Category Archives: Flea Markets

Weekend Finds – A Close to 2022

Every year, there is a point where outdoor flea-marketing for our weekend finds is just not comfortable. So as a close to 2022 antiquing, at least outside, I present our collection of recent treasures. Outside and in.

The Golden Nugget Flea-market Finds:

The first of our first weekend finds? A Rebajes Ubangi Woman pin at the Golden Nugget Flea Market. It needs to have the pin replaced, but it was a bargain at $3.00.

Rebajes

Rebajes African Woman Pin – circa 1940

On an unusual outing to the Golden Nugget on a Wednesday, (ok, not the weekend but…) this dealer sure had a bunch of pretty items. I would have bought up the lot of it. But through prudence, and discussion with Anthony, I managed to relieve the vendor of only a few items.

One of our finds? This is a copper letter holder made by Revere. We haven’t found anything about it – yet!  And no, I didn’t pay $25.00,

Revere copper

Vintage letter holder by Revere

Here’s a chrome Art Deco Samson Egg cooker. Ironically, it was made in Rochester, NY – where Anthony lives.

This unusual weekend find is a car flashlight. It plugs into a car’s cigarette lighter. I did try it but the plug is just a tad big for the modern plug. And I didn’t want to force it in.

Art Deco Plug-in Flashlight

Art Deco Plug-in Car Flashlight

Art Deco Flashlight

An inside look – the cord is about 3′ long.

A nice little glass and chrome powder box.  It’s unmarked but in mint condition.

Deco powder / trinket box

Chrome glass and bakelite powder / trinket box

A different vendor had a section dedicated to 1939-1940’s World’s Fair memorabilia.  I sent Anthony this picture. And, while there were pieces he liked, he decided to pass.

1939-1940's World's Fair memorabilia

1939-1940’s World’s Fair collection

I also passed on this lovely Whiting & Davis handbag.  Our friend Nancy liked it, but it was not the right time for her. I should have gotten it. But at $100.00, I wasn’t sure it was worth the money. It is, and more.  I kick myself over this one.

I wish we had a place for this beauty. But we don’t. And so it stayed.

Art Deco lighting

Brass and polychrome chandelier I wish we had room for it

This collection of Chase is a real and reasonably priced find.  The Sparta pitcher, designed by Walter Von Nessen and a sugar & creamer set with matching tray was originally priced at over $95.00. The dealer didn’t want to take it home and offered it all to me for $30.00. Cha-ching!

Chase Copper and Brass

Chase chrome collection

This Manning Bowman Thermos and Tray has issues.  We always caution you NOT to purchase a rattling thermos unless it is just for display. This thermos rattled.  And the stopper is badly chipped. However, the tray is an extremely difficult piece to find so after a little bargaining, both home it came for $25.00.

Manning Bowman thermos and tray

1930’s Manning Bowman thermos and tray

A bit of déjà vu and another of our finds? This is another Manning Bowman thermos, sans tray.  It doesn’t rattle and is in good condition.  This was from another dealer who just wanted everything gone. And for $10.00 I was happy to take it off her hands.

Manning Bowman thermos

Manning Bowman thermos – this one doesn’t rattle!

I loved these ceramic puppy extension cords. But at $125.00 each, with damaged cords imbedded into the ceramic bodies, I couldn’t justify the price. Had the cords not been imbedded or at least accessible for repair, I may have been persuaded.

Art Deco extension cord

Art Deco extension cord

Can you guess what it is? The dealer didn’t know. I didn’t know either. But with some intuitive thinking, I figured it out. I think.

Deco Optical instrument

Deco Optical instrument

See how well you do with these clues:

            Bakelite handle

            Non-prescription glass

            Total length about 8 inches long by 4 inches wide

            Marked Bausch and Lomb on the handle

Good Stuff Thrift Store Finds:

We’ve had good luck at the Good Stuff Thrift Store.  No brand silver-plate cocktail shaker purchased for $4.50.  This unusual item dates to the 1930s. The cork stopper both in the lid and also in the pour spout cap are more common features at that time.  It’s amazing what a little elbow grease (and a good polish compound) can do.

Although missing the chrome lid, I picked up this cute divided dish for $3.99. It is by Farber Brothers / Krome Kraft.

Deco divided dish

Farber Bros. divided dish – circa 1930

This 1930s Hall ball jug in the Crocus pattern is in mint condition. It is also the only time I got into an argument with another customer.  The short version; I put it down in front of me to look at another pitcher. A woman walks up, asks me if I was buying it to which I responded, “Yes”. She proceeds to pick it up and walk away!??? I again told her I was buying it and she responded, “Well, you didn’t have your hand on it. It’s mine now.” Details are so messy.  Let’s just say – I won!

1930's Hall ball jug - crocus

1930s Hall ball jug – Crocus

2nd Avenue Thrift Store:

This pair of silver-plate candle holders is designed by Carl Deffner, They could be anywhere from the 1930 to the 1960s. And they have a no-polish finish. The pair cost $2.50.

Carl Deffner candle holders

Carl Deffner candle holders

Savers:

Here is a Chase bon-bon / nut dish. Chase appears to be getting harder to find in the wild. Anthony picked this up  at Savers for $3.99.

Chase chrome dish

Chase dish – perfect for serving afterdinner mints or nuts

GoodWill Finds:

I love the GoodWill! This little fellow is an example of ceramics Made in Occupied Japan. While we don’t know a great deal about this category, I do know items like this were massed produced between 1945 through 1951.  Though difficult to find, these are not generally worth a great deal. This would be a good collection for someone on a budget.

I wasn’t able to find an exact match to this in my research. I did find that the more and better the details, the better quality. And therefore more desirable. Compared to the one found online, this is a better-quality piece.  Why? The hand by the hat is separated from the hat and is well defined.  Cost – $3.99.

Occupied Japan Statue

Occupied Japan Statue

This little lady is another example of Made in Occupied Japan. She’s a cutie and cost 2.99.

Occupied Japan Statue

Miniature Occupied Japan Statue

It’s time to say goodbye 2022 and our weekend finds. But I can hardly wait to see what we’ll find in 2023!

So, did you figure out the mystery item? It’s a Pince-nez sizer. It is used to measure the width of the bridge of the nose to assure your armless glasses stayed put! I think!

You just never know what you’ll find when Driving for Deco!

Chris & Anthony (The Freakin’, Tiquen Guys)

Mixed Bag of Weekend Finds – July 2022

While we usually highlight vintage items, this was a mixed bag of weekend finds. And it’s a collection of vintage, and some well-done Deco inspired. Yes, really!

Now, we are generally not a fan of Deco revival or Deco inspired as it is usually derivative and not particularly attractive. But every now and then, we find things that are actually nice.

Deco revival drink plate

Manhattan (author’s collection)

This set of 2003 drink plates by “The Marketplace” is an example of modern aesthetics with a deco influence.  I found these at 2ND Avenue Thrift Store. Are they a perfect fusion? Maybe not. But they are stylish. Not only decorative, they are informative as well.  Each plate has the recipe for the featured design. I passed on these originally but relented and went back the next day. I’m glad I did as they were 50% off!

Another 2ND Avenue Thrift find are these Franklin Mint 1993 limited edition, The Amazing House of Erté.  Franklin Mint is known world over for producing quality wares of all kinds. And these are no different. But this set is only half of the Erté series of 10 originally available. Online prices are all over the place from $30.00 for a set of five up to $450.00 per plate.

Erté Plate - Athena

Erté Plate – Athena (author’s collection)

Just a note, both sets of the dishware listed above are decorative only as the glazes can be poisonous. Therefore, they are not food safe.  We don’t want you to get sick from your weekend finds!

Franciscan Ware

Franciscan Ware Teapot (author’s collection)

……

I stumbled upon these at Good Stuff Thrift Store. They are Franciscan Ware service pieces in the coral glaze. And they are in the Coronado pattern.

Everyday pieces are found fairly easily. However, service pieces are harder to find. The Gladding, McBean & Co. in Los Angeles, California produced this pattern between 1936 and 1954. The backstamp on used on these pieces show they were produced anytime from 1940 through 1947.

Weekend Finds

Modular Glass Flower Trough (author’s collection)

I found these vintage glass flower troughs at the GoodWill. They are quite versatile as the modular pieces can be arranged to suit your needs. And they keep your table alive with flowers, but without obstructing the view and conversation of your guests.

Victorian’s used similar sets and their popularity is enduring. Modern versions are still available. Although vintage, dating these is tough, they are probably from the mid 1930’s to late 1940’s.

Art deco tray

Chase Meridian Tray (author’s collection)

Art deco tray

Chase Centaur Mark (author’s collection)

I picked up this hard-to-find Chase Meridian cordial tray at the Golden Nugget Flea Market. Now I thought it was piece by  Chase but had a difficult time finding the mark. It was only $5.00 so I took a chance. I eventually found the Centaur logo making this late 1930’s piece quite the find.

West Bend Hot / Cold Server

West Bend Hot / Cold Server (photo via Pinterest)

And finally, another GoodWill find is the ubiquitous West Bend Hot / Cold server. Commonly know as the Penguin Ice Bucket, this piece was produced from the 1940’s through the late 1960’s. We’ve seen crazy prices online and at antique stores. To find out more about this item, click here.

Just a quick story: Many years ago at a flea market in France, a vendor had some of these on display and we struck up a conversation. She told us that the French are crazy for this piece and willing to pay top dollar to own one.

Hmm! Maybe we should export them for a percentage!

So, this is our mixed bag of weekend finds.  It’s good to be back on the road again. We’ll be vacationing soon and hope to share more fun deco finds with you!

Happy hunting!

Chris & Anthony (the Freakin’ ‘tiquen Guys)