IOLA, Wis. – Following a successful inaugural Antique Trader Nostalgic Treasures contest in 2016, the call is out for stories for the 2017 contest. Not only will all story submissions appear in the commemorative Nostalgic Treasures print issue of Antique Trader, but each writer will receive a complimentary copy of this special magazine. Also, submissions will put the writer in the running to possibly win some great prizes.

This year’s selection of prizes includes a hand-fabricated acrylic display case, a large piece of seldom-seen Fordite, subscriptions to Heritage Auctions’ Intelligent Collector magazine, a vintage Parker 51 fountain pen and a Pendulux Altimeter table clock, among other interesting prizes.

Although the trade of antiques and collectibles is about business, it is also about nostalgia, which is an important part of life. With that, Antique Trader invites collectors to share the stories about the things they treasure. Every story matters. Sometimes the stories are about items people have found and flipped for profit; other stories are about items discovered or inherited that someone loves for various reasons, and still more story submissions are about the heartfelt experiences related to a cherished treasure.

“We believe that all the stories from our readers are worthy of an audience because they show others new points of view … what one person may dismiss as having little to no value can be ‘priceless’ to someone else,” said Karen Knapstein, Antique Trader Print Editor. “We respect nostalgic worth as much as monetary value, and we’re looking forward to reading stories from past participants and first-time participants.”

Here are a couple examples with a few lines from story submissions appearing in the 2016 Nostalgic Treasures issue:

• 2016 Grand Prize Winner: “Peter Rabbit celebrated as a member of the family” by Vicky Kellen. Speaking about the heirloom copy of the book Peter Rabbit, her mother’s only book as a child, the book passed down to Vicky, which has been read by her son and now her granddaughter. “In January, 1946, my father’s handwriting completes the inscription of Peter Rabbit to me, at the age of two years, five months. The ensuing wear and love to my now favorite book produced loose pages (never to be subjected to crayon or pen) and shaky binding. Peter held a place of honor on my book shelves, along with the read and reread Bobbsey Twins and later volumes from the Wizard of Oz series as well as several adventures of Nancy Drew.”

• 2016 Runner-Up: “‘Hearts Desire’ a tale of unbridled hope and loss” by Bonnie Rebel. This story begins in 1944 with a group of grade-school chums out enjoying a hunt for pheasants. The writer’s brother Rusty suffered a near-death accidental shooting when a hunting shotgun unexpectedly discharged, striking him in the back of the leg. While little Rusty the sister-and-brother duo’s Aunt Rosie shared the story of Rusty’s situation with a local radio station hosting a contest called ‘Heart’s Desire.’ Thanks to Aunt Rosie, Rusty was the winner and received a pair of saddle pants, a jacket, shirt, rope, bridle and saddle. Fast-forward several decades and Ms. Rebel discovered Rusty’s ‘Heart’s Desire’ contest winnings in her parents’ home. Now the items are in her collection.

Antique Trader wants to hear more accounts from collectors and have the opportunity to share them with others. Submissions put participants in the running for a chance to win the grand prize, runner-up prize or one of five finalist prizes:

Grand Prize (1 winner) will receive: a rare large piece of Fordite weighing approximately 44 carats and boasting silver gray, navy blue, white, red and black striations. Fordite is a scarce commodity used by jewelers, and formed in Ford automobile factories in the 1960s. The material was made from the drips of metallic paint on sprayers. There are hundreds of fine layers of automotive paint, built up over many years, in this single piece of Fordite, which was discovered when the Ford factories were torn down. The exquisite piece comes from contest sponsor Devon Fine Jewelers (www.devonfinejewelry.com). The Grand Prize winner will also receive a vintage WEB sterling silver base etched glass vase measuring 11 high, from contest sponsor eBay Shop Funkee Junk (stores.ebay.com/funkeejunk/); a one-year subscription Intelligent Collector magazine published by Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com), a contest sponsor; and a one-year subscription to Antique Trader magazine (www.antiquetrader.com). Total value of this prize package: $472

Runner-up Prize (1 winner) will receive: a Parker 51 fountain pen donated by contest sponsor Antique Digger (www.antiquedigger.com); an acrylic display cover and base from contest sponsor J Display Case (www.displaycasej.com); a 10-pack of registration stickers to register items with Houstory’s HeirloomRegistryTM — an online registry for recording, in words and photos, the stories and provenance of antique and collectible items, donated by contest sponsor Houstory (www.houstory.com); an altimeter table clock from contest sponsor Pendulux (www.pendulux.com); a one-year subscription Intelligent Collector, Heritage Auctions’ magazine; a copy of the Tiffany Glass Coloring Book by Jessica Palmer and inspired by Tiffany lamps at the New York Historical Society, published by Skira Rizzoli (www.rizzoliusa.com); an Olivetti Pattern Journal, produced by Princeton Architectural Press (www.papress.com); and a one-year subscription to Antique Trader magazine (www.antiquetrader.com). Total value of this prize package: $400.

Finalist Prize (5 winners): A copy of the Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles 2018 Price Guide (list price $24.95) autographed by the author, Eric Bradley.

The contest is open to persons age 16 and older. Each contestant is invited to submit two stories; 2016 contestants are welcome to send different stories for the 2017 Nostalgic Treasures Contest.

Entries eligible for inclusion in the 2017 contest must be received by midnight Oct. 6, 2017. Send entries, including full name and mailing address, to Antique Trader Nostalgic Treasures Contest, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990 or to ATNews@fwmedia.com. If sending by email, include “2017 Nostalgia Treasures Contest Entry” in the subject line.

For more information, email ATNews@fwmedia.com or call editors Antoinette (715-350-7078) or Karen (715-318-0379).