rbytsdy Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Hi folks, I found these in a Salvation Army on the east coast this past week-- they don't seem to be of any value or exceptional quality but I like the look of 'em. They are of arguable and varying scales-- the stove, for example, is about 3" tall by 2.5" wide. They are imprinted with "Durham Industries", made in Hong Kong, and dated in the mid-70's. Hubby thinks that they are sandcast "pot" (cheap) metal. Most of them have some moving part. Are they part of a child's play set or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just One More Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I have some Durham items, a cofffee pot with basket and stem inside, cash registers, a rocking horse, two different coffee grinders a victrola and a world globe, an ornate cash register a locomotive and two liberty bells. Some I got in the gift shop in the Chicago Library but most at thrift stores ages ago. Some of them are pencil sharpeners. I think they are from the 60's. I highlighted some of mine with an SOS pad. Some are dh scale but most are too big. The coffee grinders work for scale in an old fshioned kitchen. They are cheap pot metal but seem to hold up very well. They could be collectible but I've never looked into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakyshaky Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I have seen them befor on ebay. You may find out more there. I think they may be part of the Holly Hobbie stuff, but I am not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbytsdy Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share Posted July 7, 2007 ... Some I got in the gift shop in the Chicago Library ... I had suspected that they were maybe made for tourist shops and such... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 You are probably correct and you will often see them in thrift shops and small antique shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Most of them are pencil sharpeners like these: I made a "brick" fireguard and put the potbellied stove in Maggie's master bedroom: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just One More Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I just noticed in your picture you have the rocking horse. I use it in my Jefferson attic with all "the family's" old collectibles. They are very detailed. I'll have to find more of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newt Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 aren't these cool?! i have a lone, lovely little school desk with a top that opens, found it at an auction house. some of these minis are on eBay from time to time, and from what i've seen there are a big, big range of items. one seller says they were made in Hong Kong. here's what i found online, about a sewing machine: Durham Industries Inc. New York, NY 10010 Sewing Machine No. 5403 ©American Greetings Corp. This vintage miniature collectible Sewing Machine No. 5403. is from a collection of die cast metal miniatures that were produced by Durham Industries Inc. of New York, NY, in conjunction with American Greetings Corp. of Cleveland, Oh. The miniatures were designed for Holly Hobbie's playhouse and had working features. It has a copper colored appearance. :music_band: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shy Spirit Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I have a bunch of those - mine are all pencil sharpeners, and not Holly Hobbie accessories. Most of them are not the right scale, but hey - we make do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justmesue Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I don't know anything about them. They are real cute however! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggiemae Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I like them even though the scales are unpredictable or perhaps even non extant. The are great for building tiny shadow boxes with fancy trim and wallpaper and just one or two pieces in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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