Treasure Box Wednesday: The Vase with No Name

"I've been through the thrift store for a vase with no name
It was good to get out of the rain
In the thrift store, you'll be glad that ya came
'Cause there ain't but one vase, yup, no two's the same"

--With huge apologies to the band America's "Horse with No Name"

Yesssir, on Treasure Box Wednesday here at the Thrift Shop Romantic, you not only get to see thrifted goodies, you get really bad takeoffs on popular 70s music, too!

Aren't you glad you stopped by? :)

Actually, I was really glad I stopped by the Salvation Army Superstore in West Mifflin over the weekend-- a brief trip between errands-- because I came across this pretty, old, art nouveau influenced pottery vase...

(The one on the left.)

With its celadon color and matte finish, I had a sneaking suspicion it was unmarked McCoy...

And a check of my McCoy collecting book proved that was true! A piece from around 1935.

While I was taking photos this morning, I thought I'd also show you the other side of the top of that same tall, built-in cabinet. Two more McCoy styled pieces live there. The red one on the left is also unmarked, and it came originally from the Goodwill in Irwin, PA. The green piece on right is marked McCoy, and it came from the L&L Fleatique just down the road from Irwin, in Adamsburg...
I didn't get them at the same time, though. :)

Anyway, it just goes to show, if you like something and it's at the right price, you don't necessarily have to worry about the manufacturer... Make sure you have the right resource books and consider taking a chance.

You might just find you have an even bigger treasure than you expected!

Treasure Box Wednesday: The Vase with No Name

"I've been through the thrift store for a vase with no name
It was good to get out of the rain
In the thrift store, you'll be glad that ya came
'Cause there ain't but one vase, yup, no two's the same"

--With huge apologies to the band America's "Horse with No Name"

Yesssir, on Treasure Box Wednesday here at the Thrift Shop Romantic, you not only get to see thrifted goodies, you get really bad takeoffs on popular 70s music, too!

Aren't you glad you stopped by? :)

Actually, I was really glad I stopped by the Salvation Army Superstore in West Mifflin over the weekend-- a brief trip between errands-- because I came across this pretty, old, art nouveau influenced pottery vase...

(The one on the left.)

With its celadon color and matte finish, I had a sneaking suspicion it was unmarked McCoy...

And a check of my McCoy collecting book proved that was true! A piece from around 1935.

While I was taking photos this morning, I thought I'd also show you the other side of the top of that same tall, built-in cabinet. Two more McCoy styled pieces live there. The red one on the left is also unmarked, and it came originally from the Goodwill in Irwin, PA. The green piece on right is marked McCoy, and it came from the L&L Fleatique just down the road from Irwin, in Adamsburg...
I didn't get them at the same time, though. :)

Anyway, it just goes to show, if you like something and it's at the right price, you don't necessarily have to worry about the manufacturer... Make sure you have the right resource books and consider taking a chance.

You might just find you have an even bigger treasure than you expected!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Brushing Up on Brush McCoy Pottery

There were just two things in the Treasure Box for this week-- one of which I shared with you good folks on Sunday.

The other was a vase that had caught my eye several weeks ago, in a McCoy display at the We Miss Back When antique mall in Apollo, PA. The color and shape were absolutely my taste. Regular readers probably know by now my love of these organic-looking art pottery pieces in cool pastels. And this one seemed so finely-done.

The mark on the bottom of the vase said "Brush Company." And because I had already selected a more inexpensive, small McCoy piece from the mall, I ended up passing on the vase. Budget just wouldn't allow.

It was this week, I was in the area and finally made the purchase for my collection. (And on sale, no less!)
Interestingly, the vase does seem to be a part of the McCoy company's lengthy history. The company had many names, many mergers and many smaller companies branching from it since the turn-of-the-1900s, and the Brush Company was one of those early iterations.

If the vase is truly from the Brush Company itself-- and not a part of the later merger called "Brush-McCoy"-- then the vase had a very small window of opportunity for production.

According to my Collector's Encyclopedia of McCoy Pottery, the Brush Pottery company was a one-kiln operation in the Putman section of Zanesville, Ohio in 1907, started by one of the later general managers of McCoy pottery, George S. Brush. Due to a fire, the Brush Pottery only existed from 1907-1908.

Brush-McCoy began in 1911.
So I still need to verify the mark on the bottom of the vase to determine if it's really just Brush Pottery or not, but either way, it's probably a pretty old piece.

No matter-- the point, as with anything a person collects-- is that I love it. The smooth, creamy matte finish... The leafy, feathery shape... It sits with McCoy cousins in its color palette as a central focal point like it's always lived there.

And I was wondering-- do you folks collect anything that you've had to do some research on?

Treasure Box Wednesday: Brushing Up on Brush McCoy Pottery

There were just two things in the Treasure Box for this week-- one of which I shared with you good folks on Sunday.

The other was a vase that had caught my eye several weeks ago, in a McCoy display at the We Miss Back When antique mall in Apollo, PA. The color and shape were absolutely my taste. Regular readers probably know by now my love of these organic-looking art pottery pieces in cool pastels. And this one seemed so finely-done.

The mark on the bottom of the vase said "Brush Company." And because I had already selected a more inexpensive, small McCoy piece from the mall, I ended up passing on the vase. Budget just wouldn't allow.

It was this week, I was in the area and finally made the purchase for my collection. (And on sale, no less!)
Interestingly, the vase does seem to be a part of the McCoy company's lengthy history. The company had many names, many mergers and many smaller companies branching from it since the turn-of-the-1900s, and the Brush Company was one of those early iterations.

If the vase is truly from the Brush Company itself-- and not a part of the later merger called "Brush-McCoy"-- then the vase had a very small window of opportunity for production.

According to my Collector's Encyclopedia of McCoy Pottery, the Brush Pottery company was a one-kiln operation in the Putman section of Zanesville, Ohio in 1907, started by one of the later general managers of McCoy pottery, George S. Brush. Due to a fire, the Brush Pottery only existed from 1907-1908.

Brush-McCoy began in 1911.
So I still need to verify the mark on the bottom of the vase to determine if it's really just Brush Pottery or not, but either way, it's probably a pretty old piece.

No matter-- the point, as with anything a person collects-- is that I love it. The smooth, creamy matte finish... The leafy, feathery shape... It sits with McCoy cousins in its color palette as a central focal point like it's always lived there.

And I was wondering-- do you folks collect anything that you've had to do some research on?

Treasure Box Wednesday: Easy Being Green

Sometimes friends and I hit the thrifts and antique malls and come away with a trunkload of treasures. And other times-- like recently-- the goodies are few and far between. But that doesn't mean the finds we did uncover were any less appreciated... Or, in the case of this week, green.

Not "green" as in environmental either (though buying resale isn't a bad idea for that). Just green.

Like my favorite item of the day, this terrific chenille bedspread...
As you can see, it's already washed up and on the bed in my spare room. No rips or holes, chenille spreads like this always remind me a bit of a fondant cake with icing. Just makes me happy to look at it!

Then there was this cute little green McCoy planter from the Fleatique in Ligonier...
I hadn't seen this particular style before, and as the price was right, I snapped it up. These are a great way to both display a collection and showcase some true greenery.

I found this interesting aqua pottery candlestick holder at the Good Samaritan Thrift Store, keeping the green-toned theme....

But, then I kinda blew it with this wholly non-green transferware shaving mug and brush...
But at just $2.99 for the both of them, I didn't end up shelling out a lot of green for it, anyway. (Ha, see how we tied that green theme in there?...

Hey, it's 5am for me, and I'm just caffeinated, so I'm grateful for what minor brainpower I get... )

So, that's our Treasure Box for this week!

• If you missed Sunday's post where readers have kindly shared their tales of collecting and thrifting, click here.

There are some fascinating folks who visit, and I think we can learn a lot from each other. Once again, I'd like to thank everyone for their time and their personal stories! I've really enjoyed reading what you're interested in.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Easy Being Green

Sometimes friends and I hit the thrifts and antique malls and come away with a trunkload of treasures. And other times-- like recently-- the goodies are few and far between. But that doesn't mean the finds we did uncover were any less appreciated... Or, in the case of this week, green.

Not "green" as in environmental either (though buying resale isn't a bad idea for that). Just green.

Like my favorite item of the day, this terrific chenille bedspread...
As you can see, it's already washed up and on the bed in my spare room. No rips or holes, chenille spreads like this always remind me a bit of a fondant cake with icing. Just makes me happy to look at it!

Then there was this cute little green McCoy planter from the Fleatique in Ligonier...
I hadn't seen this particular style before, and as the price was right, I snapped it up. These are a great way to both display a collection and showcase some true greenery.

I found this interesting aqua pottery candlestick holder at the Good Samaritan Thrift Store, keeping the green-toned theme....

But, then I kinda blew it with this wholly non-green transferware shaving mug and brush...
But at just $2.99 for the both of them, I didn't end up shelling out a lot of green for it, anyway. (Ha, see how we tied that green theme in there?...

Hey, it's 5am for me, and I'm just caffeinated, so I'm grateful for what minor brainpower I get... )

So, that's our Treasure Box for this week!

• If you missed Sunday's post where readers have kindly shared their tales of collecting and thrifting, click here.

There are some fascinating folks who visit, and I think we can learn a lot from each other. Once again, I'd like to thank everyone for their time and their personal stories! I've really enjoyed reading what you're interested in.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Adventure! Excitement! Thrills!

"Well, Mistah Allnut, what shall we thrift today?"

Okay, so, maybe Kate and Bogie weren't loading up the African Queen, about to go on their most exciting thrifting adventure, but of the three of us, at least one of us did this week. A three-day weekend was a prime time for antiquey-thrifty fun, so one of my shopping buds and I hit Route 250 to New Philadelphia, Ohio and uncovered some treasure.

One of my very favorite pieces was from the Route 250 Antique Mall-- this excellent McCoy teapot.
As you can see (or may remember) I found the matching creamer at the Salvation Army just a few weeks ago, and hadn't had a lot of hope to find one of the other pieces so soon. Usually these items are found as a part of a set. So finding the teapot solo was amazing.

It was filthy and tucked on a bench partially under a table, but it still called to me. A little soap and water and it's good as new.

At the same place, I also found this unmarked McCoy pink butterfly planter...

It never hurts to look through collectible books and note items you wouldn't mind finding someday. They stick in your brain so when you come across and unmarked version-- voila!-- a great piece at a good price!

At the Riverfront Antique Mall in New Philadelphia, I got these terrific framed African Queen movie promo cards...
I'm not sure how old they are, but I chose two of about seven that were there depicting stills of the movie...Longtime readers may recall, I've gotten a chance to see the actual African Queen boat down in the Florida Keys, and have decorated my office at work with photos and some artwork related to this theme, so these cards will add to that grouping.

The only other item I picked up at the Riverfront Antique Mall was this Homer Laughlin tree-printed mixing bowl...

I'd thrifted a much smaller one of these about six months ago, and loved the Arts & Crafts style to it. I may fill it with fruit and display it in my livingroom along with my more green and leafy McCoy pottery.

And last, this came from the Salvation Army a week or two back, but I forgot to take photos...
My friend Scoobie spotted these moonstone Anchor Hocking sherbet dishes. I'm lucky to have a shopping bud who actually remembers some of the stuff I'm interested in-- because these totally would have escaped my sight.

So that about docks this voyage of Treasure Box Wednesday. And happy sailing to you through this week! May your metaphorical waters be calm and clear. (And without leeches.)

Treasure Box Wednesday: Adventure! Excitement! Thrills!

"Well, Mistah Allnut, what shall we thrift today?"

Okay, so, maybe Kate and Bogie weren't loading up the African Queen, about to go on their most exciting thrifting adventure, but of the three of us, at least one of us did this week. A three-day weekend was a prime time for antiquey-thrifty fun, so one of my shopping buds and I hit Route 250 to New Philadelphia, Ohio and uncovered some treasure.

One of my very favorite pieces was from the Route 250 Antique Mall-- this excellent McCoy teapot.
As you can see (or may remember) I found the matching creamer at the Salvation Army just a few weeks ago, and hadn't had a lot of hope to find one of the other pieces so soon. Usually these items are found as a part of a set. So finding the teapot solo was amazing.

It was filthy and tucked on a bench partially under a table, but it still called to me. A little soap and water and it's good as new.

At the same place, I also found this unmarked McCoy pink butterfly planter...

It never hurts to look through collectible books and note items you wouldn't mind finding someday. They stick in your brain so when you come across and unmarked version-- voila!-- a great piece at a good price!

At the Riverfront Antique Mall in New Philadelphia, I got these terrific framed African Queen movie promo cards...
I'm not sure how old they are, but I chose two of about seven that were there depicting stills of the movie...Longtime readers may recall, I've gotten a chance to see the actual African Queen boat down in the Florida Keys, and have decorated my office at work with photos and some artwork related to this theme, so these cards will add to that grouping.

The only other item I picked up at the Riverfront Antique Mall was this Homer Laughlin tree-printed mixing bowl...

I'd thrifted a much smaller one of these about six months ago, and loved the Arts & Crafts style to it. I may fill it with fruit and display it in my livingroom along with my more green and leafy McCoy pottery.

And last, this came from the Salvation Army a week or two back, but I forgot to take photos...
My friend Scoobie spotted these moonstone Anchor Hocking sherbet dishes. I'm lucky to have a shopping bud who actually remembers some of the stuff I'm interested in-- because these totally would have escaped my sight.

So that about docks this voyage of Treasure Box Wednesday. And happy sailing to you through this week! May your metaphorical waters be calm and clear. (And without leeches.)

Treasure Box Wednesday: Playing it a Little Bit McCoy

As regular readers know, I've been largely in the midst of various interiors projects at my home, Waterhouse, lately. But over the weeks I have taken a moment at lunch or on the weekend to pop by the occasional thrift store or antique mall. (All work and no play makes Jenn a dull blogger, donchaknow.)

And today, I thought I'd share my couple of accumulated finds. The most surprising was this $0.69 carnival glass marked Fenton candle holder....

The flowers on the side are handpainted, and we even know the artist, as he signed it on the inside rim!...
"Hand Painted by Corbin Wind." Thanks, Corbin! Marvelous job you did. I'll cherish it!

Another find was this McCoyesque planter. It's not marked and I can't find it in my McCoy book...
But doesn't it sure as heck look like this REAL McCoy planter my friend Josette had gotten me for Christmas one year?...
Anyway, I love them both. And the cream planter was just a few bucks. So, McCoy or no, I'm happy.

And lastly, I found another McCoy planter-- this one completely irresistible to me given its color palette and smooth design....
And at $5, I think it's a lovely addition to the collection. (Also, it looks like it's just always been in my spare room.)

So, that closes the lid on this Treasure Box Wednesday. Join me again Sunday, will you, when we (weather permitting) take a little surprise field trip?

In the meantime, enjoy that spring sunshine!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Playing it a Little Bit McCoy

As regular readers know, I've been largely in the midst of various interiors projects at my home, Waterhouse, lately. But over the weeks I have taken a moment at lunch or on the weekend to pop by the occasional thrift store or antique mall. (All work and no play makes Jenn a dull blogger, donchaknow.)

And today, I thought I'd share my couple of accumulated finds. The most surprising was this $0.69 carnival glass marked Fenton candle holder....

The flowers on the side are handpainted, and we even know the artist, as he signed it on the inside rim!...
"Hand Painted by Corbin Wind." Thanks, Corbin! Marvelous job you did. I'll cherish it!

Another find was this McCoyesque planter. It's not marked and I can't find it in my McCoy book...
But doesn't it sure as heck look like this REAL McCoy planter my friend Josette had gotten me for Christmas one year?...
Anyway, I love them both. And the cream planter was just a few bucks. So, McCoy or no, I'm happy.

And lastly, I found another McCoy planter-- this one completely irresistible to me given its color palette and smooth design....
And at $5, I think it's a lovely addition to the collection. (Also, it looks like it's just always been in my spare room.)

So, that closes the lid on this Treasure Box Wednesday. Join me again Sunday, will you, when we (weather permitting) take a little surprise field trip?

In the meantime, enjoy that spring sunshine!

Treasure Box Wednesday: The Vase Unknown

Anyone who thrifts regularly knows that thrifting for something specific is typically as futile as trying to herd cats. Or to use a metaphor, the Gods of Thrift are generous, yes, but they have quite the little sense of humor. And they seem to believe that their followers should be grateful for what the gods have deemed they can have-- above what they might actually have hoped to find.

It's a bit like discovering things washed upon a sandy shoreline. The stranded pirate might want a case of rum. What he gets might very well be a ladies' bonnet and a message from the stranded pirate two islands over asking someone with a ship for help.

Over the weekend, I went thrifting hoping I might run across some Fiestaware.

Now, you might be saying, "What? C'mon. You can't find Fiestaware at thrift stores!"

Only I have before. I live not far away from the land o' Fiesta's birthplace. So it's not quite as common as Pyrex, but it does lurk among our household items occasionally.

But, ah... the Gods of Thrift were on their game that day-- so it was not to be. No, instead I found myself with two Mystery Vases.

This intricate red jobbie had McCoy written all over it to me...
...Only not literally, or it wouldn't be an unknown vase. But the finish, the color, the organic lines with a bit of art deco to it... All the stylistic qualities of McCoy.

Yet my McCoy book doesn't show it. That's mystery number one.

Mystery number two is this little blue pottery vase....

Also organic lines, also the matte finish associated with some McCoy, and also with no mark on the bottom, I couldn't find this one in my book, either.

I love both of the vases just as much for their own innate qualities. But it would be nice to know who made them. Alas, that may take more time!

What won't take time is this--
My little vintage sheep planter from Japan which I found at the Goodwill. Folks who are long-time readers know I use these at Easter as part of a display. And this happy little sheep will be a nice addition to the collection.

I also happen to know where this tumbler and cereal bowl came from...
This is part of a Hazel Atlas Platonite dish set I've been pulling together, from the Depression era. I think I only have one other bowl, and the cup represents my first tumbler. At $1.25 each at the L&L Fleatique, I felt I did pretty darned well.

So that represents this week's Treasure Box!

Have you all had any interesting finds at the thrifts, and other resale venues? I'd love to hear about what makes you happy.

Have a great week, and I'll see you Sunday with a brand-new post!