Great estate sale today- a post WWII house that appeared to have only one owner and hadn't been redecorated in forty years. The bathroom had pink tile; the kitchen had metal cabinets; one bedroom had floral wallpaper on the ceiling- and it was pretty; and the vacuum cleaner was an Electrolux canister circa 1956.
The basement had ledger books...
... and bank bags, and smaller ledger books...and wisk brooms and string. I never pass up a wisk broom or a good hunk of string...ah....simple pleasures....
You know how guys that played sports collect old baseball or football cards, folks that sew will collect vintage notions, or people that worked for TWA will collect travel memoribilia? Generally, accountants don't collect old adding machines- way too bulky- but THIS little device would be an exception. It's an Arithma- made in Germany, you use the stylus to enter numbers. At the bottom it says ADDIATOR- isn't that a GREAT word for an adding machine?
"Excuse me while I calculate your balance due on my Addiator."
My favorite find was this size negative two Victorian blouse. Hand sewn, fully lined and in good condition except for a bit of wear under the arms. Apparently Victorians sweated, too.
Add some tattered lampshades, velvet trim and velvet embossed fabric and you can see why I had a good morning.
Button liked my estate sale finds, too. I caught him trying to snag some of the green netting to use as a chew toy.
Thanks for Button getting in on the post:-) Nana
Posted by: Leota Leintz | January 07, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Wow, you have me just itching to get out there tomorrow! I have been thrifting deprived way to long! Good finds
Carol
Posted by: The Polka Dot Closet | January 07, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Major score! I'm happy for you, a bit envious, but still happy!!:)
Posted by: Gail | January 07, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Wow, it looks like you did real well, estate shopping! Love those old houses!
Debbie
Posted by: My Shabby Roses | January 07, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Looks like you hit the mother lode!
Posted by: Marge Utley | January 07, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Super finds! Especially adore the Victorian blouse, and the assessment by the new owner. Funny, Button is not drawn to that shirt. That the pits. Heeeeeheee. ~ Angela
Posted by: angela | January 07, 2011 at 10:58 PM
When I started reading this post, I thought "ok, I know there will be string here somewhere....."
You did not disappoint!
Thanks!
But, oh! That velvet fabric and those trims!!!
If I'd been there, I'd have let you keep the Victorian blouse, but we would have had a real cat fight for the string, velvet and trims!!!
Posted by: pamq | January 08, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Great finds Beth! That Victorian blouse is so lovely, even the color. Definitely something one could wear today if negative two was your size. :/ Love the lace and coffee bits you are making too. Your handstitched work is the best. Have a super Saturday. Tammy
Posted by: Tammy | January 08, 2011 at 01:57 AM
Looks like you did good! Love the blouse.
Hugs,
Diane
Posted by: Diane Knott | January 08, 2011 at 03:29 AM
I wish I had the energy to go to one like this today! Button is a wise little guy. He already knows good stuff! I love that trim. I am a sucker for trim. And the blouse. I have noticed that they sweat, too. Darn! Doesn't ruin it's beauty, though! You had fun. I can tell.
Hugs,
Suz
Posted by: Susan reaney | January 08, 2011 at 07:27 AM
Wow, that estate sale looks like it was amazing! Especially love the ledgers. Button is pretty cute too.
Posted by: Gina @ Vintage Junk in My Trunk | January 08, 2011 at 08:16 AM
Love that stuff!!!
I am a sewer, so I appreciate the millinery items. Good Eye!!
Posted by: fairyrocks | January 08, 2011 at 08:51 AM
Oh, some great finds, Beth! Love the Addiator especially as I've never seen anything like it!
xo
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | January 08, 2011 at 08:53 AM
Oh, Beth -- definitely a good one!
I'm taking pix today for a post on flea market things my friend brought me from Paris -- I think you'll like it. It'll probably get up Sunday, so cruise by sometime in the afternoon or after and check it out!
Posted by: jeanie | January 08, 2011 at 09:55 AM
Wow! That is quite a haul and I bet there were many more things to be had that were super. Love sales like that.
Annette
Posted by: Annette | January 08, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Beth, you say you had a good morning? It looks like a fantastic morning to me! I'm particularly fawning over your ledger book find. Any chance some may be showing up in your etsy...?
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | January 08, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Oh gosh, that picture of button is so perfect....what a delightfully cute, naughty puppy! How could you not smile at that sweet face?
You found all the wonderful bits and pieces that I love too. I'm one for texture, and I have two bins full of old crochet thread now. I couldn't believe, as we organized it, how much I had. You and Barbara are the queens of estate sales, I think.
Posted by: Lena | January 08, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Yummy finds! Button knows a good deal when he sees one.
Posted by: Sandy | January 08, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Looks like it was a wonderful household. I fear our estate sales are on winter break. (Don't know why. It's not like it doesn't snow in Kansas.)
Posted by: barbara | January 08, 2011 at 03:55 PM
Wow, what great stuff! I once had one of those "Addiator"s - wonder what became of it?! Button is just so cute - won't say how cute - lol!
Jane-Jacksonville
Posted by: Jane Palmer | January 08, 2011 at 04:12 PM
Lucky girl! Great finds! But, oh my, Buttons is the cutest thing ever!!
Posted by: Polly | January 08, 2011 at 07:16 PM
Buttons is adorable! That pic would make a great creative project!!
Posted by: kana | January 08, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Vick Cotnoir | January 09, 2011 at 04:48 AM
Beth,
the blouse was a fantastic find,--I can see the woman wearing this ,in black rock-hair on head, ---so wonderfull.
And so are the strings, books, and trims.
congratulations of all those great finds.
XO-Dorthe
Posted by: Dorthe | January 09, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I am soooo jealous! In all my hunting, I have only found one ledger book...you found books in one hall! That grey trim is yummy! Oooo la la! so fun! karen....
Posted by: karen | January 09, 2011 at 06:49 PM
A good trolley's worth of a morning I would say! Rachaelxo
Posted by: Rachael | January 10, 2011 at 03:11 PM
Love all the stuff you found! A bit envious of the ledger finds.
~Marilee
Posted by: Rose Brier Studio | January 11, 2011 at 11:47 AM