News

Edition 11

Hello one and all,

Autumn has finally arrived, although it feels like winter!  With the downturn in the temperature, the downturn in the economy and the downturn in interest rates, now is a great time to come and have a look in store!  Yes, I've drawn something of a longbow there.  But you never know - I might just do a deal I wouldn't normally do.

Or browse on-line.  We'll never get to listing every item we have, but much of the new stuff gets added, especially if it is unusual - I refer you to the Knight's Helmet which has just arrived.

Just a reminder of our Subscription system for Categories of Types - click on the "S" next to a category, fill in your details and submit.  You will get a confirmation email with a link that you must click on to confirm your subscription.  When we add something new in that category, you will get an email with all the details of that item.  It's fun, as I often make typos in the description and don't pick them up until much later.

Here's an unusual item that's just come in - a fabulous 1920's original (except for the tyres) Shop Delivery Bicycle!

Click on the pic to go to the description and more photos.  This is one of many items I'm willing to hire out to TV and Film production companies for shoots of period Australian shows.  We do this quite regularly, but what could be better than an original bike rolling past in the background while Asher Keddie strikes a dramatic pose in pinched waist ankle length dress.  But this not the place for my fancies.

Speaking of bikes, have a look at this Dragster replica from Germany.

It is a ripper of bike from KHE bikes.  And only $375!

What else?  We've had some new KISS Paraphenalia come in.  The last lot was very popular and there are now T Shirts and videos.

Finally, how can I resist a bit of Automobilia in a newsletter.  But no oil bottles this time!  Have a squiz at this Golden Fleece liveried refrigerator in the shape of a tinnie!

It works and is on wheels.  You won't find another like it.

Come and say g'day if you're in the shop.  Or send me an email if you have any special requests for items we might have but haven't listed on the website.

If you haven't been in for a while, it's well worth paying us a visit.  Much has changed and there's plenty of new stock.

Until next time...

Cheers,

Pete and Andrea

Edition 10

Hi there,

We've heard on the grapevine that some of our wonderful subscribers would like to hear about something other than oil bottles, bowsers and signs!

Happy to oblige!  That said, we will say that our new Automobilia items are gradually appearing on our website, so do have a look, or come in...

We have been very busy over the past month and a great deal of new stock has come in, leaving us struggling for room!  Which leads us to probably one of the best bargains we have been able to offer - ever.

Pictured below is various parts of an outstanding Board Room Table with eight Balloon Back Chairs.  The table is 12' x 6' (3.66m x 1.83m), the top comes in three sections and is inlaid with leather which is in very good condition.  The desk is late Victorian/early Edwardian and constructed in mahogany and pine, with eight drawers.

It is pictured in its various components as we just haven't got the space for it - at the moment.

The balloon back chairs are Victorian, mahogany timber and have been re-upholstered in leather, though not this was not done recently.

Yes, it's a very unusual setting and someone would want to have a very particular space and purpose for it.  But someone might - and that someone might be you - or someone you know.

We believe that the whole setting is worth around $12,000.  When we make some space and get it set up, we will put on sale for $5,495.  If you think it's something that would enhance your living area, or place of business, and you can take the setting before we do set it up, we are prepared to offer a very significant discount.  So big that we won't publish it here.  If you are genuinely interested, call, or send us an email, and we'll let you know how much we are prepared to part with it for.

What else is new?  We have had a few model planes come in.  There is a Radio Controlled one on our website, but here's a fantastic German aircraft model.

It looks like it would fly, but is purely for display purposes.  It has a 2m wingspan and we'll let it go for $2,495.

If you haven't been in for a while, it's well worth paying us a visit.  Much has changed and there's plenty of new stock.

Until next time...

Cheers,

Pete and Andrea

Edition 9

Hi subscribers - here's something very rare!

Yes, it's me!  Now you know why there's a caricature on the website.

Importantly, it is me standing in our revised, redesigned, reviewed and reworked Automobilia and Garagenalia area.  You will note the numbers of oil bottles in crates.  I'm just contemplating the aesthetic affect I'm looking to achieve.

If you've been looking at the website and browsing the Automobilia and Garagenalia section, you may have noted that there is not an oil bottle, can, tin, or associated item listed.  Of course, you will assume that we have sold it all.  You would be wrong!  (Although we have sold quite a bit so we are taking this opportunity to update the website.)

What opportunity is that?  Happily, I've managed to get hold of an enormous range of new stock.  All of it came from the one collection and includes a conical Plume Bowser, a magnificent Dunlop sign and over 1,000 new items, ranging from rare oil bottles, racks, cans, tins, ashtrays, diecast cars - the list goes on!  Here's a few pics:

The Plume Bowser

Part of the new Automobilia area

A bit more of the display

There'll be some Golden Fleece fans wanting to get at this

The superb and very rare Dunlop enamel sign in fantastic condition with a curved border.

It is going to take a few weeks to get it all cleaned, priced and displayed - but I've begun!  It will take a few weeks more to get as much of this as we can on our website.  So if you are keen to get hold of something before it goes, call in to the shop and have a look around.  There are some real gems.

Until next time...

Cheers,

Pete and Andrea

Edition 8

Welcome to 2013 from How Bazaar!  We trust your festive season was enjoyable and that you have been able to have a bit of a break from whatever takes up most of your time.

Things have been very busy around the shop over the holiday period - lots of visitors with many wonderful comments from people about the range of items we have and the layout of the shop.

Following up from our stall at Motorclassica in 2012 (Edition 7), we will be coming back to the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton for the 48th Victorian Hot Rod Show from January 25 to 28, 2013.  We will be upstairs with Retro & Rare, one of our stallholders here at How Bazaar.  Come in for a look (there'll be some "hot" cars to look at as well!).

One of the interesting components of trading in oldwares, collectables and secondhand goods are the stories that we collect along with the goods.  Some of them are not printable (I'm always happy to spend a moment telling a good story), but many certainly add to the interest of a particular item.

A case in point is the large range of apothecary - old Chemist's bottles and paraphenalia from the early 20th century - that we purchased last year.  Sourced from Central Victoria, they are from a multi-generational family of pharmicists.  He rang (out of the blue) to see if we were interested in coming for a look.  Once he gave his name (let's call him Dave), I recognised him immediately as the pharmacist who gave my sister in law her first job and who continued to work for him for many years.  Having made that connection, it also turns out that his son went to college in Melbourne with another of my sisters in law.  As dad always says, coincidence occurs more than non coincidence!

Here's a pic and link to what we purchased:

There's old large bottles with stoppers, some very unusual bottles that look like they came from a lab and some magnificent mortar and pestles.  Come in for a look.

But it doesn't end there.  When I got there, we got talking about How Bazaar, what we do and what I buy.  Through that chat he mentioned that he had an old bowser he'd be willing to part with.  Here it is, the Larkin Aircraft Supply Co Ltd Bowser, made in Australia:

Based at Coode Island in Melbourne, the Company was formed in 1919 and stopped manufacture in 1930 and mostly produced airplanes. I had never heard of them before and certainly hadn't seen one of these.

But, don't get excited - I got it back to shop and it barely lasted 3 hours before it was sold and gone the next day!  Chances and opportunities like this don't happen everyday, but when they do it is both exciting and worthwhile.

We recently received six Royal Doulton Figurines, two of which are pictured here. (Click on the photo for the description & price).

Admittedly, not everyone's cup of tea, but quite highly prized by collectors.  If you're a collector and you read this newsletter, you can have 20% off the marked price for any one (or two, or all) of the six figures.  Offer stands until the next newsletter.

Until next time...

Cheers,

Pete and Andrea

Edition 7

Firstly, apologies for taking so long to get a newsletter out!  It has been a very busy period since we last communicated and a lot has changed.

If you've been in the shop recently, you will have noticed that some very severe re-arranging has taken place.  There are now two aisles in the downstairs area, making things a bit easier to navigate around and see - the upshot has been we've rediscovered stuff that's been hidden away.  Come in and you'll notice the difference.

We also had a stall at Motorclassica 2012 in the Melbourne Exhibition Building at the end of October.  It looked this this:

We had a really successful time there, but it was hectic!  I don't think it's a boast to say that, apart from the beautiful old cars on display, ours was the busiest area for the weekend.  There were always people milling around, browsing and buying!  Our favourite activity.

We managed to get hold of an original red telephone box a while ago.  It was from the Geelong area and was about 50 years old.  Of course it didn't last here very long - they never do.  We were pleased to deliver it a nursing centre where they specialise in creating an environment for people with alzheimer's and related illnesses.  Little did we know how they planned to move it when we delivered it- it made a great photo!

The happiest time of the year will soon be upon us.  No doubt you are all under immense pressure to find and purchase the perfect gift.  We don't have the perfect gift, but we have many imperfect gifts. Come in and have a look - or browse on-line!

See you soon, either on-line or in person.

Cheers,

Pete and Andrea