Leader Board Ad

Friday, August 31, 2018

Wooden you know? Another mystery to solve. True story - while visiting Florida I went Estate Sale’ing with my 96 year old mother. What!? It’s what I’d want to do on my 96th birthday. Inside a condo I met an interesting Vietnam Veteran - who had also been a postman - talk about service to your country! His daughter was helping him move back to Ohio and paring down his collection was the goal. I let them know who I was and what I was looking for- as always. Unfortunately, I. could only find a pen-sized postal scale from the 1940s (to be posted.) However when it came time to pay the negotiations took an odd turn. I offered $2 for the scale he came back with $3. Jokingly I said “aww - really?!” He then said, “Yes $3, but you have to take this also.” He handed be this wooden foot and explained that many years ago in Ohio someone had given it to him explaining that it had been taken from the Thomas Edison birthplace museum there. If they could have seen the look on my face they might have heard me say under my breath “This looks like a job for the Urban Archeologist!” There was no phone booth nearby - not even the Dr-Who kind, so I just said, “Thanks!” I had found what I was looking for and drove off into the sunset. If you’re wondering where my mom was during all this - she was home. What kind of a son do you think I am? I brought her “Sale-ing” the day before - this was day two. Can you guess what doll or puppet this might have come from - or could it be a child’s shoe form? The story to find the answer and to return it is coming soon......I hope. #found #florida #ohio #antiques #mystery #thomasedison #thomasedisonmuseum #estatesale #story #urbanarcheology


Wooden you know? Another mystery to solve. True story - while visiting Florida I went Estate Sale’ing with my 96 year old mother. What!? It’s what I’d want to do on my 96th birthday. Inside a condo I met an interesting Vietnam Veteran - who had also been a postman - talk about service to your country! His daughter was helping him move back to Ohio and paring down his collection was the goal. I let them know who I was and what I was looking for- as always. Unfortunately, I. could only find a pen-sized postal scale from the 1940s (to be posted.) However when it came time to pay the negotiations took an odd turn. I offered $2 for the scale he came back with $3. Jokingly I said “aww - really?!” He then said, “Yes $3, but you have to take this also.” He handed be this wooden foot and explained that many years ago in Ohio someone had given it to him explaining that it had been taken from the Thomas Edison birthplace museum there. If they could have seen the look on my face they might have heard me say under my breath “This looks like a job for the Urban Archeologist!” There was no phone booth nearby - not even the Dr-Who kind, so I just said, “Thanks!” I had found what I was looking for and drove off into the sunset. If you’re wondering where my mom was during all this - she was home. What kind of a son do you think I am? I brought her “Sale-ing” the day before - this was day two. Can you guess what doll or puppet this might have come from - or could it be a child’s shoe form? The story to find the answer and to return it is coming soon......I hope. #florida #ohio #antiques #mystery #thomasedison #thomasedisonmuseum #estatesale #story #urbanarcheology

from Instagram

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

My college plans? I’m going back to 1958 and attend the MIT junior prom. It’ll be a smoker! #found #matchbooks #matchbookcollector #MIT #massachusettsinstituteoftechnology #1958 #collectables #matches #estatesale #urbanarcheology


My college plans? I’m going back to 1958 and attend the MIT junior prom. It’ll be a smoker! #matchbooks #matchbookcollector #MIT #massachusettsinstituteoftechnology #1958 #collectables #matches #estatesale #urbanarcheology

from Instagram

Friday, August 24, 2018

If you know me, you know I love to draw. Finding old implements of drawing is why I enjoy digging through abandoned desks. This sharpener is unique in that it is half the thickness of others like it. This is the first one I have found that was. Meant for mechanical pencils that accepted graphite rods. Cool. #found #drawing #tools #mechanicaldrawing #vintage #urbanarcheology #sharpener #estatesale


If you know me, you know I love to draw. Finding old implements of drawing is why I enjoy digging through abandoned desks. This sharpener is unique in that it is half the thickness of others like it. This is the first one I have found that was. Meant for mechanical pencils that accepted graphite rods. Cool. #drawing #tools #mechanicaldrawing #vintage #urbanarcheology #sharpener #estatesale

from Instagram

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Saturday, August 11, 2018

If you’re looking for nostalgia... it’s out there this weekend. And when I say “out there” Someone asked me if I wanted to buy this. I said “No planks.” #found #nostalgia #tv #1970s #heehaw #estatesale #connectucut #urbanarcheology


If you’re looking for nostalgia... it’s out there this weekend. And when I say “out there” Someone asked me if I wanted to buy this. I said “No planks.” #nostalgia #tv #1970s #heehaw #estatesale #connectucut #urbanarcheology

from Instagram

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Before there was CVS...Before there was RiteAid.... this 1890s era ad for your friendly neighborhood apothecary also featured alcohol for “medicinal” purposes and another odd little item of you care to look closer. #found #drugs #druggist #1890s #ephemera #urbanarcheology #estatesale #advertising #oldads


Before there was CVS...Before there was RiteAid.... this 1890s era ad for your friendly neighborhood apothecary also featured alcohol for “medicinal” purposes and another odd little item of you care to look closer. #drugs #druggist #1890s #ephemera #urbanarcheology #estatesale #advertising #oldads

from Instagram