My Cheap Vintage Finds [& What They’re Worth] #182
Hi there! Did you have a good weekend? Friday I trekked out to my antique booth (I posted a photo on Instagram) and stopped at several garage sales along the way. Saturday my sweet husband and I hit several garage sales and made some great purchases, which I’ll share with you soon. But today I have a bunch from last weekend, wanna take a look?
I’m not much for brown transferware, but I know some people love it. One of my favorite patterns has always been “Old Britain Castles” by Johnson Bros. of England; I love it in pink!
Each piece has a different castle; this bread plate shows Haddon Hall, which we drove by many times when we lived in England.
This is a fairly newer version of a pattern that has been around for a long time (cost: 69¢, value: $4-5.00). Get help pricing your own transferware with my transferware price guide.
What can I say, I love stoneware! So this miniature German bottle made its  away home with me (cost: 25¢, value: $2-3.00).  After purchase, I learned that “Dure Korn” is a cheap, grain alcohol, similar to Vodka. I might take the label off and use the bottle for a project.
I just fell in love with this beautifully handcrafted willow basket; it’s perfectly shaped and proportioned, though not terribly old. The willow “rods” are still supple and have not darkened with age yet (cost: $3.00, value: $35-40.00). Learn more about pricing baskets here.
I love this sentiment and hope to find a spot for it in my home (cost: $1.00).
I love natural pieces like this tortoise shell, and we had plenty to select from at the flea market we attended in Ohio a couple of weeks ago. Along with loads of similar shells, we also saw squirrel tales, coyote pelts, and various animal skulls, all for sale (cost: $5.00, value: $25-30.00).
Clearly, this little table was a bit of an impulse buy. It seems to have barely survived a fire of some sort, LOL. While it has a nice shape, it’s going to require some work to make it attractive again (cost: $5.00, value: $25-30.00 once painted).
I thought this square clock would make a great makeover project (cost: $1.00).
I picked up this piece initially to take a closer look at the nicely aged, oak frame, but the graphics are beautiful as well. Upon closer examination, and using my rudimentary French, I realized that it honors an American soldier who gave his life in France during WWI (cost: $1.00, value: $28-35.00 after cleaning).
I bought this print for the frame; I want to try out the vinegar and steel wool “recipe” that gives unfinished wood a driftwood look (cost: $1.00).
This guy is screaming for a makeover, and because the price was right, I might try something a little more daring than taupe or black, LOL (cost: $5.00).
When I first bought this sign I thought it was handmade, which would have been pretty amazing and folk art-y, but after I got it home, I found a sticker from a home decor store on the bottom. Bummer (cost: $1.00, value: $12-15.00).
The yellow plaid cover on this old cookbook attracted me more than its contents, and I think it will sell quickly because of it (cost: $1.00, value: $10-12.00). Read more about collecting cookbooks here and here, and about pricing them, here.
I will add this to a small grouping of photographic supplies that I’m collecting to sell together on eBay (cost: 50¢, value: $3-4.00).
I’ve always admired these colorful Hazel Atlas jars, so when I found this one at an estate sale for cheap, I bought it, of course (cost: $1.00, value: $18-22.00 with the lid).
This Navy patch is another flea market find (cost: 25¢, value: $5-10.00?). Sometimes I pick things up just to learn more about them, not necessarily because I’m going to make a huge profit. I should probably be thinking more strategically(!). I believe this is a petty officer, first class patch.
This metal temperance plaque dates to the 1960’s but has a nice patriotic look (cost: 50¢, value: $12-15.00).
Final Fabulous Find: I have no idea what this trophy was meant to reward, but I just love her! I guess that’s one of the benefits of vintage shopping, when things are priced so low–you can make silly purchases like this one. Happy hunting, friends!
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I love the framed WWI Memorial. What are the dimensions? Will you be selling it in your booth, or listing it?
Thanks Cynthia! I’ll shoot you an email about the WWI Memorial 🙂
Lots of great, cheap finds! 🙂
Thanks Melissa!
Lots of great finds. My favorite is the metal plaque with Temperance on it and the tortoise shell is a close second favorite. Can’t wait to see what you are going to do with the chest of drawers.
Thanks so much Sharon 🙂 It was a good week! Hoping to get to the chest of drawers soon…
Could you share the “recipe” for the steel wool and vinegar solution to get the driftwood look? Thanks!
Hi Susan! I haven’t tried it out yet, but the recipe seems pretty straightforward–put some white vinegar in a small jar, add a steel wool pad and let it sit overnight. This will give you a barn board sort of color. Add some coffee, tea, or coffee grounds to the mix and it will make it more gray-brown. Pull on some rubber gloves and apply your “stain” using the steel wool. It seems like two coats [allow for drying in between] works the best. Let me know how it goes if you get around to trying it out 🙂
I like the simplify sign! Fits me!
Good stuff. I really like the WWI print and the two smalls – the navy patch and temperance plaque. Of course I love the transferware piece! Quirky things like the trophy always attract me too, Diana. 🙂
You found some wonderful pieces!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I am glad that you enjoyed the 1940 food market ad!! Those prices were something else, weren’t they??? I just posted Part 2 of my Summer Kitchen series, if you are interested!!
Have a great day!
The French piece is my favorite. Pinned and shared.
I love the silly purchases the best! I always find something I have to have, not sure what to do with it. As always your finds are so unique and fabulous.
Thanx for linking in the other sites for estate sales and garage sales. Maine just doesn’t have much for estate sales, more into auctions! And then they just listed the expensive looking stuff, not treasures like you pick up in the garages or cellar. My fave this time was the WW1 memorial; my grandfather was in WW1. My favorite vet, 92, just died last month, was shot down in France; the family who sheltered him used his parachute for a christening gown for at least 2 generations of babies so far! I can’t wait to see what you do with the dresser. Maybe drawers in ombre colors with a case of off white? Red, white, and blue with an eagle stencil? I love metal plaques like yours for decor around the fireplace/woodstove; it’s not flammable. The brown transferware was pretty. I’m sure someone will snap up the turtle shell (pun not noticed till I typed it!) As usual, all great finds.
Oh, and the Hazel Atlas jar needs to be some kind of component in a Spring tablescape, maybe partnered with some tulips, a feathery duckling, or a red flower pot??
So many great finds, Diana! I DO love brown transferware 😉
They are all great finds, but I do love that basket and the transferware plate!!
I would love to have the tortoise shell! Will you be posting it for sale? Thank you.
LOVE the dresser and the table!
Wow! You’ve really scored some great finds! You must have a very well-developed ‘eye’ for vintage items. I never seem to find anything, but I need to put in the time and effort to become more educated about it. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation.
Carol (“Mimi”) from Home with Mimi
I believe the cookbook was given with the purchase of a Lorraine stove. I sold one a number of years ago on ebay, to a woman named Lorraine.