Ohio, USA. A state with some of the best antique malls in the country. Image from Best Maps US.

Why-oh-why Ohio? Because it is still the best antique mall we’ve found! Ohio is the place to go for a great variety of items of every possible era and at reasonable prices. While we journey to Ohio at least once a year, this year’s trip included a very special guest antique collector and friend, Nancy.

Day 1

Our Freakin’ ‘Tiquen 2018 adventures started after an early and hearty breakfast on August 26^th, the three of us headed out to our first stop in Ohio, Pottery City Antique Mall in East Liverpool, Ohio. For Chris, it seemed like the blink of an eye as he slept most of the way!

The Pottery City Gallery Antique Mall in East Liverpool, Ohio.

Russel Wright American Modern Serving Bowl.

A Russel Wright American Modern vegetable bowl that Chris picked up at the Pottery City Galleries, in East Liverpool, Ohio.

We met up with friends who live about an hour away from the mall and we spent a pleasant afternoon shopping and catching up. The Freakin’ ‘Tiquen Guys started small, walking away with a Russel Wright vegetable bowl and a Revere handled basket. A stop for lunch at a local restaurant, Hot Dog Shoppe, and the three of us were on way to Cincinnati.

Hot Dog Shoppe just around the corner from the Pottery City Gallery Antique Mall. Good food and good prices. Image from TripAdvisor.com

Day 2

After a restful night, we headed out to the Flore nce Antique Mall, Florence Kentucky. Nancy found this one and it was a new experience for all of us. Large and well laid out, we purchased a ceramic deer statue, possibly by one of the California pottery companies. Nancy found the first of her treasures, a vintage beaded hand bag. Also purchased: an autobiography by Arlene Francis and When Democracy Builds by Frank Lloyd Wright (1945). Generally, the prices we found more than fair and the available stock diverse.

The Florence Antique Mall in Florence, Kentucky.

: The interior of the Florence Antique Mall.

: Another view inside the Florence Antique Mall.

The first vintage handbag that Nancy found on the trip.

The ceramic Art Deco deer that Chris purchased at the Florence Antique Mall.

When Democracy Builds by Frank Lloyd Wright (1945).

Our next stop for the day brought us to the Ohio Valley Antique Mall just north of Cincinnati. Our successful day concluded with a pair of Kensington Stratford candle holders (1939) designed by S.C. Brickley, a Here’s How, cocktail recipe book (1941), and a painted wooden jewelry box attributed to Paul Frankl. Nancy purchased a beautiful quilt, a vintage handbag and several books.

Ohio Valley Antique Mall in Fairfield, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati.

: Ohio Valley Antique Mall.

: The Ohio Valley Antique Mall, interior.

Kensington Stratford candle holders, designed by S. C. Brickley in 1939.

Stratford console set, Kensington Aluminum.

Kensington Aluminum S. C. Brickland’s 1939 Stratford candleholders with Lurelle Guild’s 1934 Stratford comport.

Art Deco painted wooden box attributed to designer Paul Frankl.

Anthony at the Ohio Valley Antique Mall.

Anthony makes a new friend at the Ohio Valley Antique Mall.

After a full day of shopping, we called it quits for the night. Near our hotel we dined at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Fairfield Ohio. We can recommend this eatery after having a delicious dinner and excellent service.

Day 3

West Chester Antique Center, West Chester, Ohio. Image from gettothebc.com.

Day three we headed to the West Chester Antique Center (10 minutes from where we were staying) in West Chester, Ohio. We quickly picked up a pair of Ronson Athena Goddess bookends and a 1932 re-strike etching of E.T. Hurley’s 1921, Fountain Square. Although we found some great buys, the stock leans more to up-cycled and garage sale items.

A pair of 1930’s Athena Goddess bookends made by Ronson – Art Metal Works of Newark, NJ. Some people think they are creepy, I can see where they are coming from.

A quick 45 minute drive and we arrived at the Antiques Village, Dayton. Chris purchased a Roseville Moderne triple candle holder and a Wells Art Glaze casserole base while Nancy picked up a vintage cloche hat. As we finished relatively early, we headed back to the hotel for a bit of rest before dinner. We dined at The Chop House conveniently located next to hotel and within walking distance. Although a bit pricey, the food was excellent but the service was a bit uneven.

: Antiques Village in Dayton, Ohio. Image from Yelp.

: Roseville triple candle holder.

At Antiques Village, Chris found this Homer Laughlin Wells Art Glaze casserole base to add to his collection.

The great late 1920’s cloche hat that Nancy picked up.

: The Chop House in Dayton, Ohio. Image from ThreeBestRated.com

: Nancy and Anthony waiting for a table at The Chop House.

Day 4

Fields of Treasure, West Carrollton, Ohio.

Fields of Treasure in West Carrollton, Ohio.

Wednesday brought us a change of pace. Taking the morning off from antiquing, we went to the America’s Packard Museum in Downtown Dayton. Unfortunately, we arrived early and it wasn’t open yet. Nancy and Chris convinced Anthony to back-track almost to where we started our day to go to Fields of Treasures in West Carrollton, Ohio, a small privately owned shop with lots to look at. Nancy picked up a bar caddy set for $15 and Chris found 4 Homer Laughlin egg cups in the hard-to-find Clematis Pattern. Originally $15.00 for the set, the owner had them on sale for $10.00.

Homer Laughlin egg cups in the hard-to-find Clematis decal.

: America’s Packard Museum at 420 S. Ludlow Street, Dayton, Ohio.

: America’s Packard Museum, vertical sign detail.

Heading back to our previous destination, our timing couldn’t have been more perfect and the America’s Packard Museum opened just as we arrived. There is a nominal fee to enter and the museum is self guided. Examples represent the various cars from 1914 to the line’s demise in 1956. Placards clearly describe each car and the innovation each brought to the line. We spent a good part of the afternoon there before heading off to Springfield, Ohio.

Welcome to the America’s Packard Museum

Original renderings by chief designer

: 1914 Model 4-48 Runabout.

: 1932 Light Eight Coupe Roadster.

: 1934 Seven Passenger Touring Car.

: 1936 One Twenty Convertible Sedan.

: 1941 One Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin.

: 1947 Custom Super Clipper, originally owned by Al Capone.

Exiting from the main entrance of America’s Packard Museum.

We arrived a bit late to the Springfield Antique Center. Comprising of two complex’, we got through the first building and picked up 5 Universal plates in the Seminole pattern. There was just enough time for a quick walk through of some of the second building with the intent to come back the next day.

The Universal Potteries dinner plates with the Seminole decal that Chris bought. Image from worthpoint.com

After finding a hotel and settling in, we entertained ourselves by going to Half Price Books, Records and Magazines. If you have never been, and there is one in the vicinity, you are sure to walk away with one or two (or fifty) items.

Half Price Books in Dayton, Ohio. Image from Google Earth.

Day 5

Thursday, August 30th, 9:30 a.m. and we arrived at Mecca! The Heart of Ohio Antique Center is 122,000 sq. ft, 1425 booths and showcases with an additional 30,000 sq. ft. outdoor garden area. This place never disappoints and we took home our most expensive haul from here. The prices throughout are generally fair but with an occasional bargain thrown in for good measure.

Nancy ready to take on the Heart of Ohio Antique Mall.

At a good pace, and with comfy shoes, you can get through the complex in about 5-6 hours. It’s good to be prepared!

A couple of Carl Sorensen bronze bowls that all of us passed on at the Heart of Ohio Antique Mall.

Anthony picked up a 1934 Century of Progress cocktail shaker (the most expensive purchase on the trip) and a 1930’s moderné bridge lamp by the Rembrandt Lamp Company that the vendor described as mid-century. Chris picked up a pair of glass deco candle holders and a Chase chrome bubble candle holder. Nancy purchased a couple of vintage handbags and a few other items. We finished up sometime around 3:30 ( we lunched at their café midway through the day) and headed back to building 2 at the Springfield Antique Center.

: Chase chrome and cobalt glass “bubble” candle holder from the 1930’s.

: Pair of Heisey Ridgeleigh candle holders (1934 – 1943).

: Mid-1930’s Rembrandt bridge lamp with original shade.

: 1934 Century of Progress, aluminum recipe cocktail shaker made by A. P. Co. of La Grange, Illinois.

Two great vintage beaded handbag Nancy picked up at the Heart of Ohio.

Anthony finally found a Manning-Bowman “Carafon” insulated carafe in walnut finish. Nancy picked up few items but Chris left empty-handed.

Anthony’s Manning-Bowman Carafon in walnut (1931 – 1940), purchased at the Springfield Antique Center.

Day 6

The next morning, we headed toward the AAA 1-76 Antique Mall in Ravenna. Another large mall, we saw and discussed many great items. We passed on a deco copper sconce but Anthony did pick up a Chase chrome butter dish with matching butter-fork. (Anthony searched many years for the elusive butter-fork.)

: AAA I-76 Antique Mall Interior.

: Looking down an aisle at the AAA I-76 Antique Mall.

: Revere, Kensington Chase.

: Anthony’s favorite cases at the AAA I-76 Antique Mall. Here is a perfect example of the Deco that we drive for.

: So much Deco, so little money!

1939 N. Y. World's Fair enameled topped table.

The table that Anthony passed on. The “Table of Tomorrow”! An enameled topped 1939 New York World’s Fair Kitchen table.

He ultimately passed on 1939-40 World’s Fair enamel kitchen table but Chris purchased a small white deco vase. Nancy walked away with no purchase but with some great memories. With our day wrapped up, we headed to our final destination in Cleveland.

: Chase Butter Fork.

: Chase Butter Dish & Fork.

Day 7

We dedicated our final day to visiting the Cleveland Museum of Art. Large, with a mix of traditional and modern it is well laid out and free to the public. Picasso, Cezanne, Monet, and more are well represented as well as American artists such as Reginald Marsh, Grant Wood, George Bellows, Rockwell Kent, to name but a few, are also well represented, The museum it is a must see when in town.

A view of the main concourse of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The atrium of the Cleveland Museum of Art showing the back of the original 1916 building.

This is no time for pictures. There are exhibits to see!

Water Lillies by Claude Monet, 1926.

: Pablo Picasso’s Harlequin with Violin, 1918.

: Fan, Salt Box, Melon, Pablo Picasso, 1909.

: George Bellow’s 1909 painting, Stag at Sharky’s.

: A Woman’s Work, 1912 by John Sloan.

: Regniald Marsh’s A Paramount Picture from 1934.

: January, 1940-41. One of the last paintings by Grant Wood.

: Maine Coast (1907), Rockwell Kent.

: Edward Hopper’s painting Hills, South Truro, 1930.

After a wonderful day at the museum, we headed home to admire our treasures and sleep in our own beds. Another successful driving for deco vacation and shared with our good friend Nancy.

Chris & Anthony (The Freakin’, ‘Tiquen’ Guys)

If you enjoyed this post you might also like these earlier posts –

Driving for Deco, “Freakin’ ‘Tiquen” Summer 2017

Driving for Deco, Freakin’ ‘tiquen 2017 Part 2, Heading Home

Hi-ho, its Driving for Deco we go! Or rather went. Our 2017 freakin’ ‘tiquen adventures took us points west. To our surprise, we found quite a bit of deco items – more than we accounted for as proved by our packed car. We managed to fit in a bit of sightseeing, as well.

We headed off to our first stop, and an old friend. The Craft and Antique Co-Op in Painesville, Ohio.

: Craft and Antique Co-op, Painesville, Ohio

There is a good mix of items from old to new and deep sale prices up to 50% in some booths. Chris picked up a large 1930’s Czech Toucan Pitcher (not on sale) and an amber Farber Cambridge decanter set.

: Czech Toucan Pitcher

From there, another old friend, The Medina Antique Mall. We love this place and are never disappointed. We got quite a haul here. Anthony purchased a vintage overcoat, a 1936 Canadian Parker Vacumatic fountain pen, a walnut and Bakelite box and a set of Susie Cooper Wedding Band soup bowls, vegetable bowls and plates.

: Mendina Antique Mall

: This is a large mall

: Lots to choose from

: Susie Cooper

Needing to rest and have a quick bite, we found this interesting building. Newer, it embodied some features reminiscent of the Art Deco style.

: A rest area in the “moderne” style

: A modern sculpture in the “moderne” style

: Clean lines dominate the space

The next day brought us across the state to Maumee, Ohio. We found a “great find” at Great Finds In Maumee. Good prices and a good mix of items in a clean, organized and well-lit store.

: Not too impressive from outside

: Nicely laid out, bright and clean.

: A souvenir of his birth year

: Young Marilyn Monroe in great deco frame all for $10.00

Stop two for the day was the Maumee Antique Mall. This is a large store with vendors of varying prices and quality. Put your walking shoes on because you’ll be here for a while. A small café is available if you need a pick-me-up and we can recommend their delicious muffins.

: Maumee Antique Mall

: Aisles of goodness

: Wear your walking shoes!

: An unusual brushed aluminum Westbend hot / cold server (Penguin ice bucket)

: Nice frame; an example of a poorly hand colored photo.

: Will Rogers mug – an unfortunate item for sale.

Markle Exit 286 Antique Mall in Markle, Indiana is a little gem we found on our 2011 Freakin’ ‘tiquen trip. A nice selection, they had fewer items of interest for us this time around. Still, we walked away with a lovely frosted glass ball vase embossed with swallows, a vintage neck tie, and a pewter ashtray we attribute to Queens Art.

: Welcome to Markle

: Markle Antique Mall

: Larger than it looks

: Aisles of merchandise

: Selection galore

: Vintage appliances

: Attributed to Queens Art; 1930’s pewter ashtray

: Fiesta is always a favorite

The next day was the Fourth of July and our visit to Indiana Dunes National Park and the Century of Progress Homes. Being a holiday, we used this as a travel day, heading off to Racine, Wisconsin.

The antiquing in Racine was a rollercoaster of variety and prices. We did well at the local Thrift store picking up set of Chrys, made in England, desert set and a Davenport Ironstone plate (Cypress, circa 1855).

: A real antique, English Davenport Ironstone, circa 1855

: 1930’s Chrys dessert set, made in England

Our next adventure was a tour of the SC Johnson Administration Building. The tour brings visitors to various buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The buildings designed in the 1930’s and 1940’s are Wright’s take on the International Style. Unfortunately, you can’t take pictures inside the buildings. Click Here for tour information.

FLW's Johnson's Wax Building, Racine, Wisconsin.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1939 S.C. Johnson Administration Building and 1950 research tower. Cherokee Red brick and clear plastic tubing.

After our tour, more antiquing. We didn’t do as well at the appropriately named School Days Mall Antiques & Speciality Shops. Located in an old school building, it held some promise with a variety of item but at premium prices. The few items of interest were marked “firm”. We walked away empty-handed.

: School Days Mall, near Racine, Wisconsin.

As it was still early, we headed out to Always Remember That Antique Mall but got distracted and stopped at Benson Antique Mall. One half of two malls separated by a parking lot, Benson proved to be real gem. Anthony found three pieces (casserole, large creamer and pie plate) of Royal Rochester in the hard-to-find Modernistic pattern. Already priced to sell, they were an additional 20% off. Chris picked up an Oven-Serve casserole in the Clematis pattern. We passed on a well-priced pair of Nu-Art elephant bookends and a fair priced but well-worn cane wrapped handled Manning-Bowman cocktail shaker. Upon checkout, the vendor who sold the Royal Rochester informed us she had more of the pattern at another near-by location.

: Chris found an Oven Serve covered casserole with a clematis decal.

: Royal Rochester larger creamer and pie plate. These pieces are very hard to find.

The sister store? A huge disappointment of used contemporary items and collectibles of a dubious nature.

Yet another detour brought us to Great Lake Antiques and Boutique in Antioch Illinois. As promised, the vendor had a nice selection of the Royal Rochester Modernistic. Key word is “had” as the waffle iron, large sugar, small creamer / sugar, batter bowl and another casserole came home with us. Although a significant investment, the total price for all pieces equaled to less than the current asking price for the batter bowl on popular auction site. We also picked up 6 Chase cordial cups in excellent condition for a song.

: Great Lake Antiques & Boutique (photo via Yelp!). Antioch, Illinois

: The Royal Rochester Modernistic haul from the Great Lakes Antiques & Boutique Mall.

We finally made it to our original destination for the day, Always Remember That Antique Mall. Chris picked up a serving platter, mixing bowl and casserole in the Clematis pattern.

: Always Remember That Antiques (photo via Yelp!)

: Chris with the Homer Laughlin platter with the clematis decal.

Our next stop was the Carousel Consignments in Janesville, Wisconsin. With a vast variety of items on closely packed shelves there is something for everybody in this two-story shop. Looking for china, glassware, clocks, vintage / contemporary picture frames and more? This is the stop to make. We purchased an etched glass deco serving tray, vintage photoplay book, and several neckties. Two more stores, one next door and the other across the street were interesting.

: Carousel Consignments, a great find in Janesville, Wisconsin.

: Deco Tray, found in the lower level under a stack of wooden picture frames

Further west and we came across Dakota Plains Antiques & Collectibles, in Sioux Falls. Lots to see here and extremely fair prices. Our best find was a near mint Toast-O-Lator, model J for $10. These are not particularly difficult to find but are usually $145 and up. Toast-O-Lator’s move an up-right slice of bread along a conveyor system to drop gently onto an awaiting plate at the on the other end. More often than not, the bread gets stuck inside and soon after, flames are shooting out the ends. Ours is for show!

: Dakota Plains Antiques – good selection at fair prices

: Chris is the proud new owner of this nearly mint condition 1940’s Toast-O-Lator.

Two other Antique malls are nearby. One had a thrift store vibe and we picked up a very nice silhouette. The other held promise and was interesting but nothing grabbed us and prices ranged from the high-end of fair to high.

Driving through South Dakota was a challenge as we drove along the edge of a bad storm system. Looking outside the driver’s window was a solid sheet of grey. Looking through the passenger window was spectacular.

: Driving along the edge of a storm in South Dakota

Follow us on part 2 of our 2017 Freakin’ ‘tiquen and a whirlwind of sightseeing starting with Mount Rushmore and more antiquing adventures!

Chris & Anthony (The Freakin’ Tiquen’ Guys)

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy these earlier posts:

Antique stores, Barnegat through Smithville, NJ

Springing into the 2017 “Freakin’, Tiquen’” season