This Week’s Vintage Finds #64
Hi everyone! We are deep in snow drifts here in the Northeast, but, no, that didn’t stop me from making a few stops over the week-end. I managed to score a few vintage finds. I’m going to share my favorite with you first.
At Noah’s Ark thrift shop I found a few good buys–this painting, which I fell in love with, cost me very little. If I were to sell it unframed, I would price it at about $50-60.00.
I think it’s a well-done piece by a rather good artist-in-training. At least that’s the back-story I’m imagining for it. I enjoy the vibrancy of the red and turquoise against the gray background.
While at the Salvation Army, one of the employees pulled up next to me with a cart full of fresh merchandise and asked if I wanted to take a look. I said sure (of course) and began examining the cart’s contents. I pulled out this puzzle and as I looked at it, she removed the $2.99 tag and said that was too much. She replaced it with a much lower price(!) I haven’t put it together yet, but I’m already loving the beautiful colors and vintage-ness of it all. I think it dates to about 1910 and will likely price it in the $40.00 range. Check out Bob Armstrong’s Old Puzzle Website for loads of terrific information about puzzles. One article in particular, Jigsaw Puzzles–A Brief History, I found very interesting.
The books at Noah’s Ark are priced at 25 cents for soft-cover and 50 cents for hard. Very difficult for a book hoarder collector like me to resist. I love history, so these two hardcovers found their way into my pile.
I discovered this sweet, velvet toddler’s hat amongst a box full of winter hats. The label on the box declared them 50 cents each. (Please excuse the dog hair and dust it managed to collect in just the few hours it had been in my home!)
This little chapeau has a fancy New York City label: “Peck & Peck, ” quite well-known for their ladies fashions through the years. Two Peck brothers started the business in 1888, but it was purchased by another company in the 1970s. Once cleaned, I will price it at about $12.00.
Too groovy to leave behind, this piece has so much going for it–fabulous form and cool color. Any ideas about its original purpose?
I’m not much of a 4th of July decorator, but this past year I bought a painted wood “America” sign and a lighted “God Bless America” sign, so maybe now I am. I also put up a flag banner around our deck, so I guess that settles it. Although this Uncle Sam is brand new, I think there’s something rather charming about him. Is it just me? I decided that for $2, it was worth the risk. Can any of my readers remember the birthplace of Uncle Sam? I mentioned it in a post recently.
I buy pretty much any green-handled tool (if priced 50 cents or less) because I’m drawn to this farm-green shade and they sell pretty well (for about $4 or $5).
I bought the silver plated dish for 99 cents with the goal of turning it into a pedestal stand, and the red wool skirt, also 99 cents, will be turned into some kind of craft, Valentine’s or Christmas.
There’s a bit of a story behind this magazines (20 altogether). While in Ballston Spa shopping at Noah’s Ark, I looked into Bon Bon’s Closet a new (to me) shop that sells clothing and some vintage items. As I was checking out with my pile of vintage magazines (25 cents each!), the owner and I began chatting about her business and how she needed to set up a website.
I told her that I’m a blogger and that I thought a blog would serve her just as well, and that it’s not too difficult to set one up. I spent the next hour helping her get started, so when I left I had made a friend and gained a pile of magazines–free! (BTW, isn’t Ingrid Bergman beautiful?!)
I’ve been having loads of fun pouring through them. Great graphics, retro recipes, fun fashions, and more.
Sometime soon, I’m going to give you all a look inside one of the issues. I think you’re going to be as fascinated as I am.
Stop back in tomorrow, won’t you?
I’ll be announcing a new Vintage Blog of the Week—
you don’t want to miss it!
I love how you dig into the history of your items found – I do that too. It helps to determine value and set pricing for resale. We did really well with vintage kitchen utensils for a long time; so much so, several other vendors jumped on the wagon, and saturated selections. After ours diminished, we quit the trend we started. I cheated, had to look up Uncle Sam's birthplace. 😉 And that child's hat is adorable!
I have a stack of old magazines and usually tuck one near the date for a friend's birthday. great trade – a blog for old magazines. Last Sunday I traded some Japanese fans for an impromptu poetry reading in my booth. It delighted both the poet and the customers.
I always love seeing your finds, Diana…my favorite is the painting, too!
Great treasures! I especially love the puzzle and the retro orange, I think it is a candle holder? You can turn it into a hanging light…I know you can!!
I always enjoy looking at all of your great finds! I **love** old magazines, especially the McCall's magazines.
Love all of your treasures! That hat is so adorable and right out of Downton Abbey! I love al things vintage -especially pottery.
So fun!!
I think the groovy orange piece originally had a glass hurricane insert and was a patio candle holder.
Fabulous finds! LOVE the painting. 🙂
AnnMarie's idea to turn the retro orange thingy into a hanging light is brilliant!
Fabulous finds! LOVE the painting. 🙂
AnnMarie's idea to turn the retro orange thingy into a hanging light is brilliant!
I just love that hat! I see it with a little spray of silk violets. Those old magazines will make wonderful reading. I know the ads are priceless s well.
The child's hat is my favorite! The vibrant colors in the painting are really eye catching.
Great finds, Diana! The puzzle is the neatest, but love the toddler's cap, too. I'm guessing pencil holder on the orange thingy.
Great finds! I love that groovy flower power era thingy. I think maybe it had a glass insert for flowers or candles. Whatever it was… it's very cool.
Diana, you found some great things. I cannot resist old magazines. I love looking at the advertisements. The puzzle would stay at my house if I found it and so would Uncle Sam. Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
Hugs, Dianne
I would have knocked someone over to get to that puzzle! And what a nice way to make a friend (and get free stuff!)
xoKathleen
You always find the best things. Love the painting!
I love the Marion Anderson book. Russell Freedman's biography of Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my all time favorites. enjoy!
I love that puzzle. I'd sell it as is if it's not complete, otherwise I'd be figuring out a way to make jewelry, lol. It's always fun looking through old magazines. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.
The painting is great and I love the puzzle! I gave my youngest daughter the name, Kylee McCall, after the McCall magazine. I loved the free paper dolls when I was a young girl! I also pick up any kitchen utensils that are green handled, well red and aqua too! lol!Thanks for sharing your finds with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Love those magazines!!! Thanks so much for joining us at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week!