This Week’s Vintage Finds #155
Hi everyone! I hope your week has gotten off to a great start. Yesterday, I replenished my craft booth (again) and accomplished some Christmas decorating. How about you? Are you pacing yourself for the season? I’m trying to start each day with some quiet time–praying and reading the Bible, and then making a brief to-do list for the day. Before I start my chores or sit down to the computer, I’ve been asking the Lord to guide my steps and help me stay peaceful. I’ve noticed the difference, but I guess you’d have to talk to my family to find out if that’s really true or not (lol). Today I’ve got some cool vintage finds for you. Are you ready?
I chose to buy these three canning jars in particular at a recent estate sale because they are all a little older than some of the more common ones you might find on the market (cost: $1.00 each, value: $10-14.00).
The Ball jar on the left, a “Triple L,” dates to about 1900-10. The extra loop on the end mimics a third “L,” hence the nick-name. I’m still researching the second jar, and the third, an Atlas Strong Shoulder, is identical to one I wrote about in my article on canning jars.
The 1970’s butterfly pattern on this hand mirror takes me straight back to my teen years. I’m pleased the market now considers these items “vintage” so I can buy and enjoy them for a little while before adding them to my inventory (cost: 50¢, value: $10.00).
When I stumbled on this “Rolls” safety razor, I thought I had a real find on my hands. Alas, I will not make my fortune on this piece. The chrome case, resting in a velvet-line compartment, contains the razor. Of course I hoped it might be the “Rolls Royce” of razors.
While technically a fine piece of shaving equipment, the company produced them in the thousands, and they can be easily (and cheaply) found on the internet. Mine contains all the parts, paperwork, and even the cardboard sleeve it came in (cost: $6.00, value: $25-30.00).
Don’t these cuties look like I picked them up at Target or Home Goods?
In fact, the vintage set likely dates to the 70’s given the look of its JAPAN mark (cost: $1.00, value: $10-12.00).
At the Shaker craft fair I participate in, they always have one area filled with items donated to the site during the past year. That’s where I found this unassuming vase, which turned out to be a piece of Van Briggle pottery. Since I’ve never owned any, I decided to pick it up, even though I don’t think it’s the most beautiful vase I’ve ever seen (cost: $1.00, value: $15-20.00).
The founder of the company, Artus Van Briggle developed the [lost] process of giving pottery a creamy, matte finish. The company and its artisans crafted stunning arts & crafts style pottery for decades and continues to operate today. My vase has a distinctly 1970’s look with it’s shiny brown surface and creepy dripping edge–not one of their finest pieces, but hey, it led me to learn more about them. You can too, at vanbriggle.com.
I hemmed and hawed over this painting for quite a while before purchasing it at a recent estate sale (cost: $3.00, value: $28-35.00). I think it has a good deal of colonial charm about it and I even like the frame.
Nice, old wood always attracts me, as did this small drawing board, complete with a t-square (cost: $1.00, value: 15-20.00).
I’m not sure exactly what this piece is. Could it be a fishing-something-or-other? It has a pretty long handle, which made it difficult to photograph. Perhaps it’s for roasting chestnuts over an open fire? (cost: $2.00, value: ?). It just seemed to hold numerous decorative (indoor or outdoor) possibilities to pass up.
This old cast metal grate practically tied with the ladder below for “final fabulous find.” As much as I want to hang onto it, you can’t keep everything. In this business you’ve got to sell, sell, sell (cost: $5.00, value: $45-50).
Final Fabulous Find: I’m loving this old (orchard?) ladder and, despite what I just said above, am trying to find the perfect spot for it in my home(!), if not, then it’s off to the shop (cost: $7.00, value: $35-40.00). I wish you could see the metal bolts and other fittings on it, they are truly fabulous.
Thanks so much for stopping by today–
If you enjoyed  your visit, I hope you follow me by email.
Sign up and never miss a post.
Let’s connect!
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Instagram Shop
Twitter
Bye for now,
Always adding new merchandise!
Our vintage link party opens Thursday at 8 am–
Foster, foster, foster! You found some great things, Diana! I have an orchard ladder in the corner of my laundry/bathroom. I hung towels on it, and I love it. The grate is very cool, and even the Van Briggle piece is cool. I always enjoy watching Suzanne Perrault and David Rago (of Rago Arts & Auction Center) appraise tile and ceramic pottery on Antiques Roadshow. They both very often appraise Van Briggle. I think that’s a keeper too!
I think I may have too many foster children as it is, Rita!! I’m sure you understand…I will consider the vase with new eyes (lol). It reminds me of the Hull dishware (made in similar colors) of my youth. Some memories are good, some are not so good!
Always enjoy your posts! I think that long handled basket thing is for making popcorn over an open fire.
I’m so glad, Sue–thanks for letting me know 🙂 You may be right about it being a pop corn popper…
We had one of these and took it camping and used it to make popcorn over the campfire – so good!
Love all your fabulous finds … the grate and the ladder being my favorite. Canning jars are beautiful.
Thanks for sharing. Nice that you add information about cost and value.
We share a deep love of junk, I know, Audrey 🙂 Glad you enjoy my posts!
The ladder is my favorite find! Plus, the long handled item is for cooking popcorn over an open fire. 🙂
Seems like the majority vote is in on my long-handled thingy–pop corn popper it is!
Ok i am beyond jealous. Only $7.00 for that ladder? Yikes you are sooooo lucky! I was just looking at some pottery barn “found” ladders that cost from around $250-$450 ha! Funny, I just had my husband retrieve mine from storage for some Christmas decorating. Family still looks at me like I’m crazy😀 XoKathleen
It was a good find, wasn’t it? Ha ha–my family doesn’t even really look at the stuff anymore, they just walk around it, occasionally with a sigh of frustration that something is in their way…
Very enjoyable and loved reading the information. The canning jars, mirror, and the ladder are my favorites, but all are neat. I wish I could find a ladder like that! Glad for the time of reading God’s Word, it gives a peace that passes understanding. God bless!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Karen–thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂 I will be hoping for a nice ladder for you! Yes, we need that peace at this time of year, don’t we? Blessings–
As always, you find fab stuff—the ladder, I would hang from the ceiling if I couldn’t find room , LOL. Grins, Sandi
Great idea, Sandi!! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I look forward to seeing your finds each week, they are always fabulous and I love the information you provide. Your blog is my favorite and I am so glad I found you!
Wow! You sure made my day Maryette–so thoughtful of you to make such a sweet comment. Don’t be a stranger!
Your mystery piece makes me think of an old popcorn popper, for use over an open fire or wood cookstove. Just a thought.
That seems to be the consensus, Connie! Thanks for dropping by–
The grate is so cool. A nice find.
Thanks Rose!
I’m not sure, but I think your mystery item is for making popcorn in your fireplace.
As always you find the most wonderful items.
Oops I just retread your captions again. The first time I did not read about roasting chestnuts.
You’re with the majority, Jay! Thanks for the sweet compliment and for stopping by to visit 🙂
Oh that ladder! You always have lovely finds, Diana! I like to start my day with Bible study and prayer…helps me to focus on what is important and be peaceful! xo
We are definitely on the same page about many things, Linda 🙂
Wow! These are some very unusual finds Diana. I absolutely love that basket fishing thingy, and the blue jars are such a lovely colour. I never see old ladders around here. Totally in love with that.
Thanks for the visit, Tuula, and for looking at my “junk!” Here’s hoping for a nice ladder for you–
Love that Butterfly Mirror. Great finds!
It’s a cutie! Thanks for the visit, Mrs. A 🙂
I love the ladder and would keep it, at least for a while and the metal grate. All of your finds are fantastic.
You got a great bargain for the ladder. But I really like the grate. It is interesting and I can see you creating something cool with it.
I have toured the original van briggle pottery building in Colorado Springs. Awesome. Cool tile on the exterior / chimney , etc. Worth doing a google search on.
I didn’t realize this about Atlas jars. I think I’ve got a couple of them and I’ll have to check these out tomorrow.
Diana, The metal grate is one of my favorites of the items you mentioned. The owls are very cute. Sylvia D.
What a fabulous haul, Diana! I was reminded by your post that I have an old register grate….somewhere! Hmmn, wonder if I can find it. I always wanted to have it built into the top of a coffee table. Might still happen,,,if I can find it!
I absolutely love your posts about your vintage finds! Yours is one of my favorite blogs, no question.