Vintage buyers and sellers are all about the condition of vintage items. And condition is relative. We’ve written about this before, but it bounced to the front of the brain because of the pretty pin in this week’s fresh to market vintage that’s “wounded.” She’s missing a couple stones. She’s still a beauty. And what’s important is it’s clearly stated in the description AND clearly shown in the photograph.
Some sellers use the standard mint, excellent, very good, good, fair and poor to describe items. Gently used and gently worn are also popular. We’ve seen sellers will give their items a score of 1-10. Some collectibles, like sports card and comics have very specific “grades” for condition. Books also have specific guidelines for listing condition.
As a buyer, always do your due diligence. Look at the photos. If you need another photo, ask before you buy. Read the entire description. On sites like eBay, you have to scroll down past a lot of stuff to get a written description if the seller added one. On Etsy, you may need to expand the description to see it all. Never hesitate to ask a seller a question before you buy. No one wants you to be happier than us sellers. We puff out our chests with pride every time we read a glowing review.
Now, for your casual review, this week’s fresh to market vintage.
Art Deco Circle Brooch
Though she’s a bit wounded, she’s still fabulous. None of us grow old without a few scars. This beauty is no exception. She could most likely be repaired, but I prefer that her age and wear be shown. Circle brooches often depict eternity and love. This one with its sapphire rhinestone inner circle and outer edge of swirling tiny turquoise beads evokes the encircling love of intertwined lives. How sweet is that?
Double Circle Brooch in Blues, $45.95
Pam, Vintage Renude
Vintage Splint Burlington “Hawkeye” Picnic Basket
Warm weather means thoughts of picnicking are in the air. Marketed by the Burlington Basket Company as the “Hawkeye” because of the company’s Iowa roots, this style of basket was originally lined with tin and asbestos to serve as a portable refrigerator. This is a later, lighter-weight (asbestos-free) version of the Hawkeye, and it is big enough for a picnic lunch for four. If you’re looking for something yummy to pack in it, look no further than Taste of Home for inspiration.
Vintage Wooden Picnic Basket, $55
Linda, Selective Salvage
Martha’s Vineyard Tray and Coasters
My Vintage Unscripted friend is also into the fun of finding souvenirs of the 50 states for her shop. Vintage souvenirs have a great place in your summer celebrations with drinks glasses, plates and even trays that may remind you of that great road trip one summer to another state or states. This tray and coaster set features an island that is part of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was created in the 1960s and focuses on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard. If you can’t afford a European tour, consider taking the ferry to one or more New England’s coastal islands. They are awaiting your visit!
1960s Souvenir of Martha’s Vineyard Coasters, $46.99
Mary Ellen, Aunt Hatties Attic
1960s Welch’s Flintstones Jelly Glasses
Welch’s Grape Jelly glasses printed with TV favorites were a staple of glassware cabinets in the 1950s-1970s. Not only did you get the printed image on the outside, there was an embossed image on the bottom of the glass. So much winning! Don’t be surprised if vintage Welch’s glasses you find have utensil marks on the inside bottom, that’s from mixing up Nestle’s Quik, another era staple.
Welch’s made these promotional glasses from the 1950s to 1977. Glasses from that era were “full press,” which means they were made by pressing molten glass in a mold with a plunger. The process makes nice thick walls, which is proved by the number of these glasses still available in great condition.
The promotional glasses were revived from 1988-2002, but it was a shorter, shaped glass. Enjoy this list of all 28 collections Welch’s produced.
Two 1960s Welch’s Grape Jelly Flintstones Promotional Glasses, $25.
–Laurie, NextStage Vintage
As always, this weekly fresh to market vintage post has an array of interesting things and hopefully some nuggets to add to your vintage knowledge. Who knew Hawkeye picnic baskets were lined with tin and asbestos?
We try to serve up knowledge nuggets in all our posts. We hope you find them tasty. Subscribe to our email newsletter and never miss a post. You get an email with links to all our posts from the previous week. And your info is safe with us. We are as loyal to our subscribers as we are to our dogs, with whom we always share our Blue Raspberry Popsicle Twin Pops.
