Page 20 - Journal of Antiques and Collectibles Januray 2020
P. 20
Driving the Trend of the
Online Vintage Marketplace
By Alex Gardner
T he results are in: Vintage is back … and in a big way! From the former programmer at IBM with a degree in Computer Science.
clothes we wear to the unique pieces of furniture and objects that
Combining his passion for collecting and for computer technology
decorate our homes, to the jewelry and accessories that add style drove him to create a website that caters to the antiques and collectibles
to any look, more and more people are turning to the design and quality
world. Following the great retail tradition of naming businesses with a
of vintage items and objects as an alternative to a more contemporaryfamily name (think Bloomingdale’s – founded by brothers Joseph and
look because of its unique, individual style. Lyman Bloomingdale, Neiman-Marcus – founded by brother and sister
One of the key drivers within this genre is rubylane.com, the largest team Herbert Marcus and Carrie Marcus Neiman, or Sotheby’s –
curated online marketplace for antiques and vintage collectibles. Its named for one of its co-founders, John Sotheby), Johnson decided to
easy-to-use platform coupled with its commitment to authenticity byname the site in honor of his mom, Ruby.
vetting the dealers using this venue has created a safe-haven for buyers Ruby Lane is consistently honored with awards for customer service,
and sellers alike, allowing users to shop and sell with confidence. responsiveness, ease of use, and overall customer and vendor satisfaction.
Ruby Lane was founded in 1998 by Tom Johnson, a fan and
These responses to the site along with its overall growth make it a
collector of 1950s California pottery (a collection that features complete resource to the Vintage and Antiques industry for trends and
sets of Franciscan Autumn and Trio) with many purchases made online. information to keep everyone in the know.
Over time, Johnson further developed his interest in antiques and
vintage, becoming an avid collector of art and lifestyle pieces. Johnson So, what are people buying and selling on rubylane.com?
had a strong working knowledge of the world of high-technology as a Here are a few of the hot categories and items trending today:
Advertising
Vintage advertising is valued and collected across all generations. A collector’s
appreciation for the past is truly reflected in this diverse market –
there’s truly something for everyone with classic advertising
merchandise and signage. We all have our favorite brands,
and the ability to present yours as a classic sign or poster
to hang on your wall, in your study, changing room,
man cave or she-shed, makes vintage advertising the
epitome of self-expression.
8” tall Diet Coke® bottle converted into a
A large 24” lighted 3D Texas Budweiser ong-stemmed drinking glass and a 7 3/4” in
beer promotional advertising sign in diameter “Siempre (Always) Coca-Cola”
excellent condition. Made by United brightly colored sticker. Both are in very
Laboratories for Anheuser-Busch in good condition and selling for $20
November of 1989, this sign measures
24” high x 24” wide x 5” deep,
and is selling for $325 This is a very rare find from about 1950. It was made for advertising a Packard automobile dealer in Bombay, India. Bombay
was renamed Mumbai in 1995. It is a tray for paperclips, or pins, usually on a desk or dresser. Size: 2 3/4’ tall by 5 3/8” wide
by 3 1/2” deep, selling for $750
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
18
Online Vintage Marketplace
By Alex Gardner
T he results are in: Vintage is back … and in a big way! From the former programmer at IBM with a degree in Computer Science.
clothes we wear to the unique pieces of furniture and objects that
Combining his passion for collecting and for computer technology
decorate our homes, to the jewelry and accessories that add style drove him to create a website that caters to the antiques and collectibles
to any look, more and more people are turning to the design and quality
world. Following the great retail tradition of naming businesses with a
of vintage items and objects as an alternative to a more contemporaryfamily name (think Bloomingdale’s – founded by brothers Joseph and
look because of its unique, individual style. Lyman Bloomingdale, Neiman-Marcus – founded by brother and sister
One of the key drivers within this genre is rubylane.com, the largest team Herbert Marcus and Carrie Marcus Neiman, or Sotheby’s –
curated online marketplace for antiques and vintage collectibles. Its named for one of its co-founders, John Sotheby), Johnson decided to
easy-to-use platform coupled with its commitment to authenticity byname the site in honor of his mom, Ruby.
vetting the dealers using this venue has created a safe-haven for buyers Ruby Lane is consistently honored with awards for customer service,
and sellers alike, allowing users to shop and sell with confidence. responsiveness, ease of use, and overall customer and vendor satisfaction.
Ruby Lane was founded in 1998 by Tom Johnson, a fan and
These responses to the site along with its overall growth make it a
collector of 1950s California pottery (a collection that features complete resource to the Vintage and Antiques industry for trends and
sets of Franciscan Autumn and Trio) with many purchases made online. information to keep everyone in the know.
Over time, Johnson further developed his interest in antiques and
vintage, becoming an avid collector of art and lifestyle pieces. Johnson So, what are people buying and selling on rubylane.com?
had a strong working knowledge of the world of high-technology as a Here are a few of the hot categories and items trending today:
Advertising
Vintage advertising is valued and collected across all generations. A collector’s
appreciation for the past is truly reflected in this diverse market –
there’s truly something for everyone with classic advertising
merchandise and signage. We all have our favorite brands,
and the ability to present yours as a classic sign or poster
to hang on your wall, in your study, changing room,
man cave or she-shed, makes vintage advertising the
epitome of self-expression.
8” tall Diet Coke® bottle converted into a
A large 24” lighted 3D Texas Budweiser ong-stemmed drinking glass and a 7 3/4” in
beer promotional advertising sign in diameter “Siempre (Always) Coca-Cola”
excellent condition. Made by United brightly colored sticker. Both are in very
Laboratories for Anheuser-Busch in good condition and selling for $20
November of 1989, this sign measures
24” high x 24” wide x 5” deep,
and is selling for $325 This is a very rare find from about 1950. It was made for advertising a Packard automobile dealer in Bombay, India. Bombay
was renamed Mumbai in 1995. It is a tray for paperclips, or pins, usually on a desk or dresser. Size: 2 3/4’ tall by 5 3/8” wide
by 3 1/2” deep, selling for $750
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
18
