On the prowl for streamlined designs, Larry discovered lighters, accumulating an outstanding
collection—mostly Ronsons, and mainly deco in design. His collection includes table models,
lighter/cigarette case combinations (some with an added compact), novelties and his most recent
additions: pocket lighters displaying advertising. Today, many of the lighters in Larry's
collections—such as the Ronson Touch-Tip Bartender and Touch-Tip Streamlined, and some of the colorful
geometric enameled designed lighter/cigarette cases—are almost impossible to find and extremely
expensive when they are found.
Larry blames Jacques Caussin for getting him hooked on collecting the Zippos and advertising-themed pocket lighters. While browsing at the Triple Pier Antique Show in New York City, Jacques called Larry over to his booth. "You've got to have this lighter," Jacques said, referring to a Japanese-made flat pocket lighter advertising "Ali Baba's Restaurant" in Highland Park, Michigan.
"I guess I do," was Larry's reply; and judging by the number of these lighters he has accumulated and displays in custom-made wall-hung display cases in the exercise room, he has really come to enjoy the hunt for these more accessible treasures.
Susann has a beautiful collection of bakelike boxes in different colors and shapes. Although she has sold most of her vast collection of lucite handbags, she has kept a select group which are attractively displayed in the master bath. She also collects brightly colored, hand-decorated Czech art glass as well as miniature vases by different pottery makers. Both of these collections make stunning displays on family room shelves, along with the larger pieces of pottery, cocktail shakers and radios.
They also have a wonderfully funky collection of coffee mugs from diners, hamburger joints, lunch counters and restaurants of the '40s to the '60s. Five or six years ago, the Spilkins stopped at an antique shop in Marshall, Michigan for a quick browse. On one wall in the shop, the owner had displayed her own large collection of coffee mugs; it was so visually appealing, they immediately began to look for mugs to begin their own collection. They now have a wonderful display of shelf upon shelf of the coffee mugs in their kitchen in built-in units designed expressly for this collection. Original logos from Big Boy, Dunkin Donuts, Sanders and many others give you a nostalgic feeling. Susann and Larry were right—the grouping is visually very appealing; and I find myself thinking how fun these mugs would be to collect.
There are many other miniature collections hidden in boxes—fun little trinkets and treasures Larry
likes to hunt for: things like employee picture badges dating back to the '30s and '40s, and
advertising and souvenir related items made of celluloid (mirrors, letter openers, rulers,
paperweights, etc.). Carefully sorted out in separate boxes, Larry shows each group to me; and I think
these might actually be Larry's prized possessions. These relics from another era that I would never
have given a second look had I seen a piece here or there hidden among other miscellaneous items in a
showcase, I now find immensely appealing when I see them grouped as Larry has done.
