Estate Sale Question

Question: My father passed away last week. My brother suggested that we have an estate sale. How would one go about finding a person to handle an estate sale? We live in Minnesota.

A person dropped by and offered to do one for them. She did not say that she did this professionally only that she just likes to help people out. Sorry to say but I am somewhat suspicious of that arrangement. I would like to see if she is bonded and to ask for references. It sounded to me like she would come in, mark items, and display them as well as advertise the sale.

I would like to offer an alternative to that plan so am looking for individuals who do this professionally. We have never been through this so appreciate any help you can offer. -- JB, Hutchison, Minn.

Answer: I think you are wise to be concerned about a stranger appearing at your door. Unfortunately there are unscrupulous people who prey on those who are grieving.

If you want to have an estate sale the best course is to contact a licensed and insured professional. Check the yellow pages of your phone book, or ask several of the established antique dealers in your city to recommend an estate sale professional. Make sure you get references and by all means check them. This person will have access to your father's home and to your family's possessions. It's important to hire someone who is trustworthy and knowledgeable.

It is always possible that the woman who stopped by is someone who can be trusted. But it's important to be sure.

Tool Time

Estate sales draw tool collectors looking for treasures like these. They head out to the garage, or down to the basement and very quickly snap up everything in the workshop. My son asked me to look for certain tools one time and I demurred.
"I don't have a clue," I told him. "And besides, the tool guys are too fast." They get in and out and move on to the next sale.
Here's a tool collector's message board. It's interesting to see what people are looking for and what they're worth.

Meet and Greet

Tomorrow's Treasure Hunting column is on finding your way around a new city by scouting out the junk stores and garage sales. There is even a way to do this online
Meetup is an online group dedicated to organizing monthly get-togethers for people interested in various topics.
Seattle has a large group of thrift store shoppers that meet in locations around the area.
There isn't anything in Spokane, but that doesn't mean an enterprising junker couldn't get something going.
By the way, International Garage Sale Meetup Day is Aug. 12. More than 190 people have signed up in Bellevue, Wash.
Sounds like a great way to meet others who share your interests.

Antiques Roadshow

The popular PBS television show, Antiques Roadshow is coming to the Northwest. Portland will host the experts on Saturday, Aug. 21. Details are here .

Sewing Machine Appraisal

Question: I am writing to you in reguards to a Minnesota model a sewing machine that belonged to my grandmother. I have had it now for 10 years now and I have kept it good shape. It has the original ram-head knobs and the actual leather strap for the wheel and l have the actual needle. I am not sure how much the sewing machine is worth. It means a lot to me because it belonged to my great-grandmother and grandmother. If you could get back with me I appreciate it. -- Maria Flores

Answer:Unfortunately, I am simply not qualified to offer appraisals. My advice would be to check the Yellow pages for licensed appraisers in your area.
Here is a link to an article on the International Sewing Machine Collectors Society Web site that gives information on determining the value of your antique sewing machine.

A bag of rocks

Although it was posted in June, I just read Phil's account of digging for garnets on his "Tall Trees" blog. It brought back fond memories.
I grew up spending most of my time with my grandparents who were rock hounds. They dug for garnets in Idaho, diamonds in Arkansas , and picked up fossils as well as interesting rocks and minerals all over the country. My grandfather was the curator of minerals at Birmingham Southern College and travelled everywhere to put together that collection. I was with him for some of it.
Of course they're long gone, but I still have a jar full of tumbled garnets and my grandmother's string of polished garnets. I also have the shoe-box-size quartz crystal he brought home on top of the station wagon.
Like a lot of what you find at estate sales and such, if you didn't know what you were looking at you would just call the garnets "rocks" and put them in a bag for $1.
Sometimes when I see rocks and shells at these sales I think about the happy memories associated with the day they were collected.

Don't Buy Hot Antiques

Here's a site to check now and then. It is a bulletin board for stolen antiques.
Sadly, a number of the items were stolen from churches and cemeteries.
One post says a pair of reproduction lightning rod balls were stolen from the roof while the family slept! The lady sounds mad and I can't blame her. It's kinda creepy to think someone could get away with something like that while you're home. And the balls weren't even the real thing. The post says they are clearly marked 2001.
Maybe it was the "Lighting Rod Man" .
In case you don't know, lightening rods were invented by Benjamin Franklin and were placed on houses to prevent a lightning strike and fire. Here's more on the decorative balls.

Northern Exposure

Question: I see you found a beautiful treadle machine in your treasure hunting, and wondered if you might know of another machine available for sale? I live on an island in SE Alaska and have been looking for a non-electric machine for several years. We are tentatively moving back to "bush Alaska" for retirement, and I would be very limited on electricity for daily use. If you come across a machine whose owner doesn't mind waiting for a check from Alaska, would you mind passing along my mailing or email address and sharing my interest in a machine in decent condition? As far as shipping, two of my daughters live in Washington state (Spokane and Tri-Cities areas), and could take delivery at any time. -- Rene' Wolfe

Answer: I don't know of a machine for sale, but I'll put the word out for you...Good luck with the search. You sound like one amazing woman!

So...anybody have a working treadle sewing machine for sale? Email me and I'll put you in touch with Rene'.

My Junk Runneth Over

Tomorrow's Treasure Hunting column is about using junk to build an outdoor fountain.
Using an old watering can, a battered enamel pot and a $3 garage sale fountain pump, my son put together a fountain for me.
He even welded an ornamental hook to hold the watering can.
I just love it. I'd been wanting a little fountain and it means everything that my boy (who can do anything with his hands except homework) made it for me.

Beatles Junk

Here's something that was in The Spokesman-Review today. Someone purchased an old suitcase for $36 and discovered it was full of original Beatles recordings. Everybody sing along with me now...

Digging for treasure stories

Question: I came across your name while doing research for a children's book I'm writing on discoveries, ideas, and inventions. I'm trying to track down information on "treasure" (whether it be a baseball in an attic or gold in a chest) that someone found that was worth money. Do you have any information you can share with me, or could you direct me to a few good sites where I could find such info? -- Amy Zavatto

Answer: Whenever I run across a good treasure story, I post it here on the blog. Check in often. You never know what someone might dig up.

More on the Minnesota Model A

Question:My grandmother has a Minnesota Model A, but it is inside a two-door cabinet, and when you flip open the table, the thing pops out. When closed, it is completely hidden. No outside iron legs like I have seen pictures of online. She says it is over 100 years old, and I have been searching online for information, but I cannot find anything about this model. Could you fill me in? -- Danny Kerwood

Answer:It sounds like your grandmother has what is called a "parlor cabinet." When the sewing machine wasn't in use, it looked more like a piece of furniture. Much like the entertainment centers and armoirs used to hide the television today.

Something old, Something New: Something pink and blue

Letter: I just wanted you to know I followed up on the sites you suggested and I now am the proud owner of a CD which tells me all about the Sewing Machine Minnesota Model A. Without your help I would just have a pretty piece of furniture, now when I share it with my daughters and their children it will actually be working. In fact I plan to make a baby blanket using the machine for one of our neices this summer.
Thank you so much for all of your help. -- Sharon V. Wood

Answer: Your letter made my day! I'm so glad they had what you needed. I think it's wonderful that your mother-in-law's old sewing machine will be the tool used to make a new baby's blanket. An old treasure makes a new treasure.

Majolica or McCoy

Part of the fun of treasure hunting is the search for information about our finds. Recently, The Junkstore Cowgirl (Linda from New York) asked for a little help identifying the green "majolica-like" pitcher she bought at a garage sale for $5.
Here's what I stumbled across recently:

The 2004 Antique Trader Antiques and Collectibles price guide has a photo and description of a somewhat similar piece on page 215. It is described as an "ewer in the embossed basketweave and morning glory pattern" and is identified as Brush McCoy. The price listed is $365.
The 2000 Kovel's price guide lists a majolica pitcher described as a 9 1/2 inch pitcher in the "basket and flower" pattern. It is priced at $192. Remember that was in 2000.
If it is unmarked I would bet on Majolica, (Reminder: I'm not an expert!) but either way it was a great buy.

Do it the eBay way

Question: I have apparently collected for years! I never really considered myself a collector. I just bought things I liked and whenever my mother or friends would see a piece, they would assume I was collecting that and add to the collection.
Recently we had some people new to our comunity up to the house. They are all intrested in antiques and were soon frothing at the mouth. They made me realize how much I really have! Much of it has no sentimental value to me at all and I am at the moment unemployed. I would love to sell some pieces, but have no idea about value. I have a Davy Crockett cookie jar that I have found selling on the Internet from anywhere from $300 to $12,000! I have no idea how to tell why one is worth so much more than te other! I was hoping you could maybe give me a contact that could help me for a commision. I live in Almira, Wash., about 90 miles west of Spokane. I have things as big as an old stand-up radio, and as small as vintage cancelled checks from a bank that no longer exists, to an old brass fire extinguisher. Lots of dishes and such. Is there somone out there who could help me without me taking it in the shorts??
Thank you so much for your time! -- Joyce Mings

Answer:I think we can save your shorts!
Seems to me you are the perfect candidate for ebay .
By selling your items online you won't have to pay anyone to handle a sale for you. Each sale would be conducted in the privacy of your home and you could set the hours and days.
eBay charges a small fee for each sale, but my friends who sell online regularly say it's the best way to do business. Several have closed their shops and malls and do business online only.
Good luck.

New Zealander looking for info on silk print

Question: I bought an oval silk ornately framed picture at a flea market and I can't identify the artist - can you help? The picture I am trying to identify is as follows: A lady in a blue gown is sitting down and looks like she is playing a guitar. Her head is looking to her right - she has a white band round her hair and two long strands of pearls round her neck. Leaning against her is a lady in a white gown with an orange sash and perhaps an orange petticoat. At their feet is a basket with some flowers in it, and a brown and white spaniel at the foot of the lady in blue. In the background on the left is some trees and what looks like a squirrel coming down out of the tree. In the background further is a cloudy sky and more trees.

It is reminiscent of a Watteau but the guitar may date it later. I've searched Google and heaps of "poster/prints" sites but haven't been able to find anything that looks remotely like it.
At the same time I bought a few other silk oval pictures but successfully identified Girl with a Lute by Gentileschi and Master Simpson by Arthur Dewis, but not this one!
I went to Artmagick.com and asked in the discussion forum but they haven't been able to identify it either. Nor have books from the local library (which isn't very extensive, which is not surprising, considering we are a small town in New Zealand with a population of 21,000!)
I wonder if you can help, or point me in the direction of someone/somewhere who can.
Any assistance much appreciated. Cheers -- Pauline

Answer: I'm not an expert on anything, especially art, so I just try to point readers in the right direction for information.
You might try Fine Art.com .
There is a forum where you can ask other art lovers if they are familiar with your print.
Another suggestion would be to email a photo of the print to museums asking for help.
Kovels online , offers links for identifying antiques and collectibles. You might try there.
The Internet Antiques Guide is another source for information.
Good luck with your search.

Painting by E.W. Gollings found in thrift store

Comment: I read your column in The Spokesman-Review with some regularity, and while I cannot claim to have found a real treasure in an unexpected place, I was living in Sheridan, Wyo., when a local collector found a signed and dated painting by the noted Western painter E.W. Gollings at the sales outlet of a local charity. It had been in someone's attic for many years, and when the attic was cleaned out the painting accidentally wound up at the curb, to be picked up by the Salvation Army.
When the owner found it missing he asked the Salvation Army to give it back, but they were unable to comply because they had already sold it -- for a few dollars. The new owner refused to return it because he had purchased it legally and in good faith, and as his attorney later argued, he could not be certain the original owner had not actually meant to throw it out. The situation led to a lawsuit, and the court ultimately returned the painting to the first owner. The painting was valued at $38,000 and the incident took place sometime in 2001 or 2002. -- Dale Ackels, Newport, Wash.

Answer: Why is it I just end up with another paint-by-number painting and the good stuff goes home with somebody else? Actually, I think it's wonderful that the original owner ended up with the painting.

But it's a shame something like that had to go through the courts to make it right. This kind of thing happens now and then, and we ought to put ourselves in the place of the person who lost a family heirloom or treasure. Personally, I wouldn't be able to sleep if I knew I had something that meant that much to someone else.

Making butter the modern way

Question: Can one use an old-fashioned egg beater in a jar or bowl to
churn butter out of cream if one just turns it slowly? What about food processor or blender on the lowest setting? I would like some way to have my grandkids do this for summer fun but do not want to buy an antique. I want to use an inexpensive way. -- Nancy Parker

Answer: A recipe for butter churned in a food processor is available here.
Scroll down the page to "churning" for directions. Good luck!

Grandma's Churn

Comment: Thank you for the article re: butter churns. I remember churning with my Grandma in North Dakota with her Dazey churn. I am in possession of her "new" churn...a Dazey electric churn that I remember her receving in the '50's. Great fun...and priceless. -- D. Roccanova

Answer: It's wonderful how many memories these old things hold, isn't it? I imagine that electric churn was a real time saver for your grandmother. You're lucky to have it.

Online Dating (for eligible sewing machines.)

Comment: My name is John, however, I answer to Red. I saw your article about your Singer sewing machine and found it interesting because I, too, have a Singer that my mother made some of my shirts on. I have only the head, my brother took the cabinet to put an electric machine in, (shame on him). Mom was going to throw the head away but I got it instead.

Where Mom got the machine, I don't know, I only know she had it for many years then I got it in 1983. By checking the s/n (14017 52 6) on the Internet, it was made in the late 1800s, I think about 1893. There are four patent dates, 1880, 1885, 1888 and 1890. Surprisingly, it still works!

Answer: You aren't alone. There are a lot of old machines out there that are missing their original cabinet. It was a pretty common practice to replace the old machines with a newer model, and discard the older one.
You are lucky to have the original machine, especially since you remember your mother making your shirts on it. Who knows, you might get to put it all back together one day...

Thanks for pointing out that the patent date on the machine isn't always the true date. I got another letter, via snail mail, saying the same thing. The best way to date a machine is to check the serial number. Thanks for reading the column, and for writing.

Replacement needles for vintage sewing machine

Question:
I love your "antique" articles even though I am very familiar with these articles since my family used them when I was young. My old Sears sewing machine is from the early1900s. Do you have the name of a source for old sewing machine needles -- the long variety -- either in Spokane or the Coeur d'Alene area? I broke the last machine needle and can't find others to fit. I've checked antique stores for these but haven't been successful.
My mother said she gave away the old butter churn.
I have an old glass mayonnaise maker with an apparatus that goes up and down into the glass to beat the oil into the egg--- I'll try that out again someday. Thanks for the reminiscences! Linda Lewis, Coeur d'Alene
Answer:
Thanks for reading the columns and writing to me. I spoke to Donna at Boyd-Walker Sewing Machine Company in Spokane and she told me they sell parts, including needles, for most old machines. If they don't have the needle you need, they can probably order it.
Boyd-Walker is located at 1926 E. Sprague, and the phone number is 509-535-1501. Good luck!

Holiday Junking!

OK, the long weekend is coming up. Before you engage in any junking, remember the Treasure Hunter's Pledge. Take a moment to reflect on why we do what we do, say the pledge, and get on out there and have a good time.
(Note: This pledge is a hastily-written work in progress. It is possible, especially if Mimosa's are served before, during and after brunch, that a new version will be put forth.)

Treasure Hunter's Pledge

Place your right hand over your heart and recite with me:
As a treasure hunter I will never drive past an antique mall or flea market without stopping (or at least whining because whoever was driving wouldn't stop.)
In the pursuit of the next big find I will dig through junk, follow misspelled signs down unpaved roads and pilfer my children's piggy bank.
I will find new ways to use old stuff, and learn the old ways to use my new finds.
I will be prepared to get up early on weekends and have a sore back for the rest of my life.

Country Home Magazine's annual collecting issue

The August issue of Country Home Magazine is all about the numbers. Each summer the magazine compiles interesting information about what's popular with collectors.
This year's stats are fascinating. For instance, did you know that 66% of collectors are female?
How about the amount the average collector spends in a year? The answer is a whopping $1,794. ( I hope that isn't true because I consider myself to be an above average collector.)
Other interesting tidbits include the fact that collectors think antiques shows are the best places to find new goodies, and 49% of collectors think of their collections as an investment. And an astounding 80% would never consider selling part of their collection.
Also listed are the top 5 reasons for collecting. Interesting stuff.
The only thing they didn't include is a copy of the "Treasure Hunters Pledge." I'll have to write one and send it over.