HIDDEN TREASURE
by Anita Sarko
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| 14 K. gold handpainted portrait on Ivory with enamel accents, seed pearls and gold fringe BRACELET WATCH. Portrait can be slid off to wear as a brooch or pendant and bracelet can be worn without portrait/watch. ($3,185. Circa: 1930s). |
| Do not judge this shop by its window. BIG mistake! If you quickly glance into that window, you might be fooled into thinking that PIPPIN VINTAGE JEWELRY (112 W 17th St., NYC, 212.505.5159) is just another average collection of costume jewelry, hats, purses, gloves and other gewgaws that you can see anywhere that promotes itself as an emporium of vintage and antique personal items. That’s not to say that you won’t find the typical run-of-the-mill plastic, diamante, metal, cloth and leather accessories you can easily find at any flea market. The difference is that there is SO much more here.
Mr. Cooper’s background is important because, as you cruise by the packed displays of what you will probably consider just another bunch of old stuff, you might want to stop at the glass-enclosed jewelry counters. Believe me, what you will find in THOSE will take your breath away. Not only is the quality in those cases a whole world apart from the rest of the offerings, but the variety and uniqueness of the inventory will stop you cold. In general, do not just walk in and take a quick look around. There are drawers and drawers of earrings, cufflinks, pins and buttons. There are rows of scarf clips, sweater clips and dress clips. Hats, scarves, belts, belt buckles, compacts, gloves and a plethora of fantastic vintage glasses are on walls, shelves, drawers, tables, chairs and in corners. EVERYTHING is here, in such enormous numbers, you really need to settle in and take your time. Real treasure can be lurking just behind something that doesn’t entice you in any way. Think vintage plastic is just old plastic? Well, alongside that typical plastic bracelet or pin, there’s also celluloid and Bakelite jewelry that is highly collectable. |
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| PIPPIN VINTAGE JEWELRY SHOP Storefront. |
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| Just one display of gloves. |
| And do not hesitate to ask anyone behind those aforementioned counters anything about what you find interesting. Even if Mr. Cooper is not there, everyone behind those counters is filled with an encyclopedic knowledge of everything within. Don’t for a moment underestimate the adorable young women because, once they open up their mouths, you will immediately realize that you are in the presence of someone who REALLY knows their stock. These are not the typical “sales associates” we have all had to suffer through. They can speak circles around anyone when it comes to the item’s date, carat weight, stones, stone coloration, metals and usage. You are in good hands, believe me. |
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| 14 K. white gold drop EARRINGS with two pearls and combined 1.60 carat weight of diamonds. ($1850. Circa 1950s). Platinum and 14 K. gold old mine G color pavé diamond RING with a 2.75 combined carat weight and cabochon sapphire center ($4,350. Circa: 1930). Rose-cut diamond BROOCH/PENDANT. ($3500. Circa: 1830-1840). 14 K. gold and garnet TIFFANY EARRINGS. ($785. Circa: 1950s). |
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| 14 K. gold SLIDE BRACELET with charms of mother-of-pearl, carnelian and other semi-precious stones, along with Guilloché enamel: “When metal is texturized before enamel is applied, it produces a swirl pattern that looks richer.” ($2,250. Circa: 1950s). |
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| Above left: Beaded HAT with black net veil and ties. Comes with HATBOX ($145. Circa: 1920s-1930s). Right: Felt CLOCHE HAT with satin band and diamante pin detail ($48. Circa: 1950s-1960s). Guilloché on silver with colored glass cabochon gems WRISTLETTE COMPACT. As Is: Interior has places for a lipstick, powder, mirror and rouge, but is in bad condition. ($135. Circa: 1900). Colored glass DRESS CLIP ($18. Circa: 1940s). |
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| Tortoise-rimmed GLASSES ($55. Circa: 1900). Rolled gold FOLDING LORETTE GLASSES ($110. Circa: 1900). |
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| Unfolded Rolled gold FOLDING LORETTE GLASSES ($110. Circa: 1900). |
| And, if anyone helping you is unclear about any question you might have, don’t for a minute think that he or she will just guess or shrug it off. Oh no. They will ask everyone else in both the jewelry shop and the home shop until the question is answered in detail and to your satisfaction. I can personally vouch for both Beth, who’s there from Wednesday through Saturday, and Nadia, who’s in the shop on Tuesdays and Fridays. And if you forget to ask something you later want to know or need to know ... “Just call us.” Beth says cheerfully. “We’ll answer your questions.” |
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| Drawers and drawers of CUFFLINKS. |
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| Drawers and drawers of EARRINGS. |
| As I said before about their sister store, Pippin Home, “Now that’s what I call service!” |
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