Ann Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 What is the most valuable item you have ever found at a garage sale/thrift shop/flea market/estate sale...you get the picture? How much did you pay for the item? Tell us a little bit about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce u Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Not garage sale but similiar. We have a public salvaging area at our local landfill. A guy just found a retirement plaque there given to a sea captain. There was a small gold ship at the top, then verses, then a gold coin at the bottom. He just had the coin appraised in Edmonton and it is valued at $32,000. He is now getting the ship appraised as well as rubies he found with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Well it was sort of me, I was in high school. My dad was an antique dealer and he went to a family auction and came home with all kinds of things. One was a box of photos. The daughter had been a concert violinist and traveled Europe performing. The photos were amazing (you know the old ones on cardboard some were pretty large)and I liked them so much my dad gave me the box after he picked out what he thought were the good ones. So...I am looking and I found a photo, I looked closer and OH MY GOD-- it was one of my favorite artists. I looked at my dad and said, "You don't know who this is? It's Mucha-- Alphonse Mucha and he's sitting in his studio". I went to my room where I had one of his posters, brought it down and showed him. Not only was it his photo, it was signed to the daughter in French. I keep it for years and sold it about 6 years ago on E-bay for a good amount of money because you could see the paintings he was working on in the studio. My dad had several other good finds...a box of Tiffany glass with a bowl, compotes, etc. for a few dollars, and several paintings by famous artists. I've found some great buys myself, but nothing like he found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted March 8, 2008 Author Share Posted March 8, 2008 I'm just beginning to get back into antiques and collectibles a wee bit. Many of the things I grew up with in the hills of Applachia, are now considered to be antique and collectible. When I first moved into my own home, I wanted all the new, modern stuff after being around all the "prim" stuff for so many years. What a costly mistake that was, as I had so many neat things. I still have some of those things...thank goodness. But...I have been lucky lately. I found two very nice pieces of Royal Albert figures, some really vintage Pyrex pieces, some Occupied Japan things and Limogues. So, now that we know you're a pro, Ry...you'll have to help us out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patut Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Not me, but my daughter found a doll from the 60's like she had once owned. She paid $5.00 for it and sold it on Ebay for over $200. One never knows, do one! Timmy P 1938-2004 I just used one of his favorite expressions above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 A friend bought an old icecream scooper at a yard sale for $1 and sold it on ebay for $800. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patut Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 One never knows, do one! That is so great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I collect, among other things, flow blue pottery. I have many plates and they are worth well over $100.oo each. I went to a garage sale once and the lady had all kinds of plates on the table selling for $1.00 each. Lo and behold, there was a beautiful flow blue plate there. I grabbed it up and went to the check out and she asked me if I minded paying $2.00 instead for it "because its so pretty". I told her no problemo - and off I went. The last I checked its worth about $135.00. Felt guilty for a while - but just a short while!! PAtti B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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