It's not too early to start thinking about holiday gift-giving. Find lots of unique vintage options at tcgVINTAGEetc from mid-century collectibles to eccentric finds.
When looking for those special somethings to give for the holidays, vintage gifts provide unique surprises to the recipient and show great inspiration from the givers. Repurposing vintage objects is a great way to make new memories. Go vintage!
This sampling of collectibles from my Etsy shop, tcgVINTAGEetc, highlights decorative tins, rare creative publications, international shopping bags and other eclectic curios.
Vintage Tins | Decorative Collectibles
Vintage tins are a favorite among collectors. Great for storage or perfect as holiday gifts (with fresh goodies inside), vintage tins have a lot of character and evoke a by-gone era.
Excellent collectible tin from R. Paterson & Sons, Ltd. of Glasgow which made the world’s first instant coffee. This vintage tin shows the original label and makes a beautiful housewarming gift, filled with coffee, dolce or savory goodies.
Charming and rare, this large, collectible valise tin from the DiCamillo Bakery – famous for its yummy biscotti and other Italian dolci – is a beautifully illustrated, unique gift. Add sweets for a gift, or use as storage for home-baked goods. Easy carry with a ball-chain handle.
Elegant, decorative tin from England displays beautiful period typography – full of character and history. Petite in size, it's great for holding sweet treats, for display, or as storage for small jewelry or notions.
Vintage Accessories | Anthropologie Striped Gloves
Soft, sweet stripes and dusty pink rosettes make these vintage knit gloves from Anthropologie a very special gift. For those who like their gloves to make a statement – and fans of stripes – these gloves are the perfect wear for the holiday season, and a lovely vintage accessory. The mix of lambswool and angora keeps cold hands warm for the winter. More vintage clothes and accessories here, and boots and shoes here.
Vintage Book + Booklets | Historical, Collectible
An eclectic collection of books and booklets – from historical novels to reference guides to adventure catalogs – make unique gifts for family, friends or office colleagues. More book selections here, more booklets here.
Vintage The Musical Scene, 1945
Fascinating compilation of Virgil Thomson's essays and reviews on major orchestras and operas, and conductors and performers written for The New York Herald-Tribune from 1940-1944. This wonderful, midcentury collectible book is a great addition for musicians and history lovers.
Vintage J Peterman Catalog, 1998
Distinctive, with an adventure lifestyle, vintage J Peterman Company catalogs house beautiful illustrations and strong storytelling with a dash of humor. Great collectibles from a unique, original clothing brand, whose namesake was written into the TV show, Seinfeld. Great resource for designers, fashionistas and artists.
Vintage Supper at the Maxwell, 1943
Rare, signed, limited first edition book is the second volume of Alfred Crabb's Nashville, Tennessee historical novels trilogy. Stories center around the landmark hotel of the title where many presidents stayed (including Theodore Roosevelt, reportedly handing Maxwell House Coffee its slogan "good to the last drop" after drinking the coffee at the hotel). Excellent for first edition collectors or for fans of southern US history.
Vintage Hoyle’s Rules of Games, 1963
Midcentury game lovers, this paperback is for you. From the early 1960s, the book covers over 100 card and board games of the mid 20th century. A great gift for vintage games fans or for those who collect midcentury graphics and books.
Vintage Creative Publications | ID, Metropolis, Domus + Annual Reports
These collections of vintage design and architecture publications are great resources for creative ideas. The titles make special gifts for designers, illustrators, photographers and architects.
Vintage ID Magazines, early 1990s
Bold, vintage issues of ID – the iconic publication reported on the art, the business and the culture of design. Features ranged from industrial and product to graphic design and early interactive. Gorgeous layouts and important topical information were woven into its content.
Beautifully designed and printed, The Limited, Inc. annual report includes representation of its brands including Victoria's Secret, Henri Bendel and Abercrombie & Fitch. A great example of graphic design from the 1990s, and an excellent collectible for designers who love fashion.
This large, beautiful vintage issue of Domus Magazine focuses on the work of Le Corbusier with an imaginatively illustrated die-cut cover. Makes a great library addition for an architect or designer. This collectible issue has Italian and English text.
Vintage Starbucks 1994 Annual Report
Tactilely designed and expertly printed, this early Starbucks annual report includes photography and illustrations. A great example of graphic design from the 1990s and an excellent collectible for designers who love paper.
Vintage Metropolis Magazines, 1980s
Big layouts with strong photography and inventive typography, vintage issues of Metropolis were iconic with future-forward features and topical content. These oversize formats were a staple in every working studio in the mid-1980s. They are great collectible gifts as-is, or can be framed for display.
Vintage Eclectic Object | Carmen Miranda Feather Duster
Rare and kitschy, the Carmen Miranda Feather Duster is an eccentric collectible, guaranteed to bring on a smile. Beautifully conceived, it’s a splendid gift for the right person, or for yourself, and a lovely piece of display art. From 1985, this brightly painted ceramic figure has a hot pink, feather-skirt and is artisan-made in a limited quantity. Find more vintage curios here.
Vintage Kitchen + Barware | Bergdorf Goodman Bottle Opener
The height of style and luxury, this exclusive Bergdorf Goodman vintage bottle opener is the perfect gift for those who seek modern elegance. Sleek and minimal, this weighty kitchen or barware tool is from the brand’s iconic Fifth Avenue store, a New York City landmark. From the mid 1980s, and made in West Germany, this excellent curio makes a great retro housewarming gift or the perfect paperweight.
Vintage Shopping Bags | Kate's Paperie Sensation & Takashimaya
Fashionistas and fans of NYC history will love this selection of unique vintage shopping bags. Hard-to-find ephemera, retail bags remain a status symbol for collectors, and much-loved gifts.
One of a lovely set of three bags from New York City shops that are now gone, the bags are from retail stores once located in the Village (Kate’s), Chelsea and Flatiron areas. Great addition for collectors of New York City memorabilia. Bags look great framed too.
Rare, promotional gift bag from the controversial art exhibition “Sensation.” Showing a collection of contemporary art owned by Charles Saatchi, the exhibit debuted in London and moved to the Brooklyn Museum. Some work generated protests over religious and other content. A perfect gift for art and memorabilia collectors, and a great bag for framing.
This unique triangle shopping bag epitomized the now-shuttered Fifth Avenue store in its heyday. Beautifully constructed and printed, this minimal design serves as an elegant paper sculpture and as a special gift.
Vintage Vinyl LPs | Holiday or Soundtrack
Get in the holiday spirit with these vintage albums. These collectible LPs are a great addition for those who appreciate the rich sounds of vinyl. More music as sets or singles here.
Vintage Christmas Surprises from the Ralph Hunter Choir, 1959
Led by choral director Ralph Hunter comes a joyous LP with unique arrangements that capture the spirit of holiday music for young and old. The LP cover includes sweet, holiday illustrations on the back – typical of the period. A perfect gift for listening or as décor – frame the cover.
Vintage The Sound of Music, 1965
For The Sound of Music film fans, this is the original 1965 RCA Victor LP with the iconic soundtrack and the movie storybook, with photos of the film's creators and stars. This nostalgic LP is a perfect choice for family singalong fun at holiday gatherings.
Enjoy more holiday time – start shopping early. Check out more one-of-a-kind, vintage items at tcgVINTAGEetc.
Illustration and product shots: © 2022 Janet Giampietro
Comments