers
    Halloween Collectibles
    Halloween Display
    Halloween Screechers
    Hand Knit Christmas Stocking
    Hand Sewing
    Hobby Room
    Hobby Room Decor
    Holiday Collectibles
    Holiday Decor
    Hollywood
    Home Decor
    Inspiration
    Italian Ceramics
    Jewelry
    JJ Jonette Jewelry
    Lace
    Latch Hook Tree Skirt
    Linens
    Mid Century Collectibles
    Millefleurs Pattern
    Mod Art
    Mother's Day
    Needlepoint
    Needlepoint Ornament
    New South Wales
    New York City
    Online Shopping
    Photo Albums
    Photographs
    Photography
    Pin
    Pinning
    Pinterest
    Pocket Monsters
    Pocket Screamers
    Popular Items
    Porcelain Figures
    Props
    Quilts
    Quirky Collectibles
    Recycling
    Reseller Tips
    Reselling
    Satsuma
    Second Hand Goods
    Second-hand Goods
    Selling On EBay
    Selling Online
    Selling Tips
    Seraphim
    Setter
    Shelving Ideas
    Shopping
    Skeleton Keys
    Sold Items
    Stories
    Tea Tins
    The Sixties
    Thoughtful Gifts
    Thrifting
    Tintype
    Toile
    Toys
    Trick Or Treat
    Vintage
    Vintage Buttons
    Vintage Christmas
    Vintage Christmas Stocking
    Vintage Clothes
    Vintage Dog Figure
    Vintage Eyeglasses
    Vintage Hats
    Vintage Inspiration
    Vintage Lace
    Vintage Needlework
    Vintage Ornaments
    Vintage Shoes
    Vintage Storage Solutions
    Vintage Style
    Vintage Swag
    Vintage Tree Skirt
    Wall Decor
    Witches

    RSS Feed

    Blogging Fusion Blog Directory
    Blog Directory & Business Pages - OnToplist.com
    Blogs Directory
    blogrollcenter.com
  • Home
  • About
  • Scouting Blog
  • Social
  • The Best eBay Stores
  • Get in Touch