It's been a while since I've had time to update my blog, but we have been able to squeeze in several good estate sales and picked some funky items. One sale was a pickers paradise from a large home full of collectibles of all types. Every room in the house was completely packed, including the garage. We picked several smalls items including vintage hand woodworking tools, kitchen tools, two Art Deco table clocks, two Brownie box cameras, a couple small advertising tins, an "Eagle 6-Lever" padlock, and an old seltzer beverage bottle. Especially interesting were three vintage soda fountain syrup pumps. The pumps are about 16in tall with heavy ceramic containers and the original metal pump mechanisms. We also bought a large stack (about 100) of old stamped envelopes from the 1920s with the letters inside. Reading the letters was fascinating, but also personal and sad. Some of the letters were about family members writing to each about hard and sometimes tragic times and events.
At two other sales we found a large Triner Postal scale, and a late 1800s Wheelwright's Travelers tool (used to measure the size of a wagon wheel). We didn't know what the Traveler tool was, other than it was cool, until we got home and did some research and saw it in action on the History Channel. We also found a few advertising crates and tobacco tins.
The final item of interest were two old, very worn oars that we found in a side of the road trash pile. We couldn't believe someone was throwing them away. With a little DIY they became great decor pieces. After a light sanding, some oil soap, and a vintage red/white paint finish they looked awesome!. They displayed well with some old farm pulleys we picked at another sale.
Several new pictures of all these items have been posted in the "Gallery". (scroll to the bottom of the Gallery to see new photos)
At two other sales we found a large Triner Postal scale, and a late 1800s Wheelwright's Travelers tool (used to measure the size of a wagon wheel). We didn't know what the Traveler tool was, other than it was cool, until we got home and did some research and saw it in action on the History Channel. We also found a few advertising crates and tobacco tins.
The final item of interest were two old, very worn oars that we found in a side of the road trash pile. We couldn't believe someone was throwing them away. With a little DIY they became great decor pieces. After a light sanding, some oil soap, and a vintage red/white paint finish they looked awesome!. They displayed well with some old farm pulleys we picked at another sale.
Several new pictures of all these items have been posted in the "Gallery". (scroll to the bottom of the Gallery to see new photos)