This Week’s Vintage Finds #160

Hi everyone–hope your week is going well! My sister, who moved to Atlanta in November, flew into town with her husband and daughter for a whirlwind trip, to pick up a newly purchased car. What a blessing to spend some time with them (yakking and watching the Steelers lose in the play-offs). They were safely on the road by about 2 in the afternoon yesterday. Sigh. Had to say good-bye again. Now it’s back to “normal” life. I’ve been busy organizing and purging [like everyone else, it seems], but that’s so boring. Wouldn’t you rather see some vintage finds?!!

I think I may have mentioned in a previous post that I recently re-discovered a thrift store in Ravena (NY), Gracefully Chic Boutique & Peaceful Home. Run by a local church, the shop contains a good quantity of nicely priced items, including books for 50¢ a piece. (I bought $8.00 worth!).

This ironstone dish, that I’m now using on my stove as a spoon rest, was one of my first finds when I entered the shop (cost: $1.00, value: $10.00).

Vintage Ceramics

I discovered this newer ironstone cream and sugar for half price at Salvation Army (cost: $1.00), and I have some Christmas crafting plans for them.

At one time this pattern, Jewel Tea or Autumn Leaf, by Hall, enjoyed huge popularity in the antique world, but its quirky little pattern is not so captivating to younger audiences.

That said, when I find a good-looking piece (with a word on it, especially), I buy it. In this case, however, I should have taken a closer look–there’s a hairline crack at the top of the handle (cost: 25¢, value: $3-4, with crack,  $8-10.00 if perfect).

This little lady is my very first head vase ever. She’s a bit younger than collectors seem to like, but her bright colors, pearl bracelet, and excellent condition make her desirable (cost: $3.00, value: $35-45.00). Christmas head vases of all types, featuring ladies of any age, are quite sought after. You can read a good blog post about head vases here. Here’s another article for good measure.

She was made in Japan, company unknown, but companies like Napco, Enesco, and Lefton made loads of them.

Vintage Glass

I recently sold an identical milk glass, hobnail pitcher at my antique booth (cost: $10, value: $18-20.00).

I don’t buy much pressed glass (also referred to as pattern glass) because much of it is clear and most clear glass sells very poorly, at least in my region. Back in the 70’s and 80’s it enjoyed a lot of popularity, but after 9/11 it pretty much dried up. I think this may be the first piece I’ve ever blogged about because I’ve trained myself not to buy it, even though some of it is really lovely, and it dates  to the mid to late 1800’s. The thrift store priced this [perfect condition] piece right, of course, so I picked it up (cost: 50¢, value: $8.00).

Glass companies made pressed glass by pressing molten glass into cast iron molds with a plunger. After allowing the glass to cool, the pieces of the mold would be removed, leaving telltale “mold lines” running through a piece, as you see above.

You will find 2-4 lines, spaced equidistantly around a piece. My creamer has four. If you have concerns that a piece might be new, turn it over and check the bottom. Older pieces with have wear marks  (scuffing) on the bottom.

Isn’t she a beauty? I have one other gallon-sized aqua bottle, and I envision them together with some smaller versions, running down the center of my dining/kitchen table some day. But I also like envisioning the green that would be in my pocket if I sold them–LOL (cost: $1.00, value: $20-25.00).

Vintage Metal

Preisner’s Pewter company, in business for 50 years, manufactured this pretty trumpet vase that I picked up at an estate sale (cost: $2.00, value: $15-22.00).

This rather large serving spoon appears to be silver plated, but is unmarked.

I don’t usually buy items quite this new to sell at the shop, but I found it’s pretty peacock design compelling (cost: 50¢, value: $10.00).

Oil cans of all kinds are great sellers (cost: $1.00, value: $10.00).

A while back I began making bracelets out of vintage belts (you can see some here and here). I’m not sure if I’ll be able to use the buckle from this thrift store belt, but I’ll certainly use the links to make some nice, chunky bracelets, perhaps each with one big steam punk charm (cost: $1.00).

A 1950’s era manicure set, almost complete, just missing a couple of pieces (what they would be, I can’t imagine!).

The case is made of bonded leather (cost: $2.00, value: $15-20.00).

I have a couple of ideas for this pair of estate sale window vents (cost: $1.00 each), which slide open to enlarge. Time will tell if they’re good ideas…

[UPDATE: I turned this window vent into an awesome farmhouse sign.]

Vintage Wood

Worn out old cutting board in need of sanding and/or seasoning (cost: $1.00, value: $8-10.00).

I plan to give this half-priced, thrift store find some TLC–a little paint and some new knobs, at least (cost: $2.50). [UPDATE: See the makeover here.]

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