Dedicated collectors know that there are still great finds at flea markets, thrift stores and charity sales. Last month we heard about two. At a charity antiques sale of donated items, there was a higher priced early-bird ticket bought mainly by dealers They bought silver by weight (less than melt down) and jewelry. Almost every gold ring sold before the official opening of the show. A straggler who came about an hour later noticed a black and white dinner plate that looked like it could be Chinese (it had an unglazed foot ring on the back). She remembered a similar one in a book. At home she came up with the book and found the identical plate — a rare piece of Chinese Export china that pictured a woman sewing called “The Embroidress.” Value $800-$1,000.
Last week a Goodwill employee in New Jersey was examining a pile of stored newspapers and other things that seemed to be reproductions. He pulled out a framed yellowed newspaper dated Dec. 28, 1774, that had an engraving of a snake cut in pieces, an early American political cartoon. The finder got permission to take the paper to experts. It was identified as an original, not a copy, of The Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, one of only four copies of that edition known to exist, with the pre-Revolutionary War “Unite or Die” masthead. The page was in good condition, probably because it was framed with glass on both sides. Estimated value: $6,000 to $16,000. Goodwill hasn’t decided how to sell it yet. Bargains come to those who can recognize a rare antique. And luck helps too.
Hi
Recently i l8sted some tins on ebay. One was a dixvale tobacco tin starting at $15.00Aud, i think it was., my purchase price 4 years prior was 8.00 .I was rapt when it got to $75.00 with 2.5 days to go.
I was busy and didnt look until it wS finished. Imagine my shock and delight when i saw it had over 30 bids and made $1175.00!! It was bought by a lady in western Aust.