Treasure Box Wednesday: A Million Happy Finds on Route 30


Okay, maybe a million happy finds is a SLIGHT exaggeration. But a trip down Route 30, with my thrifting buddy Scoobie and her awesome brother Jose, well, between the three of us, there was one overflowing trunk of treasure by the end of our travels!

It all started at the Goodwill Outlet Store in North Versailles and on to the Good Samaritan thrift store across the highway. Between the two places I came away with these fun finds...

The bag at left is for the 50th anniversary of Maurice Sendak/Where the Wild Things Are. He died quite recently, so it was surprising to find this useful tote celebrating his work.


Also at the Goodwill,  I got this adorable Disney Alice in Wonderland photo frame. Regular readers know my fondness for the book, and that I have a quietly Alice-themed kitchen. So I was quite excited about this find...

At the Good Samaritan, I couldn't resist this large old photo of a boy and girl by the seaside. Very dramatic and delightfully sappy... It's in an old frame already-- though not it's original one-- so I think instead of the weird matting that doesn't fit well around it, I'll just mount it on a decorative acid-free paper backing in the frame it came in. (Apologies the photo is blurry. My regular camera has died and I'm using my phone camera.)


At the Goodwill in Irwin, I was reunited with an old friend. I knew this fellow as "Zippy Monkey," and he's a toy like one my aunt had. I think he's from the '60s-- I still need to look him up. I have fond memories, though, of cuddling up this monkey when visiting at my grandmother's house as a wee lass. And at a price of $5, I couldn't part with the cheerful chimp. 


At that same Goodwill, I got the tiny purple teacup shown center below, and I figure I'll also show you the porcelain lady figurine (she's actually a box) that I'd found at the Monroeville Goodwill a couple of weeks ago. I thought she was a nice addition to my curio cabinet.


At Graham's Antique Mall, I happened upon this Swift Peanut Butter glass of the Cowardly Lion. You might recall I've found a few different ones of this series recently, but didn't have the Lion.


And then would you believe on the way back, the very, very last stop on our journey, a Salvation Army thrift store we almost didn't stop at because we were all so tired, I uncovered the remaining treasures of the post. 

My favorite being this beautiful Hull vase in pastels for just $9.99-- with no cracks, chips or anything!

I snagged this pretty lusterware bowl with violets transfered on it...


This purple luster teacup (I love stuff in this style...)


And lastly, two transferware plates dating from the early 1900s (these will hang on my wall)...


So it was a huge, huge day in the world of thrifty finds last Saturday. I admit, I needed Sunday to recover from the thrill of it all!

Sending you all good vibes for fun finds this week, if that's what you're into. And I will talk to you next week, depending on what excitement the next few days hold. Take care!

--Jenn

____________________
PS- I just learned the monkey's real name is "Mr. Bim." "Zippy" was apparently a very similar monkey in red overalls, based on a live monkey who had his own TV show. I'm now not sure whether my aunt had a real Zippy, or a Mr. Bim who everyone just called Zippy. 

This monkey business has gotten complex! :) You can see both on the page of this vintage toy shop: http://www.timewarptoys.com/toptoys.htm

14 comments:

Janene said...

I LOVE the purple tea cup and the photo of the boy and girl kissing. Gotta say, though, Zippy the Monkey freaks me out a little bit!

Jenn Thorson said...

Janene- It's okay, I know the monkey's not everybody's top banana. :) I just had a lot of happy memories playing with my aunt's stuffed monkey. I saw this guy and it was like meeting a great old friend. :)

Alan said...

I find myself wanting to see pics of your quietly Alice In Wonderland kitchen :)

Jenn Thorson said...

That's easily done, Alan-- I have some pics here:

http://thriftshopromantic.blogspot.com/2010/07/treasure-box-wednesday-alice-in.html

It's changed a little since then-- found a few more Wonderlandy bits here and there. But this is basically it.

meleah rebeccah said...

Wowzah! That Hull vase in pastels is GORGEOUS!!

Anne said...

That chimp does look familiar. I don't think I had one though.

Anonymous said...

I am an avid juice glass collector and dabble in being a Disney and Wizard of Oz collector. I am so curious, how much did you pay for your Cowardly Lion glass? I have many, many Welch's Grape Jelly Glasses from the 60's and 70's mostly Flintstones and Archies. But also I do have my prized Howdy Doody. I do have a Snow White and one of the 7 Dwarfs. Just curious. Love your site!!!! lynneo@aol.com

Serena said...

What great finds, esp the Maurice Sendak bag and Alice in Wonderland frame. I have a stuffed Max in his white costume. He's got a mischievous expression on his face. Alice in Wonderland is my favorite book. A few months ago, at my local Salvation Army, I found a child's flat sheet that had a Cheshire Cat pattern. Still haven't figured out what I'm going to do with it, but I love the grinning faces all over :0)

Lois said...

Hey Jenn.
Glad to see your day out was productive. I really like the Alice picture frame. It's so bright and pretty looking. Also, I like the tea cup. I can't make out the design though. To me it looks like gold fish?!?!?! Anyway it is very nice and I love the saucer that comes with it.
As always, thanks for sharing your finds with us. Have a great rest of the week.
Lois

Greg said...

I think having that frame pretty much requires you make the trip to Disney and have your photo taken on the Teacups Ride. Nice haul, all told.

Brooke xo said...

I love the Lion glass, wow you find great things!!

ANDREA said...

I thought that I commented on this photo?? I must have hit the wrong button. My childhood friend had that monkey too. She wanted a real monkey for a pet. Of course, you know that I love the Alice item!!! Such fun! Great finds AGAIN Jenn!

Unknown said...

I think you might have left me a note directly on Facebook at the time, Andrea. It's confusing with all these applications we have for connecting!

Brooke xo said...

Zippy Monkey OMG!!