We, the sellers behind Vintage Unscripted, are not afraid of a little competition. The vintage selling and vintage loving boats are big enough to hold all true vintage lovers. In fact, we make it our business to lift up other sellers when we have a chance. So we’re going to give novice sellers a tip about a genre of merchandise that is almost always sure fire. As luck would have it, we have an example in this week’s fresh to market vintage.
In the 1967 movie The Graduate, recent grad Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) gets career advice from one of his parent’s friends. “Plastics,” says Mr. McGuire. “There’s a great future in plastics.” Our advice, however is not plastics. It’s “Zodiac,” says Vintage Unscripted. “There’s usually a market for zodiac.”
Our experience is not universal and we can’t guarantee that every single piece of zodiac vintage will sell. Things like condition and price have their effect. But if a Holt Howard zodiac mug crosses your path and the price is right, you would be well advised to not walk on by. (To get the complete effect, you’ll have to imagine that we just winked at you in a knowing way.)
Holt Howard Zodiac Mug
I wore vintage clothing in the 1970s, and loved things that were old and beautiful. Now I am a proud reseller of vintage and antique items. This Holt Howard Zodiac Mug was found by a friend at a living estate sale and given to me because of my whimpering over it. The amazing thing is that we all get rid of perfectly nice things we may have outgrown emotionally. Someone owned this in 1969, and it persevered to 2025 for me to get it and pass it on to a Holt Howard collector. Happy Earth Day! Let’s make every day earth day!
Colorful Footed Holt Howard Coffee or Tea Mug, $56.99
-Mary Ellen, Aunt Hatties Attic
Three Strand Necklace in Taupe and White
Marked “Japan” on the clasp, this princess length three strand necklace is very much in keeping with the look of the late 1950s to early 1960s. This style of necklace was mass produced due to its popularity. You can find these necklaces in a wide variety of colors, and bead shapes. Although they clearly evoke the style of the era they were made, they still work well today. Reasonably priced and well made, there are plenty available. You could have one for every outfit by creating a collection.
Taupe and White Three Strand Necklace, $21.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Redware Plate with Heart Design, Unsigned c. 1990s
Nothing says love like a gift of vintage folk art, especially one featuring a heart like this charming redware dish we found in 1992. It features a large heart outlined in gold with the classic glazed redware finish on the front & an unglazed back. It is unsigned but has been attributed to Steve Nutt, an American potter who began his career at Richmond Restoration in Staten Island, NY.
Vintage Handmade Redware Plate $40
-Linda, Selective Salvage
1960s Baby Ruth Wrapper
Vintage books sometimes come with forgotten notes, bookmarks, pressed flowers or photos tucked inside. This week, a vintage cookbook came with carefully flattened Baby Ruth and Butterfinger wrappers from the 1960s. It turns out there is a collectible market for vintage candy wrappers. How did we know? We didn’t. But when enough pieces of esoteric ephemera have passed through your hands, you know to check to see if things have value beyond still existing when most of it’s kindred have long ago been tossed.
For a real sugary treat, check out the online Candy Wrapper museum and this Smithsonian essay by its curator, Darlene Lacey.
1960s Curtiss Baby Ruth Candy Bar Wrapper, $30.
-Laurie, NextStage Vintage
The redware and the necklace in this week’s fresh to market vintage may have made you sigh with delight. And you might have shaken your head and blinked a couple times to make sure your eyes were functioning properly and there really is an old candy wrapper listed. Your eyes are not betraying you. You are seeing the living, breathing personification of one man’s trash is another man’s collectible.
We would hardly describe ourselves as “collectible,” but we like to think our Vintage Unscripted blog is enjoyable. Never miss a post! Subscribe to our once a week email with links to all our posts from the previous week. Your data is safe with us. We would not give up your email info even if we were a quahog clam getting ferociously pecked by a seagull.
