What’s Selling in Vintage & Antiques December 2018
Hi there–I hope you had a great weekend! Ours was very full, starting with a trip out to my antique booth at the Gristmill Antique Center in Troy (NY) to unload several boxes of goods and do some rearranging. In today’s post you’ll learn what’s selling in vintage and antiques, from both my booth and on eBay (December).
If you follow me on Instagram (please do!), then you know my sweet husband and I attended the 4th Annual Schenectady Soup Stroll on Saturday afternoon followed by a little thrifting–woo woo. The weekend was capped off Sunday morning when I enjoyed the blessing of “officiating” at the baptism of a young woman I mentor–and yes, I got wet!
Antique Booth Vintage & Antique Sales
A framed copy of Stormy Weather by Duke Ellington’s Band sold for $18 (cost: 50¢). I wrote an entire post about collecting sheet music that you might enjoy.
A small arts & crafts style plant stand sold for $15 (cost: $2). A while back I demonstrated how to repair loose table/chair legs using this little stand. It’s a handy skill to have in your arsenal of quick antique fixes.
A cobalt blue violin bottle sold for $10 (cost: 1.50). I learned several years ago that collectors avidly search for these collectibles.
A new-ish chrome, fish-shaped flask sold for $12 (cost: $1). I picked this up because fish-related items, especially unique ones, tend to sell quite well–new or old.
A vintage customer service sign sold for $25 (cost: $4). While vintage and antique signs tend to sell very well, this one lacked qualities that buyers look for: imagery, color, and interesting subject matter. It took ages to sell, and did so only after I marked it down from $35.
A large wire basket sold for $25 (cost: $1).
A newer metal stand sold for $8 (cost: $1).
A Stanley no. 220 plane sold for $15 (cost: $1). I attempted to sell this on eBay first for $20-25 without success, and finally brought it up to my booth where it sold relatively quickly. I write quite a bit about tools in my new book: 25 Vintage Items Often Overlooked & Undervalued at Garage Sales.
Favorite Audubon Birds of America sold for $6 (cost:; $1). I always pick up old and/or interesting books about birds; they are very popular.
The Boston Cooking School Cook Book © 1942 sold for $10 (cost: $1). Those of you who’ve been reading my blog know that I sell quite a lot of cook books, both from my booth and on eBay. The rarer, less common ones sell well on eBay, while the common examples, like this one, sell best from my booth.
A c.1910-20 Ball canning jar sold for $10 (cost: $1). I’ve written two posts about canning jars, one with information about collecting and another with prices.
A green enamelware serving spoon sold for $5 (cost: 50¢).
An c.1880’s antique autograph book sold for $32 (cost: $3).
A ©1943 copy of Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book, 1st edition, 1st printing sold for $12 (cost: $1).
A vintage Mr. & Mrs. Snowman Christmas stocking sold for $10 (cost: $1).
Two vintage, beaded bottle brush trees sold for $12 each (cost: 50¢ each).
Sold but no photos available:
6 silver plated snowflake napkin rings sold for $12 (cost: $1).
Vintage hand towel sold for $3 (cost: 50¢).
Vintage typewriter sold for $15 (cost: free).
Vintage metal clip sold for $5 (cost: 50¢).
Antique bottle brush tree in rough shape sold for $10 (cost: free).
Vintage scissors sold for $5 (cost: 50¢).
Nine Choice Poems sold for $4 (cost: 50¢).
Antique local yardstick sold for $15 (cost: $2).
Antique spatula sold for $15 (cost 50¢).
Brass letter opener sold for $6 (cost: $1).
Metal stand with basket sold for $12 (cost: $2).
Small RRP & Co. crock sold for $5 (cost: 50¢).
The Best of Shaker Cooking cook book sold for $10 (cost: $1).
eBay Vintage & Antique Sales
A vintage mercury glass Christmas garland sold for $17.99 (cost: $1). I sell a lot of mercury glass beads on eBay in November and December. I’m always on the lookout for them.
A silver mercury glass Christmas garland sold for $15.99 (cost: $1).
A pair of Lucite and rhinestone earrings sold for $8.99 (50¢). After the success I had selling a Lucite cat pin on eBay last Feburary, I’ve had Lucite jewelry on my list of must-finds. Apparently these earrings did not spark the same level of interest from buyers, but I’m learning!
That’s if for my December sales, which were definitely slow–as things have been for several months. In an attempt to increase my sales, I’ve decided to just load up my booth, without a lot of attention to how it looks.
I’ve always enjoyed decorating my booth and making it look “good,” but in the interests of making more money, I’m going to toss that out the window. I’ll let you know how that goes for me.
I’m fortunate that other parts of my business (or “empire” as I like to joke), like my eBook and advertising on the blog, compensate somewhat for the slow sales. How are sales in your neck of the woods?
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I really appreciate that you share these posts. I just started my booth in September and I am learning a lot about what sells and how to price things from you. Over the last few months you’ve sold things that I would have overlooked, so the next time I saw them I bought them and put them in my booth–and they sold!
Woo woo! That’s what I want to hear, Kelsey 🙂 So glad I could be of help to you and your business. Would love to hear more details about the sorts of things you’re selling!
Hi Diana!
I love your sales posts, and they’re really helpful as well as fun!
I was surprised that you said the Boston school cookbook was common… I really don’t know… But I used to work in a Fanny Farmer candy store, (1978 -80) and of course bought the Fanny Farmer cookbook, which I love. I’ve never seen this one, but I would’ve grabbed it up! Ah well…. I’ll keep my eyes open for one now!
What a neat connection to Fanny Farmer! I’ve sold multiple copies of this cook book over the years, perhaps because I’m not that far from Boston? Hope you find a copy of your own soon 🙂
I’m repeating myself, but I love these posts. I also love all of your Christmas items and that wire basket! My trouble is I love so much of what I buy to resell that I end up keeping it. My December sales were my best ever, but I spent a lot of time restocking my booths and by Christmas was sick of them. January sales have been much slower so I had a huge dollar sale in one of my booths and that helped move out the things that wouldn’t move(sorry to FB Vtg Headqtrs members for repeating myself).
I don’t mind you repeating yourself, Melissa!! Makes me happy to know that people are enjoying my posts and benefiting from them 🙂
Diana, I’m amazed at the number of things that you find that cost $1. I guess those would be from estate sales or yard sales because, like you said in another post, you don’t find most cheap, salable items in thrift stores. That’s good information and I am attempting to keep it in the front of my mind. As I love shopping at thrift stores, I am always hopeful I will find things that I might sell for a decent profit, but I am realizing, thanks to you, that it’s not the best venue. Especially price-wise as I think thrift store prices have gone up quite a bit in the last few years. At least in my area. They are still good for some things, like clothing, but not for items to re-sell.
I appreciate all the great information you pass on to all of us.
Hope you are staying warm. It’s single-digits here in MI the last few days. I don’t like it! I’m sitting in my living room with about three layers of clothes on and still my hands, feet and nose are freezing! Spring, please hurry up!
I think we are correct in thinking that thrifts are not the best places to find vintage/antiques for resale (at least in OUR states–NY & MI). It’s 42 degrees here today, so perhaps spring is on its way…
Diana, I’ll be interested in hearing how your new experiment goes…. loading up your booth. I drive myself crazy making our booths inviting. I’m afraid to take this step, I’ll let you be the guinea pig😊. I’m sure you’ll do well…. the majority of booths I’ve seen are not “decorated “.
Thanks as always for sharing. Your experiences and knowledge are so very helpful.
Linda
It seems to be working already, Linda, although everyone tells me it still looks good and not overcrowded, LOL. I’m going to keep loading it up though and will report back. So glad you enjoy these posts–
I love seeing what sells for you. Your booth must be in a really great shop with lots of traffic. I will be starting my sales again at our local flea market in a few weeks. Once a month, then the city wide yard sale in a few months. I’m trying to stay away from estate sales until I get rid of more of what I have already. But I did find two vintage suitcases last week, and those need to be cleaned up for the sale. The small makeup case was filled with vintage children’s books. BONUS! Do you have a secret for cleaning books ?
My librarian trick is using a Mr.Clean eraser on sticky, grimy covers.
I hear you Patty about trying to control your buying–good luck with that, LOL!! Love that you found vintage children’s books in a vintage suitcase 🙂 Gayle is exactly right about the Mr. Clean working like a charm on book covers. To rid old books of musty smells, I sprinkly baking soda between the pages, place them in a bag, sprinkle in more baking soda, then seal the bag and leave it for a week or so. If the odors still there, empty out the soda and start the process over again. Repeat until the odors gone. I’m actually working on a blog post about this very topic 🙂
I always love to see what sells in your booth. As a packrat, my booth is TOO full and some people will NOT dig through stuff to find a treasure. I know yours will be a happy medium. I also have more breakage. Maine just doesn’t seem to have much for estate sales altho I have found one site that advertises them. It’s a LONG time till yard sale season!
I agree, there are so people who won’t dig through stuff to find treasure, but there are plenty who do–myself included!! As far as finding estate sales goes, have you tried estatesales.net? That’s what I use–
I always love seeing what fun items you have and what they have sold for. My antiquing has been on hiatus since I moved last year and I am anxious to get started again!
Karee
I’m so glad you enjoy seeing my finds, Karee! Hope you find lots of treasures when the antique season starts up again 🙂
A wonderful assortment of finds and sales, Diana. My favorite are the stockings! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Glad you enjoyed them, Cecilia 🙂 Thanks for throwing a great party–
December was a great month for me in my booth. January has been steady, which I am thankful for, with mostly smalls selling. I’m going into my 3rd year as a booth seller and I think I’m finally getting the hang of what will and will not sell, but there are always surprises! I remove things from my booth periodically and then put them back in 6 months or so later. I feel if customers see the same thing all the time, they just don’t even stop to see if there’s anything new in the Booth. I know that’s how I am anyway. I just opened an eBay store and I’m pretty excited! Lots of work there with cleaning, taking pictures, posting and shipping! But I’m retired, so I think I can work it in! I love your posts and thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with us. Blessings 💞
Congrats on having such a great month, Cecilia! So glad to hear that you feel as though you’re getting the hang of things with your antique business. Good luck with eBay; there’s a big learning curve at the beginning but after that, things are pretty easy. I’m sure you’ll do great!