Posted by I stopped in at my neighborhood thrift store for just a few minutes the other day. (Couldn’t stay long because I was headed to church to work with our pre-schooler class who, I have to say, I adore. Such a fun age. A lot of energy for an older gal like me, but so much innocence and joy.)
So in the few minutes I had before class I didn’t find anything in the pottery/china and metal aisles (my mainstays), but did spot this small ship painting at the end of the aisles. It was on the floor, leaned up against bigger paintings. Such a sweet thing (9″ by 7.75″) and a no brainer so I put it in my basket.
A few minutes later in the glass/crystal aisle I picked up four small champagne coupes. Just glass and unsigned, but their details charmed me. Besides the etched leaves, grapes and swags, the stems were so tactile with all these sharp-edged design bits.
My heart just couldn’t resist these. I picture serving champagne, liquor or berries and cream in them. Or perhaps a nubbin of rich chocolate pudding or maybe a few prawns on New Year’s Day. I have no idea if they are worth anything or have any age, but I am happy to keep them. Some things are like that.
At the checkout the salesclerk and I both commented on the rather amazing fact that these delicate glasses had not only survived their previous life, but their brief time in the thrift store donation room where things may be treated a bit roughly.
And the painting? After spotting a signature on it I discovered that it was a Harry Hambro Howe (1886-1966) piece!
Good grief. He was not an amateur Sunday painter, but a known, listed artist in a family of East-Coast artists with a strong track record of sales. (Typically his paintings sell in the range of $100 to $600.)
The son of Captain T Bailey Howe, master of a Nantucket whaler and painter, Harry Howe became an oil painter of marine and landscape subjects. He was born in Boston and remained based there most of his life, although he traveled widely. He took art lessons from his father. One of his favorite subjects was clipper ships…which were built respectively in Medford, Massachusetts in 1851 and Boston in 1850. This subject was popular in the East among persons who appreciated their importance to the history of that city.
from Rogallery.com
Here it is temporarily tucked up on my living room mantel. Three of the five things shown in this photo are thrift store finds!
Not sure yet what I’ll price this at, but what a special find on such a quick peruse. Gotta love this biz!!!
As always, happy hunting,
Karen
P.S. Just to keep things in perspective, I bought a few things today at a different thrift store that I think may be duds. In fact I know one is. I bought a printed paisley wool scarf and somehow, despite looking (and looking) at it in the store, I missed three small holes and it’s not returnable. Drat!
Hunting for Vintage 