A Tale of Two Estate Sales
I think my favorite type of treasure hunt might just be anestate sale. I think this is because there is always some kind of story behind it, which is often told in the items being sold. Most often these are sales of an elderly person's belongings after they have died. Occasionally, it is precipitated by a sudden relocation or other such event. As a naturally nosey person, there is just nothing like being giving free rein to rummage through a stranger's house.
Hand painted teapot for $12
I decided to attend a few recently to look for new props for some of the food photography that I am doing. I am on a few email lists and you can also check out thissite to find them in your area.Craig's List is another good source for finding local sales. I avoid any that list "children's cloths and toys"...generally you will not find good vintage items there... what I want to see walkers and wheelchairs for sale!
A great metal box found in amongst tools and whatnots and how can you not love aTexas shot glass for $1. The early bird does get the worm when it comes to these things but I have shown up late and still scored some decent finds. In the two I went too last weekend, I got to the first fairly early but not much was either left or ever offered. The second one, I did not make till early afternoon and I still found some good kitchen items, linens and my favorite find, the hand painted tea pot above.
For more ideas and inspiration check outThe Find by Stan Williams. For even more hunting fun check out my two new favorite shows, both on theHistory channel;Pawn Stars &American Pickers, entertaining and educational!
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 4:00AM
Reader Comments (11)
Very cool Lara! I just checked out that site and did find a sale coming up this weekend though from the pictures, it seems that this person was a horder...yikes. I did see a few things that I know would catch your eye. It seems that this house was stuck in the 50s so there is a mixture of new and old among all the things for sale...and everything must go.
What a great link, I already found a couple of sales in my area that I want to check out. I love that teapot, very Clarice Cliff!
I love these kinds of post, great finds!
I love that you're watching Pawn Stars! I thought of you the first time I saw it!
Dear Lara,
You are so kind to have mentioned my book among your favorite finds! I agree with you about estate sales. They are so much fun even just for looking. I especially enjoy the ones in Los Angeles where you sometimes have the added surprise of being in a celebrity's home. Again, thank you for your mention. If you'd like, email me your mailing address and I'll drop a personalized bookplate for you to place in your copy of THE FIND.
Have a wonderful week,
Stan
Great post - thanks. I love estate sales. Unfortunately, they're pretty far and few between in my neck of the woods (CA Bay Area). And now that eBay is a part of our everyday lives, I find that more folks (once a relative passes) are likely to sell off estate items via online auction vs. holding an estate sale.
I like estate sales for the same reason, there is a story behind the items you often feel. Personally I always gravitate to bookshelves in everyone's home - I like that the person shelved Gone with the Wind next to the Twilight novels. Makes me think they have/had a great senses of humor plus a wide varied reading interest.
What a coincidence, I just posted about my love of antique malls. I've never gone the estate sale route, but your post is pushing me in that direction -- I'll have to try it out!
Such good timing, Lara! I just came across a copy of this book that some unkind shoppers had battered at Home Goods and scored it for $6. I have had my nose stuck in it for the last week just absorbing every detail and thinking "Someone wrote the book that has been living in my head already!" and have even snagged a couple other incredible ideas from it.
I adore that teapot, by the way. I haven't been able to attend many estate sales, but when I find them, I usually walk away with some incredible thing that had a life long before I was even born and I feel fortunate to be able to let it tell a story in my home.
Great post,Very informative...
This site has given me great ideas on what sort of collectibles and antiques I should be keeping. My place seems to be out of fashion lately but this site inspires me. I might need to do some redecoration soon. Thanks to Lara.