Tea items steeped in history
Then someone in China invented a device that shredded tea leaves, making it easier to brew tea.But the idea of making tea in a cup instead of a pot seems to have begun in the 19th century, when silver infusers were made to hold tea leaves. Infusers usually were small balls with many holes. The ball could open and close to hold the leaves. It was dipped into a cup of hot water a few times.Silver infusers became popular in the late 19th century, and silversmiths were soon making not just balls but tiny silver teapots, eggs, lanterns, acorns and other shapes. These sterling tea balls with chains are collected today and cost from $100 to $1,000.The tea bag was invented in the United States in 1903. It was a hand sewn silk bag. Soon a machine was invented to fill and close a tea bag made of paper.The familiar rectangular tea bag was not invented until 1944. Today, there are circular and pyramidal tea bags, too.All of this has led to a variety of collecting choices for tea lovers. Some save tea bag tags. Some collect the tea infusers made today.Another tea related collectible is the spout strainer, a small hanging strainer kept in a teapot spout with a hairpin shaped wire.There are also tea sets, teacups and saucers, tea caddies, te asics trainers a strainers, tea caddy spoons, bag squeezers, rests for used tea bags, drip bowls and even a plastic disk that folds to squeeze a tea bag.At a 1970s tea collector auction, we bought tea balls and strainers, notebooks filled with postcards about tea, books, woodblock prints and advertising. We also have the original patent papers for the Teastir, a perforated aluminum foil rectangle filled with tea. One side becomes a handle to take it out of a cup. It was invented by Ralph Kovel, a tea drinker and collector.Prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States.Mechanical pencil, cigar shape, paper cigar band, inscribed Tampa Style Smokers, I.Davy Crockett toothbrush, green, marked Crockett Jr., original carded package, 1950s, 3 by 7 inches, $50.Holt How asics trainers ard ice cream sundae set, butterscotch creamer, chocolate creamer, strawberries container and nut container with lids, porcelai asics trainers n, Japan labels, 1959, 51/2 inches, 4 pieces, $135.Bohemian art glass vase, resembles green onyx, white lining, circa 1910, 8 $495.Windsor armchair, high comb back, shaped crest rail, nine spindles, carved paddle handholds, baluster turned arm asics trainers posts and legs, 45 inches by 25 inches, $530.