Hi everyone! Kinda quite in these parts lately.

[Paper Roses]

Lets talk trade or anything that comes to mind.

My thought. Remember about 10 or so years ago when period furniture was going for huge, record breaking amounts? I wonder what the buyers could get for that same stuff today. I no longer get the trade papers but would love to. They've become too expensive for my limited funds.

When Maine Antiques Digest first came out about a million years ago, I think a year's subscription was something like $3.50. Same with the 'Bee'. Anyone of you subscribe to either? How much are they now?

[Vinca]

1. I was just coming over to post about the last Pawn Stars show.

Did anyone else see that amazing Faberge black widow spidow brooch? OMG - that would have been the find of a lifetime. The lady wanted $2,000 (apparently hadn't heard of Faberge) and Rick gave her $15,000. The only recent sale of a Faberge brooch I could find was in 2007 for $93,000 at an auction. It was smaller and, compared to the spider, a boring piece (I don't believe I just called anything Faberge boring. LOL.). I bet that spider pin is worth closer to $150,000 or more. Wonder what the Pawn Stars eventually sold it for.

[grasswire]

2. He said "I have a conscience" when she asked for just a couple thou.

But you are right -- I think he should have called in an expert right then. Why didn't he? He usually does. The only explanation can be that he didn't WANT the lady to know the extent of the value.

[Vinca]

4. I think I'm going crazy because I've been obsessed with that brooch

since I watched the show. I swear it's the most gorgeous piece of Faberge I've ever seen (in pictures, of course). That's the kind of thing that keeps you on the hunt. I think there is a reason Rick didn't call in an expert. Kind of makes me wish the thing would turn out to be a knock off.

[grasswire]

6. I found something

At this link, Rick says the brooch is worth $25,000.

http://tvguide.ca/Interviews/Features/Articles/100831_pawn_stars_GD.htm

[Vinca]

7. I don't think that's the piece. It definitely was a spider and not a scorpion.

Makes you want to open a pawn shop, though. LOL. In any case, I'm going to a church sale this morning so I'll no doubt find a similar brooch.:sarcasm:

[grasswire]

3. your local library might have one of those publications

I know that a small local library here on the West Coast had one of the big newsprint antiques papers in subscription. It wasn't the Bee, though. Gad I loved to paw through those when I was in New England. Drooool.

[grasswire]

5. Methodist Rummage in the morning

I've been waiting for this. Last year I scored good linens and dishes there. It's just about ten blocks away, so I'll take my Radio Flyer wagon and be there bright and early.

Whee!

[grasswire]

8. rummage report

Scored big on vintage tablecloths. Vintage turquoise and white picnic check. Vintage red blue white with cherries. Vintage unused linen calendar towels. Vintage vera scarves. Beautiful vintage linen damask tablecloth with pulled hemwork. And the prettiest vase -- a studio piece that is big and cream colored ceramic with raised daisies, painted. Dated 1970s. 50 cents. More stuff, but not as good as last year. No embroidered pillowcases, which I was hoping for. Still, a good outing in the hood. The auction house in the next block has an auction scheduled for the afternoon, but it's all coins and I'm not really into coins.

[Vinca]

9. Great finds! I found a few silver plated items at the church sale

I went to. I usually pass SP by, but they were old pieces and had a nice look to them. After I left there I hit the few tag sales around and picked up some not terribly exciting stuff for resale. My "find of the day" was a set of 4 new Hartstone mugs for a dollar. We've used them at home for years and I absolutely love them. They're just the right size for a mug of coffee or tea.

[Paper Roses]

10. Glad you all found a little something.

Since I don't buy for resale anymore, I still look at everything. My poor kids--never stuff like new clothes for birthdays or Christmas. Always some old goodies I pick up. Well on the way to teaching my Grandchildren about antiques and great old stuff. I'm afraid the kids in the future will lose interest in all these things we find. Was at a sale yesterday where I complimented a dealer who was there with her son. He is probably about 12. I don't know her but do see her everywhere. He searches just as she does, I can hear his Mom telling him about whatever he or she has picked up. I told her that I thought it was great that she spent the time to explain and identify whatever they pick up.

I did find a great old Nutcracker for one of my kids for a Christmas present. He is a 15 inch tall hunter with a rifle and over one shoulder and 2 ducks hanging on leather strips over the other. He is missing a feather on his Tryolean hat. Now I have to go find a pheasant feather and see if I can make something that would look right.

Ah, the thrill of the hunt.

[grasswire]

11. guess I made the local auction house MAD

It's located in an historic intersection near where I live. The auction is held in a barn like building, and there are some very old buildings on the property, which faces a moderately busy street with some businesses and coffee shop and walking/biking trail. One building on the auction site has a wall that has always amazed me. It was poured cement, and the reinforcements they used in the wall are things like old metal bedsprings and metal junk. The stuff is semi-exposed, and it is like a very cool piece of art work.

Yesterday I was in that neighborhood and was horrified to see that they are painting a very amateurish garish mural on that beautiful historic wall.

GAHHHHHHHHHH. And it can never be returned to its condition.

I wrote a little email expressing my dismay in language that I thought was quite polite. And wow, I got a blistering email back. I must have touched a nerve.