Time for another vintage haul. I’m calling it The “I Splurged” Vintage Haul, which goes back a couple of months. Honestly, I’ve called a recent halt to attending estate and yard sales, as we’re actively downsizing in preparation for moving in a year.
Meanwhile, I’m plowing through cabinets, attic, garage, and basement to set aside lots of goodies for my own estate sale in a few months, so does it make sense to add to all the accumulation? Yes! Uh no. I’m going through withdrawals, but I must be strong, LOL.
My “junk” starts from grandparents who lived in the 1890’s up to the present. I come from a long line of junkers, pickers and cheapskates people who never threw anything away!
Estate Sale Finds
But here’s the latest…
80’s “Rotary Dial” push button phone. I feel sure this will sell. I’ve sold all the vintage and not-so-vintage phones I’ve ever had. (I even had an email recently from someone on Facebook looking for a pink phone with jewels on it. If you know where I can get one like that, please let me know!) Bought from my across-the-street neighbor having an estate sale. Available.
Paid $2
Vintage 60’s “Fat Boy” men’s adjustable razor. These sell well because they’re vintage and adjustable, and also very hard to find! Sold in just a few hours after listing.
Paid $2
I bought this ornate vintage silver hand mirror on the first day, and probably overpaid. Hoping it will sell even though there are others like it on Etsy. I need a better photo too. Lots of photos later, this was the best of the bunch! Available.
Paid $5
Bought on the last day, I thought this was an adorable sunhat. Being wide brim, hopefully will add to the appeal. It’s made in England, and would you believe it’s paper? Available.
Paid $2.50
I found these vintage flame-style Christmas bulbs also on the last day, and hopefully they’ll sell at the right time. Etsy has only a few, but not many. They look quite unique.
Paid $2.50 for all.
That’s all for the neighbor’s sale. Now on to the next. I way overpaid for this practically new clay machine, but I’m buying it for me. Do you even believe that??? It was the first day of the sale, so prices are always high as a kite. I’ll probably sell it though.
A clay machine looks like a pasta machine, but you roll clay to flatten it, so sizes are uniform for projects.
Paid $15
This was the only item I bought at the next sale. All 16 of these vintage paper plate holders for $1. Available.
We went really far afield to the next sale, and frankly, after seeing what they had, I was sorry I made the effort, but that’s the risk you take. It can be good to go far afield, as you can see in this post. For my local readers, the sale was in Vincent, AL. However, I scored some good finds here.
I need to tell you about that house! They were mainly trying to unload their massive collection of el cheapo, run-of-the-mill figurines, which were literally stacked floor to ceiling in every available space….imagine 10 floating shelves in one room to hold some of the collection, but also mantle, tables, extra shelves just under the ceiling, & other rooms. Sad to say, no one was even looking at them. It was an unbelievable sight!!
Among all the figurines, I found some goodies:
1.7 yds Blue Toile fabric. Available
Paid 66¢
2 pieces Christmas fabric
Paid 66¢/each
Vintage Hook and Eyes
no extra charge
Vintage “Going to Grandma’s” boy’s suitcase. The case was in great shape, but they ain’t kidding when they call “Sharpies” a permanent marker. I couldn’t get that name off the front for nothing. I tried everything, but someone bought it anyway. It wasn’t the only one on Etsy either.
Paid $5
Box of over 200 brass letter stencils.
Paid $10
OK, I admit it, I caved when I saw this pretty vintage purse at an estate sale on the first day. I have a terrible weakness for vintage purses! Available.
Paid $15
So why did I buy a vintage stapler? They sell! Available.
Paid $1
And for the last sale, I went the 2nd day and got a 25% discount.
Here’s the 2nd candle lantern I’ve found recently, and for the time being, I’m keeping it too.
Paid $1
A wall mount key holder…not vintage…but it was cute, and I liked it!
Paid $1
I was tickled to death to find 4 of these ornate vintage switch plate covers…all made in Italy, and already sold.
Paid $2
An ornate vintage mirror tray
Paid $6
And another vintage beaded bag
Paid $7
Non-Estate Sale Finds
And now for 2 more vintage finds that didn’t come from estate sales at all.
This is a pair of vintage “atomic” over-bed light fixtures…already sold.
Vintage cabinet cards do sell, so I’m trying this family photo I found in a trunk in my attic. Available.
Isn’t that a stunning 20’s dress? I love the photo, and I know my mom and dad would turn over in their graves at the thought of my selling stuff like this, but this is my reasoning: I can’t keep everything; I have no one to pass it on to, and at some point, I have to get rid of all of it. Some will go in the estate sale.
This is a photo of my dad’s sister, Ruth, who died young from a burst appendix.
If you’re interested, I’ll post more photos of oddities, and old junk I find in my own house!
So what was your favorite find?
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Florence
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I realised long ago that the kids aren’t interested in the stuff I treasure from my grandparents , but I have made the effort to write on the back of every old phone who they were and where they were taken , they will at least be identified in someone else’s collection
I know, and it’s so sad that the kids aren’t interested. I probably wasn’t much interested either as a kid. It’s only since I’ve become an adult that I have an appreciation for heirlooms, and now wish I’d paid more attention when I was young and being told about them, so Kaye, I think you’re wise to leave identification somewhere.
I really like the light switch covers 🙂
Tania
Thanks Tania! I can’t believe that a year ago I thought they were tacky!! I love them now!
Nice haul – love the black & white paper hat and the adorable children’s suitcase 🙂
Thanks Marie! Those were really cute things!
Oh Miz Florence – I share your pain! I have the junk gene too and unfortunately it can become overwhelming. I would like to sell some stuff but don’t know about how to go about doing it – online (Ebay, Etsy, etc) or consignment or a booth in a vintage market. So, to date I have done nothing. I know you are downsizing which in itself is painful (and labor intensive to say the least) and planning a move (top on the stressor scale of life), so you do have your hands full. So, where are you looking to move? I am so interested in all of this because I am at this stage of my life. Looking forward to the next chapter and I am sure you are too! Love your blog …
Thank you so much Penny! You’ve made my day! Yes, you see it…it is so totally overwhelming! I feel the pressure to get out while we’re both able to help each other do it. We want to move into a garden home in our local city, and there are plenty around to choose from, so we’re lucky that way. We’re moving b/c our house is too big for us, and our yard is REALLY too big! I can’t keep up with the yard anymore. So we just got through having floors refinished, and then carpet is next, and several more things on down the line before we can even think about selling. In the meantime, I’m going through everything. I tell myself on looking through family mementos and records, “you’ve GOT to get rid of it!” Then I come across something & I say, “I just CAN’T get rid of this!!” I tell you, it’s really hard. I don’t have kids to pass anything to, so it’s doubly hard.
Wow! That Vincent sale produced some goodies! Love the toile!
I think I finally understand what you’re talking about when you say the larger braid on the paper plate holders. You’re talking about the braid visible on the side, not the braid on the top. Right?
You don’t have a cousin who might want the family pictures? (I know many really aren’t interested.) It makes me want to cry when I think of my ancestors’ pictures probably ending up in an antique shop somewhere (or worse, the trash) because nobody knew anyone wanted them. Or more often than not, didn’t know who the people were. I would absolutely love to have pictures of any and all my ancestors! I have some, but never enough.
Now, I’m going to get onto you a bit. You keep saying you’ll put something in your “estate sale.” You know better than that! It would be your moving sale, downsizing sale or living estate sale. Or just yard sale. I’m superstitious. Wouldn’t want to call my sale an estate sale while I was still alive. 😉
About the pp holders…yes I think that’s right, although the braid looks like it is on the top, or the top of the sides anyway. I’m giving away family pictures to those cousins who I think might pertain to their family, but those that pertain to mine, I’m not sure they would want them. And that picture I showed is of my dad’s side of the family. None of us ever knew them unfortunately. Everyone he knew has passed on & we never knew the extended family. It’s sad. I even looked up my Grandmother’s maiden name, which is rather unusual, but could only find a local dentist with that name. I might contact him…I don’t know. That’s what I know…about the family pictures maybe ending up in a trash can or antique shop somewhere. Not what I want for them, but what can I do? I never had kids.
About the estate sale, well, I know it’s called “Living estate sale” if they’re still living. I don’t care what they call it, but that’s what it’s going to be. The only thing I know is…I’m paying someone to do it for me.
Glad you’re trying to find homes for the pictures. You might be doing this already but when you list them include the name. I used to search eBay for pictures with my family names. Ya never know.
I don’t blame you for getting someone else to do the sale! It’s such a pain. As we both know all too well. Fun to go to, a nightmare to have.
You know, I never thought of putting the name of the picture on there! I think I’ll go change the listing to show the name. Not that anyone will be looking for her b/c she never married & died young, but I’ll keep that in mind as I do others.
Oh yes, other people’s estate sales are fun to go to, but I know myself. I would never be able to be firm on price, or even to see people walk off with some things. Even though I’ve never worked an estate sale myself, I have an inkling of how much work it is for the people running it. I feel like y’all deserve your commission.
I told my daughter I would have a “pre-estate” sale one day. I stopped going to estate sales the day they were selling someone’s rosary. Selling decanters/bottles with a few inches of alcohol was kind of new low too. It was like they opened every drawer and cabinet door and slapped a price tag. I felt embarrassed shopping.
That is pitiful about the liquor bottles, I mean, but I have seen it myself. Maybe they think someone wants the bottles, especially if they’re decorative. The rosary is commonly sold. Come to think of it, I’ve seen everything at estate sales b/c you never know what someone will be interested in.
I have so many things passed on to me from my parents that both of my children say they don’t want. I will at some point sell them I guess. I think that is better then a thrift donation where items might get thrown away. You are wise to start doing it now.
Your kids may say now they don’t want them, but maybe they’ll change their minds. I wish I had listened with more attention when my mom was alive and trying to tell me things. She did instill in me a love for family and I treasure all the old heirlooms now, whereas back when I was younger, I wasn’t so interested. That’s what I’m trying to avoid is having to dump everything at a thrift store. If they sell in an estate sale, at least I’ll feel better knowing someone might have wanted them. No one can take it with them, so we’ll all have to do this at some point.
Hey I didn’t make that comment. My info must have been in the fields and the commentor didn’t notice. My daughter treasures it all as much as I do. My son not so much.
I don’t think boys have the same feeling about family mementos. My brother doesn’t really. He would probably be horrified that I was attempting to sell it, but if I were to point out to him that “you can’t take it with you,” and “who are you going to pass it down to,” he might change his tune. He didn’t have kids either. I’m glad your daughter treasures it. How blessed you are!
Well don’t feel alone my husband and I out did ourselves this weekend and paid around $2 for lots of “junk”. We keep ours for now. We live in a small area and there are yard & estate sales but rarely good buys. I loved that picture of your aunt.
Thank you Kathleen! Sounds like you got a great deal on your “junk”! I know what you mean about rarely finding good buys on yard sale stuff. So much of it is kid’s toys, or made in China junk, or clothes, none of which I’m interested in.
Regarding ink on the suitcase: I was shopping at a thrift store and all of the prices on glass were done with a Sharpie. Could not get it off, so I went back and asked about it. The clerk said “It’s easy, use Windex” It worked !
Sharpie on glass is easily removed. Goo-Gone would also do it. Sharpie on vinyl is a harder nut to crack. I tried Windex. I tried alcohol, mineral spirits, Goo-Gone, and other things I can’t think of at the moment. I appreciate your suggestion though, Myrna! Thrift stores never put their prices in the “right” place!
What a awesome haul Florence! You found lots of cool items. love the brass letter stencils, vintage light switches, and the lantern. And the little child’s suitcase, both my daughters had one like these that they packed when they went to grandma’s. LOL I had forgot all about these.
Thanks Linda! I appreciate you coming by! Love to read your comments!
Those brass stencils are awesome. I’ve never seen anything like that.
Thanks Kim! They are rather unique.
Florence, I went through this post saying, “we had that” to just about every item you shared. The razor reminds me of my dad. I used to watch him shave with it…good memories, I can still smell the Aqua Velvet. Thanks for that sweet moment…
Oh Kim, I’m glad you saw some fun things that brought back memories for you! I can just picture your dad standing in front of the mirror shaving.
Aqua Velva! My computer thinks it knows more than me!! 😉
The vintage beaded bag, switch covers and those brass stencils all made me go “I want that!!” What great finds Florence. They really have to invent some teleporting machine to cut down on postage costs or maybe we should just move to the States 😀
Yes I wish they could Michelle! Isn’t that beaded bag pretty? I couldn’t resist it either. You & I are on the same wavelength of what we like. Did you ever receive the makeup brush yet?
Florence you did it again. So many cool items that you found. I really love that toile fabric it was a steal. And the lantern also caught my eye. The purses were also special. Let’s hope I can have that sale soon cause my home is bursting at the seams with unwanted stuff.
The toile fabric is really pretty. Love the lantern too. I wish I could come to your sale!!
I think you really got some great things this time. I really like the toile fabric and the stencils.
Thanks Debra! I appreciate you coming by.
I love so many things Florence… the telephone, the purses, the hat, the mirrored tray. I wish we were closer my friend 🙂 Great finds!
Glad you found some things you like Christina! I wish you lived closer too because I would like to meet you!