A Very Vintage Christmas

Here is the post I'm sure you saw coming.  Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my new Christmas goodies.  It seems like my parents really had fun searching for me this year and they did not disappoint. 

 

First of all, they found this Dormeyer stand mixer with meat grinder.  I believe it was made around 1950-1951 and still works wonderfully.  My only disappointment was that it only has the smaller of the mixing bowls but it will give me something to search for.  They also picked up the shiny brites which i adore.  Next up is a older Pyrex Percolator which I am intrigued by as the insides are completely metal.  Previously I had only ever found them where the insides were partially glass.  The metal insides also must be original as they are marked Pyrex.  Has anyone else ever found a similar one?  Last for this photo is a small Jadeite bowl.

 

 

 

Now comes the Pyrex!  The single item I am perhaps most excited about is the Compass promotional divided casserole.  It even has it's original carrier handle!  Hopefully tomorrow it will be put to use, you will see another blog post on it if so.  Also, I received the smallest verde frigie, Horizon Blue mixing bowl (my first of this pattern), and the smaller red hostess dish.  

 

Isn't it such a pretty red?

 

 

I really do think I'm in love with this.  

 

Here are some more miscellaneous Pyrex goodies.  I was quite tickled to get another double broiler, they seem harder to come buy around here.  Also pictured are a creamer, cookie jar, various see and store canisters and a lil coffee carafe.  

 

 

Now comes my new purchases.  I have to tell you, I am still absolutely thrilled with this one.  I found this Coleman metal cooler for only $20 at a local antique mall. Although it isn't in pristine condition, it has been used but not abused.  I'm completely okay with this though because that means that I can use it.  I'm sure it will be taking part in next summer's camping excursions.   

 

Part of the Diamond Series, this cooler was made in February, 1964.  How can you get it that exact down to the month?

 

 

How to... Date Coleman products:

Located with the other manufacturing information on the bottom of this cooler are 3 digits that can be utilized to date.  For example, this cooler is marked 6 42.  This translates into 6 4 being 1964 and the final digit signifying the second month being February. 

 

Now if only all vintage products had made it this simple to date them.



 

 

Also found at that antique mall was this "As You Like It" Fruit cocktail glass jar with plastic lid.  I picked up the two boxes of Shiny Brite ornaments at Goodwill for around a dollar a piece.  Finally, I found this Sears Courier train case at Goodwill for $3.  

 

 

Although the tray and keys are missing, it's still in quite good condition and I love the teal color to it.  Now I just need to find a matching suitcase, teehee.  

 

 

Well that's all for now folks.  Linking up over at Rednesday.  Happy thrifting and I hope you have a fabulous New Year!  

A First.

This find was a bit of a surprise to me as a had never purchased one before: a vintage globe.  To be specific a Cram's Universal Terrestrial Globe, 9 inch, Indianapolis, Indiana.  I've always had a soft spot for vintage school items but at the time of purchase I wasn't exactly sure of how old it was.  I did note that the Soviet Union was in existence, but aside from that it was a shot in the dark.  All I know was that it was cool and only $3 so I could afford it.  Then after I came home I did some research.  The pleasant surprise I'm sure you all saw coming: I believe it dates to roughly 1949. 
You may be wondering how exactly I proceeded in dating it to that point.  It was a lengthy process of looking up multiple countries online to check and see when their time period of existence was.  I could have substituted it with merely googling "How to date a globe?" but at the time I was too excited.  None the less, I can't help but wish I had some more minor facts and check points while actually in the store...wandering around...pondering whether it was a good purchase.  Because had I not successfully talked myself into it, I would have regretted it.  Which is why I'm creating a mini blog within my blog post per say.
How to... Roughly Date a Globe:
Is Czechoslovakia present (Later Czech Republic)? 
          Pre-1992
How about the Soviet Union (Later Russia and other small countries)?
          Pre-1992
Is Germany separated into East and West?
          Pre-1990, Post-1949
Vietnam?
          Unified in 1976, Separated 1954
Do you see the Tanganyika Territory in Africa?
          Pre- 1961
How about either French Equatorial Africa or French West Africa?
          Pre -1960
Is Anglo-Egyptian Sudan below Egypt?
          Pre - 1956
Korea?
          Single country Pre-1953
Is there French Indochina where you would expect Vietnam and Cambodia?
          If so, Pre- 1949
In addition to it being some fun facts to everyone reading...it will also ensure I don't forget should I ever find a globe again as writing/typing things drills them into my memory.  Although these dates may not be completely exact, it was what I had found and can serve as a guideline. 

 

That's all for now folks.  Hopefully I'll be putting my new Christmas goodies up to share soon.  Happy thrifting everyone.   

 

Merry Christmas!

Hello all!  Merry Christmas and I hope everyone is having a fantastic day celebrating with their families.  I just wanted to take a quick moment to share my wrapping job on all the presents for this year!  

 

 

 

And while I'm at it, some vintage Christmas post cards.  

Digging in December

Hello all and I hope you are having a wonderful holiday!  In amongst my Christmas shopping and wrapping and visiting and baking I have managed to do a bit of thrifting/junking.  First up are the thrifty finds. 

I have been checking the Christmas section of Goodwill a little more close lately hoping to find some new ornaments - preferably Shiny Brite ones.  I was able to find a box of them as well as a few other boxes of different brands that still had Shiny Brites in them, go figure.  While most were solid colored, I found a few of which were a little special: two striped and one indent.  Also, I found some new Jadeite goodies, one saucer and a creamer.  Ironically, I also on the same day found a red striped Pyrex sugar bowl - with lid!  Squeee!  Speaking of Pyrex, I also picked up the Town and Country divided casserole.  In case you've lost count as to how many divided casseroles I have...well so have I.  My mom also picked up the canister for me as well as the turquoise handled silverware. 

 

 

As for the junking side of things, currently my mom is in the middle of a move - and she had a lot of neato goodies amongst the true junk above the garage.  More neato goodies than is average since her house used to be a little grocery store.  Many thanks to my momma and brother for passing these on to me and helping to unearth them!  

 

To begin with: Cool old crates.  One is a dairy one with the town name on opposite side, the other was a meat crate.  

 

The meat crate even had some really legible writing on them.  It apparently held smoked hams in December 1953 - just in time for Christmas!

Although most of the branded signs had previously been removed, I did find this folk like hand painted sign.  This is especially interesting since after showing my dad he mentioned remembering when it used to hang out on the front sign post. 

 

 

Other random goodies unearthed included an old industrial style chair with adjustable height and back as well as metal bucket and wooden planter with an awesome painted patina.  

 

 

At this point, I was already excited.  But then...there was this.  Even though this is the same as the chair above, it is in much better shape and raised to stool height.  I think I'm in love with it.  So now the goal becomes to make chair above look like chair below.  I got this.  

 

 

 

Speaking of chairs.  My mom also gave me this one.  It's quite sturdy, children's height and had been slip covered at some point in time.  Now I just need to devise a plan with it too.  I see my project list for the summer is growing.  

 

 

So what do you think, would you have saved all the goodies I unearthed from the garage too?  Well that's all for now folks.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Pyrex and Jadeite and Hoosiers - Oh My!

Hello all and many apologies for being slightly MIA as of late.  As a college student my semester is beginning to come to a close bringing with it many fun finals and term projects.  Trust me when I say I would much prefer thrifting and blogging to this alternative...not that I wouldn't prefer it to most other alternatives, but especially so in this instance.  In fact right now I am stuck on campus, coffee in hand waiting for my next class - a perfect opportunity to play catch up.  The upside to this arrangement is the amazingly quick upload of photos. 

 

First up we have some goodies I found a while back.  Remember the yellow folding chair I mentioned I found at a rummage sale, well it decided to cameo as a prop in these photos.  On the top are four floral pillow cases I found ranging from 25 cents to a dollar each.  Oddly enough three of these match and were found at separate Goodwills.  I also found the metal canister with darling flowers printed on it for a dollar.   

 

 

 The two plates were found for less than a dollar each.  One is a Pyrex dinnerware one with a neat-o gray with green style design. 

 

 

The other is this snazzy McKee jadeite saucer.  It has a laurel like design around the edge and although it does have a small chip, I adore jadeite and very rarely find it in thrifts.  

 

 

Although somewhat unrelated to the thrfting share time I'm in the middle of, I did make some more progress on my Hoosier cabinet.  The top section of it is now fully reassembled aside from the back panels and doors.  Once it and these pieces are all stained, they can be put on and the top section will be completely done.  I can't begin to explain how excited I am to have made this much progress on it.  It's to the point now where you can really begin picturing it as an eye-catcher. 

 

Also, when moving this piece around, I found the original label nailed to the bottom.  Fantastically enough it survived since the 1920's to still be readable and I was able to find out it was originally sold in a near by town as well as the company who sold it.  



 

 

Okay, now it's the Hoosier's turn to be a prop.  My dad was a lucky duck and found me some good Pyrex lately (which is good considering I've been lacking).  He found the Early American mixing bowls, casserole, as well as the Federal Eagle bowl all at the same shop for really good prices and in excellent condition.  Thanks Dad!  Meanwhile, I found the Pyrex salt shaker.  Hmmm...he should share some luck with me.  

I did find the adorable McDonald's Peanuts glass from the Camp Snoopy collection though.  It makes me smile.  

 

To be fair, I also found a major score with this Pyrex Percolator.  I just about did a happy dance in the store to be exact.  It's in good condition, one hundred percent complete...and was less than $3.  Okay, so maybe my luck is on the rebound.  I hope.  

 

Well that's all for now folks, off to class I go.  Happy thrifting!

Also, I'm linking up over at Thriftasaurus!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hopefully everyone has an excellent Thanksgiving today!  I know I'm already in turkey day mode:  Macy's Parade is on, will shortly begin working on getting ready to head out for my family dinners at 12:30 and 5. 

In addition to being immensely thankful to be spending time with my family today, I would just like to tell everyone how thankful I am for my readers, followers, and all the comments they leave me.  You have know idea how they brighten my day. 

So what's on your agenda for today?  Is there anything you're especially thankful for?

(Note:  The postcard is one from my collection, ironically the only Thanksgiving one from my collection.  I was really hoping to have one with a large and cheerful turkey.  Oh well, you get grapes in lieu.  Although not dated, it does state "Raphael Tuck & Sons, Art publishers to their majesties the King and Queen, Printed in Saxony")

Untold Tales #1: The School House Magazines

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I'm faced with the terrifying idea that winter is just around the corner.  Although I am a great fan of the holiday season, generally it isn't friendly to me at the thrift stores.  How then, am I to satisfy the lull in my blogging (and general fun time) which this will inevitably create?  Idea: revisit all my old finds from before I began blogging.  Therefore, I bring you "The Untold Tales of Yesterway". As a note: this will be a photo heavy post...I'm sorry, I couldn't control myself. 

While I have only been blogging for slightly less than a year, ever since I was younger I've been interested in "that old stuffs".  I started purchasing it in my teens...and well...it has sort of snow balled into an intense passion since then. 

The so called "School House Magazines" were actually not a purchase.  One of my more distant relatives has an older abandoned school house on their property.  Although beyond repair (and frankly beyond safe), one day I was able to explore it.  I must note: it was absolutely fantastic.  The layout was intriguing, there were details I had never anticipated, the chalkboard was inspiring...and all this despite multiple years of hard weather and a quickly deteriorating roof.  I can't help but wonder what it would have been like to attend a school like that. 

Anyways, back to the magazines.  The entire floor was covered with them...lots of them.  Most were water damaged or torn beyond recognition but some were able to be salvaged.  At the time I didn't realize what a gold mine this "old stuff" was but now I treasure them for their illustrations and vintage advertisements. 



Lana Lobell, Hanover Pennsylvania Catalog

 

 

I adore all the swimsuits featured in this catalog!

There is a part of me that would love to get this dolled up on a regular basis.

I'm not sure I could handle some of those shoes though...they look like they would hurt my toes hehe

 

 

Woman's Day February 1948, Five Cents. (apologies for the sideways photo)

 

 

There are a ton of advertisements and generally interesting articles in this one.

 

 

They used to have Specialty Salesman Magazine, now we don't even have a Salesman.  October 1949, Fifteen Cents

 

 

Perhaps my favorite in terms of vintage advertisements and photos, Collier's December 11, 1953.  Fifteen Cents

Perfect for the upcoming holidays, Mars winter advertisement.  Note the Ten Cent price.

Trans World Airlines.  Don't you love the perfect snow scene?

IBM Electric Typewriter...in turquoise... perhaps something to add to my wish list.

Corby's whiskey.  I find the combo of the parrot and sleigh amusing.

One of my favorites, Maxwell House Coffee ad.  With another perfect snow scene *sigh*.

Zenith with a variety of televisions and radios.

 

Another favorite, Butterfinger candy.  It's just so happy, how can you not love it?

March 14, 1958
Remember when...a billion was a lot?

 Well folks, that's all for now.  Happy thrifting and if all else fails, curl up with some hot cocoa and White Christmas.  It's never too early for White Christmas. 

Linking up with Rednesday over at It's A Very Cherry World!

Goodwill Was Good to Me...

This past week I took some much needed time off to go visit with my mom.  While there, we went out and enjoyed some quality thrifting time.  Now when I said Goodwill was good to me in the title, what I really mean was that Goodwill was "absolutely-fantastic-to-me-for-the-first-time-in-a-long-time-and-I-almost-tripped-trying-to-get-to-the-goodies-on-the-shelf" good to me.  Yeah, that good. 

 

 

The tripping part I had previously mentioned?  It occurred in a Goodwill which although I do not frequently visit due to the distance from my house, I have had pretty good luck in before.  There, in the middle of nowhere, I found the snowflake casserole, Amish blue butterprint casserole, and green primary mixing bowl...all sitting together on a shelf...all only $1.99 each.  *Insert faint here*  In my area the primary mixing bowls appear quite hard to find.  Thus far, aside from the small blue bowl, this is the only primary I have EVER found in a thrift.  Also, I found the lime green rimmed lunch plate for a quarter, the regency green dinner plate and creamer for $1 each and my mom also found me the Pyrex Bundt pan made in France. 

 

 



 



There was still more...amazingly.  The cookie jar, three spice of life canisters and butterfly gold butter tub, gravy boat, and under plate were all in the 25 cent to $2 range.  I also found 5 additional Bradford House dinner plates which I had previously posted about which brought me to the nice and even stack of 8 you see pictured. 

 

 

I even managed to snag some pretty sweet non-Pyrex goodies as well.  My favorite has to be the Bell 500 rotary telephone.  I was quite leery about this purchase as it was definitely beyond my realm of experience, but since it was only $3, I took a leap.  I did find out that it was made in 1979 with the "Not for Sale" markings but was officially sold in 1983.  I became quite tickled with the purchase after I was able to test it, with great relief I found out that the phone can receive calls, call out, and still rings.  The only thing I really noticed wrong with it is that there is more static on the line than I would expect to be normal and the hang up buttons do not light.  Overall though, completely worth the money.  Also pictured is Girl Scout canteen from the 1960's manufactured by Mirro. On the back of the cover is the "GS" logo as well on imprinted in the metal canteen itself.   

 

Finally, we have this rather intriguing book from 1953.  Although cameras are again not my specialty, I really liked this.  

It even has some lovely black and white photos as examples throughout the directional and technique text. 

 

And as would be expected, we also have some directional step by step photos.  



 

Well that's all for now folks.

Happy thrifting and (to all my U.S. readers) also have a Happy Thanksgiving this week as well!

 

Also, this is my first link up with Sir Thrift A lot's Thriftasaurus!