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Thrifted gems
Posted on July 13th, 2009 8 comments
I haven’t had a whole lot of time to go thrifting or garage sale-ing lately, but I do keep an eye out for bargains. This summer I’ve managed to pop into a few garage sales here or there, snagging a great little item at a fabulous price. My strategy is to look out for items that either have a practical purpose, or offer a collectable value, and are made of sound quality.
When buying china or porcelain, be sure to turn it around to check the stamp on the bottom. You may recognize the name or stamp. If not, you will still be able to venture a guess of its quality by where it was made. England is a safe bet when looking for quality.
Above, on the left, I scored this beautiful, yet simple, James Sadler vase for $1. I thought it would look beautiful filled with flowers on my kitchen table. Sadlerware dates back to 1882, and is best known for collectable tea pots. I could not find a trace of this vase anywhere on the internet, but it has the James Sadler stamp on the bottom. I have no idea whether or not it has value, but it is obviously of good quality and has aesthetic appeal that suits my taste. The two milk glass vases you see there were purchased at $1 each. They do sell for higher on eBay, but these standard milk glass bud vases are of little value, even though they are vintage (milk glass was made between the early 1900s and 1930s) because it is so common. There are, however, many milk glass collectables that will fetch a high price. I just think it’s pretty, and had been hoping to snag a couple of pieces. Mission accomplished!
I visited a thrift store yesterday and managed to buy exactly what I needed - a pair of denim shorts, a simple black cotton-stretch shirt, and a light sweater, which has a nautical theme - very cute! They were $6 each, which may be considered on the high end, but all three items were in such great condition, they seemed like new.
I also broke my rules and took a risk by purchasing a couple of items I didn’t have a lot of personal interest in, but thought they might re-sell profitably.
This Charles and Diana plate was one of them.
I keep finding pieces that I think might be collectible and I have been considering starting up my own eBay store, so I grabbed this plate just in case. The store will exchange items up to 7-days after purchase, so I decided to grab it and then think it over. Think I should keep it, or return it?
8 responses to “Thrifted gems”
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Hi my dear-hope you are keeping well and it was nice to see you recently!! Excellent finds too, those little vases were a great bargain and well done on the clothes too! The Charles and Diana plate could do well your side of the Atlantic, I would keep it if I were you-good luck!!
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Wow, those vases are gorgeous! Nice find!
As for whether or not to return the plate… well, even if you don’t sell it, swing a cat and you’ll hit five or six people still obsessed with the monarchy. If nothing else, I’m sure it’ll make a delightful present for someone
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The vases are absolutely beautiful–nice finds!
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Diana F July 14th, 2009 at 09:53
Hey Saver!
I think you should return the plate. I eBay quite a bit and just checked it out. They really aren’t selling at the moment.
Not to say that they won’t later but how long do you want to hold onto your investment for a turn around? That is also something you should think about when thrifting for inventory.
I LOVE those milk glass vases. I have quite a few in my garage (due to the renovation) that will be coming out and going up soon.
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Catherine July 14th, 2009 at 12:50
Hello SQ~
So happy to welcome you back. Hope you are doing better each and every day. Hang in there!
Great finds! RE: the plate..I agree with Diane F. My daughter is an anglophile, a Diana fan mostly, and had quite a collection. She sold most of it a few years ago at a yard sale….ouch! I think there is quite a bit of it about.
I have a lot of milk glass. I’m going to pack it up to sell it at an auction - lots of plates, bowls, hobnail goblets, cake tower, etc., etc. Wish I was E-bay savvy.
I’m really, really trying to downsize here and keep only those things I can’t part with. My Mom gave me all the milk glass over 30 years ago for the ’some day’ there was a bridal shower for my daughter. First I used it was a few weeks ago for a ‘high tea’ for my niece and great niece.
I gave each of them one of the cup and saucers that were my Mom’s and have many, many of them left. They are beautiful….and I love them….but….think I will only keep a couple.
Take care SQ! Sending you hugs! -
Sue Caissy July 14th, 2009 at 20:39
Lovely goodies…would you believe I bought a James Sadler teapot yesterday at our Red Cross store? Treasure Island, immaculate for around $8Ca…it had only been in the window a few minutes! These sell for around $50 new and I collect teapots so I was thrilled. Thrift store and garage sale prices tend to be a lot higher here in Australia than in Nth America.
Save the plate for use when visitors come over…a great talking point methinks!Love from Sue
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Hello Sue, I am trying to do this again. My Last comments are circling somewhere else on the internet I suppose.
Regarding your royalty plate I just would like to say that I have sold a large number of royalty porcelain in the past on ebay. There are a great number of collectors but Right now it is not hot although Princess Di does have quite a following. No one seems to be interested in Charles however. I don’t blame theme. Princess Diana has touched the hearts of many. I love her, miss her and follow her myself. I think she was the real deal. Too bad about her early death.
Your plate looks very nice. Regarding sale of it, you have to think about the timing (right now is not great), condition (scratches, crazing of the glaze, discoloration, manufacturing mars if any, etc. makes a difference in what is considered collectible. Also, it does well to state if it is backstamp marked by someone considered to be a manufacturer of quality porcelain. I assume this is a British Plate and if it is of quality, it should have a good backstamp mark. If gilded (gold trimmed) it will also have an artist slash mark on the back in gold. If it is of an 1st edition or numbered too that raises the demand.
That particular wedding portrait picture is not scarce, but I like it. I have sold others in the past with that particular commemorative picture on them (cup, saucer, plate, mini bell, thimble).
If you decide to sell, you need to mention all of this and use the tag words, Royalty, commemorative, wedding, marriage, Princess Di, Diana, England, Royal, British, Britian, memorabilia, Porcelain, wedding date, Peoples Princess, Prince Charles, (the manufacturer such as Argyle or such),
In the write up mention the backstamp mark if you have one, diameter, condition.
A good clear picture of front and back has always helped me.
Good Luck!
Cheryl -
[...] bought these flowers (shown above in my James Sadler vase) from some mennonites at the St. Jacob’s farmer’s market at the beginning of [...]
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