Garage sale treasures

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My mother-in-law was visiting and upon leaving asked what a picture meant..its just a picture I got for the frame(for her,she occationally paints)and was hung on the wall many years ago..its just a photo of a stairway from a lower floor to the outside..it appears to be of Spanish or Mediterranean origin..no way to know..

But made me think about garage sales..

what is the strangest,most liked,best bargain...

Every garage or yard sale has a story...

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2000

Answers

I bought a 1892 apple peeler for fity cents. The blade was original, still sharp. Worked just fine.

Alas, I lost it in Hurricane Andrew.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000


Hi George--

Two years ago I found one of my heart's desires at a garage sale---a juicer. For only $10.00. Looked unused and came with a new recipe book. My cohorts were very envious of my find and I was pretty smug.

I washed it, I dried it, I dug carrots and squished them and whizzed them and out came a huge glass of FRESH, ORGANIC, CARROT JUICE. Oh boy, I could hardly wait. It was delicious.

And then it hit my stomach. OH BOY! I thought I would pass out. Must be I had never had so many vitamins in one place before. Quite an experience.

I've never used it again.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000


I found a giant Apollo Rocket, about 12" tall, made of a gold toned metal. It has a music box in the bottom, plays "Moonlight Sonata" and if pop the top capsule off, theres a drink pouring spout inside, with a container you can put liquor in, I guess. I have no idea when it was made or why, but I had to have it because it was so unique..and it was only A QUARTER! The woman had it in a bargain box, and was suprised anyone would want it. It has no identifying marks on it, other than "Made in Japan". Anyone wanna take a guess about it?

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

I'll bet it's one of those gadgety cigarette lighters :-)

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

What a find Kritter.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000


I know! I love the stupid thing! :-) That's the best part of going to garage sales...you never know WHAT you're gonna find.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

R & H,

I've been thinking of your losing your treasures in the hurricane.

We are not defined by our treasures exactly but mine bring back happy memories of other times. Conversely, it must have been invigorating to start fresh. No bell bottoms in the attic. No slightly bent but still useable tools in the basement. Not worrying about chipping your mother-in-laws pickle dish.

Maybe , just maybe, Sartwell Creek is overdue for a garage sale. Boy, do I have just the hand thrown tea pot for you Kritter. You would have to see it to believe it. And R&H, I have my great grandmother's butter paddles used in England in the 1800's. Give me time and I might find an apple corer too.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000


After losing my stuff, I wanted to go minimalist: a mat to sleep on and a table and chair. That way, I wouldn't lose anything in the next H. I found that is a common reaction.

Got over it fast, and now have as much junk as ever.

I bought two "music boxes" - had paper rolls with scenes that unrolled in a window. One was The Mickey Mouse Club - "M I C K E Y, M O U S E." I miss them.

I got a 1920s-1930s one-slice toaster recently - buck or two. It's Art Deco, perfect condition, looks like sculpture.

Recently bought two nutcrackers. One is a beautiful chromed, English-made, piece. You squeeze it repeatedly in one hand and the cracker indexes forward until it cracks the nut.

The other is late 1940's Japanese. All the war-related factories were looking for new, non-war products. It's a foot long, with a foot-long lever, all mounted on a big wooden base. Really strange.

For $1.50, I got The Official Video of Prince Charles' and Diana's Wedding. It must be a collector's item. I think I'll check EBay to see if its listed.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000


After losing my stuff, I wanted to go minimalist:

It was interesting to hear you say that. I felt that way a year before and about a month after y2k. I found I didn't want to be dependant on "things" and learned to live comfortably without them. Isn't it interesting how our physical comfort level is directly related to our sense of security?

and now have as much junk as ever.

:o) It's easy to fall back into old habits isn't it? I don't even stock up on TP anymore. (I still have six months worth!)

One was The Mickey Mouse Club - "M I C K E Y, M O U S E." I miss them.

I miss "Lil Dot" comic books. Has anyone here ever seen any? (Lately?)

For $1.50, I got The Official Video of Prince Charles' and Diana's Wedding. It must be a collector's item. I think I'll check EBay to see if its listed.

Ouch. I saw one of those about two months ago and passed it up. Will you let us know if it's worth anything?

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000


Hi, I:

I looked at EBay. Not very encouraging. I guess there were so many Wedding commemorative items sold - plates, tinware, stamps, mugs, picture books, videos etc. that most are not worth much today.

There were a few items on EBay that appeared to be like my tape. $10-20 seems to be the price.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000



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