Posted by Yesterday I had the best antique/vintage haul of my life. Hands down. So many old, interesting, quirky bits. It was the second part of that big private pick I’ve been banging on about. And we still have more boxes to go through so there will be a third trip! I won’t need to buy one more thing for a long, long time!
But the week started with great sadness…
I received news that a dear cousin had died. It was not unexpected but still hit me like a ton of bricks. We were born 15 days apart and grew up a few houses from each other. We were best friends throughout childhood. Then in our teens we weren’t. (We drifted apart when my family moved two miles out to the country.) Later as adults we reconnected and it was lovely. For decades my annual trip back to New York state always included an afternoon of wine tasting with Carol, her husband and my youngest brother. It became a tradition. A hilarious, afternoon-of-laughter tradition.
It really is true that you never know how much time you have with someone. Treasure them while you can. (I’ll miss you always Carol.)
So with a heavy heart I’ve been going about my little vintage business this week and ironically had the best haul of my life. Needless to say, my emotions have been all over the place!
Here’s a small sample of what I choose…
This original 1905 Teddy Roosevelt inauguration ribbon with big photo button is such a neat piece of history but I had no idea it was so valuable. My initial research shows sold prices $375 – $805 but with an undamaged ribbon. Someone has one for sale at $650 but with what I believe is a replacement ribbon as it’s not the right pattern or length.
This vintage Gothic-style wood water font is a stunner with a glass insert. These old stone grapes need a cleaning but are rather fun, and still on trend for MCM folks.
The sweet lace baby bonnet came with a note “Baby bonnet worn about 1882. Made of Irish point lace. Edged with Valenciennes lace.” The silk lining has some damage, but the lace is still in “good nick.”
This vintage/antique Italian micro mosaic cross is a stunner, though not being Catholic the photo of a pope doesn’t do much for me. The two small vintage carved crosses are made from bog oak from Ireland. These I like…a lot! Just perfect for a home altar.
This baggy holds a variety of vintage/antique boar’s tusks and teeth from New Guinea. I’m mean honestly how often do you run across something like this? And yes, I can sell these on Etsy!
A small 1927 French prayer book bound in leatherette…yes, please! This 2″ glass piece is a perfume bottle missing its top or finial. It’s just beautiful. My initial research is telling me its antique Venetian aventurine glass.
I don’t do much with dolls. Just not my thing. But I was struck by these two kokeshi Japanese wood dolls which I know are fairly popular.
But the oddest thing I bought is a fragment of a mummy case! It was stored in a manilla envelope and came from a history department. Isn’t it beautiful?
This is the tip of the iceberg of my haul. I got so many weird and wonderful items. My friend is again letting me take things home, research them and make an offer for the whole lot. I paid $300 for the first lot (I’ve sold three items so far totaling $153 revenue), but I already know I’ll be offering more for this second group.
This weekend I’m mostly staying home. Allowing myself time to grieve, putter around, journal, watch a mystery or two!
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 
I am so sorry for the loss of your cousin. So young too. I barely knew/know my cousins, I always envied friends who had them close by and the same ages. Same with my children and their cousins, a huge age gap, so they don’t know each other much at all.
You buy such interesting things! You know what sells for you, and I buy for me. The only things I’d buy for myself would be the inauguration ribbon.
The mummy case fragment is interesting. I have scarabs and little carved things (not beads, no holes) shaped like animals. The “real” ones. My uncle (aunt’s husband) was Egyptian. They have inked numbers, like for collections. My grandmother would visit and she got two silver bracelets with scarabs (again, actual, not tourist) set in a way not to damage them. I have them now, and never dared to wear them. You can’t replace things like that. My uncle worked for the UN and he and my aunt lived all over the world, and I loved getting letters and still have the stamps.
Anyway… interesting things. Hope they sell quickly. Maybe for Christmas gifts! And, again, so sorry about your cousin.
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Hi Lisa. Thanks for your condolences. I was blessed to grow up around my extended family, but my daughters have grown up with no extended family around them at all. I do wish that had been different, but it was what it was.
I forgot about your Egyptian connection. Your items sound wonderful, especially those silver bracelets set with scarabs. I’ll likely keep the mummy case fragment…at least for a while. It’s lovely and so unique!
Thanks again,
Karen
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So sorry for your loss, Karen. Glad you have your fun business to keep you busy. And great finds!
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Thanks Patricia. It’s hard realizing I’ll never see her again or hear her voice. Still it happens to all of us. The older we get the more we have to deal with death.
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So true, and some days it’s devastating to know we can’t talk to or see the ones we’ve lost. I’ve lost an uncle, cousin and several friends this year. I wasn’t able to attend most of their services/funerals which makes it harder because I feel like I wasn’t able to say “goodbye.” For me, it helps to write about them. That’s always my go-to healing.
Big hugs!
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Oh Patricia you’ve lost so many in your circle!! Yes, journaling helps me too…a lot. I’ve lead grief support groups on and off for 18 years and that’s one of the things I encourage everyone in the group to do. Hugs.
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