This Week’s Vintage Finds #108
Hi everyone! Even in the midst of Christmas preparations, I managed to pick up a few vintage finds. Mixed in twill be a few other items that I’ve neglected to include in past posts and even one item I bought while living in England. (I still have about eight banana boxes filled with English treasures yet to be completely unpacked.)
First up we have a lovely, classical-style bust that has so many decorating possibilities (cost: $3.00, value: $20-25.00). She’s been gracing my living room for several weeks, which is why I’ve forgotten to show her off. Because of the lack of variation in color, I believe she’s made of resin, but she’s quite cool to the touch, which you wouldn’t expect from plastic.
This Sheffield, England cutlery set came across the ocean wth me upon my return to the states a few years ago. Sets like these, made up of forks and dull knives, are known as “fish sets.” This set has French Ivory (a fancy term for celluloid) handles that are actually quite lovely (cost: $3.00, value: $20-25.00).
Here’s a close up of the mark on the inside of the cutlery box. Sheffield, located in central England near where we lived, has been known for it’s cutlery production since the 1600’s.
As soon as I saw these vintage pottery goblets, I knew my sweet daughter would love them. She is enamored by vintage drinkware, so these will be under the Christmas tree (cost: $3.00, value: $10.00 for the pair). They remind me of Catholic folk mass during the 70’s, where a similar goblet would be used for communion.
This small wicker basket dates back to about the 40s or 50s, but it has a nice shape and would look sweet filled with flowers (cost: $1.99, value: $12.00).
Call me crazy, but something about this painting said, “Buy me!” So I did (cost: $1.00, value: $10-15.00). I liked the colors and its naive style, but I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong before. Once.
I’m sure I’ve told you what the owner of my antique shop always says: “Unique items sell and antique items sell, but unique antiques always sells. I try to keep this in mind as I’m buying, and I think this large, laboratory flask falls into the first category, unique (cost: $5.00, value: $40.00). It would make a perfect terrarium, right?
Here we see another orb, the Unisphere, from the 1964-65 World’s Fair in Queens, on the cover of a Shell map. I purchased a large selection of ephemera at a sale not too long ago, and thought I’d show you a couple of World’s Fair-related items, like this map (cost: 50¢, value: $5.00).
This piece is most interesting for what’s inside.
These World’s Fair tumblers for example, which antiquers often see for sale at flea markets and antique shops. We had a set of these when I was a kid; I never knew they were a gas station premium (19¢ each). I just recently sold a set of three for $24.00.
The 64-65 World’s Fair, whose theme was “Peace Through Understanding,” contained numerous international pavilions, like Belgium’s hugely popular medieval village. Because NYC had not received the endorsement of the Bureau of International Expositions, many large countries chose to participate in other fairs that had received their endorsement, the Montreal Expo, for example.
I don’t usually include non-vintage or non-crafty buys, but hey, the pickings are slimmer during winter months, so I thought I’d throw in this Liz Claiborne summer bag I found at Salvation Army (cost: $3.95) My sweet sister-in-law’s approval convinced me to buy it. (She’s somewhat of a purse expert.)
I grew up playing the game Pit, so this is a fun find for me, dating to about 1940 (cost: $1.00, value: $10-12.00).
It’s a card game based on the stock market–very fun and fast-paced. (SOLD via my Blog Shop for $8.99)
Most Habitat for Humanity ReStores have a nice selection of scrap wood and old cupboard doors for sale. Many of them are perfect for making painted signs or other DIY projects. On the right is a spectacular piece of bird’s eye maple (darker than you usually see it). All three pieces for $3.00.
This side table was another ReStore purchase, quite solid and in great shape (cost: $15.00, value: $40-45.00).
With these attractive, turned legs, the low price surprised me.
These folding chairs with cane backs quite captivated me at the ReStore, and my sweet husband talked me into buying them(!). They cost more than I would typically pay, but I saw such potential that I finally caved in (cost: $8.00 each). I’m planning a paint makeover and some new upholstery. If all goes well, they should be pretty awesome.
Final Find: I bought this interesting piece at the Cohoes flea market a few weeks ago, having been told that it was a hat stand. I’m hoping to find a way to use it to hold candles (perhaps batter operated) to use by the front door on Christmas Eve. What do you think? For five bucks, I knew it was coming home with me, I didn’t care what its original purpose was!
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your things are so lovely and i love the ways you up cycle them
here in the u.k. the kind of things you find for one dollar over here cost so much more even from thrift stores and what we call car boot sales
how i’d love to come and call into these places with you
yours inspired
freda
The hat rack and bust are my favorites but all of your vintage finds this week are wonderful!
Oh Diana, such wonderful finds, as always. However, I am completely enamored with the folding chairs. I actually think they’re perfect just the way they are. Just wax or oil the wood. The aqua seat will help them sell quickly. I sold a similar set with red seats for $25/ea. 🙂
Great finds as usual! The bust is superb & the chairs are wonderful. If u are going to redo them, maybe just the backs? I love the seats just the way they are.
I always love seeing your finds and drool over them. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little jealous!! Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas! Been reading your blog for several months and first time connecting with you! Love your weekly report on your “finds” We love the game “PIT” and play it , when we play games. Great gift, I’ve given it often. No doubt, leave the chairs just the way they are. They will sell with no work! The hat display would be fun to create a tree out of. Lay boughs of greens on each level . Use Red ribbon, maybe plaid, draped. Hot glue clear glass teaholders on each arm, wreath on angle on top. Make sure we get to see it!
Jesus IS the reason for the season!
Great finds! The “pit” game bring back memories to me . . . loved that game when I was young
I like those folding chairs. With the right seat cover, they could be super sharp. That hat stand is perfect for….hats! We have used at least 3 different stands in our space to the tune of hats falling off, and yours is the Goldilocks of the bunch with its shape.
Hello! Such awesome treasures! Thank you for sharing all of the information you provide on each piece – very interesting!
JoanMarie
Our church has an exact matching goblet we use for communion! Those folding chairs are cool!!
I love the folding chairs — the color is so retro-cool!
Those goblets are really interesting Diana. I’ve never seen pottery ones quite like that. And I love those chairs and that hat stand, or whatever it is, is awesome and a steal at $5.
Very interesting finds Diana … Love the hat stand and it will be an awesome display for hats after you use it for your Christmas decoration. That is, if you sell hats in your shop. That bird’s eye maple board is so neat. Looks like enough wood to make a really nice tray or tote. Always love seeing how you repurpose the things you find.
Christmas Blessings.
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
You got some spectacular finds. You have an eye for getting some interesting pieces.
Love the post…what a wonderful collection of finds, enjoyed looking through them all!!! I’ve found Sheffield knives, but never forks…LOL…nice seeing what they look like. That hat stand is fantastic, if you decide to sell that it will be snapped up in an instant. Best ~ Mickie.
What a haul! Very eclectic, but my favs are the bust and the unique laboratory flask.
I’m in love with the folding chairs – I bought similar ones a month ago, in red!
Wow – you certainly got some great finds!
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger
Diana, you always find unique things. I love the celluloid cutlery and the table! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Your finds have so many possibilities. I don’t even like turquoise, but I see it on that table, and the hat stand could be so many things. The mid century chairs—are awesome…and I bet you end up keeping them. Who doesn’t need an extra set of folding chairs! Great post, Diana. I’m glad I didnt’ miss it. Sandi@BarberryLane
I love reading your old posts as I am so new to your blog. Did you ever upcycle the hat stand? I loved the post that suggested hot glueing glass votives to it for safety’s sake! I would love to see a picture! I can see the bust on a dresser with a floppy brimmed hat set at a rakish angle! That purse would also be awesome hung on a door full of silk flowers (and still be used as a purse later!). I love the equivalent of “wreathes” that are a bit different and are thin enough to still let the storm/screen door shut tightly!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying old posts, Kathy 🙂 I used the hat stand one Christmas as planned, with battery operated tea lights and believe it or not it is still sitting on my front stoop!! It kind of just blends in and is not noticeable, but I just can’t decide what I want to do with it, so there it sits 🙁 Great idea for the purse–I used it all last summer and will be breaking it out soon, but when it retires, I see it just as you describe. The bust is currently decorating my bedroom dresser (little too small for a hat, unfortunately). Have a great day!!