My Cheap Vintage Finds [& What They’re Worth] #172
Hi everyone! I hope your week is going well. I traveled with my sweet mother and sister-in-law to Barre (VT) yesterday. We spent a lovely afternoon with my aunt and uncle, who are getting on in years, and some of my cousins. Both my mother and aunt are avid antique collectors, each with a good eye for value and beauty. I like to think I inherited some of their genes(!). Maybe some of you who’ve been influenced by avid collectors in your family can relate? My aunt has collected a number of amazing primitives that I enjoyed seeing throughout our visit. I’m hoping, in the same way, that  you’ll enjoy seeing some of my vintage finds from this past weekend–
Friday’s shopping started off with a bang when I bought this ironstone platter at a small garage sale. It has a few flaws (see the small black mark in the lower right?), so I’m planning to stencil it and sell it at the Shaker Christmas craft fair (cost: $2.00, value: $25.00 when stenciled).
This mark on the back, John Maddock & Sons, dates to 1906-1927. The company itself was in business until 1981.
Find help pricing your ironstone here.
Woo woo–two ironstone platters in one day! I like this square version and may end up “fostering” it (as my friend Rita at Panoply likes to call it) for a while before selling (cost: $2.00, value: $15-18.00). It also has a few flaws, but the square shape makes it more desirable.
Maddock & CO, the same company as Maddock & Sons also produced this platter. The “CO” mark dates to 1906 as well, but may have been in use for only a short period of time.
See my personal ironstone collection here.
An unmarked piece of Fenton glass bonbon in Pink Crest milk glass (cost: $2.00, value: $15-18.00). You may enjoy this informative article: Fenton Glassware Collecting: Fancy Frills in Art Glass. Available.
A vintage 1940’s era, cotton apron, mint with tag (cost: $1.00, value: $8-10.00).
Closeup of the tag.
Another 1940’s apron (cost: $1.00, value: $8-10.00).
My “accidental” scissors collection continues to grow by leaps and bounds (LOL). This pair, marked USA, is unusual given the 3″ ruler on the blade (cost: $1.00, value: $8-10.00).
Some wooden spools for crafting, including three by a new-to-me manufacturer: Ivory Brand (cost: 50¢).
Did you see my post about collecting thread?
A vibrant, antique needle book, made in Western Germany (1949-90), likely dating to the 1950’s (cost: $1.00, value: $5-6.00). Available.
Here’s a peek at the few remaining needles inside.
Read about other vintage sewing notions here.
A nice berry wreath for fall decorating in my antique booth (cost: $2.00, value: $12.00).
A cool old crate (cost: $1.00, value: $15-18.00). It might be a candidate for a leather [belt] strap, as seen here.
After it gets a makeover, this newer candle box type of container would make a great shop display for paper goods (cost: $1.00).
AÂ tin antique document box, dating to 1895–opening in the back–(cost: $3.00, value: $22-25.00). Love it!
A trio of aluminum spheres for what purpose, I have no idea (cost: $1/3).
Final Fabulous Find: I don’t normally pick up silver plate, unless it’s an unusual piece, as is this World’s Fair souvenir. I’m fascinated by the 1939-40 NYC World’s Fair, perhaps because of its iconic Trylon and Perisphere (as seen on this ladle’s handle), Avid World’s Fair collectors will find this interesting (cost: $1.00, value: $10-15.00).
Thanks so much for stopping by; I hope you enjoyed taking a look at my vintage finds. Is anyone else getting anxious for garage sale season?!! After attending a handful of sales on Saturday, I’m finally starting to get the feeling that the season is about to start. In the meantime, happy hunting!
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The aluminum racks in the bottom of a pressure cooker /canner to keep food (canning jars) slightly elevated out of the water.
Thanks for help with the identification, Katzcradul!!
The aluminum round things are trivets for the bottom of pots.
I think you’re right, Mel–thanks so much!
Those scissors are fabulous and I think you’re undervaluing them! I would go in the $12-15. That dove-tailed crate is also fabulous and I think it could fetch $22-25! I’m no expert, so take what I say with a grain of salt! 😉
Thanks for your professional insights, Melissa–SO appreciated. I’ll be adjusting those prices accordingly 🙂
I think of all the wooden thread spools my Mom and grandmother and great-grandmother had…..Who knew they’d become trendy!
Yes, who knew?! Thanks so much for dropping by 🙂
Love that red, white & blue jazzy floral apron! The cool old wood crate could be spiffed up with a little scrubbing and left to dry in the sun (if we ever see the sun again in NY)!
Ha ha! We’re supposed to get some nice sun tomorrow, Jan! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Love your finds especially the platters and the World’s Fair spoon. I have a few wooden spool of thread that I’ve collected over the years.
Thanks Sharon!! So glad you stopped in 🙂
Haha, thanks for the shout out, and you picked some good ones to foster. Great finds…I recognized that ladle right away. I have an assorted collection of items from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. The aprons are adorable, and that one pristine to boot! It must have been special to the owner. 🙂 Love that crate too. I love almost any kind of crate. That berry wreath will make a great perch for a pumpkin in fall if it doesn’t sell before.
Rita
You’re welcome Rita–so glad you enjoyed today’s finds. Maybe some day we’ll get to go shopping together 🙂
Every time you share your finds, I am amazed at the tiny prices you pay. I wonder how you find such wonderful goods for so little money. Is it your area? Do the heavens part just for you? I’m glad you are so blessed and only hope that I can find the honey hole in my area. I do pretty well, but certainly not as well as you. Thank you for sharing what you find, how much you paid and the value each might bring.
Ha ha, yes, I do think the heavens part for me–LOL. Great line. I do feel very blessed, but I think when you find your “thing” whatever it might be and you pursue it, you get good at it. I had a friend who was making $1000 a month selling books she picked up at garage sales. I love books and I sell some, but not at her level. Bottom line is, she found her niche. She found the right place to buy the things she loves and she found the best way to sell them. I know my niche (low-middle antiques), have figured out where/how to buy them cheaply, and have found places to sell them (though I’m still growing my blog shop to where I want it to be). Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it, Fonda! I’m SO glad you enjoy the blog–that makes me smile 🙂
I have a small collection of Fenton Silver Crest that brings some depth to my milk glass collection. My husband treats me to them for specail occasions. Thank you for the link to the Fenton Art Glass article.
What a sweet husband you have Jessica! The ruffles on these pieces are irresistible, aren’t they?!! Glad you liked that article.
Wow, what great finds! I love the aprons and the ironstone!
Tania
Thanks Tania–so glad you stopped by!
Yet again, great finds, Diana! The “berry” wreath looks like a replica of bittersweet berries which I love. My grandmother always had some in a little vase that hung on her wall. I think folks would go out in the “wild” along country roads or other out-of town places and find it back then. I had some from a “country” store I visited with some friends a couple years ago but it became so dry I had to get rid of it.
The aprons are amazing–so bright and pretty. And I love the rectangular ironstone platter. But the little Fenton glass dish with its delicate pink edge and ruffling is really the thing I covet. So sweet!
Yes, I am getting so anxious to do some garage sales. Haven’t had the free time lately, but hopefully I can squeeze in some trips soon.
Always love the vintage finds posts, you know!
You’re right, Naomi, the wreath does look like bittersweet, which I love, though it makes a terrible mess once it dries! I agree, the Fenton dish is mighty attractive with all those ruffles. So glad you enjoy my posts–love chatting with you!!
I agree that the aluminum spheres were used IN the bottom of a pressure cooker. My mom had a pressure cooker she used my whole childhood!
Thanks for the confirmation, Sue!!
Those metal spheres look like they would make a good start for wind chimes!
To be clear, they would not be the chimes, but be the top/base where you would tie the chimes (such as flatware) and the hanging chain. No holes to drill!
Generally one or two items will grab me but this time around there are to many to count. Great finds this time around.