thrift store spoils, ch. 22: Ben Seibel's Country-Time, a Ges Line Ashtray, and humble requests for I.D. help

How about we begin with a thrift-store-find mystery that I hope someone out there can help me solve?

I found these three small bowls on a half-day-seven-thrift-store shopping craze. I have an efficient route that takes me east through four traffic-heavy Northern Virginia cities, yet allows me to complete the run in four hours. (Caveat: I no longer have small children.)

I picked up these bowls because I thought they might be Russel Wright. However, there are no markings on the bottoms indicating such—only three stilt marks on each bowl. Also, after getting home and researching, the color of these looks a little darker than the iconic Russel Wright Coral. So maybe I got knockoffs? I do like them, regardless. But does anyone out there know whether the smaller Russel Wright pieces were ever manufactured without markings?

By the way, the melmac tray in the photo with the bowls is one I picked up at a SA last week. It's also unmarked. I got it because it matches the unmarked melmac bowls that both my Florida Mamaw and my Kentucky Mamaw used to serve us ice cream and cereal in.

This is definitely my best find of the past couple of weeks. Despite promises to myself to never ever venture into the Manassas SA on a Wednesday (when, ahem, the entire store is 25% off, and when everybody and his or her brother seems to know it), I did. I walked in three minutes after the store opened, and I picked up the last shopping basket available. There were two carts left, but I don't like carts. 

I have to say that, despite everyone else's carts getting in my way, I made out okay. And among the items I found were these three Ben Seibel designed salad plates by Pfaltzgraff. The pattern is Country-Time, and the minimalist fruit images are so stinkin' mid-century mod, as are the colors—saffron and gray. Am I wrong?

I probably won't keep them, though; I'm collecting, like, three patterns already, so I can't. But I'm not sure whether I'll list them in my Etsy shop, or whether I'll try an Ebay auction. I'm leaning Etsy, because Ebay intimidates me. (Too much down-to-the-wire pressure.) 

Right now I'm just trying to price them. I haven't found any of these exact plates for sale online right now, so I'm clueless about the current market value. (Thus, the nerve-wracking Ebay auction idea—let the free market decide!)

Anyway.

On the shopping spree day, I  found these two bread and butter plates—also designed by Ben Seibel, but manufactured by Iroquois. I believe the pattern's name is Pyramids, but I'm not sure. I'll admit I don't love the pattern. In fact, I bought the plates for the far out logo and fonts on the plates' backs. I know. That's just sad.

I got this unnumbered blue Pyrex mixing bowl to help Mama complete her Primary set. And I happened across a Taylorstone Cathay dinner plate to add to my recently acquired humongous set, discovered and bought on Taylorstone Cathay Day. This one has a little chip, but I just don't care.

Also for Mama, I picked up this Pyrex 023 Opal. (She likes the Opals.) The bread and butter plate is mine. It's Copper Filigree, one of the Pyrex dinnerware patterns.

I don't normally buy ashtrays, because I simply have no justification. (The hubbie lets his cigar ashes fall wherever they may, don't you know.) But this ashtray is uber-cool. The bottom indicates that it's a Ges Line and that it was "Made in the U.S.A." See? Uber-cool. (Note, please, that I don't know whether the Ges Line does or does not need a dash—like Ges-Line? The name on the ashtray doesn't make it clear, so I'm going with the usage I found online as most common. No dash, it is.)

What'll I do with an ashtray? I'll either use it as a ridiculous candy dish, or list it on Etsy. Not sure which.

Okay. More I.D. help needed, please.

This lovely, frolicking-wild-horse bar glass is dated 1993, but I can't identify the maker. 

Anyone out there recognize this logo? I'd like to learn more about the glass, but I can't find that logo on any of my logo-I.D. go-to sites. 

And still more help, please?

This cradle thingie was priced at 96 cents, and, of course, it has such a fun wooden handle. So there was no way I could leave it sitting on the GW shelf amongst all the common stuff. Too bad I have no idea what it was originally intended to hold and/or display. (At first, I was thinking that it might be part of a Pyrex set, but I can't find a photo of it in any of my regular Pyrex info sources.) 

Clue: It is collapsible.

The two tiny serving pieces were made in Japan. They were a little grungy at the store, but after cleaning the stainless steel and treating the wooden handles at home, they look quite good, if I do say so myself.

So those are the only items I'll write about this week. And, please, if you have any idea what the unknowns up there are, I'd love for you to share.

And I'll leave you with a Remington Steele update (because I wrote about the show last week). This week I watched the first episode of the second season. 

It's the episode in which Laura and Mr. Steele travel to exotic Acapulco, in part to save Laura's housekeeper's son from some bad south-of-the-border dudes. But it's also the episode that explains away the sudden absence of two of the first season's secondary characters, while also cleverly introducing replacement Doris Roberts (a.k.a. Mildred Krebs) as the IRS agent/stickler who, turns out, is a closet adventure seeker. (Spoiler alert: Mildred becomes Remington Steele's receptionist/private-eye extraordinaire and adds immensely to the show's charm.) 

Well, also in this episode, Laura Holt sports some rad vintage 1980s parachute pants. Oh, yes. Check it out.

I lived through the parachute pants days, by the way. And I'm here to tell you that it wasn't always pretty. (Laura carries it off well, though. Look at that itsy-bitsy waist!)

Please note the bar stool behind/next to Laura. Doesn't that look Eames-ish? Could that be an authentic wire bar stool designed by the man himself? Or only a reproduction. Fun, nevertheless.

Thanks to Sir Thrift-a-Lot, Thrifter/Maker/Fixer/Farm, We Call It Junkin, and a living space for the opportunity to link up.

thrift store spoils, ch. 21: Marimekko Oy, Dansk, and Remington Steele meets Strawberry Shortcake

I have become a Me-TV junkie. For those of you unfamiliar with the channel, "Me" is short for "memorable entertainment." That is, classics. (Don't you like the retro logo above?) 

These are shows that are quite often potically incorrect, without apology. (Oh, the freedom!) 

They are unafraid to feature cigarette smokers, sunbathers, and seatbeltless passengers. (You won't find twerking here, though. Thank the good Lord.) 

And they are as vintage as vintage gets. 


And I'm glad that I've been able to introduce some of these classic shows to the kids—shows such as Gilligan's Island, Columbo, and Wonder Woman. And for the first time in my memory, I, myself, can watch Remington Steele in syndication.

I spent the 1980's as a high school and college student, and (not that you asked, but) my must-see shows of the decade were Magnum, P.I. (duh!), The Dukes of Hazzard, Cheers, Hart to Hart, and Remington Steele. 

Yep. I liked Doris Roberts before she became Raymond's mom. And I liked Pierce Brosnan before he became 007—and even before he gained the extra muscle that made him even more attractive. And, I must say, the only accent more appealing than a British accent is a Southern one. (Thus, the inclusion of the Dukes in my list!)

Me-TV broadcasts Remington Steele on Sunday afternoons, and I use my handy-dandy DVR function so that I can watch it alone later in the week. So this week's episode ("Steele Knuckles and Glass Jaws"—with a plot obviously piggybacking on the Rocky movies' boxing theme popularity during the decade) has, in one part, our debonaire Mr. Steele going undercover as a wheeler-dealer (a role not unfamiliar to him, given his mysterious and suspect past), during which time he meets briefly with a shady character in a diner. Vintage dishware alert!

Check out what's sitting on the counter in front of them: an Anchor Hocking milk glass mug featuring Strawberry Shortcake. (I think this is the exact one.)

Why is such a precious mug sitting in such a seedy scene, you may be thinking? I have no clue. Irony, perhaps?

I was never a Strawberry Shortcake fan; instead, I was of the older Holly Hobbie generation. But my little sister was the prime age when Strawberry Shortcake became uber-popular in the 1980's. And I think I remember that she had a Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox?

Anyhow, just thought I'd share the vintage sighting surprise that occurred while I watched vintage TV.  

Now on to the week's finds.

I picked up this simple, white veggie bowl by Merimekko Oy (Pfaltzgraff). It's in great condition, with some crazing only. Marimekko has sold well for me in my Etsy shop, so I'll list it there.

I also found this classic metal trivet, made in Japan. Truly kitschy-cool. Hey, who doesn't like a practical kitchen item that also demeans (good naturedly, of course) the authority of the man of the house? And check out the weapon bread roller at the bottom. 

This Mrs. Clause salt shaker is also made in Japan. Isn't the detail on her face sweet? Alas, the pepper shaker was nowhere to be found. A day in the life of a thrifter.

And this mug is by Dansk. I know very little about it right now, only that it reads "Dansk Designs Denmark" on the bottom. I'll learn more and then list it on Etsy, I suppose.

This pair of owl mugs is unmarked—no "made in Japan" or anything. (I assume they're vintage 1970's, though.) I got them because pairs are good to list. They also remind me of the several houses (rented and owned) we had growing up. Owls were always represented, and the decor always included a healthy amount of brown.

These are items I found and bought for Mama. As I've mentioned before, she's a fan of yellow. The Opal loaf pan is Pyrex, of course. And the platter pattern is "Fresh as Spring" by Mikasa Light 'n Lively, made in Japan. I think I've loved every Light 'n Lively pattern I've come across.

This Tupperware Servalier canister set was marked at $4 for all eight pieces. I texted a photo to Mama, told her they were a pale yellow, and asked whether she wanted them. "Yes!" she responded. (I believe they're officially listed as Harvest Gold, by the way.)

And that's it. 

If you're so inclined, check out some Me-TV. Thrifters who are vintage nuts should be watching some vintage TV!

And thanks extended to Sir Thrift-a-Lot, We Call It Junkin, and Thrifter/Maker/Fixer/Farm for the opportunity to link up.

thrift store spoils, ch. 16: Dixie Dogwood, Otagiri, and more Pyrex

My mom has caught the Pyrex bug. (I own some of the blame, I'm sure.) Unfortunately, though, she says there's not much of a Pyrex inventory near her home in the North Carolina mountains. So I took pity on her one morning this past week (while she searched Pyrex listings on Ebay) and ran into a few thrift stores I don't get to visit very often—just for her. And I she got lucky.

The following photos are those that I texted her while in the stores, the photos that asked, "Do you want this?"

At my first stop, a SA, I struck yellow. This unnumbered primary bowl was in super condition and priced at only five bucks. A no-brainer.

Primary serendipity! At the next store, a GW just down the road, I grabbed this green 403 for her. It was in pretty good condition, too.

Then I moved a couple of aisles over.

And there sat more primaries. The red 402, God bless it, was way beyond refurbishing, so I recommended (via text) that Mama pass on it. The blue 401, though, I thought had promise.

I wrote to her saying that, despite the scratches, the bowl was a nice enough one for $1.96. But here's the deal: When I got home and washed it, I learned that those weren't scratches after all. Instead, the whitish stuff is some kind of film, which I hope I can remove with some product and a little bit of elbow grease. We'll see.

 

Also at that GW, I got Mama a divided lid for $2.96. (She's even collecting lids now.)

And this is one of two manger scenes I found for her. She has been collecting these for a while. (I take no responsibility for this obsession of hers, by the way.) This cute handmade ceramics project is dated in the late 1970s (about the time Mama and I also had some ceramics fun—when it was quite the thing). It stands only about three inches tall.

At my last stop for her, my favorite GW, I found this Butterfly Gold Cinderella (the vintage 1972-1978 release). It wasn't in great shape, with that dull finish and lots of little scuff marks. But it was priced at $2.96, so I convinced Mama (still via text) to get it. When I got home, I worked on it just a little. I was able to get rid of the marks with Bar Keeper's Friend, but it's still dull. I'm not sure whether I should have gotten it. We'll need to work on it a little more.

And I found her another lid.

And this is what her haul looked like after I washed things up a bit. It was a pretty primary day for her, for sure.

And for myself? I did okay.

This is a bad photo, I know. But I've already washed and packed my new Santa away for next year. (This is the photo I texted to Mama.)  Christmas was 75 percent off that day, by the way, affecting the prices for my Santa and Mama's nativity scenes. And like Mama's nativity scene, my Santa is hand done.

Of course, I had to buy some mugs, all of which are now listed in my Etsy shop. This one is by artist and author Suzy Becker, and it's signed and dated 1991.

I'm so over folk country, but some folks have never abandoned it. And, hey, for some, it's new and retro! So I picked up this mug by Potpourri Press. It's dated 1990. And it oozes that folk-art-country-late-1980s-early-1990s style.

And I say you can't go wrong with an Otagiri mug. Isn't it classic? This one was made in Japan.

I just love these melmac fondue plates, made in Japan. Dijon mustard yellow? Oh, yeah. And they'll coordinate just fine with the plates I found in the summer.

And lastly, I bought this set of 12 bread-and-butter plates, thinking that they might be Blue Ridge Pottery, although there was no making on the bottoms. (I was going to list them in my shop.) Turns out they're actually the Dixie Dogwood pattern by Joni China, which is fine, too. In the end, though, Mama wants them. And that works even better for me. They'll look right at home in her kitchen.

That's all for this week. Hope everyone is having good thrifting luck!

And thanks, as always, to Sir Thrift-a-Lot and a living space for the opportunity to link up.


 

thrift store spoils, ch. 13: beetles from Japan, Taylor & Ng, and E.T.

By my standards, I'm late in posting my latest chapter/update. But I have good reasons: I took a trip to see my parents (the trip provides me with most of the content below, by the way); I finally opened that Etsy shop, as I’ve been threatening to do for forever (gosh, I have lots to learn); and—like everyone else out there, I suppose—I hosted and cooked for Thanksgiving (and we know what all that entails).

But I’ll jump right in.

As always (and as I’ve written about before), whenever I visit Mama and Daddy, Mama and I make a point of stopping in at the Shops of SafePlace thrift store there in their North Carolina mountain town. A whole large back room in the place is dedicated to housewares and the like. Yippee.

Funny, though. I make it down to North Carolina now and again, but in that store I see some of the same merchandise over and over. I guess they don't have much of an inventory turnover.

For instance, check out these cups. They’re that Mexican Pyrex knockoff stuff—but I really like them. Well, I’ve been walking by them for over two years. No lie. They’re like old friends. But that price is way too high for those mugs in that town. Mama thinks I should go mention to an employee that they need to move inventory. She thinks I need to make those folks a low-ball offer. 

But, no. I'm having more fun reuniting with them every time I head back down to North Carolina. Hello again, precious brown and yellow flowery mugs! I'm back.

I did not buy this Pyrex Deluxe Cinderella Casserole in the Golden Hearts pattern (a promotional piece from the late 1950's). It was in good condition. It included an undamaged lid. And it was marked at only five bucks. 

I know. I’m crazy for leaving it there. But I just couldn’t bring home one more casserole dish unless I wanted to go to the trouble of trying to sell it (which means I'd also have to pack and ship it).  I just  didn’t want to. So Mama and I stood there in the store and admired it. Then we left it by its lonesome.

Just yesterday Mama texted me that it’s no longer in the store. So good: some other thrift store shopper had a happy Pyrex day.

I did not buy the above lovely item. Duh.

This store always has the coolest uncool vintage clothing. (Half of it is polyester!) Once I did find a great vintage coat by Boden, but, alas, it was a couple of sizes too big. I almost bought it anyway, though. 

But on to what I did buy: a short plant stand, which is unimpressive to anyone but me, so I didn't take a photo of it. But near the exit door was a table of Christmas junk.

And here is where I found the other item I bought there that day.

It’s an E.T. ornament from 1982. (By the way, I watched the original movie when it first came out—pre-deleted scenes like those you find today in the DVD—in a Louisville, Kentucky, theater.) 

A couple of days ago, I listed the ornament on Ebay, which I’ve never done until this past week. So far, I’m bombing with Ebay, by the way. It confuses me. I’ll keep you updated.

That day of shopping, Mama and I visited only two thrift stores. And she bought two vintage things.

She found this magazine rack that pretty much matches the one she got this summer when I was with her. And she paid only two dollars for this box of mix-and-match Shiny Brites. Score! (She now has the Shiny Brite fever, by the way. She texts me with updates me on her hunts, including photos of what she finds and everything. She's a nut.)

So then on my drive home from North Carolina (because I was by myself and answering to no one), I stopped at several thrift stores in the Boone area. Hey, why not?

I bought a couple of things that I didn’t take photos of (like a mustardy-color Mikasa Cera Stone salt shaker). And I saw these ultra-cool chairs. There were six of them, and they wanted only $100 for the lot. Seriously. 

I texted a photo to Mama, and I think she thought I was crazy. (Sometimes our tastes diverge.) But, I swear, had I not had 300 miles in front of me (and had I enough room in my SUV), I’d have gotten them. You just don’t know how much they remind me of my Florida Mamaw—who was color blind, by the way, and her home décor attested to this fact. (Of course, had these been in Mamaw's house, they'd still have the furniture store's original protective plastic covering on them.)

I think I’ll stop in at the store the next time I head down to see Mama and Daddy, in case those chairs are still there. But they won’t be. I missed out.

Now a quick review of things I've found since my trip—

 

Explanation? I like sour cream glasses, and I collect Bicentennial items.

I’m not a big The Far Side fan, but others are. This mug is on my Etsy site now.

These Christmas mugs by Corning are adorable. They’re for me.

Gotta love a beetle mug, particularly one made in Japan. It's on my Etsy site.

These bowls are Marimekko by Pfaltzgraff, and I have them on my Etsy site. I bought two salad plates that match a couple of weeks ago, and they’ve already sold. Success!

The inlaid image on this Couroc plate reminds me of the Philippines, where the hubby and I served in the Peace Corps a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Some folks there lived in Nipa Huts. They looked something like the above abode (without the surface scratches!).

 

Okay. So I hesitate to write about this mug. But I've seen these Taylor & Ng mugs on other bloggers' sites, and folks seem to have no qualms about the more-than-naughty behavior displayed on them. I've never, ever come across another Taylor & Ng around here, so I grabbed it.

It's dated 1979, and I bought it to sell on Etsy. (Goodness knows I can't have it in my house permanently!) But folks apparently collect these mugs. What the heck is so appealing about domesticated animals and debauchery and morning coffee, anyway?

Okay. Enough about this mug and my issues with it. It'll soon be on my Etsy site. I'm a sellout.

And how's the Etsy shop doing? Well, it's pretty heavy on mugs right now. (I've listed those mostly, because they're easier for this newbie to ship.) And I also have lots more vintage goodies to list. But I've sold six items in about two weeks, so I'm pleased.

Ebay? I have no clue what I'm doing there. 

As usual, much appreciation is sent to Sir Thrift-a-Lot, Thrifter/Maker/Fixer/Farm, and a living space for the opportunity to link up.