A Glimpse into the Life of a US Soldier During World War I→

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A RARE lot of 50 letters home from a World War I US Soldier which I found in this old tin box.  This is a RARE slice of American history.  The gentleman who wrote the letters was 18 when he started them and then went to World War I and came back.  Such a rare glimpse into a young man's heart, fears, desires, and thoughts during the war.  There is a newspaper clipping from when the California Guard headed to France.  There are 2 letters from 1914, 13 from 1917, approx. 24 from 1918, and 11 from 1919.  The soldier was part of the RAINBOW DIVISION, which was formed in New York in August of 1917 as a way to get 27,000 troops to France quickly for World War I.  It was called the RAINBOW DIVISION because MacArthur said it would stretch across the US like a rainbow.   He was in the 117th Regiment, Company F Engineers.  

The young soldier was part of the American Expeditionary Forces.  He started working in the Mill Creek Plant in Redlands as a young man.  He was a blacksmith and would later do horseshoeing in the war.  He traveled to Camp Mills in New York where he wrote "there are 35,000 men here now which completes the Rainbow Division".  He also writes about how it was cold there in the mornings and they wouldn't let them wear their coats so they would get used to the cold weather that would be ahead.  There were 250 men in his regiment.  In September of 2017 he wrote that he was leaving for France any day.  He states "I am now a soldier for Uncle Sam".  As a sergeant in the army he would make $40 a month and they were allowed .43 cents a day for meals. 

Once he arrives in France his letters are addressed from "somewhere in France" and they are censored.  There are  many different stationary and envelopes in this lot from the YMCA and the Expeditionary Forces, and Liberty Loan Bonds, Knights of Columbus, Camp Mills, etc.  He writes "The people in the US can't imagine what we boys have to put up with.  I have had my taste of war and I am ready for peace".  He is making his mom a vase from a French shell. It came from the most famous gun in the war.  The bullet that came out of this shell may have killed a few Germans for all I know for it was shot that way".  He writes "I hiked all night the night of July 4th and it will be a fright that I will never forget".  

His travels take him through Navagues, Osprey, Chalendrey, L:angres, Neufmaison, badonviller, Champagne, Chalons, Chateau-Thierry, Belgium, Luxemburg, the Sauer River, etc.  He writes "If the Huns are not willing to come to President Wilson's terms then we will run them off the face of the earth".   He also writes "You must remember that we were in action most of the time since last February.  We were on the front all the time.  We have been on more fronts than any other American division.  Had most of the hard fighting so we deserve all the credit we can get".  

Such a RARE lot of treasured letters giving a small glimpse into the mind of a young man, a US Soldier, a hero. Available in my ebay listings. Click here to view.

A Rare Item Indeed→

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VERY RARE, antique (1907-1914), SPEEDWELL MOTOR COMPANY, Guilloche enamel, Gold Filled, key fob or pocket watch fob.  I have searched the internet high and low and I haven't found a single one of these ever having been available so I believe it to be a very rare item.  It is marked on the back and I believe it reads "Gold Filled".  The item is a Rose Gold color and it has guilloche enamel on the front in Green and also White enamel and it reads SPEEDWELL.  Guilloche enamel is where the metal is machine tooled before they pour the enamel.  You can see the wonderful machine tooling underneath the Green enameling.  This RARE beauty is available in my ebay listings. Click here to view.

The following is from Wikipedia in regards to the Speedwell Motor Co. 
The Speedwell Motor Car Company was an early United States automobile manufacturing company established by Pierce Davies Schenck that produced cars from 1907 to 1914. The company's factory rented space for the Wright Company to build its airplanes from February to November 1910 while the Wright Company built its own factory building in west Dayton.[1] The Great Dayton Flood of 1913 greatly damaged the Speedwell factory in Dayton's Edgemont neighborhood and its inventory, and the company entered receivership in 1915.  In 1911, Speedwell built a closed two-door, dubbed a sedan, which was the first recorded use of the term.[2] In England, another car was marketed under the Speedwell name from 1900 to 1908. Other than the name, the two companies are unrelated.

 

With glittering wings of green→

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Beautiful, vintage, DeLizza & Elster, JULIANA, butterfly brooch with glittering wings of green rhinestones.  DeLizza & Elster started making costume jewelry in 1947.  They are most famous for a line of jewelry called "Juliana".  They used the highest quality rhinestones and materials and the pieces have nice weight to them.  Juliana jewelry never had the maker's mark in the metal, but only had a paper tag.  By now the paper tag has usually been removed so you need to recognize the style, construction and design techniques of this jewelry to know if you have an authentic piece. This vintage beauty is available in my ebay store.  Click on this link to view.

For the girl who has everything?→

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How about this extraordinary, antique, Victorian, hand fabricated, 14k Rose Gold Taille d' Epergne, Black Onyx Cameo necklace?  This is a chunky pendant on a thick, Rose Gold chain weighing 40.5 grams.  Taille d' Epergne is a technique where the Gold is etched and then Black enamel is laid into the crevices.  Over 100 years old and a rare beauty for the girl who has everything.  Appraised at $3k but available in my ebay store for less.  Click here to view.

Old Town Auburn's Country Christmas Events!→

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Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday and step back in time for Old Town Auburn’s Country Christmas. 

An annual tradition steeped in 1800s holiday cheer, Old Town Auburn invites you to come out and experience a festive evening of entertainment and family-fun that includes photos with Santa, carolers, a winter bonfire, unique shopping and more.
- Holiday open houses at shops and stores.
- Festive food and drink at restaurants and bars.
- One-of-a-kind gifts, crafts, and art. 

MARQUIS ETC will be offering 20% off storewide for both event dates.
Learn more at: 
https://oldtownauburnca.com/events/country-christmas

Vintage Navajo Sterling Jewelry→

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I love this BIG, beautiful, vintage, signed, United Indian Trader's Association, Navajo, TOADLENA, Sterling Silver and Turquoise, Frog Pin.   This is an exceptional, old, Toadlena piece.  It is a large 3 inch pin.  It is finely detailed and deeply carved. I believe the Center Turquoise piece is Royston Turquoise as it has brown striations.   It is marked "UITA" and "22".  UITA stands for the United Indian Trader's Association and number 22 is for Toadlena.  This vintage pin is in wonderful condition except the clasp is missing the little center piece that holds the pin in.  However it forms a "c" clasp and I have worn it like this for many years.  This vintage, Navajo beauty is available on my ebay site this week.  Starting bid $499.99. Click here to view.

Antique Fair This Weekend!→

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Antique Fair this Weekend!

Please join us this Sunday, October 15th for Old Town Auburn's 51st Annual Antique Fair!  90+ vendors, live music, food, and great weather all in the heart of Old Town!  We even have an Antique Appraiser who will appraise your items for $5 each (6 item limit). MARQUIS ETC. will be having a 20% OFF STOREWIDE Sale Friday thru Monday.  Come out and enjoy the festivities!

Lets do the CAN CAN!→

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Lets do the CAN CAN!

Look at this vintage beauty! You never see an old oil can like this in such great condition. The Texas Company was launched in 1909 when oil was discovered in Texas. In 1911 Texaco Oil began. They have changed their logo over the years in 1936, 1962 and again in 1981.  During the early 1950s, they started using the TYDOL trademark in Vermont.  This vintage beauty is unopened, with oil still inside.  Available on my ebay site - click here to view.

Remember when?→

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Remember when?

Remember when?  Remember when mod was in and peace was a movement?  When love was something freely given? The fabulous 1960's where these beautiful, enamel & metal pins and earrings came from.  It is hard to have a bad day with this lovely bunch of bright flowers sitting on your dresser.  Pick a different one to wear each day and enjoy the smiles that greet you.  I have collected these over the last few months of my treasure hunting.  This lovely bunch of flowers is available on my ebay site to brighten your day. Starting bid is $59.99.  But hurry because the auction ends this Sunday, July 30th.    

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