2 Crazy Days of Shopping - Day One: Maumee Antique Mall

Last Friday, my friend Bargain Hunter and I went out for a little 'retail therapy'.  We had planned to go to the M-15 garage sale (about 46 miles of garage sales), but decided to skip it because it was so chilly and rainy.  Since it didn't officially start until the next day (Saturday), we thought the early-bird sellers might just decide to wait and hope that the weather improved.  

Instead, we went to Maumee Antiques near Toledo, which has quickly become one of my absolute favorite malls!  It's in an old grocery store so it's really big and most of the booths are very well staged with lots of interesting stuff.  They even have shopping carts, which is good, since they don't have many (or any) floor walkers.  

I found some great things, with a definite mid-century vibe...

Napco bobble-head cat with two kittens

Holt Howard Santa from 1963 and a boy birthday angel (always hard to find)

Spaghetti poodle planter in near-mint condition

I think clowns are creepy, but I always like these homemade yo-yo clowns with the celluloid faces.  This little guy is only about 7" high.  The large apple bowl is fired-on Flamingo Pink & in perfect condition.

1951 Dolly Toy wall hangings -- Little Boy Blue

I thought I'd put this planter on my front porch, but now I think it will end up in the booth

I loved this teal and basketweave train case!  

The mirror's gone and the seller has added this floral paper panel.  My friend Bargain Hunter likes it, but I think the panel has got to go -- how do you vote?

I loved this showboat musical jewelry box from 1965!  Do you think it's cool or tacky?

It plays 'Way Down Upon the Swanee River'

Six Vera Neumann napkins and a garden tote -- plus a wonderful little news brochure from 1950

Mr. KV says the news magazine, called Quick, was like the ipad of the 50s, because of its caption:  "Get Quick at your newstand each Thursday and carry it in your pocket or your purse...and read it wherever you are"  We could just imagine a bus or restaurant full of 1950s people all reading their Quicks, the way people are all busy on their phones now!

After all those fun finds, you might think I wouldn't want to shop any more.  NOT SO!  We were all geared up and ready to go to the Antiques Flea Market at Davisburg the next day.  That's the next post, though.  

Have a great evening, everyone!

Being First at the Sale -- THAT'S a First!

Last week I got to be first at a sale -- that's never happened to me before!  On Wednesday, I saw a small notice in our local county newspaper for donations to a village historical society's garage sale on 'Thursday, Friday & Saturday'.  No dates, just a time and place.  I took a chance on going there before work and was first in the parking lot -- there were no signs, so I had to go to the door and ask if the sale was that weekend. Since I was early, I even offered to help them set up (figured I might get a sneak-peek...)  The two ladies working it had spent the entire week setting it up in a very big room all by themselves ... they said they wished I'd been there earlier.

By the time they let us in, there was a HUGE crowd of 6 people (and I was first)!   Most of the things were newer and not to my junkin' taste, but I did get some nice things...

American Plastic Bricks, which were building tiles before there were Legos.  I HAD to snap these up -- I had them when I was little and want to play with them

A campfire toaster and 3 great 'Mad Men' mid-century glasses

A 1960s card shuffler and another thermometer set (minus the baster).  I may see if I have a baster I can add to make it complete

Some old books & booklets, but nothing exciting...

An unused scrapbook and (THIS is great!) a 1955 'Beauty in Britain' book.  I HAVE to keep that -- have I ever  mentioned how much I love all things British?

  I got some great Christmas stuff, too ...

1960s metal tree-hanger candy holders, in their store box

A tin with a few old ornaments

These three 1950s Made in Japan Santas are great! 
The two on the right have stuffed 'nylon' covered faces -- we used to get lots of little novelty dolls like this in the 50s & 60s.  Each of these is 9 or 10" tall and they were a real find! 

  The sale was 'by donation', so you took your items up to the checkout and suggested your donation.  I offered what I thought was a generous donation (and the checkout lady did, too) -- until the other lady came over and was really upset that the Santas were there.  She had intended to price them separately, but didn't get to it.  Oh, well -- a bargain for me!  Do you think it was wrong that I just smiled and agreed when she said (bitterly) "You really got a good deal there."?  I don't (they had all week to price, after all)!