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

First Pair of Pants

This small gift box was part of a large group of photos from an estate sale. It's a sweet time capsule of a baby boy's first pair of pants, two of his photos, a pair of socks and booties.   The socks are not dirty from wear, but from age.  The box is marked 1919.

Mini Portfolio

I recently found this tiny, two inch leather folder among an estate sale lot of photos. The inside is stamped: Turner, Andrews, & Co., 702 Arch Street, Philadelphia, 1776. Centennial. 1876.

When I opened it, I found tiny 3/4 inch photos. The images are duplicates of two men.

Could these two fellows be Turner and Andrews or is it the same guy?  They have opposite hair parts, but the same suit and tie. 

Jimmy's Box

This filled cigar box came from an estate sale. According to the box lid and a Cub Scout card from 1964, the original owner's name was Jimmy Peacock. The contents include:

* three pencils, one pair of scissors, three erasers, one yellow and one black crayon, a pen, a piece of chalk
* plastic toy rocket parts, tiny gun, boxing glove charm, plastic toy tank
* one metal owl whistle, one plastic dog whistle
* misc. metal parts
* plastic indian on horse without tail
* tin compass, good luck penny keychain from Kentucky, one sparkler, metal pencil sharpener, metal button
* toy hanger with hand colored stocking
*toy pirate
*Cub Scout card, DIEGO place card with gold stars (inside, written in pencil is Jimmy Peacock and Mrs. Kirby), two rocks
* plastic chess piece, blue marble, letter U game piece
* wooden jump rope handle, unknown colored piece of wood, broken toy piece, nails in paper strip

Dig This

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an archaeologist.  I had visions of going on digs and finding wondrous treasures.  In some ways, I am fulfilling that childhood dream by junking.  One of my favorite things to find, besides vintage photos, are wallets, purses, boxes, or suitcases that are filled with the original owner's things.  I try to imagine what the person was like based on the contents.  In this case, the item is a change purse that was filled with jewelry and trinkets purchased at a garage sale for $3.      

Contents include:
silver sweater holder
2 silver megaphone charms
silver ring
Babs charm
I am Catholic necklace
Briarcliff High School charm bracelet
Bears pinback button
McGovern pinback button
broken bracelet chain