While the first Memorial Day events were held in the United States in the late 19th century, the practice of honoring those who have died in battle dates back thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Romans held annual days of remembrance for fallen soldiers each year. And, one of the first known public tributes to war dead was in 431 BC, when the Athenean general Pericles delivered a funeral oration praising the valor of those killed in the Peloponnesian war – a speech that some have compared in quality to Lincoln’s Gettysburg address.

Here in America Memorial Day has become a day off work for many. A time to celebrate the beginning of summer. A time to have a barbecue with friends and family. A time to chill at home and binge watch Netflix. But, really, while all of these things can be enjoyable, Memorial Day should really be a time to reflect. A time to remember those Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving this country.  

Personally, on this holiday, I also think of the families of the fallen. The brothers. The sisters. The wives and husbands.  The moms and dads. My how they must have suffered. And I’m sure they still do. Imagine your brother, who you played with, wrestled with, shared secrets with. Imagine him proudly going off to war and then never coming home.  

Yes, on Memorial Day, enjoy your barbecue, your Netflix binge, etc., but don’t forget to remember. Remember the fallen. The true. The brave. Remember.

Carol Fenn 5-2018

Would mama like that antique chair?

Or would she like that vase?
Would mommy like that chest of drawers?

Oh gosh, she’d like this place!
Would mom prefer a vintage dress?

Or would she like that watch?
Yes, oh yes, it’s Mother’s Day 

Here at The Mercantile!
You’ll find chairs and rings and chests of drawers

Great gifts for mothers, all.
But don’t forget that what she wants 

Is just a bit of you.
She’ll love that vintage vase or watch

But mostly she’ll love you!

Carol Fenn 5-2018

Ah, a royal wedding. We’ve got one coming up very soon. So it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to collect from this one. Maybe a Harry and Meghan tea cup? Or a tea towel? Or perhaps a fine, gorgeously blue, porcelain plate?

For well over a hundred years there have been souvenirs from these British weddings. Coins, stamps, jewelry, dolls, fine china, etc.

Enjoy these photos of weddings and antique and vintage collectibles. And come on in to The Mercantile. It’ll be fun to search throughout the mall and see if you can find a royal item!

Carol Fenn 4-2018

The battle of the sexes is as old as time. He wanted the cave at the top of the mountain so he could see off in the distance. She wanted the cave next to the babbling brook because it was peaceful and they had close proximity to water.  

Now we have “she sheds” versus “man caves.” Light versus dark. Flowers versus leather. Garden pots versus cigars and humidors. 

There are no set rules as to what men and women collect. Beautiful ethereal American Art pottery? Most of the collectors I’ve know have surprisingly been men. Zippo lighters? Yes, it’s men who collect these. Vintage robots and space toys, men.  

Men collect corkscrews. Women collect buttons. He drinks. She sews? Men collect vintage gas station memorabilia. Women collect cats, real and ceramic. He drives. She likes cuddly company.

Yes, women love quilts, flowery sheets and vintage kitchen items. But they also love American primitives, farmhouse antiques and inspirational signs.  

There are no hard and fast rules as to who collects what. Many women collect automobilia and military items and I’ve know lots of men who collect Barbie dolls! But no matter what he or she collects it’s all for fun.  

Our mash-up this month celebrates the battle of the sexes. She shed vs. Man cave. The female artist, the dark warm leather of a man’s study, the female collector, the male collector. Come on in to The Mercantile this Thursday through Sunday, April 5-9 and join in on the battle! Opening at 10 AM.  

Carol Fenn 4-2018

Celebrating New Year’s Ephemera!

As New Year’s Day approaches and old father time gets ready to hand over the reins to baby new year, I thought it would be a fun time to share some antique and vintage New Year’s ephemera.  

From circa 1890 to the 1960s New Year’s ephemera was glorious. Filled with beauty, fun, whimsy, sentiment, cats and dogs, and even Mickey Mouse, it’s fun to collect, easy to display and is usually relatively inexpensive.

Come on in to The Midtown Mercantile Mall. Peruse our 100 plus booths and you just might find a cool old piece of a New Years past.  

Carol Fenn 12-2017

Why build a she-shed? “I come out here and … make a big mess, and then close the doors and go inside and make dinner, and it’s all just in here. It’s nice to be able to have a space that’s just mine.”  

According to the Centers for Disease Control, on most days, 16 percent of women aged 18 to 44 reported feeling “very tired” or “exhausted.” Additionally, 37 percent of women said they feel tense or stressed out at work. A she-shed can give a woman a space to be creative and/or just to get away from it all.  

Author Erika Kotite, who will be at the Midtown Mercantile Mall this Thursday, Friday and Saturday greeting fans and signing her book (Nov. 9, 10, 11) wrote a book on the movement: “She Sheds: A Room of Your Own.”  

The book talks about different styles of sheds and then looking at different sheds created for different purposes by various women. There are sheds for gardeners, artists, back yard sanctuaries, etc. They are truly wonderful and fun to see.

Here at The Mercantile we love Ms. Kotite’s book and we have created our own she-shed. Come on in, meet the author, see our she-shed and then you can look around the mall at our thousands of vintage items. Perhaps you’ll find the bits you like so you can personalize your own space. Your very own she-shed!

Carol Fenn 11-2017

Who doesn’t love a cowgirl? A cowgirl collectible that is! Fun to collect, but not that easy to find. It can be a challenge filling out a collection, especially if you’re looking for truly vintage. Reproductions abound, but vintage is better!

The popularity of the American cowgirl most likely began with Annie Oakley (August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926). Annie was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Her amazing talent first came to light when she was a mere 15 year old girl, winning a shooting match against a traveling-show marksman. Oakley joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. She became a renowned international star, performing before royalty and heads of state.

One thing I’ll say about cowgirl related collecting is that there is a lot of variety. For example, the vintage and antique cowgirl art and advertising. Some of it surprisingly sexy!  Some of it just plain awesome.

There are cowgirl figurines. Salt and pepper shakers, etc.  Also look for paper dolls and playing cards.  You never know where you might find one of these gals!

And of course Coca Cola got into the act with some great cowgirl depictions!

Some cowgirl stuff is collectible AND wearable. Like this wonderful cowgirl dress that is in the Midtown Mercantile Antique Mall right now. She’s in booth #1118 for only $30!

So put on your cowgirl boots and come on in to the mall and roundup some cowgirl collectibles!

Carol Fenn 11-2017

Halloween Fun Fact: The word “witch” comes from the Old English wicce, meaning “wise woman.” In fact, wiccan were highly respected people at one time. According to popular belief, witches held one of their two main meetings on Halloween night.

Halloween Fun Fact: Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.

Halloween Fun Fact: The owl is a popular Halloween image. In Medieval Europe, owls were thought to be witches, and to hear an owl’s call meant someone was about to die.

Halloween Fun Fact: According to Irish legend, Jack O’Lanterns are named after a stingy man named Jack who, because he tricked the devil several times, was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. He was condemned to wander the Earth, waving his lantern.

Halloween Fun Fact: The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown in 1993. It weighed 836 pounds!

Halloween Fun Fact: Trick-or-treating evolved from the ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at Samhain, a sacred festival that marked the end of the Celtic calendar year.

Halloween Fun Fact: Scarecrows, a popular Halloween fixture, symbolize the ancient agricultural roots of the holiday.

We’re celebrating Halloween at the Midtown Mercantile Mall at 4443 E Speedway in Tucson AZ.  We’ll let you in and you won’t even need a costume like these little outlaws!

Carol Fenn 10-2017

Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints Day, incorporating some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. 

By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a community-centered holiday, with parades and big Halloween parties as the featured entertainment. 

Over time, Halloween incorporated activities like trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins. As the October nights get colder, people usher in the season with parties, costumes and don’t forget the candy!

 From the 1950s on it has been the golden era of Halloween. There are so many TV and movie character costumes to choose from. Sometimes scary, but usually cute, these costumes bring joy to the kids wearing them and to the adults who open the door, after hearing the words, “Trick or Treat!”

Come on in to the Midtown Mercantile Antique Mall at 4443 E Speedway in Tucson AZ. You just might find a vintage costume or two!

Carol Fenn 10-2017

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Also known as Vaseline glass, uranium glass, which can date as far back as 1830, glows bright green under ultraviolet light. This is because uranium oxide is added to the glass in its molten state. In natural or indoor light, Vaseline glass has a yellow or yellow-green tinge with an oily sheen.  But turn on that black light and you get a glowing green surprise!

If you want to have a unique display on Halloween which will wow your friends and neighbors, all you need is some uranium glass, a place to display it, and a black light.

A lot of pieces together in a glass case could make your home look like Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory! How awesome would that be! But really, just a single piece, glowing eerily, surrounded by pumpkins, spiders, witches or black cats? Well, that would be awesome too!

Come on into the Midtown Mercantile Antique mall at 4443 E. Speedway in Tucson, AZ. We have at least one piece of uranium glass right now in booth #830.

 … And if you look around through our three levels of booths you might find more. Just watch out for ghosts and goblins! And if you come in on a Holiday Happenings weekend between now and Dec. 31, we’ll serve you some punch and sweet treats.  

Carol Fenn 10-2017