Monday, April 4, 2011

It was the best of sales, it was the worst of sales

I recently went to an estate sale that advertised "97 years of accumulation". The sheer amount of stuff was overwhelming. So overwhelming in fact, that it didn't even occur to me to take photos. And decades of filth covered everything! I swung wildly between total joy and complete revulsion. But, you know me girls, I can find a diamond in the rough anywhere!

Vintage necklaces (the minty green one still has the original $2.95 price tag attached), old plastic baby hangers, miniature perfume bottles, "cross stitch" playing cards (never opened), FRAGILE mailing stickers and a package of Dennison St. Patrick's Day stickers.

2 lovely prints; one of some European bridge and the other one of some European dude chatting up some European babe in some European town square a couple of centuries ago. Filthy!

A bunch of Smokey Bear stuff. I especially like the blue foil ashtrays for stubbin' out your smokes instead of tossing them into a nearby forest.

I scored in the ephemera department. Floral greeting cards,

pink owl stationery,

kittens and more florals. When I got home, I took a long, hot shower.

19 comments:

Penny-Rose said...

OOOhhhhh, I know that feeling of excitement and revulsion. Its good to know that things which were accumulated by one person are now being adored by someone else, its like a special kind of karma. I love your title for this post too, it immediately caught my eye. Looking forward to reading more of your blog.

Reduce, Reuse and Rummage said...

love the stationary. Good for you for persevering!

The Thriftaholic (Leilani) said...

"Digger sales" are my absolute favorites, yes I may have to crawl through basements and attics and expose myself to mold and possibly asbestos but there is a certain sense of accomplishment when I do find a treasure or two!

I always get excited when a sale advertises 97+ years of accumulation,unfortunately that usually means mainly 70s/80s stuff with a few older bits in the basement. Did you see any pre-1950s items at this sale? I barely ever see anything from that era.

Into Vintage said...

Sometimes you gotta get dirty to get to the good stuff. Loving the little cross-stiched playing cards!

Nelly said...

Oh wow wish I was there.I also love the playing cards and the owl paper

EverydayMe said...

ugh... I don't know if I could of handled the filth... but then to find goodies in the mix... I'm sure i could have... yeah for your finds... love the 'old smokey' stuff too fun!!! have a lovely tuesday!!!
{{hugs}} Michelle

DearHelenHartman said...

Yep, been there, dreaded that and dug anyway. We're considering it endearing quirkiness, right? Because my family like to use terms like - obsessed and say "you don't need more junk". Families... they don't get it. The Smokey Bear stuff is awesome.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Icky place but such fabulous treasures! Love all the vintage cards and writing paper.

JustJoan said...

OMG I love that old stationery!

Wanda @ Just Vintage said...

Those grody sales are often the very best. You scored pretty good, I'd say. My fav is the owl stationery and I'm not even an Owl Person. I just love the coolness of the design.

Andy's Attic said...

Icky but wow. I admire your tenacity. I would have to be in a certain "mood" to go through filth. (but it's not a hard mood to get into :>) ) So glad it was worth it!!!
Annette

laurie -magpie ethel said...

I'll dig thru anything at estate sales (well, not ANYTHING)..but digger sales are by far my favorite.

kluless said...

Love those plastic baby clothes hangers. I have no clue what I would do with them but I'm pretty sure I would have bought them - LOL! I didn't even see that sale advertised. You must have better connections than me!

Thrifty~Tuesdays said...

looove the owl stationary!!

Harper said...

I adore that pink owl stationery!

aimee said...

Looks like the dust and dirt were worth it! Love that owl stationery and those baby clothes hangers as well! Never know what you'll find at an estate sale - that's part of the fun!

Shortbread and Ginger said...

Wow! Love those cross stitch cards - they look lovely.
Liz

Rebecca said...

LOVE that owl stationary! I head right for the paper at rummage sales. Score!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Good finds! Love the paper finds.
I've been to a few sales like that one...
deb