Carol Foster, ASA

Wishtart Cabinetmakers

Carol — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:11:10 +0000

The Wishtart name has been recognized for over 100 years. The late Charles Wishtart and his son Leonard have been noted for their exceptional handmade custom furniture and fine period reproductions. Wishtart furniture follows designs after Hepplewhite, Chippendale and Sheraton. Some quality hand made tables from the Wishtart Cabinet Shop are for sale now.

Mr. Wishtart is downsizing and a list of quality woods and woodworking tools will be available in the months ahead. Telephone 724-287-4868.

Relationship to Andy Warhol

Carol — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:00:47 +0000

Memorial to Andy Warhol: Thank you for sharing time with me during your lifetime. On the date of your passing February 22, 1987 – Remembering your spirit this day… February 22, 2010. Your cousin, Carol.

Here is a picture of Andy Warhol, as a child. Carol is a second cousin to Andy!

(Anna Zavacky Lasky (my grandmother), and Andy’s mom Julia Zavacky Warhola were sisters.) Grandma was the youngest sister.

Quote: “He was a real holy terror”at age three…

“Andy had a kind and gentle spirit and was truly a genius.”

Going back in time…Andy and my Dad played together as children, they were close in age. As time passed Andy and his mother moved from Pittsburgh to New York. Dad lost contact with his childhood buddy. Grandma Anna Zavacky Lasky stayed in touch with her older sister Julia. Over the years Julia wanted Grandma to make her home in New York but grandma chose to stay in Butler, Pa.
As a young adult, just out of high school, I visited Andy in New York… Grandma called ahead to relatives to alert Andy of my visit with him. That first visit, my sister Dianne and I spent a few days in New York. We went to the “Factory” for lunch. Andy had some infamous luncheon guests. He ordered in pea soup in paper tubs from his favorite vegetarian restaurant. That was the first I’d ever heard of pea soup and all I can remember is green. If Andy had only know that was our least favorite vegetable! But then not every one has a planned luncheon with Andy.

One of the other guests took pictures of my sister and I on either side of Andy using Andy’s camera that hopefully will turn up in a time capsule. As we posed for the picture, the guest said, “They are prettier than you, Andy!” He just smiled and seemed to gloat a little. Later that afternoon Andy invited us to walk with him side by side as he handed out free copies of “Interview” along a busy street. Andy invited us to meet him at an opening art exhibit that evening. It was for an artist who he had promised to make an appearance. Everyone awaited him but he stopped and talked with us before doing anything more. He apologized for not having more time and offered us a gift of money from his brown paper bag… but we declined graciously.

As years went by I made arrangements to spend a little time with Andy whenever I had antiques business in New York . Although our visits were brief we shared a like passion for antiques and our family attachment was evident. I have a notion that Andy recognized my resemblance to his mother, Aunt Julia.

More Past History…

I had written to Andy and Aunt Julia many years ago after Grandma gave me an original “Marilyn” silkscreen on canvas by Andy. It was rendered in the early years. The canvas of Marilyn Monroe was a Christmas gift along with my first set of oil paints from Grandma and Uncle Paul. Although it came to me as a rolled up canvas (unframed) with a gum band around it, Grandma told me it would be quite valuable someday. At the time, I wanted to share my treasure and brought it to school to show my art teacher. He was acquainted with the art of Warhol and urged me to have my painting signed. So with that in mind, I sent it back to N. Y. to Aunt Julia and Andy for reasons of Andy’s signature. When it did not come back after a couple weeks, I wrote to Aunt Julia and Andy about returning “Marilyn”. My letters of request were saved by Andy. At that time Andy was in the midst of becoming famous and Aunt Julia’s was health was failing as she aged.

Not long ago, Mike May of Pittsburgh Magazine noticed one of my hand written letter’s (of request) to Aunt Julia and Andy… on display in the archives at the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. Andy saved my correspondence stating my request to return “Marilyn” and he also saved the postmarked brown paper bag wrapper that I hand made to mail the Marilyn in. I viewed the (now empty) brown paper wrapper and my letter in the archives of the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. I hope to identify my Marilyn on canvas when she is pulled from one of the time capsules at the museum this Fall 2009. This saga to be continued, as nothing is impossible.

Zavacky Family Archives:

The picture below shows my Aunt Julia and my grandmother pictured alongside other family members (Zavacky Family), in their Carpathian Mountain village before World War 1. . See: www.c-rs.org

Grandma being the youngest child, she is the little girl pictured in the bottom row.

Sisterly love was evident between Julia and Anna. Although miles separated them, they stayed in touch throughout their lifetime. Aunt Julia sent grandma works by Andy at intervals throughout their lives. Julia personally signed some of the art by Andy. She had beautiful handwriting. No many knew of there bond. “I hope to visit the Carpathian Mountain area sometime during my lifetime”.

Grandma lived in Butler, PA… Aunt Julia lived in New York.

Grandma Lasky had an eye for beauty and hands that created it. She made magnificent finely crochet items, she was a seamstress and a hat maker. When I was a little girl, Grandma sewed matching print corduroy jumpers for Mom and me. Grandma was the first person to teach me to use a sewing machine.

She and I were both drawn to dolls and pretty things. One day I presented Grandma with a large Italian Furga doll that she dearly loved. That doll remained in her sunporch adjoining her living room for as long as I can remember. When a little girl, I made a craft picture out of semi precious stones that grandma hung on her living room wall near the archway. Unfortunately, like many estates, nothing was available for her grandchildren to reclaim, and the contents of her home went to strangers!

Grandma always gave her grand kids money for ice cream! She showed her affection by gently pinching our cheeks, smiling and laughing softly as she told us how beautiful we each were. Her eyes were a pretty green blue.

The images above were borrowed from the book, “‘Holy Terror – Andy Warhol Close Up” by Bob Colacello.

Carol Foster, Expert in Doll Appraisals

Carol — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:03:22 +0000

Flora McFlimsey shown above is a Madame Alexander doll from circa 1938. The doll was originally based on the character Miss Flora McFlimsey of Madison Square, from William Allen Butler’s famous satirical poem; Nothing to Wear published in 1857.

13″ in height, Flora has an all composition body. Her face is freckled with hazel sleep tin eyes. She is a lifelike depiction of a little girl from that era. She wears a blue polka dot school dress with a white, rick-rack trimmed pinafore that carries original Madame Alexander tag. Her round face is from Princess Elizabeth mold. The mark on the back of her head is Princess Elizabeth Alexander Doll Company.

A very rare find, especially in this very good condition.

Carol started thirty years ago assembling her personal collection of antique dolls. Since then she has appraised special collections in PA , N.Y., Baltimore, etc., for insurance and estate purposes. Her expertise encompasses dolls from the 1950 era back to the 1800′s that include china dolls, German and/or French bisque dolls, Schoenhuts, composition dolls, artist dolls, hard plastic name brand dolls such as Alexander, Ideal, etc. I do not do modern collectibles, reproductions or Barbies. Appraisals for large collections only.

19th Century Lasky House

Carol — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:00:00 +0000

Lasky House – 215 West New Castle St. – Butler PA

Inquire about my lifelong doll collection now for sale.
Expessive are the faces of dolls. They let you into their imaginary play world where youth is forever.
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Old Clodhoppers or Shoes?

Carol — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:50:08 +0000

You can add shine to old leather shoes by polishing them with the juice of half a lemon then buffing them.

My Mom used vaseline on my patent leather shoes!!!
~Household Discoveries

Madame Alexander Blushing Bride and Bridesmaid

Carol — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:30:38 +0000

Need advice on old dolls? Carol started collecting dolls in the 1970′s. She began by assembling dolls for the Mars Home for Children. Many ladies donated their personal childhood dolls to be cleaned and restored for this cause. After making the donation, Carol began collecting for herself and her little daugher, Laura. She then began selling and trading at shows. The assembled doll collection is now on display at Lasky House.

Click on images to enlarge.

Unusual 21 inches tall….These Madame Alexander “Blushing Brides and Bridesmaid” composition dolls, a bride and a bridesmaid.

The dolls are not marked but the clothing is tagged. They have been gently played with. Call for more details.

Doll Tips: Composition is one of the most difficult base materials to preserve. Keep these dolls in a moderate regulated temperature away from drafts and forced air. It is NOT a good idea to store in the attic or basement! The crazing is a sign of age, yes. But does it enhance the doll, definitely NOT!!!

Walk Back In Time with Heather

Carol — Sun, 21 May 2006 19:13:01 +0000

Much of the information of cleaning and caring for thrift shop finds come from ideas found in old magazines and/or the Dollar Stretcher, adds Heather.

Lowney’s Cook Book, illustrated, Revised Edition. Maria Willet Howard. The Walter Lowney Company. 1912.

Household Discoveries, New Edition, Revised and enlarged: An Encyclopedia of Practical Recipes and Processes. Sidney Morse. Success Company. 1914.

Mrs. Curtis’s Cook Book, New Edition, Revised and enlarged: A Manual of Instruction in the Art of Everyday Cooking. Mrs. Curtis. Success Company. 1914.

Good Meals and How to Prepare Them: A Guide to Meal-planning, Cooking, and Serving. Katharine A. Fisher. International Magazine Company, Good Housekeeping Institute. 1927.

Cleaning Old Furs

Carol — Fri, 05 May 2006 19:06:03 +0000

One woman’s opinion?
Fur is similar in nature to wool, both being animal fibers. If something is not safe for wool it will could also damage furs.

Household Discoveries

Are White Hats in Vogue this Spring?

Carol — Tue, 02 May 2006 18:51:04 +0000

To clean a white straw hat, brush with pure lemon juice and let it sit a few minutes before rinsing with clear water. Let dry in the sun.

~Household Discoveries

A Perfect Match for One Dollar

Carol — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 19:02:40 +0000

Heather writes: I gave the Bible Handbook to my hubby to use, again at God’s prompting, and I am sorry to say it was rather grudgingly. Phooey again. But God had something even better in mind.

Today I was at the thrift store. Would you believe, sitting there beside the checkout were the two other Bibles I had been considering, each $45 new, way out of my price range. There they were, a KJV New Testament and Wycliffe Bible Commentary in beautiful condition and a Four Versions New Testament: KJV, Revised Standard, Phillip’s Modern English, and New English Version. The lady at the checkout, who knows the kids and I from our frequent visits, said to go ahead and take both. How wonderful! Praise the Lord, $100 worth of Bibles, free. And what a wonderful help they have been in our home schooling as we read daily together and the kids have a TON of questions.
So that is, in all 4 Bibles and a commentary, for a total of $1.