Sometimes, I just get the feeling I’ve got to go somewhere and check out what they have, and more often than not, I find a treasure. There’s a charity shop right around the corner from my office, so I swung by there at lunch today just to check it out.
When I went in the shop, one of the gals pointed at an old laundry cart and just left it at that… When I walked over to it, I was gob-smacked to see that it was full of old silverplated pieces of serving-ware.
But all of the way at the bottom of this cart, I found something I’d never seen before. There were about a dozen silverplated cups. Not like a Jefferson cup or a julep cup, but almost like a tea cup. They were absolutely filthy. Dirtier than almost any other piece of silver I’ve ever seen. But when I turned them over, the underneath was fine, so I thought I could clean them.
I still have some work to do on the one on the right, and then seven more to clean, but isn’t it amazing what a little (a lot) of elbow grease will do for a piece?
The other little treasure I found was a sweet book called “The John F. Kennedys” by photographer Mark Shaw.
He was a photographer for Life Magazine who became a friend of the Kennedys in the late 1950s and early 60s. There are photos I’ve never seen before which present a side of the family just before JFK became president and then immediately after. Here are a few examples.
I love how contemporary the top image of JBKO looks. It could have been taken this summer.
If you want to come treasure hunting with me, I am thinking of doing a Friday-only pre-holiday shopping trip to a couple of my favourite places in Baltimore. Probably the first Friday in December. Let me know if you’re interested.
Meg one day I will come treasure hunting with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the images of Jackie. I agree she always was a classic timeless icon.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I love the cups' shape and form; Also love how it looks in an, um, er , empty doll house!
ReplyDeleteWonderful finds Meg!
ReplyDeleteI would almost fly across country to go treasure hunting with you... almost. I can't do it this year though, maybe another time.
ReplyDeleteLove your treasures and I feel in good company now knowing your polishing away too. It is the ultimate cleaning satisfaction though isn't it?
Once they are clean will they be making an appearance on etsy?
Can't wait to go treasure hunting with you!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow is that doll house coming?
OMG! LOVE THOSE CUPS!!!!! So fine!!! And the Kennedy book is a REAL TREASURE!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Meg-----I would love to go treasure hunting with you!! But Baltimore is quite a hop from LA. I'm going treasure hunting today and have already spied a few delicious items. I think that your silver plated punch cups are amazing. They would also be great as individual place setting flower arrangements on a sumptuous Holiday table. Great eye!!
ReplyDeletewow -now that silver IS a treasure! Are those punch cups? Was there a matching punch bowl?
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you weren't answering your cell...too busy digging for treasure!
ReplyDeleteI love the teacups, what a great find. Treasure hunting can be so rewarding!
ReplyDelete1st Friday in December, eh? I wonder what's on my calendar that day. Treasure hunting is always a wonderful way to spend the day ... almost as wonderful as spending the day treasure hunting with like-minded people. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your finds,
Connie
I am going away that weekend but let me know if there is an alternate date!
ReplyDeleteOMG, I am dying looking t the trays in that photo. I want to collect silver trays and decorate with them. Could you tell me where this shop is and the name? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go treasure hunting with you!
ReplyDeleteJust tell me where and what time. I am clearing my calendar.
Yes, yes, yes...me, me, me please. I'd love to go and the 3rd is great for me!!!
ReplyDeleteThey are punch cups, aren't they? I wish punch would come back. I have two punch bowls. I like the idea of using them as little flower arrangement down the middle of a table. Mary Beth: to get a collection you have to hunt. Start with thrift stores. Ask your relatives if they have any they don't want. Group sales, like church rummage sales and other once a year sales are good. Try ebay. I got a huge box of 15 to 20 pieces for $100. A regular routine ofchecking your local places is good. You never know. Go to ebay and start reading the listings so you will be familiar with the different kinds. Good luck. Anything with an inscription like " GCC closest to the pin" can be covered up with food, or a doily. My favorite type of tray is either beaded or has a little gallery (fence) around it. Ann
ReplyDeleteAnother thing: I have found a way to help with really bad tarnish. It is a recipe on the internet. You use a glass bowl or pyrex dish and line it with aluminum foil. Heavy duty might be better. You mix a few teaspoonfuls of salt with the same amount of baking soda. Fill the bowl with hot water. Jam in the silver and cover with another piece of aluminum foil. The top piece of foil should make contact with the water. After about twenty minutes test a piece. You should be able to clean it in a minute with silver polish. The tarnish dirt rolls right off. You may have to adjust the amounts of salt to the water. The smell is really bad because this is a chemical reaction. But it works and it not really harmful to dirty silverplate. Ann
ReplyDeleteI have lurked on your site for ages and can't start my day without doing so. Would love to join you on first friday in December!
ReplyDelete"Gob-smacked" is a new term to me.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely keep me in the loop for the Treasure Hunt!
ReplyDeleteMy shopping (& budget!)may be done by then, but I wouldn't pass up the company!
xo