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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursdays #6


Well-grab an ice tea and sit a spell because I have a story for you....


...It all started this summer when I went to Indiana...and Aunt Bette told us girls (my sister Erin, my brother's girlfriend Lauren, and myself) to go down to the basement and go through her cupboards and pick out stuff we liked because she wanted to get rid of some things. (can you feel my heart beat faster?)
So we did, and it was chock full of pots, pans, vases, dish sets, picnic baskets, you know, the usual good stuff all aunt's have! We each made our "pile" downstairs.
A week later goes by and Voila! Here is the box from South Bend!

I gleefully opened it up and prayed the vases I put in there were in one piece. Then I discovered a few extra things.










(Now, I'm the one in my family that has Grandpa's dentures because no one wanted them and I couldn't let someone throw them out, besides they were in a cool box!...that is the type of person I am)
Anything my Aunt Bette had in her house, I surely didn't want it to get thrown out...those are precious memories for me because they were hers.
So, I open everything up and yes, everything was fine! I did come across this old coffee can that was not originally in 'my pile', so I wondered what was in it. I opened it up and there was something heavy inside a plastic bag. I unrolled the bag carefully and I was staring at all these little tiny cups! Who and how did they get in my pile?
Oh Aunt Bette must have come across these and added them into my pile! So I immediately called her to thank her for sending the big box of goodies and to thank her for these little cups! What were they and however did she know I would love them and they are right up my alley?!
To make a long story short, (I know- too late Beth Ann) she didn't put them in my pile, and dad packed everything. (Good Job Dad!) But, she did know what they were- salt cellars, and her mom used them on the table and she was glad I had them!

After calling Dad to thank him, and googling Salt Cellars, I laid them out to admire them. I gave them a good washing and they are very pretty! Come take a look- (click to enlarge photo)














So then I start researching and checking out eBay for salt cellars...HOLY COW!!!!! Well, it can become an addiction and I clearly had all the signs of it...
*staying up late on 'puter
*on 'puter all day long
*answering "Oh, Nothing" when hubby asked what I was doing
*credit card sitting non-nonchalantly by 'puter
*enough snacks and drinks besides me that I never had to leave my seat... you know.....

  • So the blue ones are circa 1885-1895 from Brice Brothers
  • Have cut glass ones, as opposed to pressed glass (pressed glass doesn't mean worthless by any means though)
  • Spikey ones are English Hobnail circa 1920's (possible production copy from same era)
  • Oval ones are circa 1910 from U.S. Glass
Now you know why I have listed the "5,000 Open Salts" book on my birthday wish list! :)

AND... to make this scene even better....I met this lady on eBay who lives up the street from me, and knows all about 'salts'! Can life get any better, I ask you???

Meet the Salt Lady~Lisa


"Say HI to everyone Lisa!"











Lisa spent a couple hours with me and helped me figure out what it was I had. She is a super nice and fantastic lady who is very knowledgeable in all kinds of salts!












Here is one book she used...this is the one on my birthday wish list (hint, hint)












I am so lucky to have made such a great friend!
Thank you again Lisa for taking time to meet me and help me with the salts!
(Her own collection....(gasping...) is incredible!)









So there you have it! My new collection is growing and I'll be posting more again about these adorable little things in the future!
Do you have any? Send me a picture and tell me who you got them from! I'd love to hear your story!

20 comments:

Amy said...

I simply adore vintage kitchen things - looks like you found some GREAT bargains :-)

Coloradolady said...

the items are amazing. I love the salt cellars. the colors are great. Nice story to go along with it too. great post

Unknown said...

Uh, Oh! Looks like a salt cellar junkie has been created! Isn't it fun to learn about something cool like that?I really like the milk glass vases you got from Aunt Bette, too.

Eileen said...

ooo. I love all your old treasures you got in your pile. And those salt cellars are beautiful. I don't collect them or know anything about them, but they look like a lot of fun to find!

Ronda's Rants said...

So pretty...I love things like that. I collect salt spoons...

Rue said...

Good morning Beth Ann :)

I have one salt cellar and I bought it a long time ago in an antique store not knowing what it was. It has a little spoon with it too :)

I love your collection!

rue

JEWELGIRL said...

I have a pair of vaseline glass
bird open salt cellars, I thought they were short candle holders until
I tried candles in them...duh, LOL
Great collection! I enjoyed your
post and your enthusiasm!

Threeundertwo said...

Wow, what a great start to a collection. I think finding a new friend is my favorite part of the story though!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what fun to have a lovely aunt tell you to go through her basement! The salt cellars are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Oh what fun to go into your aunt's basement and rummage. I love it. The salt cellars are great. Enjoy!!

Melissa said...

I loved reading your story. And I must admit I learned something new. I had never heard of salt cellars until I read your post. Your new oollection are adorable little things. Looks like you have a new hobby collecting them.
I think it's cool you met someone so close to you who knew so much about them and helped you out.
Happy VTT!!

onlymehere said...

I'm glad you stumbled upon my blog! I've bookmarked you and will definitely be back in a day or so when the laundry room is dried out to read your blog. It looks interesting and I look forward to getting to know you better! Cindy

Anonymous said...

I just love all of your stuff!!!


peace
#2

Patty said...

I love the blue ones! How pretty. And how lucky that Lisa lives up the street! I think my mom has a few salt cellars. You have me curious now.

SmilingSally said...

Is that a Farberware pot?

Stephanie said...

wow what a bunch of great treasures! And how neat that you found someone right down the street that collects salt cellars too.

Carrie said...

What a great story...and so nice that you have a fascinating new collection. Having a knowledgable collector as your neighbor is just terrific.

The Tiquehunters Wife said...

Loved your story--salts are soooo pretty! Interesting to think they were once a normal part of a table setting.
What a wonderful time you must have had--not only being surprised by receiving the salts, but also receiving a new friend! What could be a better Vintage Thingie day than that?!!!
Blessings to you!
Claudia O.

Unknown said...

What an awesome surprise in your box of good stuff!

Pamela said...

What a fantastic suprize for you. My husband's aunt also collected salts. Unfortunately we didn't get any passed on to us. But my husband has always been fasicnated with them since his boyhood so at Christmas and his birthday I try to find one to add to his collection.

I've missed the past 3 Thurs. because of vaction and then surgery but plan to get back in the swing this coming Thurs.