WELCOME to HAPPY TO BE...This is a blog about my love of Antiques, My family, humor, as humor keeps us laughing and my every Day life...I hope you enjoy your visit...Please leave me a comment to let me know you Came by so I can visit with you Thank You !!...Hugs and Smiles, Gl♥ria

May 11, 2009

~ SECOND SUNDAY FINDS~



Hello Girl's....well this is one thing I got at Second Sunday...it's a fainting couch... not a child's "Fainting couch" it what they call a Salesman Sampler...Many people think when it's little it's for a child but not always so...As you can tell my by doll here this is way to small for a child....This is from ca. 1850 and Years ago Salesmen would have all there wares with them and travel across country selling them...He would stop in your town show you what he had all in miniature working order you would then order it and wait for it to be sent to you...in the Large size...Like if you wanted a new cook stove...he had a miniature one all in case iron with the oven doors that open...burner covers that could be removed etc...With the company's name on it... Now I am sure this piece was with a Salesman that had a wagon for his ware's...They also had Traveling Salesmen's with only small items and they would carry them in Bags made from carpet...thus the term "Carpet Bagger's" Salesman's had everything you could think of in miniature size...from furniture to house ware's to Farm equipment....This was also how Sears started their company...After sampler's they then went to Catalog sales...

Now this "fainting couch" even has Horsehair stuffing...Years ago they also used Horse hair as stuffing for furniture...My Dining room chairs have Horse hair and let me tell you sometimes you will feel it and it will feel like wire sticking up from it...OUCH!!


Just Look at the detail on the wood front...Oh I love the Swan on this back...

Even the arms have the beautiful details on them and the legs...



This is the bottom...Also love the fabric on this piece..Now that has been redone...I am sure at one time it was done in Velvet....


Now my doll is only 24 inches and she from Germany 1890 from Doll maker Arnuad Marseilles...Her eyes open and close and she have front teeth...This Doll Is what they called a Sunday Doll as you were only allowed to play with them after Church on Sunday...Her body is white leather, feet arms and face are Bisque and she is stuffed with Saw dust...She belonged to my Great Grandma....Who then gave it to my Aunt Margie and my Aunt gave her to me 25 years ago...I had new hair put on her and the shoes are new...But all her clothes are original...this is her Sunday Dress and also have a Play dress and apron and bonnet for her....Tell me I was not lucky to get this great Doll...

After sitting in this chair she so likes having a "Fainting Couch" to lay down on...This chair I also got last year at Second Sunday...Paid $100.00 for it...if you click on the picture you can see the wonderful condition it's still in...loved all this wood craving on it...Now the Fainting Couch was $75.00...Had the guy known it was a Salesman's Sampler I am sure he would have charged me more...I hope you enjoyed my Mini Antique history lesson and Also I will show you the rest of the stuff I got this week....I also found a Ironstone soup tureen just like the one I got from Hospice and they wanted $45.00 for it...So tell me I wasn't doing my Happy Dance only paying $4.50 for mine....

Now Girls this fun day is Hosted By Diane at A Picture is worth a 1,000 Words...Please go by and see all the great eye candy awaiting you today...Thank you Diane for yet another fun Tuesday...

May you all have a safe and Blessed day my friends...

Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

34 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my, your fainting couch is just too wonderful. I just love it. I have seen some of the salesman's samples before in wood furniture pieces, but never in the upholstered pieces. The detail and the carving is just wonderful. I love the fabric too. I can't wait to see the rest of your wonderful finds. Hugs, Marty

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Ohhhh Sis...I love, love, LOVE your sampler's fainting sofa!!! It's sooo GRAND!!! I just love all of the ornate wood detailing like the swan!!! And the fabric is just gorgeous!!! I do believe that you found yourself a treasure there!!! I'm so glad that you gave us a history lesson about Salesman Samplers...I never knew that...and think that is just the coolest thing ever!!! I had no idea that they carried miniture replicas of their wares to show customers...makes sence though!!! Now I'm just trying to recall if I've ever seen anything miniture like this...but I don't think I have! I bet they're rare finds!!! I can see why they are so collectible...besides being so darn cute...they're so small and detailed!!!

Ohhh myyy...I just loved seeing your Grandmother's Sunday doll!!! She's fabulous!!! Girl, I'm just so glad that you always give us history about these things...it's just so interesting and I've learned so much from you!!! I had heard the term "Sunday Doll" but didn't really know what it meant! I bet any little girl that had one, just couldn't wait for Sundays to roll around so that they could play with these fancy dolls!!! I also never knew that they made doll bodies out of white leather...that's awesome!!! She is in such fabulous shape...your Grandma must have been very careful with her!!! I just love that she has teeth...hehe!!! I'm sure that was pretty unusual too! She's just so beautiful and what a keepsake to have!!! Yes...you are very blessing to have her!!!

Girl, that beautiful white chair with all the ornate wood carving on it...fabbbuuulous!!! Why it looks brand new, it's in such great shape!!! Can't believe that you gave only $100 for it! I say that's a great bargain!!! Do you have it in your bedroom? Sooo pretty, Sis!!! Where are you going to put your new little fainting chair?

Thank you so much for sharing your treasures with us...I always love seeing them!!! And thank you for taking the time to tell us the history of these pieces...it's soooo interesting and like I said, I've learned so much from you Darlin'!!!

Love ya Sis...
Chari

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Gloria,
I loved the history lesson! That is a super great find and your lovely doll, oh what a treasure! Hugs, Cindy

Jessica said...

Morning Gloria~

She is a beautiful doll and the fainting couch { I just love that term } is an exquisite find.

Have a great day!

Hugs~ J

Kris said...

Love the salesman sample couch. I'm always drawn to these little goodies, but usually they're priced way out of my budget. Great find.

Kris

KayC. said...

Just beautiful! All of your photos of your treasurs!
Thank you for the information to...it is very useful. :-)

Patti VZ said...

What treasures! Just gorgeous!! Oh the craftsmanship of stuff made then FAR outshines the stuff today, doesn't it?

bj said...

Oh, yes...I do remember reading about salesmen with their samples of furniture.
One reason I love coming over and looking at your antiques is the information you always give us, too. It is always so interesting to learn these things about your fabulous collections of really fine antiques.
Have a happy day...
xo bj

Picket said...

Morning girl...love that detail on that little fainting couch...you just always come up with the neatest little treasures and girl you know so much history about things!!! The doll is a treasure for sure sis....to touch something that your great grandmother touched with her little hands...ohhhh...

Congrats to your grandson on graduating....hope the Army lets him stay long enough to see the birth of his son..

Good to hear from you sweetie...when you said you had a quilt hanging from a larger grapevine wreath you reminded me that I did that last year with a wreath that my oldest daughter had made when she was in school...man...I gotta do that again!!!! I loved that look...why did I take it down????? lol You take care girl and have a great week...love ya~~~~♥~~~~

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Such wonderful pieces. I love "fainting" couches!

josh said...

how cute would it be if we could put kyra on that little fainting couch? That would be so freakin cute. Well grandma, I love you and I'll talk to you soon

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

I love this sweet red fainting couch!!! The detail thy put into these little pieces is amazing. the swan on the back is lovely and the fabric is perfect!!!

I love the information you shared about all the sample pieces that were used by salesman...back in the day!!!

Your grandmother's doll is wonderful. So pretty and sweet in her fancy dress!!!

Thanks so much for sharing all of you treasures with us and all of your knowledge of antiques!!!

What a wonderful post!!!
XOXO
Cathy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Gloria! What a wonderful piece, and your doll looks like she's in dolly heaven on that piece! And the chair, too, is such a find! Girl, you're good with spotting these delightful pieces. :-)

I could have used an adult version of that fainting couch earlier. I got locked out of my house this morning and had to be somewhere by 11:00. By the time I found someone home and got my housekeeper to come with her key, I was ready for a faint! LOL! But true to the Scarlet O'Hara code, I wouldn't let a little near fiasco whip me. I took a shower, composed myself, and got to the party with a smile on my face and feet that were killing me. ;-)

Love to you, Sweet Gloria!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Candy said...

Love the history...never knew any of that stuff. But I will certainly look at 'doll furniture' differently from now on.
Those are some very pretty pieces to share as they travel with you a ...

2nd time around,
Candy

Chandy said...

Gloria, I have to tell you that is one sweet fainting chair! Perfect for its doll owner! Wow, the details are amazing!

Unknown said...

Those fainting couches have always fascinated me. Times certainly have changed haven't they? Love yours!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Gloria, those are such beautiful pieces!! You're right, those salesman samples go for lots of bucks. You got great deals on them! Amazing what kind of details are on those little things! These are definitely a couple of treasures, and that doll is really a treasure. So glad it was passed on to you, since you have obviously taken such good care of her. I really loved seeing all of these beauties. laurie

Tootsie said...

my mom collects those dolls! I saw my parents today!!! thanks for singing to me...I agree 38 is a good year to start finding happiness..and to make some changes. I just wish that at my age, things were a little more certain...but one thing is certain..I am lucky to have so many wonderful friends!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

OH MY goodness! That is just beautiful. How I love things like that! Anything in miniture and you have my immediate attention...and yes...I did know about salesman samples. I believe a have a little trunk that is one. It certanly isn't a trunk for dolly clothes..so that is probably what it is. I love that little trunk..but it certainly does not come close to your "fainting couch."
Hugs to you my friend...
Mona

Nancy Rosalina said...

Oh that fainting couch is adorable! Just love it! Beautiful Doll too and the chair she is sitting on is gorgeous...Oh so much pretty in this post! Nancy

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hi Gloria! Wonderful salesman's sample...darling fainting sofa! Thanks for all the history....great post! Be well, Laura

Lynn said...

Well, I just loved all of it! The doll the little furniture and accessories, and that Kyra! What a cutie she is!!!
Don't blink! Mine's graduating from high school next month! It seems as if her mother just graduated!!!
I enjoyed my visit to your blog.

sunnymama said...

The fainting couch is so cute, and such beautiful detail. The doll is gorgeous too. All the background information you provided about them both was fascinating. What an delightful and interesting post :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Gloria

It's so nice to meet you! I've heard about salesmen samplers and I think your fainting couch is such a wonderful example of one! What a treasure it is, and also your grandmother's doll! They are lovely heirlooms!

I'd love to find a little cast iron sampler stove some day -- my grandmother had a real one and I alwasys loved it.

Justine said...

Wow. I find it incredible that they put all that detail work into something that was just a sample! But, I guess that's how they got their business, by showing you exactly what you'd be getting. FAbulous!
Gloria, how DID you learn so much about antiques that you know more than the dealers?

Justine :o )

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

Ok, I'm crazy about all the stuff you have shown, but I'm going nuts over the chair. I could just kick myself, because a long time ago I seen one at a yard sale with the material all torn up, buut the chair itself was perfect. What the heck was I thinking back then. My goodness the price was very cheap. Just one of my regrets with many others.. Oh well

See ya later-

Unknown said...

I had no idea what a fainting couch was nor sales people carried around samples like that!... What a fun and educational post! Thank you!!!!!

~Really Rainey~

Deb said...

how cute!!!

workhard said...

The couch is really nice.. it looks vintage..

Meridian Homes

Anonymous said...

ok,honey,enough is enough.i was kind enough to let you borrow my chair for your company coming from out of town.but.....it's time to bring it home.you can keep the fainting couch awhile longer,but i really need my chair.ok?Chari said we can use Russells pick-up.
as usual,this is GRAND.that fainting couch is awesome.wowow.i love it all...ann

Melissa Miller said...

How pretty Gloria!
I just love your teeny red couch the doll is just beautiful.

You always have the most intersting posts. Loved all this info you shared.

How are you doing my friend? I haven't heard from you in a while.
Been thinkin' of you and hoping all is well.

Have a good one girl.
~Melissa ;)

xinex said...

Oh wow, G! I love the mini fainting couch, so pretty with the wooden swan detail. Love the chair too and the dolls....you know how I love dolls, don't you? But your antique history lesson is priceless! Thanks....Christine

nikkicrumpet said...

Very cool...the miniature size makes it very special...I didn't realize they used small samples like that!

The Stylish House said...

Gloria,
I am amazed at what great condition both the doll and the fainting couch are in. What a sweet little set up, that is one lucky dolly! I am sure you treasure the little Miss since it once was your Great Grandmother’s; she is a wonderful family heirloom
~Cathy~