I’ve Missed My Thrift Store…

As I continue to wade through researching and listing all the fascinating items from that big private pick, I realized I missed going to my neighborhood thrift store. I don’t need to go–really for the rest of this year–but I miss it! So this week I stopped in…twice. Just because. But I told myself “Don’t buy anything.” And then I amended that to “Don’t buy anything unless it’s DARN good.” And I followed my admonition. Mostly.

First I recognized these pressed glass claret goblets immediately because I have a slightly smaller version. By famed Villeroy & Boch they are in the discontinued “Miss Desiree” pattern and make a great every day wine glass. I definitely grabbed these.

I spotted this within a few minutes of entering the store and did a little happy dance. It’s a 1970s signed Miles Greer piece. Just love the quails. Yup, this was a MUST buy. (Recent ones have sold for $80+)

This is the one folly in the group. It’s a good thing, but not a “darn good thing.” Just a bread-and-butter item. I kept telling myself “put the shoe back” but I didn’t because I’d never seen one that wasn’t in the ubiquitous Delft Blue. Well, this one is vintage (1940ish) from Gouda, Holland, in the pretty “Fanny Royal” pattern. No idea if this will sell.

More listings from the big private pick…

But mostly I’ve been focused on listing stuff I purchased from the private pick. I’ve finally turned the corner and have sold enough of these items to cover my $900 cost of goods (and their associated sales fees) so that now anything else I sell from the pick will put me in profit. Phew! I’m not used to buy goods in such large quantities!

As I work through the box of religious and commemorative medals/pendants I found this one dated 1952 for the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico. Nicely detailed and marked for 980 silver (and tested for silver)! Yeah!

This image is from a 1913 booklet titled the “Wonders of Yosemite” with 27 images. A neat little antique souvenir booklet for folks who love Yosemite!

And this Egyptian mummiform is known as a shabti. These little figures, made of various materials, were placed in the tombs and meant to act as servants to the deceased in the afterlife. This one I know is at least antique, but is it an antique reproduction or thousands of years old? I have no way of knowing so I am selling it as an antique rather than an antiquity. A cool thing either way.

This fabulous antique dip pen (without nib) has a beautifully detailed dragon on it and tests for silver. It has a tiny maker’s/country mark which I can’t make out.

So I am trying to keep focused and keep listing but it gets tedious at times. The other morning I was sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop in front of me and I found myself just staring off into space instead of working on my listing photos. Eventually I snapped out of it and got back to work. (Thankfully I have an understanding boss. 😂) But I have to admit I am looking forward to a break around Christmas!

I’ll close for now wishing you happy hunting,

Karen