Vintage & Antiques That Sell [January 2020]

Hi there! Are you ready to see what’s selling so far in 2020? January often seems to come in like a baby lamb after the rush of selling that usually happens in November and December. I guess this year it came in more like a sheep than a lamb but nowhere near the roaring lion I would hope for ($515 in total sales). But enough of the animal metaphors. Let’s take a look at vintage and antiques that sell [January 2020].

I encourage you to read until the very end because you will find Expert Sales Insights based on what sold this month. Every month from here on out, I’ll provide similar insights to help you with your vintage business.

Related posts: December Sales, 2020 Vintage & Antique Trends, & Christmas Craft Show Sales

Vintage & Antiques That Sell [Antique Booth]

Total Sales = $361

I’ve found over the past few years that smaller pieces of furniture tend to sell much better than larger ones. That said, this little commode sat in my booth for a looooong time. I finally marked it down from $85 to $65 and it sold (cost: $10).

Enamel top tables and cupboards typically sell quite well for me; this older, rickety one sold for $25 (cost: $2).

I painted this bright blue stool (one coat of homemade chalk paint) and sold it for a very reasonable $15 (cost: $2).

Do you remember this stenciling on glass project from last May? I finally brought it up to my antique booth and it sold right away for $18 (cost: $1). I may need to make a few more of these…

This display is from my daughter’s high school graduation a few years ago: visit the blog post and get some vintage graduation party ideas.

I’ve included this photo because it’s the only one I have of the mounted deer antlers that sold in January for $18, down from $28 (cost: $4).

A chalkboard similar to this one sold for $25 (cost: $2).

Do you love old baskets? I definitely have a “thing” for them. I’ve even made a couple in my day. Sad to say, I seriously had to mark this long willow planter basket (that’s what I call it anyway), from $42 to $22 (cost: $3).

I sell at least one, but usually more, cook books every month, either through my antique booth or on eBay. The Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book, © 1953 is extremely popular.

I’m not sure if people love it because of the cover–pretty awesome–or the contents. It’s not a cook book that I’ve ever used myself. This imperfect copy sold for $15 (cost: $2).

I’ve never had good luck selling 1940’s-50’s aluminum pieces like this tray; however, the Art Deco style design moved me to buy it, and it sold relatively easily for $10 (cost: $1). This kind of incised design is know as “intaglio.”

I learned through a bit of research that the mark on the back, Canterbury Arts Company, refers to an upstate New York company. As you may know, that’s where I live, but I’d never heard of the company before. You learn something new every day, right?

This tin berry bucket sold for $10 (cost: $2.50).

This newer metal airplane (with missing propeller) sold for $25 (cost: $5).

I pretty regularly have a dish of Wade Whimsies for sale in my booth. Rather than price them individually, I place a sign in the bowl instructing buyers to take a small printed $2 price tag with my booth number on it to the register. I sold six this month.

I consider it to be a “starter” collectible for young people(!).

A merlot-colored ceramic flower frog sold for $15 (cost: $3). When you subscribe to my blog, you’ll gain access to my Member Library which contains a flower frog price guide.

I like to have faux vegetables, fruit, and plants in my booth. These limes sold for $8 (cost: $2).

Jugs like this are great sellers, especially with bail handles; it sold for $12 (cost: $1).

No photos available:
Carved folk art robin sold for $35 (cost: $2).
Pair of vintage crystal earrings sold for $10 (cost: $1)
Trees © 1949 sold for $8 (cost: $1)
Vintage cheese crock with wire handle sold for $8 (cost: $1)

 

Vintage & Antiques That Sell [Vintage Blog Shop]

Total sales = $32.99

I call this bracelet Renaissance-style because of it’s rich, elegant look. It sold for $32.99 (cost: $5). You may be interested in taking a peek at my jewelry price guide.

Vintage & Antiques That Sell [eBay]

Total sales = $21.99

A pretty pink rhinestone tiara sold for $21.99 (cost: $5). I have loads more jewelry for sale in my Vintage Blog Shop 🙂

Vintage & Antiques That Sell [Etsy]

Total sales = $98.96

An ornate chatelaine-style perfume bottle sold for $44.99 (cost: $5). Women in the mid-19th century would often wear a belt that had a number of chains attached. At the end of each chain would hang a useful tool, like scissors, keys, or a pencil. One of the chains might also hold a tiny perfume bottle like this one.

This example doesn’t date to that period however. I’d say it dates to the 1940’s, but the chain seems rather oddly placed for a pendant so perhaps it’s a chatelaine replica from the earlier period.

A pair of c. 1980’s 14K gold garnet stud earrings sold for $23.99 (cost: $5). My Etsy shop contains several other pieces of vintage jewelry.

This antique ring presentation box has seen better days, but collectors (mostly jewelry sellers) scoop them right up. This one sold for $17.99 (cost: $3) despite its condition.

Note the Mother-of-Pearl button at the front. Pushing it in releases the lid and opens the box. These are the most desirable type. Sometimes the button is made of brass.

Often the satin lining on the inside of the lid bears the name of jewelry shop that originally owned the box. Utica is not too far from my home.

Notice the two gouges in the velvet around the edge of the lid–that’s some of the condition issues I referred to above.

I’ve been selling sewing notions like this in lots of 10-12 items on eBay for quite a while now (for $10-15 each) and decided to give them a try on Etsy. This lot took quite a while to sell for $11.99 (cost: $1), but I might give one more collection a try.

Expert Sales Insights

• COOK BOOKS sell(!) both on eBay and from my antique booth. The red and white checkered Better Homes & Gardens is a favorite of many.
• WADE FIGURINES sell regularly when priced at $2 each. 
• I sell at least one good-sized, decently-priced BASKET every month. This month’s was in the lower price range clocking in at just $22.
• Every GLASS JUG that I’ve ever bring to my booth has sold within just a few weeks! I priced this one a bit higher than others because of its nice wooden bail handle.
• As I have for the past several months, I sold another JEWELRY PRESENTATION BOX. They are hot sellers on Etsy right now, in fact, I just sold another last week!

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