I went to two auctions Thursday. Neither one of them was very good. In fact, the first one was terrible. I haven't been to an auction for a while, and so I forgot something very important: Unless there is a lot of stuff you're interested in buying, it's not worth staying. It's just too time consuming to wait for a single lot to come up, unless it's something you really, really want. More on that in a moment.
Everything in this post came from the second auction, including these swell Tipp City salt and pepper shakers. The first auction was noteworthy mainly for the appearance of the scrap guy. The scrap guy, who is a very nice guy, as far as I can tell, is not a stickler when it comes to personal appearance. I don't think he's trimmed his beard or combed or cut his hair since I first saw him some years back. He kind of looks like David Crosby (of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young), but much wilder and unkempt. And if David Crosby weighed 300 pounds. And showed up at an auction wearing only work boots and bib overalls. As in nothing but bib overalls.
I'm not sure if you've ever given this a lot of thought, but bib overalls really were designed to have something worn underneath them. Like a shirt. Even a sleeveless undershirt. A rag loosely wrapped around the torso. Anything. "Scrap Guy, are you sure that outfit is legal in New York?" the auctioneer asked. The scrap guy just chuckled.
This sifter and the very pretty glasses (there are four altogether) came at the end of the second auction, when people could pick things up for a dollar or two. It's fun, but it's hard to survive that long. Especially when your day has consisted of 1) nourishment consisting of one seltzer water, one diet root beer and a package of oat bars 2) extreme heat and humidity and 3) a vision of the Scrap Guy. I did have an epiphany, though. It's been a pretty hot and humid summer, especially by Central New York standards, and in the same way that people down South don't know what to do when it snows, people here don't know how to dress when it gets hot. The Scrap Guy was just the beginning of some of the wardrobe horrors I saw yesterday. All I want to say is: Not every woman can successfully wear a halter. In fact, most women cannot.
A pile of hankies, also from the end of the second auction. Good thing I got them, since I am down to almost a full vintage suitcase that won't close because it has so many hankies. I don't know what I was thinking.
A child-sized hanky with a glass knife rest, which I think came on the tray with the salt and pepper shakers. I also bought a very cool typewriter and some skeleton keys. Which I like, but wouldn't have waited around hours before. In fact, one of the few things that could make me stick around as long as I did was ...
the prospect of acquiring more Swanky Swigs, including my first Tulip #3 in yellow.
six Cornflower #1s
and two Cornflower #2s.
Yes, what for me would be two or three season's worth of Swigs, on one tray. Which of course did not come up for bid for hours. After the rusty chains, the box lot of half-rolls of Saran Wrap and a Hess Truck load of Hess trucks.
Did I mention I think I might have gotten a little poison ivy on the hike back to the car? I'm staying home and recovering today. Tomorrow, I'm going to another auction.
Halarious post! Please, in San Diego I am constantly thinking, "Really, did you forget your shirt today?" - - so many men really should always wear a shirt!
Lovely glasses and colorful finds! Thanks for the fun post!
Posted by: Elise | July 16, 2010 at 01:06 PM
You crack me up! Scrap guy sounds like a real hoot! I love those hankies and the glasses are so worth the wait, I think!
Posted by: Amy Sumrall | July 16, 2010 at 03:16 PM
You got some GREAT treasures-even if you didn't have very great "scenery"-LOL! Love the glasses-they are hard to find in Michigan.
Posted by: Kim | July 16, 2010 at 03:43 PM
You painted a very clear picture of Scrap Guy...*shudder.* I know what you mean about trying to decide whether it's worth hanging around. But I think in this case it was totally worth it!
Posted by: Janelle | July 16, 2010 at 03:58 PM
Great finds! I am looking for a 1952 Calendar handkerchief. Would you have one?
Posted by: Osagebluffquilter | July 16, 2010 at 05:10 PM
I dont, but I grab those calendar ones any time I see them. Ill keep an eye out!
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Posted by: Barbara | July 16, 2010 at 05:15 PM
Beautiful glasses! I have the same salt and pepper w/ stand in red. It's one of my favorite pieces.
Posted by: Sandy B | July 16, 2010 at 07:25 PM
Loving the swanky swigs...they must surely be worth all that waiting! I have to get the picture of Scrap Guy out of my head...am afraid he may sneak into my dreams tonight, since I often dream about auction/estate sales..he may be in line near me in those darn overalls.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | July 16, 2010 at 08:19 PM
Swooning over swanky swigs but ewwww on Scrap Guy and 'no shirt' scary!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | July 16, 2010 at 08:50 PM
Oh, we have those bib overall wearing guys too! I've even seen them NOT button up the sides and, Whoa Lordy, that is something that you just do not want to see. *Shudder*.
Your auction visit this week went much beter than mine.
Posted by: Shara @ monkeybox | July 16, 2010 at 11:35 PM
I wonder what the tipping point was on the day Scrap Guy decided a shirt was no longer necessary (assuming at some point in his life he was a shirt-wearer). Let's hope it's not a trend for him. Mrs. Scrap Guy must be mortified.
Posted by: Into Vintage | July 17, 2010 at 12:20 PM
I'm in love the salt and pepper salter. Roosters are my thing. The hankies are cute. I'm looked at Hankies here in Franklin, TN antique stores and they are $6.00 to $15.00 each.
Posted by: brenda | July 17, 2010 at 01:01 PM
Too funny. And if I was at the auction I'd probably have been bidding against you. I love the same things you do.
Posted by: Carol M | July 17, 2010 at 04:34 PM
In spite of all those pretties that you picked up I can't this mental image of scrap guy in his overalls out of my brain. ewwwww.
Posted by: georgiapeachez | July 18, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Got such a kick out of your auction story! Sounds very similar to what goes on here, the old, unkempt guys with overalls and beards. Now, nothing under the bibs? THAT IS A NEW ONE! HILARIOUS! Even your auctioneer sounds like one of ours. Love those auctioneers with a good sense of humor!
I am drooling over all your swigs! Can't have too may can we?
Posted by: Shelley Germann | July 19, 2010 at 11:41 AM