It sounds a little sexist to label certain antiques and collectibles “mantiques.” I’m going out on a limb and doing it anyway. There are just certain items I never see women collecting. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ladies out there who are passionate about these things, I’m quite sure there are as a matter of fact. I just haven’t run across those individuals in my antiquing adventures yet. So with that said, I thought it would be fun to make a list of some popular “mantiques.”
1. Vintage License Plates
I never really thought much about
license plates as collectibles until I ran across two guys at an auction feverishly bidding against one another for a single example. I also met a fellow in an antique mall that had a great display of old plates on a spinning wire rack that looked pretty amazing. And, one of my favorite Dalhart Windberg paintings depicts an old Texas license plate with other antique auto accessories. Who knew something as mundane as a license plate could turn out to be so cool.
2. Beer Collectibles or Breweriana
Beer collectibles, or breweriana, can be just plain fun. I prefer advertising that goes along with breweriana the most, the older the better. The ads from the Victorian era are particularly beautiful. I also enjoy the kitschy stuff from the ‘40s to the ‘60s. One thing I remember from mom’s antique shop was a lighted Jax "aquarium" beer sign. It seems cheesy now that we've gone high-tech, but the mini mermaid “swimming” by with a six-pack of Jax was just mezmerizing to me as a 10 year-old.
3. Golf Collectibles
I’m not enamored with the game of golf and I’ve never swung a club, but I do know a couple of women who are avid golfers and another who won’t miss a televised golf tournament. Don’t even try to phone her during the Masters! However, I’ve never met a lady who collected golf balls, clubs, memorabilia, and the like. I’ve witnessed female decorators buying for clients when I worked in an antique mall, but that doesn’t count. So, I’d have to deem
golf collectibles, bona fide “mantiques” too.
