This week’s fresh to market vintage reminds us that it’s getting to be flea market and yard sale season in the top half of the country. We decided that while we usually go easy on you on a Sunday morning, with some amusing information about whatever nice thing made it’s way into our shops this week, this week we are going to ask your moral fiber to do some flexing.
You are out thrifting and you find that there is something very nice and pricey that is do wickedly underpriced you know it either has serious condition flaw OR the seller has no idea what it is. You eyeball it pretty well and it is in good condition, the pricing is just off. Do you:
- Buy it immediately!
- Buy it and give the seller a little extra.
- Tell the seller and pay fair market value.
You notice, we didn’t specify WHERE you were thrifting, just that you were. Would your answer be the same if you were:
- At a family run estate sale?
- At a professionally run estate sale?
- At a flea market?
- At a small charity non-profit thrift store?
- At a honking big non-profit thrift store?
We don’t know about you, but we would be hard pressed to take advantage of a family running their own estate sale or a small charity shop. In fact, we’ve been know to add a extra something to our payment at small charity thrift shops to support the volunteers and their mission. There aren’t any right or wrong answers, “all’s fair” is a perfectly fine credo as well. We just thought we might toss this question out there to help you get ready for thrifting season.
And now, relax and enjoy this week’s fresh to market vintage…
Early Plastic Easter Basket c 1920s
What a sweet little handled plastic basket that I think may have been an Easter item back in the 20s. Lovely ivory color with an embossed design on the basket and a bow at the top of the handle. Molded, possibly unmarked celluloid or french ivory. Contains early brown paper “grass” which makes it perfect for holding a special tiny gift.
Early Embossed Plastic Basket, $75
-Linda, Selective Salvage
Tutanka Japanese Cloisonne Ashtray
While smoking and ashtrays may no longer be popular, vintage Japanese cloisonne enamel definitely is. This individual sized ashtray is decorated with a single cherry blossom surrounded by a gorgeous shade of turquoise blue. It retains the original sticker with the patent number. Wouldn’t this be a lovely trinket tray for holding your rings at the end of the day? Mid Century enamel plates and trays have recently become popular collectibles. I think this would make an interesting addition to a collection.
Tutanka Japanese Cloisonne Ashtray, $ 22.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Royal Haeger Black Vase
I thought vases would be a great idea for part of a Mothers Day gift. Find the one that will best fit Mom’s or Grandma’s taste and fill it with flowers that touch her heart. When the flowers fade, the remaining vase can be displayed or cherished in a cabinet. Royal Haeger’s company name threw me, as this is made in the US now somewhere with royalty. But when I found out that Royal A. Hickman was their chief designer at one time well, it now makes sense. If you want to learn more, Crafts Hero has a well organized way to learn all about it in Haeger Pottery: Facts & Tips.
Royal Haeger Vase, $ 68.99
-Mary Ellen, AuntHattiesAttic
“The Mistake” Wacky Cocktail Glasses
There is always room in my crusty old heart for a good novelty cocktail glass. Vintage shot glasses are notoriously novelty, usually crossing the line into full-on kitsch. Another favorite is the acrylic “rocks” glasses with actual rocks in a sealed bottom compartment. Advertising novelty glasses are a separate category from kitschy glasses. These often have an interesting shape and rely on typography to give them their wit.
“The Mistake” glasses were to promote a cocktail made with Irish Mist and Popov Vodka. I’m guessing after more than one of those, you don’t need a physically tipsy glass to see a tipsy glass.
The Mistake Advertising Tipsy Bar Glasses, $36.
-Laurie, NextStage Vintage
That’s a wrap on this week’s fresh to market vintage. We love the idea of ashtrays as trinket dishes. Vintage ashtrays can have great design. Just because they have some indents to hold a smoldering cigarette doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate it without a smoldering cigarette in hand.
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Ever wonder what the difference is between cloisonné and champleve? We had an explanation here.
