800 Jefferson St.       Burlington, IA 52601-5432      

Spring has sprung......well sort of, anyway. As I write this I am waiting for what I hope will be the last snow storm of the year. We are getting some really neat new things at the store. While the weather is still too cold and wet to do much outside, please consider coming downtown and spending the afternoon with us. There is definitely something for everyone here. Hope to see you soon!

~ Linda

• Kazzie the Wonder Dog has sniffed out these currently running Special Discounts:
  
  • Dealer #17 10% off all Occupied Japan Items (cash or check)
  • Dealer #21 50% off selected items (see store for details)
  • Dealer #22 20% off all items
  • Dealer #27 20% off all books; 10% off everything else
  • Dealer #52 20% off all quilts
  • Dealer #60 20% off all items
• Discounts may be discontinued at the discretion of the dealers. Please take advantage of them while you can.
• You can browse our inventory online using visual tour.

This great American dinnerware line was produced by Homer Laughlin China Co. (HLC) beginning in 1936. Designed by Frederick Hurten Rhead, Fiesta is currently the most collected American china pattern in the United States.

At the Old Stone Mill Antique Mall, we primarily stock and trade in what has come to be called “Vintage” Fiesta, which is the original product line that was discontinued by the company in 1973. Sometimes we do have the newer Fiesta in stock. The pictures here are just a sampling of the hundreds of pieces we currently have in the store.

Collectors classify vintage into groups by color. The “original colors” are generally considered to be red, cobalt blue, light green, and yellow (1936).

Fifty’s colors are ivory, turquoise (both were actually introduced in 1936, but collectors prefer to buy these colors with 50’s colors), dark green, rose, chartreuse, and gray. The later colors are medium green (highly desirable), antique gold, and turf green.

To satisfy huge consumer demand, and celebrate Fiesta’s 50th anniversary; HLC re-introduced Fiesta in 1986. Sometimes, when a company reproduces a product long out of production, the secondary market takes a big hit. Not so with new Fiesta. The new line nicely compliments the vintage pieces. Today, the Fiesta line (old and new) continues to be used on dining tables across the country and coveted by a large, enthusiastic group of collectors.

Even if you don't want to collect this pattern, everyone should have at least one or two colorful pieces of Fiesta to use for special occasions. We invite you to visit the store and see what we have in stock. We offer discounted books through Amazon.com where you can learn more about Fiesta; and if you are really interested in taking your Fiesta interest to the next level, you can join a collector club.

We are happy to offer our customers these titles through our affiliation with amazon.com

Q:  A few years ago, I inherited my uncle's coin collection. I'm really not that interested in coins, and could use some extra money. What's the best way to sell my coins, and are you interested in buying them?
A:  Anytime you make the decision to sell something that you know very little about, it's always a good idea to take the time to educate yourself. There aren't any coin shops in Burlington, but we can put you in contact with the coin dealer that sells through our mall.

Ed. Note:  Reader's Questions is a monthly feature so that our reader's can ask us their questions about antiques and collectibles.  If you have a question for one of our experts, please click here.  Previous questions can be found here.