Saturday, February 28, 2009

2009 City Wide Yard Sales in Maryland

2009 City Wide Yard Sales in Maryland
Below is a listing of all the City Wide Yard Sale I have for Kansas. If you would like me to post your Kansas Yard Sale please email me with the dates, city, times and a contact number.
2009 UPDATE
Ocean City, MD - Part of the Coast to Coast US 50 Yard Sale - May 15-17, 2009
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2009 UPDATE
Salisbury, MD - Part of the Coast to Coast US 50 Yard Sale - May 15-17, 2009
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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Collecting Political Buttons


Political buttons are a relatively inexpensive collectible. Most candidates give out free political buttons during the length of their campaigns. These are free for the asking at any Republican, Democratic or Candidate Headquarters.


You can collect many of the older buttons without shelling out a lot of money. There are a country full of political and history junkies out there that both buy and sell this campaign memorabilia so they are pretty easy to find.


William McKinley was the first US President to give Campaign Buttons out in 1896. The pictured button is one of the first of what now is considered a traditional political give-a-way. McKinley became our 25th President, Garrett Hobart was his running mate and became McKinley's Vice President during his first term.


William Jennings Bryan ran for President in 1896, 1900 and 1908, he never did win a presidental election but eventually became secretary of state. I’m not sure which year this button was from but that makes this button a least a hundred years old.


















I like the Kennedy button the best. It flickers between two pictures, one that says “The Man For The 60’s” and John F. Kennedy’s profile and name.



















Richard Nixon has assorted political buttons which are very collectible.

















Jesse Jackson ran for President in 1984 and again in 1988, the featured button is of course from the 1984 election.



Political buttons are given away in almost every political election. Future presidents, governors and mayors give these away in hopes of getting your vote. Many times there are more than one style and size per candidate. Who can forget the last election, the Obama button pictured is only one of several different styles made.


If prominently displayed in your home Political Buttons can be a good conversation piece or more than likely a good argument starter. Regardless they are a piece of US history that can be handed down from generation to generation. Happy Collecting!!!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Hall Jewel Tea Autum Leaf


In 1933 The Jewel Company contracted with the Hall Company to produce a set of dishes to be used as a premium. Salesmen would entice housewives on their routes to buy these dishes for everyday use. The Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf Pattern was a instant hit with many of the housewives who bought their wares from these travelling sales men during the early years of its production.


Everyday dishes, bowls, canisters, salt & pepper sets, tea sets, coffee pots, water jars, candy dishes, every imaginable piece produced was very popular in many kitchens throughout the United States.

It's run from 1933 to 1976 sold millions of pieces and although it tried unsuccessfully to make a comeback in the late 70's the early pieces have never lost their popularity.


Today Jewel Tea pieces are quite collectible. I recently went to an auction that featured several pieces of this Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf pattern and every piece offered went quite high.
If you are a collector you can find it in many antique stores and flea markets throughout the country. There are also several online antique stores and of course eBay has several pieces for sale.

This pattern makes a great display in a country themed kitchen. If you are willing to pay the price there are many sources and opportunities to add to your collection.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Nintendo System


Back in the 80's Nintendo was a big thing and one year we bought our kids a Nintendo NES console system as a reward. It was the beginning of summer and they had earned good grades throughout the year. Back in those days we were always strapped for cash so this was a real treat and a surprise as well. I had put it on Lay-a-way and on the last day of school we took them out to dinner and then went and picked it up.

They were ecstatic, it was really cool back then and they conquered Mario Bros and Frogger, and on to the more complicated Zelda and many others. They loved playing it and took turns playing it and fighting over who's turn it actually was.

They would blow the dust out on a daily basis and play for hours. Life was good. Nowadays, kids seem to have several versions of electronic games. X-Box, Play Station and Wii to name a few. This past summer I found a Nintendo NES at a yard sale for $10 and for old times sake bought it. Every time I come across Nintendo games at yard sales I buy them up, we are building a library of old games.

We hooked the system up for the grandkids who by the way love it, especially the 5 year old, he has a blast playing the games. My 30 something son even suggested we have a Nintendo game marathon which sounds like fun but he was always the best player and his turn never seems to end so I don't know if it will be that fun or not. What I do know is it was well worth the ten bucks I gave for it! It is a special memory to us. It must be special to many others as well. I see tons of these games on eBay and they all seem to get bids.

If you do run across any Nintendo games or the console units in your travels you might want to pick them up. They do seem to sell well both on eBay and in my flea market booth. If you are not a player you could make a little extra cash selling it to the people who are either nostalgic or addicted, either way it would be a win-win situation!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Collecting Aprons

Most households have at least one apron in the kitchen if not several. Over the years the styles of aprons have changed. They have gone from full length to short mid-waist style to full dress style and even fancy party aprons were very stylish back in the 1960's.

There are antique apron show's/siminars periodically around the country that are fun to attend. It's always fun to see how the styles evolved and changed over the years.

Kansas State’s Historic Costume and Textile Museum in Manhattan, KS has a very a impressive display of the earlier Handy Dandy Aprons which were patented in 1925. If you are into Aprons and
in the area you'll want to check it out.

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There are also many collectible events in the United States, many featuring vintage aprons.
I know of one show this year in Pocahontas, Arkansas in August. The dates are August 11 - 16, 2009. The Vintage Apron Show is at the Pocahontas Randolph County Heritage Museum. They will have a large variety of vintage aprons to view and this event is free so if you are in the area check it out.


There are ton's of vintage apron collectors in the world and many of them have blogs. Just Google in vintage or antique aprons and you'll have several to pick from. These blogs are fun to read, informative and cute but be careful they can become addictive.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

2009 City Wide Yard Sales in Kansas

Below is a listing of all the City Wide Yard Sale I have for Kansas. If you would like me to post your Kansas Yard Sale please email me with the dates, city, times and a contact number.

2009 UPDATE
Agusta, KS - Citywide Garage Sale - June 19-20, 2009 & Oct. 5, 2009 - (316) 775.6339
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2009 UPDATE
Alma, KS - Citywide Garage Sale - (785) 765-3327

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2009 UPDATE

Flint Hill, KS - City Wide Garage Sale - September 19, 2009 - 8 a.m. - (620) 767-5442

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2009 UPDATE

Fort Scott, KS - City Wide Garage Sale - April 18, 2009 - (620) 223-0550

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2009 UPDATE

Horton, KS - City Wide Garage Sale - June 19 - 20, 2009 - (785) 486-3321

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2009 UPDATE

Phillipsburg, KS - City Wide Garage Sale - April 25, 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009

2009 Citywide Yardsales in The United States

I don't know about you all but I'm craving a yard sale, withdrawal symptoms I guess. I get this way every winter.

Last year I listed citywide yard sales on my blog by state. If you look back through my older posts, I will update the dates as soon as I get the current info.

Today I updated several in Kentucky. Anybody who wants to send me citywide or community yard sale information and/or dates I will be glad to include it on my blog.

Just a few more months and we'll all be out there yard-sailing. Hope to see you soon!