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    Home » Thrift Store Finds

    Losing My Head At An Estate Sale

    Published by Pam Kessler | 506 words. · About 3 minutes to read this article. - 34 Comments

    On Friday, I went to an estate sale I had seen advertised on Mr. Craig's List. I didn't really see anything in the ad that was jumping out at me, but all the stuff they showed in the pictures was in the same era of things I tend to collect. So I was hoping there would be a box or two of vintage Christmas hidden away in some dark corner of the basement just waiting to be saved.

    Sigh. After navigating the ridiculously steep and shaky basement steps, not one tiny piece of vintage Christmas could be found in the basement.

    But I did find this ironstone veggie dish.

    Vintage Ironstone tureen found at an estate sale

    It was super filthy when I found it, but when I licked my finger and wiped it on the dish, the dirt seemed to come off.

    Everything was 25% off that day, so it cost me $6.00. To do some backward math, that would be originally priced at $8.00.

    And then I found this 24" round mirror with the coolest etching design around the rim.

    Round mirror with pretty etching around the perimeter found at an estate sale

    (Yes, I angled the mirror to reflect something other than the laundry on the floor)

    True, the silvering is messed up on the back. Mostly just a little pin hole here, a little scratch there, but there is a larger spot by each of the hanging holes that is pretty warn through.
    Round mirror with pretty etching around the perimeter found at an estate sale

    The mirror looked a little cloudy, but I suspected most of it was from the ton of basement grime on it, so I did the old finger lick test on the mirror too.

    Note to self: Don't use the same finger to do the wipe off test two times in a row, because 50 year old grime isn't tasty and you will spend the next hour trying not to freak out that you may or may not have just ingested rat poo.

    The mirror was priced at $3.00, so it actually only cost the price of a large soda at McDonalds - $2.25

    Eek!

    Scary doll missing part of her head

    Not sure why part of this girl's skull is missing. No way on God's green earth was she was coming home with me though. I am not that brave.

    Why yes, that 350 on her boob is her price tag. Since it was 25% off day, she would have ONLY been $262.50 (had to use my calculator for that one). I have no idea what makes Miss Half A Head worth that amount.

    Lastly, just because it was THE ONLY thing I found at the thrift store this week I'll throw it in this estate sale post, I found this vintage Christmas cookie tin for 99 cents.

    Christmas cookie tin with vintage bells and greenery on front.  Very 1950's.

    I must have missed the day when all the good Christmas stuff gets put on the shelves, because it's been slim pickings for vintage Christmas finds around here (insert image of Pam throwing a tantrum in the aisles of Goodwill).

    Did you have a good thrifting weekend?

    *House of Hawthornes will not be held responsible for any nightmares caused by the above pictured doll. You're on your own with that one 🙂

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic

      November 18, 2013 at 4:09 pm

      Oh gosh, she IS expensive for a holiday candy dish. Great prices on your other two finds and that included the dusty appetizers. I just had a large McD's DC this morning... cheers! Only 18 days till I can drive again (and thrift again)... I'm missing all the Christmas goodies. I'll live vicariously through your hunting! 🙂

      Reply
    2. Van

      November 18, 2013 at 9:20 pm

      Love the finds, the mirror is absolutely gorgeous.

      Reply
    3. TARYTERRE

      November 18, 2013 at 11:06 pm

      I do my vintage Christmas shopping on ebay these days.

      Reply
    4. Robin Johnson

      November 19, 2013 at 12:12 pm

      You have found some great stuff once again, even if it wasn't vintage Christmas decorations. Love the ironstone and the mirror. I've done the finger swipe thing a time or two myself. Makes you want to down a bottle of hand sanitizer doesn't it.

      Reply
    5. The Queen of Fifty Cents

      November 19, 2013 at 6:08 pm

      In her present state that poor doll is certainly unprepossessing...but I suspect that she is French and from the late 1800s. But that price tag was awfully optimistic!

      Reply
    6. Anonymous

      November 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm

      Hi, there is nothing wrong with the doll and the price is probably right. She is an antique bisque doll
      probably German or possibly French...probably from around 1900 give or take a few years.
      The head is stuffed to protect the mechanism, called a weight on a rocker, attached behind the eyes
      from moving back and forth so as not to break the dolls head when being moved around. It is a proper way to store the bisque dolls or to ship them. She is missing her wig which would have gone right on top of the hole on her head and she would have been adorable..add an antique dress some antique doll undies and socks and leather shoes and should be great,...hope this info. helps clear up things a bit for poor dolly! Corinne

      Reply
    7. [email protected] Charm

      November 21, 2013 at 9:54 am

      Hello Pam,
      Thanks for sharing these fun treasures at my party this week...LOVE that ironstone veggie (super good deal).

      Blessings,
      Linda

      Reply
    8. awal.ny

      November 22, 2013 at 6:29 am

      Love the ironstone and that mirror is awesome. I am trying to pare down so I have to be very picky about what I bring home from the thrift store. BUT, I did happen upon a dresser, I had seen it there awhile ago and forgot about it. When I went in this time it was still marked full price. After asking the manager what their mark down policy is, he gave it to me for $24.00 dollars. A great find because the dresser is in great condition and only needs a paint job. Have a wonderful weekend. Alaina

      Reply
    9. Heather - New House New Home

      July 28, 2014 at 7:28 am

      I think you hit the jackpot with that ironstone - they usually go for about 5 times that amount (even in bad condition).

      Reply
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