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Friday, October 31, 2014

Weird Tales in Washington, CT (Awesome dig with Videos)


This is one of the best digs I have seen all year. My friend Justin Krul, of Just In Antiques in New Milford invited me to take an early peek at this 1920s home, that was as close to "period" as any I have seen. The sale is 10/31 -11/2 from 9-4pm at 177 Bee Brook Rd, Washington Depot, CT. Watch the short video:


There were also 2 separate videos I am producing (to keep the one above shorter than 5 minutes and they will feature 2 tips on how to uncover buried treasure at any sale.)

Watch the first one below (more later today)

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Boldly Go Find Some Good Pickings this Weekend!


It always a question that pickers and Urban Archeologists don't want the answer to - "Is the season over?" When the cold weather hits, people cover up and start to slow down, but for the diggers, we don't stop until the big snow falls.

If your going to be in western Connecticut this weekend there are at least 2 sales worth stopping by to see.  Take a quick first peek at this Brookfield sale:

 

There was one box in this basement that really surprised me:


That is the biggest pile I have ever seen on or off the highway. Inside were numerous boxed Matchbox cars and trucks

The condition of each of those boxes was about the same for each one I uncovered. Are they still as valuable as they once were, or might have been? There was also a Fender guitar:
There was a lot of variety at this sale, not much of it old, but most of it unique. Happy Digging.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Gold is Where You Drink It - Campaign Memorabilia

While I never expected to be a Rhode Scholar, I certainly think I have a good chance of becoming a Road Scholar.  Thanks to my "hitting' the road" every weekend, I have learned more about religion, politics, philosophy, the human condition and society in general than I would in a classroom.   

Let's take politics for example:
Goldwater Soda 1964
I knew of the conservative candidate Barry Goldwater, but I didn't know his election team came up with a a soda to help promote his relationship with the public.  He was a candidate who probably wouldn't have approved this kind of tactic, but few candidates have full control of the flurry of activity around their campaign, in my opinion. 
This was the campaign that may be best known for the advanced use of effect commercials having an impact on voters. Goldwater's opponent LBJ and his campaign gave us the iconic "daisy" political ad and another that were meant to counter Goldwater's position of atomic weapons in Vietnam. LBJ's biggest attack was to produce his own soda. 
Johnson Juice soda

While Goldwater was teased for his soda by being called "Dr Strangejuice" and in the end LBJ opened up a can of "Whoop-ass" on him for the win. I voted in my diaper that year. 

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Death Begins at 40

I have a small collection of books I have purchased just for their titles alone. This one is no exception.
Safety booklet
Who needs a gag gift section at the local novelty store when all you really need for anyone turning 40 is this booklet.  You can guess what the real subject is by the awesome graphic.
This was found, not by me, but by a dealer at a local flea market going through a box of books. While they were tossing some and saving others I mentioned my desire for old paper and when they pulled out this, it was handed to me as a gift!
The publication is filled with page after page of sarcastic warnings and columns of statistics to back up every reason for driving safely. If you have ever studied or appreciated graphic arts this is a small staple hinged museum.
Grant Wood is one of my favorites. He is best known for "American Gothic," which I often like to think I found the photo that inspired that painting...
But don't get me started on glass negatives...

I couldn't scan every page but it was difficult deciding which ones to leave out.



Saving the best for last is the final center-fold that shows the ghost of wrecked cars and the idiots who    died at 40, or more.
1937 as it is now, stay safe on those roads, they're deadly.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Have You Ever Been Tagged as Nuts?

I wonder if this was the company that provided roasted nuts to the N.Y. ball parks in the early part of the 20th century? They have actually been around since 1886. Until I can get the company to return my email requests for more information, I will have to speculate.  The company has been sold more than once and is still going strong in New York and New Jersey having purchased other labels to continue providing more variety in the specialty foods arena. 

Anyone remember this brand?  Chime in and share something in the comments. 

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Guests of the Urban Archeologist...

...Dine at Jack Dempsey's Broadway restaurant.

The meeting place of the world

Long gone, but in its heyday you really could go here and be greater by the owner himself. There's a little more information here.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Cartoon Break: New 'Toons on Some Old Paper

Ahhhh! 1852 was a good year for paper...  These 'toons were drawn in the pages of a bound volume of Harper's New Monthly Magazine.  New indeed!
by Greg Van Antwerp

by Greg Van Antwerp

by Greg Van Antwerp

by Greg Van Antwerp
Kids! resist the urge to draw inside books, unless I have handed it to you.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Caption This - from 100 years ago!

Put your best ideas in the comments.
or, read the full article which is humorous enough.


Sink or swim or let Popular Mechanics from June 1914 do it for you.