KARWAC, Juanita [1957]

KARWAC

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/7/2013 at 18:53:57

Osage Woman Accidentally
Begins Antique Collecting

OSAGE, IOWA — Ten thousand articles listed primarily as antiques is not a particularly slow beginning for an Osage woman, who has a collection of silver, china, dolls, coins and glassware.

Mrs. John Karwac accidentally began the collection when in 1947 she saw a lovely compote at nearby St. Ansgar. She purchased it, not realizing that it was a choice piece—a Moon and Star pattern —the same pattern of which Mrs. Abraham Lincoln had a complete set and the same pattern that Kate Smith has for an extensive collection. Now, says Mrs. Karwac, she is infinitely wiser and "you just have to be took a time or two before you really know the good from the poor."

She has 50 pieces of Moon and Star, which she prizes highly. The graceful center piece is her first find that has taken her down the road to attics, sheds, barns, closets, to antique shops and to out of the way places from Minnesota to Virginia. Her Moon and Star collection comprises goblets, compotes, sugar and creamers, celery dishes, cake stands and odd pieces.

She also has a collection of pitchers. In delicate blues, pure whites, greens, reds, ambers, many hued colors, and lacy patterns, her collection shows Wedgewood, Spanish Lace, Majolics, Pewter, Queens Point, Daisy and Button, with even an original Admiral Dewey pitcher. Milk glass shows ships, hen on sleigh, hens of many types, covered dishes, lion, lamb, fish, eagle and master salts.

Glassware abounds in the china closet, beautifully polished, in intricate pattern. The living room has another cabinet filled with satin glass, Bristol, luster ware, Mother of Pearl and a gorgeous blue overlay satin fluted dish that looks like a dainty seashell. This is one of her prized pieces. She also has a Jack in the Pulpit watermelon vase , exquisitely wrought and delicate. Another prize amongst many is a marmalade jar, listed as Westward Ho, in this cabinet, a beautifully fashioned jar with hand figures

An old fashioned table lamp and shining walnut table, all bespeak an atmosphere of a collection lovingly kept and dear to its owner.

Mrs. Karwac told of her doll collection — a joy to her. She has dolls that range from Norwegian Mary Todd Lincoln original, to bisque. All are authentically dressed.

Even the bedroom has pieces that Mrs. Karwac has just picked up, with old picture frames, old lamps and dolls. The last visit was to the kitchen and there another find. In her kitchen is a complete set of very old French Haviland, with beautiful gold trim, and luster-like white porcelain. Hundreds of odd pieces repose in the drawers, waiting to be restored, or replaced else where. Silver and copper pieces are here and there. Mrs. Karwac could serve many persons at one time, if there were room in her house, each person elegantly served with special china.

Mrs. Karwac, co-parner with her husband in Karwac Bakery in Osage, says she ha little time to entertain. She does however, find untold enjoyment in her "finds" even though, say she, "so many reproductions are now sold, it almost takes the fun out of collecting."

Delighted friends are served from the priceless pieces - admire all - but are thankful it isn't their task to do the dusting and polishing of all the treasures? It takes labor and more labor to transform dirty, clouded old peices into living pieces of beauty, in antiques and in life.

[Mason City Globe-Gazette, Saturday, January 26, 1957, Mason City, Iowa]

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