Swapatorium

Discarded Memories #5

CONTENTS OF GREEN BOX:

1 wooden doll
1 shell necklace
1 1935 token
Misc. ephemera
1 bamboo ink brush
1 cord
1 broken silver chain
1 broken gold pin

That's the end of the green box contents. I am currently visiting my brother in Crown Point, Indiana and traveling through various nearby towns looking for junk. I have found some great things so far. Mainly awesome photos, but some neat objects and art deco items. I'll be posting on Flickr when I can since I have my camera and will probably not post here until next week.  I hope everyone has a safe Fourth of July!  

Discarded Memories #4

CONTENTS OF GREEN BOX:

4 Japanese dolls

Discarded Memories #3

CONTENTS OF GREEN BOX:

1 calling card
1 cdv of a lady
1 handkerchief with fringe
1 broken celluloid fan
1 gold compact
1 glass bead necklace
1 chocker with engraved silver initials
1 cuff bracelet

Discarded Memories #2

CONTENTS OF GREEN BOX:

1 black knitted bonnet
1 tintype of older lady identified as "Grandma"
1 church bulletin
1 knitted cross
Loose beads from a broken necklace

Discarded Memories

Over a year ago at an estate sale that was held at a mansion, the family threw away a bunch of things. Based on what was inside the house, John had a hunch that there were good items that were probably thrown away. He went with a friend to their curb and took the black plastic trash bags that were ready to be sent to the dump. Sure enough, the bags were filled with great objects, including this green cardboard box which was filled with interesting old things.  Some of the items are worn, faded, broken, chipped, etc., but many are perfectly fine.  At some estate sales, especially when held by the family and not a company, they just want to get rid of things and are not concerned with monetary value.  I'm sure there are many of you junkers out there who have found some great things in the FREE box at sales.  

I will post photos this week of the entire contents of this green box.  If you like found treasures, be sure to check out Barbara Levine's new project which chronicles her encounters with found materials and people's personal collections and archives.

CONTENTS OF GREEN BOX:

1 pair of baby shoes
3 bonnets
2 pieces of a broken celluloid rattle
1 knitted baby scarf

Clean - Dirty

Aluminum soap container, circa 1930s.

  Snapshot, circa 1930s.

King of the Wild Frontier

Davy Crockett wallet for Disney, 1955.
   

Garage Sale Finds of the Day

There were some good garage sales today. Some of the purchases include:

• 3 Knoll Platner lounge chairs from 1978 (2 small, 1 large)
• 1 Knoll Platner side table
• 1 Florence Knoll coffee table with marble top
• 1 large 7Up sign (for our kitchen)
• 1 Dr. Pepper Light (for our garage)
• a 1940s sterling silver tea set from Mexico
• 6 Arne Jacobsen chairs for Fritz Hansen
• 2 old wooden tea carts
• a box of old letterpress blocks
• a 1975 Hundertwasser poster
• a blow up blimp
• an oil painting of a tiger
• a few misc. objects for me

Here are a few examples:

It Was This Big

Polaroid Land photo, 1972.

    Vintage Wicker Fish Purse
Estate sale find, $1.
    Souvenir photo, circa 1930s-40s.

    Oil Painting by Beckendorf

  Trick photo, circa 1920s-30s.

Crime & Punishment

Mugshot, 1924.
Purchased from a retired policeman's collection. 


  Fingerprint ink with box, date unknown. Purchased at a flea market table for $1.


 

Punishment Book, Auburn Prison, New York, 1840s-1880s.

Purchased from a rare books dealer.  This is a fascinating and chilling account of the punishments that were given to prisoners in the 19th century at Auburn Prison.  It was not cheap, but considering its historical significance, it was well worth the price we paid.  It's quite large and fragile and not easy to scan.  If I can figure out a way to get a good shot of the whole page, I'll post more in the future.

Drink Up

John found this old figure at a garage sale this morning for $75. He seems to be well made with nice details in his clothing and painted metal body. It appears that when he moves, he throws his arm to drink and cocks his head back. Unfortunately, the key to wind him is missing. I did a quick Google search, but could not find anything. I don't know if he is some sort of automaton or advertising figure.







While searching for this guy, I found this automaton video on YouTube.

Pop Art Puzzle

Unopened Pop Art Elsie puzzle in tin can, 1966.

Tune In to My Birthday

Radio Shack radio pendant, 1971. Garage sale find.

Ford Exposition 1934

A Century of Progress, Chicago, Ford Exposition coin, 1934. This was found in a box lot of stuff from an estate sale. I found a source online that states 104,934 were sold.

Ready for the Pen

Leather pig, novelty mailer, 1907.

Erasers

Tiny erasers, made in Japan. Date unknown.

Charles A. Leuschner

This Southern Cross of Honor medal came from an estate sale a few months ago. John found two of them, but only this one has a name engraved on the top bar. We admired them, then put them away like we do with many of the things we purchase.  Recently, John decided to look up the name.  Lo and behold, Charles A. Leuschner kept a diary. I ordered the book today. Now we are excited because we get to read about the man whose medal we own. 

Casio Biolator

John picked up this Casio Biolator for $5 at an estate sale. It supposedly calculates your biorhythm. I punched in the numerical sequence needed to calculate mine and according to the booklet, I should be resting, I'll be moody with a negative attitude, and my judgement and perception will be at its keenest. I told John it's best if he stays away from me today.

Effie Elizabeth McCloud

I purchased these three rulers at an antique shop for $1. I looked up the patent and found that they were invented by Effie Elizabeth McCloud, 1939-41.