An Auction Junkie in the 1930s

Have you been to auctions? If you're into vintage, I suspect you have. It's the best place to find things you've never seen before. Now I'm being shown an entirely new perspective on auctions: the view of an auction junkie from the 30's and 40's.

She was the mother of the estate heir I'm helping. She had quite an eye. She loved attending auctions held and would often drive for miles to find them. Walking through the long ranch style home in the California hills, I can pick out immediately which pieces were hers.

The large Mexican metal bird swaying in the foyer is signed by famed artist Sergio Bustamante. Inside the main living room, I spot gorgeous antique lamps, cranberry pink couches and a large inlaid coffee table from the 19th century.

Books overflow the shelves, pile on the floor and sit on every table. Rare limited edition publications so popular in the 1940s, all bound in fine leather and gilt pages. Oil paintings hung across the fronts of the bookcases, giving it a Victorian air. English Sterling pieces were tucked around here and there.

The bedroom jewelry boxes were amazing. An early 19th century handpainted Madonna and China pin, an antique solid sterling belt from Thailand, a timeless Zuni Sterling & Turquoise squash blossom necklace, and hundreds of more pieces.

I cherish the brief glimpses my job affords me. I get to walk back in time and enter another persons life. What an experience.

Front Porch Vintage Livin'

Some days are irresistible. They call to me by blowing through the screens & making the wind chimes sing. The sun beckons me by splashing shadows across my office. I hear my children laughing madly as they run through the sprinkler and I cannot resist. 


Here's my front porch: antique jar filled with sun tea, cute baby romping around, a comfy place to lounge, egg baskets hanging for decoration & a relaxing view. Enjoy.

One end of our porch, all ready for a nap in the sun

My 2 year old dancing on the porch, note the tomatoes & beans growing behind her

Kid sized Adirondack chairs

View off the porch, our barn hidden behind the oak

Big antique malted milk jar I scored at the thrift store

Egg baskets hanging, Airstream birdhouse from Etsy & sun tea

Another view off the porch

Unexpected Edible Vintage

I love quirky little surprises. I love seeing things out of context used in new and unfamiliar ways. When those elements incorporate vintage, I'm all the more amused. 


I ran across these charming buttons today and was taken. They're sugar. How perfect for scattering across the surface of a cake, or around a dessert buffet. What a way to bring a little added flair to a fashion related event! Or for that button collector-what a way to bring their birthday cake!

Edible Buttons by andiesspecialtysweets

I love the differences in color, texture & sheen. Real buttons! They just happen to be edible. 

Mommy Vintage

Plans. The best laid plans. 

Today was to be a big estate sale day. Head out to sales, score items, come home and photograph and generally just get ahead. 

Then my sweet 8 year old looked rather green early this morning. She wandered in around 6:30am and whispered, "Mommy, I don't feel very good." Uh oh. 

What often happens when my children are sick is they don't want to lie down. They want to sit on my lap at my computer. They want to make Treasuries on Etsy. They want to be glued to me. I do wish I had the healing powers their bodies seem to expect from that closeness. 

So today was a day of surfing the web, kid style. We looked at lions on the National Geographic site, goggled openly at a rare old Snoopy ornament that sold for $331, saw those new images of hidden pyramids & overall had a very relaxed, cozy, educational time. 

Entering the World of Live Estate Auctions

It's been a long time since I've been to a live auction. For 12 years I attended them weekly and often more than one a week. I was part of the gang that hung out at the back, trying to bid undetected.

That changed when I had my first daughter. I learned that auctions are great for newborns that sleep all the time but a disaster for wiggly toddlers. I soon stopped attending and just got used to having my weekends to myself again.

These Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls sold for $1300.

This past Sunday I reentered that world I'd once held so dear. (My husband was hanging out with the kids for the day) My uncle & I drove 2 1/2 hours to an antique estate auction being held by one of my favorite auction houses. The auction was due to start at 1, so we arrived at 12:15 to have time to preview what was being offered.

Very old Georgian Period doll sold for $3500

The auction contained a toy collectors estate. Dolls of all kinds, dating back to the Georgian Era of the 19th century. Black Americana toys, Victorian mechanical toys, & lots of old teddy bears.

Folk Art doll that went for over $5k

The doll collectors came out in force. I watched as folk art dolls made around 1910 went for $5000. (note to self: pay attention to old folk art toys!) I saw the Black Americana toys get skipped over for lack of interest. (which illustrates how subjective value is-with the right audience these toys should have gone for thousands)

Black Americana folk art dolls didn't sell

I was surprised to see a Victorian mechanical rocking chair toy not getting bids. The auctioneer kept offering it lower and lower. Just as they were about to pass it I raised my paddle. I won! I wasn't planning on buying her, but I'm sure glad I did. She has the sweetest hand painted porcelain face. Her body has the original clothing, all her arms & legs and she sits in a wooden rocking chair. When gently wound she rocks back and forth with a loud tick tock sound.

Victorian Mechanical Toy that I won! 

Then they came to the teddy bears. I watched as the ones 12 inches and under in height sold. I waited. I checked out my competition. Two women were behind me bidding but they seemed more interested in the dolls. I listed and watched as they bid $11,000 between them on dolls. When the next bears came up, they were all spent and didn't even try to bid.

Small bears that sold for $300-400 each

I was waiting for the large bears. The largest was 38 inches high, giant for a bear. Perhaps he was a studio model for a store display? The others all ranged from 17 inches to 27 inches. When each one came up for bid, I waited for the British auctioneer to start. "Who will offer me $2000?" "Okay then, who will offer me $1000?" "$500?" "Come on now, no price for it!" "$250?" Okay then, who will give me $100?" Then the bids started to fly. I was able to win them for under $200 each. I couldn't believe it.

Here they are! For size I've included my 23 month old daughter. She's posing since I told her smile big.

Vintage Getaway: Gold Rush Town, Downieville CA

Written by Suuzi, a key member of Nachokitty.

Isn't it great to get away? Even though I adore my house, it feels so freeing to take a break. With all the reminders of work that needs to be done, it felt wonderful to escape for the day.

At long last my husband and I found a weekend night we both had free. We zoomed along Hwy 49 to Downieville, a town about an hour further into the Sierras from Nevada City & Grass Valley. This is one of our favorite getaways, truly a "vintage vacation:" a tiny, isolated mountain town that has retained much of its gold-rush character.

Vintage downtown Downieville

Downieville has a population of about 300. It was a big town during the gold rush, but since then it has become a very, very quiet little community. The residents are proud of their town, and have a unique identity & love of their colorful local history.

Modern Downieville: not much has changed!

As always, I asked at the B&B: "Are there any antique shops in town?" I was directed to Vintage Gal Antiques. There is nothing better than an out of the way antique store.

The shop was closed, but there was a sign on the door: "Call if you want me to open up!" So I went ahead and called owner Cherry Simi. She was finishing up dishes and came over to let me in when she was done. I was sooo happy I called when I went inside! Vintage Gal Antiques is absolutely gorgeous, with beautiful lighting, music and cases. Cherry's had fabulous stock of vintage & antiques. I especially loved her bottles, tins, and jewelry.

One of many old tins & store display pieces

I perused case after case of beautiful, sparkling rhinestones and pearls.

BLING at Vintage Gal

Hubby opted to wait in the hotel room with his Ipad. I didn't want him to be angry when I got back, so I restricted my purchases to only two things: a cute "wishbones" lapel pin & a champagne mink collar.

I love timeless yet quirky vintage fashion

Heidi and I hope to make a "Nachokitty Buying Trip" later this year. It's just up the road from us by about an hour, but it feels a lifetime away.

Downieville Masonic Cemetery

The next day we went on an adventure to the Downieville Cemetery, my favorite place in the town. This mountainside cemetery has the most incredible sacred, slightly spooky, beautiful atmosphere. Most graves date from the Gold Rush. I took lots and lots of pictures of the antique stonework on the graves at this stunning mountainside cemetery, featured in a future post!

Stocking the Shop: Estate Sale

Heidi and I hopped in the van and headed down Hwy 49 to Auburn, for a meeting with a collector. She had a hand-painted antique Chinese rice winnower for sale. We negotiated price but weren't able to find a common ground. We ended on a positive note, snagging a few smaller items for the shop, and promising to stay in touch.

19th Century Rice Winnower

On the way home we saw the small, handwritten sign: "ESTATE SALE." Weeds sprouted alongside the driveway of the luxurious yet unkempt home, and an untended spring garden overflowed the rock walls. The elderly lady had moved in with family, and her daughter (herself getting on in years) was running the show: "It all has to go! Mom was a collector. It always drove me crazy."

This is going to take a while to list! 

Our eyes popped as we scanned room after room of vintage & antique dishes, glassware, jewelry, clothing, uniforms, furs, games, collectibles, handbags, gadgets, tools, shoes and furniture. Within minutes our arms were full.

Small Collection of Steiff Handmade Animals

"Where can we put this?" She reserved an armchair for us, which quickly disappeared under a mountain of treasure. She had several elderly girlfriends helping her run the sale. After close to two hours of gaping, and trooping back and forth to our armchair, we were ready to check out.

Whole Set of Metlox Aztec Pottery!

One of the lady helpers was irritated and conflicted: she was annoyed by having to package so many items! At the same time, she was happy that we were buying so many items. It was funny to watch her face as she struggled with her feelings.

Treasures we kept for ourselves! 

On the way home the van had an air of celebration. Of course we picked up a few things for ourselves: an antique ivory bangle for Suuzi, a ceramic Venus de Milo for Heidi, an antique fountain pen ink case for Heidi's husband, a cast iron enamel pot for the kitchen and a hand-painted serving platter for Kelly, who cheerfully stayed behind with Heidi's kids at home! Sorry Kelly. We'll take you next time!

Celebrate Success!

Antique Book, Lavishly Illustrated on Every Page

I'm happy, thrilled & excited. Spring is here! People who love vintage have found me on Facebook-over 2000 of them! The shop has hundreds of fans and we are always featured in treasuries. For a little shop that is still less than 1 year old, this is fantastic! (I started really selling on Etsy instead of just buying late last June, 2010)

Vintage Cut Crystal Necklace & Bracelet Set

So I'm having a celebration sale. 20% off in the shop & 1/2 price shipping anywhere in the world.

Vintage Enameled Butterfly Pin Set

This does require a coupon code: FacebookCelebration. For the 1/2 price shipping, I'll refund you the 1/2. (Can't use 2 coupons at once yet)

Vintage California Pottery Dish

I really appreciate all the support we've had these past 11 months! We love vintage, we can't wait for new estates and we enjoy offering it all to you.

Thanks for making Nachokitty a success!

Vintage & Antique Dolls: What To Do?

Huge 1930's Madame Alexander Doll

One of the areas that I enjoy but know little about is dolls. As a girl I tended to play with my older brothers Matchbox cars and build fairy houses in the woods. Dolls just wouldn't have survived outdoors on the 350 acres my parents were caretakers of.

Hard Plastic Baby Doll

I think dolls know this and thus gravitate towards me. They turn up in most estates and while I'm thrilled to see them lurking in trunks all wrapped up in quilts, I never can say "oh look, it's such & such." Pulling a doll up out of that steamer trunk means hours on the web and reading in books trying to identify her.

1930's Shirley Temple Composition Doll

Add to that the emotional ties owners have to the dolls and the pressure ratchets up. I hear sweet stories about the doll being a favorite given by Daddy that is rare, one of a kind, and very valuable. When I hear these stories I get so nervous. I want the dolls current value to live up to the high emotional price the owner has put on it.

1920's Frozen Charlotte Doll

I don't like to have things restored, because I know most collectors would rather be in charge supervising that task themselves. So I end up with old dolls in gently played with condition, old dolls in horrid condition and old dolls that were never played with and just admired. I offer them in as found condition.

Antique Ideal Doll, Metal Eyes

When it comes to vintage & antique toys, I am in heaven. I just need to take the time to learn more about dolls so I can smile when I see them instead of worrying. It feels like a massive task, but I'm going to try!

1970's Madame Alexander Doll