New Thrift Store Finds

I've been having pretty good luck and the thrift stores these past few weeks. So good, in fact, that I have to stop myself from shopping until I get my storage room organized! Too many things with too little space. And the more I find, the more I want to keep for myself instead of listing for sale! Oh yes, I must get back on track! Here's a few of my recent favorite finds...

Mix And Match Your Pfaltzgraff!

In the 1980's, Pfaltzgraff introduced a simple patterned dinnerware with bands of color circling the base and/or edge of each piece. There are many variations on this theme. Some of the more popular patterns are Ocean Breeze (blue, green and teal bands; 1995 - present day), Aura (blue/gray and pink bands; 1986 - 2007), Sky (blue bands; 1987 - 1994), Northwinds (green and blue bands; 1992 - 1999),  and Juniper (green and mauve bands; 1990 - ??). Single pieces can often be found at thrift stores, and I'm always on the lookout for the less common pieces. Cups, mugs and saucers are easy to find, but there are also salt and pepper shakers, soup bowls, larger serving pieces, sugar bowls, creamers, pitchers, the list goes on and on. The great thing about these patterns is that you really don't have to get all your pieces in the same color theme! They all look great together, and it actually gives a nice variety to a place setting.

Ocean Breeze

Northwinds

Aura

Sky

More Vintage Cookbooks

I picked up a few very interesting vintage cookbooks this week. The first is called A Good Cook .... Ten Talents Natural Foods Cookbook, copyright 1968. The cover doesn't reflect the delicious recipes inside, but shows a very plain woman reading her Bible! It's a natural foods cookbook and complete health manual of vegetarian recipes. In the introduction, the author refers to various bible quotes to suggest a natural diet offered us by our creator.

There is a statement on the title page suggesting the book be read 3 times. First, to have something to talk about; second, to find out what the author is trying to say; third, because you really want to learn something.

Next we have Bayou Cuisine, It's Tradition and Transition. This is an exceptionally large, 415 page, community cookbook from 1979 published by St. Stephens's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi. It contains hundreds of regional recipes. The chapters include recipes sorted according to eras: Indian, Spain, France, England, Mississippi Territory, Ante Bellum, War Between the States, Post Bellum, Delta Chefs, Art, International Origin, and Space Age. It's plastic coil bound, but has a clear plastic page protecting the cover. Looks as if it is a wonderful book for bayou cooking; this was the sixth printing of a 1970 copyright.

The Millard County Utah Centennial Cookbook from 1979 is another unusual community recipe book. This large book is hardcover with over 400 pages, and was compiled by Millard County Residents and The Millard County Centennial Committee. It's nicely illustrated with reproductions of vintage kitchen advertisements and contains hundreds of recipes for main dishes, side dishes, breads, sweets, beverages, wild game and outdoor cooking. There's also a section on kitchen basics.

Still Loved After All These Years!

Curly... Larry.. Moe... Shemp ... Joe

For 40 years the Stooges slapsticked their way into the hearts of multiple generations! Their memorabilia remains as popular today as ever!

How Do I Know This is Vintage?

For those of you who missed this post previously, I'm repeating this info for the newbie!

The identification of vintage items is not a science. Oh, it's easy if a manufacturers mark, copyright or item name is found on a piece, but what if there's no information to be found? That's when the research begins - on the internet, in books, and through experts or appraisers. Research is the key to all successful vintage collecting or selling. Often, however, there IS NO information to be found on a particular item. Examining style, wear, patina, quality of workmanship, composition, etc usually give an accurate picture of age. As one becomes more familiar with vintage items, it becomes easier to recognize these characteristics. Reputable vintage dealers will do the best they can to honestly describe all pieces in detail.

Sometimes it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to research a new found treasure. This journey could lead to new knowledge or to a dead end, but either way, it's always one wonderful trip!

Community Cookbooks

Community cookbooks are cookbooks compiled by members of a community, church, school or other organization as a fund raiser. The recipes are submitted by members of the group and often consist of favorite family or regional recipes. As such, they can be a wealth of information about local cuisine, ethnic recipes and regional favorites. They will often contain ingredients not usually found throughout the country, but specific to the community represented. They can be found very easily at most thrift stores and garage sales for a minimal amount of cash!

More Mugs!

Here are some of my new favorites I recently acquired....

Check out these and more at my Bonanza booth!

MAD about the 60's

Who doesn't recognize this face? When I found this 1996 book it brought back memories of seeing MAD magazine as a child, not really understanding the unconventional satirical humor.

Happy Holiday Hunting

This month has been very good for me at my local stores. It seems whenever I go out lately, I come home with a boxful of treasures! This is just an example of the numerous glassware and pottery pieces I've picked up for a minimal amount of cash. Unfortunately, my office is presently filled with so much stuff I have to be careful where I walk! I keep buying but when it comes to wrapping and storing, I'm definitely a procrastinator!

I have a small collection of research books for collectibles, but I had to make a special trip to the library yesterday to pick up a few more that I needed! I've also ordered a couple more.. I hate keeping or selling anything without knowing it's background.

Here's wishing each of you a happy holiday season... and happy hunting!

Collectible Milk Glass

I am starting to pick up some pieces of collectible milk glass. I never really had much of an interest in this glassware, but I see more and more pieces showing up, and some are truly beautiful. I research every piece that I find, and am learning more and more every day.

Milk glass is opaque or translucent white pressed glass that was popular from the 1890's through the mid 20th century. It is very popular today as a collectors' item. Some of the more well know manufacturers were Anchor Hocking,  Akro Agate, Westmoreland, Fenton and Fosteria. A large number of patterns were produced, the most popular being Hobnail, numerous raised dots covering the item. There were elaborate as well as plain utilitarian designs. Dinnerware, decorator pieces, vases and bowls were all popular items. For more information, visit  Collector's Weekly.

Anchor Hocking Hobnail

Fenton Hobnail

Anchor Hocking Teardrops and Pearls

Pre-Christmas House Cleaning???

This past week has been an exciting week at the thrift stores. I've found so many wonderful items, people must be cleaning out before the holidays arrive! New items seem to arrive daily. My inventory keeps growing, but I keep buying... just can't miss out on a great deal.

I picked up this Westbend bean pot about a week ago. Perfect condition with a metal lid and bakelite handle. Two days ago I found the hot plate that goes with it! This is staying with me.. at least for the time being!

This set of porcelain Beautiful Boxers mugs is from the Danbury Mint. The were originally sold in a set of six, but these particular portraits are extremely difficult to find. Appear to be new, and each mug has a small picture of the accompanying dog inside the mug!

And speaking of mugs, how about this 6 piece collection of new Pfaltzgraff Rio patterned mugs!

I also found Pfaltzgraff saucers that I've been looking for to match my Yorktowne and Village patterned teacups, Firestone mugs and handled peach luster bowls, a Julie Child autobiography,  an Anchor Hocking milk glass vase, Monmouth brown drip pottery, miscellaneous collectible mugs, and my best find - a 50th anniversary Fiesta Ware water pitcher and four cups in mint condition! And lets not forget the fun stuff - a 1991 Campbell's Soup can tree ornament! I could go on and on, but I'll leave that for another day.

So put your Christmas shopping on hold and visit your local thrift stores! Better yet, do your shopping there.. you can find some fantastic bargains at this time of the year.

Pop-Up Christmas Grinch!

I've never seen this version of the classic Dr Seuss Christmas story about the not-so-lovable Grinch! It's a small book with 6 pop-ups. I found this in great condition at a local thrift store.

Garfield Coffee Mugs

Aren't these the cutest mugs you've ever seen? I found the full mug at a church garage sale, not realizing it was part of an interlocking set. When I spotted the match, I was suprised 'cause I had never seen anything like it before.

Here's a few more of my recent Garfield finds...

Unusual OOAK? Pottery Mugs

I recently stumbled upon these two highly unusual mugs. Both are very large, with no manufacturers mark, only a potter's mark. The first is blue glazed stoneware with an applied twisted handle. The lizard depicted on the front is unglazed. A really lovely piece.

The second mug depicts a shark with a tail that wraps around the mug.

Both mugs are truly a work of art. Just wish I knew who created them!

This Week's Treasures

What a great week at the thrift stores:

A Book Bizarre

You can usually find me in the book section of my local thrift stores at least once a week. Cookbooks, my favorite finds, are difficult to come by in my area right now. To get my book fix,  I also search out unusual and out of print books that are not easily found. I've been adding them slowly to A Book Bizarre, my sorely neglected book site on Bonanza. My cookbooks have all been moved to VintageIntent's Cookbooks and Collectibles and my book site will concentrate on used books that are fun, unusual, and sometimes bizarre! I purchased a new database for my IPad that is designed specifially for books, and it works great! Now I have my work cut out for me. I have boxes of books that have to be catalogued and then listed. But as a collector, I keep on buying! Here's a sample of my new listings: