In the 1950s, the best places to buy bargain-priced antiques were local house sales or farm auctions. But times have changed. Old items are often considered “used” not “art.” Try these.
1) The front yard pile of boxes waiting for trash pick up. Christmas ornaments, old tools, magazines, toys, even portraits are often discarded after years in the attic. Search early. There is a group in almost every city that checks trash.
2) Church rummage sales and fund-raising events. Since all of the workers are volunteers, few would know that a 1960s rock-and-roll poster could be worth $500, recognize an old Chinese export plate, or that some video games are too valuable to be sold in a group.
3) Pawn shops, especially in foreign countries. Some shops in Mexico, were filled with antique jewelry figurines and paperweights that were wanted by few collectors. Indian pawn jewelry, and long dangling Victorian gold earrings with small colored gems didn’t have a high price if they had posts to secure them in the ear. They sold them for the gold meltdown value, very little for the stones. Today, they are back in style and even in a pawn shop sell for high prices. Look around; there are probably other unexpected bargains like taxidermy heads or cone-top beer cans.
4) Consignment shops specializing in building materials and furniture for recyclers. Many also have furnishings for the family like dishes or kitchen gadgets or even large colorful glass or pottery vases. The “beige box look” of the modern fifties enthusiast that was out by the eighties is now almost back. So, look for low-priced unrecognized Fiesta dishes, cobalt blue bottles and early advertising. You might even find a bargain rug. And if you like dishes with dainty flowers and pastels, you can find a set of Haviland dinnerware for 12 for about $150, a lot less if a few cups are missing (use mismatched cups and plates for even less money).
5) Your grandmother’s attic. Offer to clean it if you can have things you find that you loved as a kid or that remind you of the family. Even old yearbooks can be worth a lot of money, but they have to have pictures of a modern celebrity as a student.
Check your local free papers/FB for sales at retirement villages, 55+ communities. Old people have old stuff! I know i do 😉
Check your local free papers/FB for sales at retirement villages, 55+ communities. Old people have old stuff! I know i do 😉
My entire house is furnished in antiques. I also collect vintage costume and NA jewelry. Strolling through our local antique gallery, found a jumbled, heat sealed bag marked “1960’s Jewelry” for $10. Couldn’t see what was in there, except for one clasp marked .925 so bought it.
After 8 hours of detangling chains, beads, separating, and cleaning, found inlaid fire opal and turquoise pendants, beautiful liquid silver multi strand necklaces, Old Bell Trading Post turquoise rings and cuff bracelets, awesome heishi bead necklaces, other sterling rings, earrings, pendants and necklaces….and a Virgo Tiffany pendant and chain by Elsa Peretti.
I can honestly say this is the ONLY time I ever found a deal in an antique store.
As for thrift shops in my area…they used to have jewelry to look at. The past 4 months. They have stopped. There is nothing there.
My entire house is furnished in antiques. I also collect vintage costume and NA jewelry. Strolling through our local antique gallery, found a jumbled, heat sealed bag marked “1960’s Jewelry” for $10. Couldn’t see what was in there, except for one clasp marked .925 so bought it.
After 8 hours of detangling chains, beads, separating, and cleaning, found inlaid fire opal and turquoise pendants, beautiful liquid silver multi strand necklaces, Old Bell Trading Post turquoise rings and cuff bracelets, awesome heishi bead necklaces, other sterling rings, earrings, pendants and necklaces….and a Virgo Tiffany pendant and chain by Elsa Peretti.
I can honestly say this is the ONLY time I ever found a deal in an antique store.
As for thrift shops in my area…they used to have jewelry to look at. The past 4 months. They have stopped. There is nothing there.
Our thrift and vintage business was launched by a garbage pick of about 30 bags–one of which contained a 1967 Mera (Aquaman’s wife) “Super Queen” doll. It sold for $2,600.
Our thrift and vintage business was launched by a garbage pick of about 30 bags–one of which contained a 1967 Mera (Aquaman’s wife) “Super Queen” doll. It sold for $2,600.
Garage Sales – not “ongoing” ones, but the once in a blue moon or spring cleaning type garage sale.
Garage Sales – not “ongoing” ones, but the once in a blue moon or spring cleaning type garage sale.
Great tips. Also flea markets, estate sales.
Great tips. Also flea markets, estate sales.
I can attest to #1 after finding a very large vintage cast iron skillet on a residential trash pile in NY city – only needed a good scrubbing and reseasoning and probably worth $50-75. And #2 after finding a set of 8 Waterford cordial glasses for $10 at a church rummage sale. And #3 after finding a complete set of state quarters, for less than face value, and in a nice collectors binder at a pawn shop. And #4 after finding an original 30s-40s era American Standard blue lavatory with decent single-lever faucet for $13 at a ReStore to replace a damaged one in my old house. And #5 after finding some nice antique tools in my grandfather’s basement while my brother found an antique banner from the 1888 Harrison/Morton presidential campaign in our grandmother’s attic.
I can attest to #1 after finding a very large vintage cast iron skillet on a residential trash pile in NY city – only needed a good scrubbing and reseasoning and probably worth $50-75. And #2 after finding a set of 8 Waterford cordial glasses for $10 at a church rummage sale. And #3 after finding a complete set of state quarters, for less than face value, and in a nice collectors binder at a pawn shop. And #4 after finding an original 30s-40s era American Standard blue lavatory with decent single-lever faucet for $13 at a ReStore to replace a damaged one in my old house. And #5 after finding some nice antique tools in my grandfather’s basement while my brother found an antique banner from the 1888 Harrison/Morton presidential campaign in our grandmother’s attic.
If I have snapshots of famous actors, musicians, vocalists, do i have to get their authorization to sell the pics? Example: Sylvester Stallone in a restaurant. Close ups of Tom Jones 50 years ago singing on top of our table!
If I have snapshots of famous actors, musicians, vocalists, do i have to get their authorization to sell the pics? Example: Sylvester Stallone in a restaurant. Close ups of Tom Jones 50 years ago singing on top of our table!