Have a wonderful Mother's Day

Richard Katz, his wife Shelley and their very friendly Boston terrier, Bosco, are frequent visitors at our shop in Los Gatos. Richard is a musician, playing a number of instruments and in a number of bands. But what sets him apart are his pipes! You see, Richard is a bagpiper. He has jammed with friends at the local pub C.B. Hannigans, and at Davies Hall in San Francisco with the Chieftans. His story has been nicely told in a recent issue of the Los Gatos Weekly . Richard has a website that covers his latest performances, including his stint with the Chieftans, and upcoming gigs.

Every day should be Earth Day. Today is its official celebration. Aside from recycling and re-using as much as possible, we try to conserve our resources, both at home and here in Vintages. When you shop here, you probably have noticed that our bags are paper and are not printed, so that you can use the bag another day and for another purpose. There are a number of behind the scenes earth friendly practices we do as well. We also try to buy American and conservation-minded products. Some folks have likened the antique business to a recycling of items -- valuable and not so vauable -- that would have otherwise probably clogged a landfill. There's a bit of truth in that. We have a number of items that crafters use, and re-use, that accomplish the same thing. Here at Vintages you can find vintage papers, millinery flowers and photographs that crafters and artists incorporate into their works. Old wall paper makes great wrapping paper for gifts, or matting for pictures, or backg...

Charles Henry Crocker was born August 29, 1865, in Sacramento, the son of H. S. (Henry Smith) Crocker and nephew of Charles Crocker (of the group railroad barons that built the Southern and Central Pacific Railroads, as well as the Crocker National Bank). When nine years old he came to San Francisco with his parents. He later attended the University of California, graduating in 1887 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. His business training began at once. C. H. Crocker went to work in his father’s printing and publishing company, the H. S. Crocker Company, as an apprentice in the lithographing department. Gaining experience from the ground up, young Charles proved his general capability and was elected one of the company directors. Subsequently he became treasurer, then vice-president, and upon the death in 1904 of his father, assumed the presidency. He grew the business to be the largest of its kind west of Chicago. Mr. Crocker was married to Carlotta L. Steiner in 1905 at the Hotel d...

We wish you all a Happy Easter. We will be taking a short Spring Break at the shop and will be closed from April 12th to April 15th. Back to regular hours on Thursday, April 16th.