Antiquing in Purcellville VA

Last week I got a call from Rebecca, our friend Bob’s (who helped B with our Craigslist computer desk) sister. Becky and her husband Bill Yeatts own the antique/vintage store, It’s Bazaar on the 21st Street in Purcellville VA. They recently bought another antique store that had closed its doors long ago. All the stuff inside needed to be cleared out before they could start cleaning up and reopen it. Becky was kind enough to ask me if I wanted to take a look at the stuff before she hoarded it all off to auction. I jumped at the chance and was off to check out the treasures the very next day.

And boy…………….did I find some awesome things? I really mean AWESOME AWESOME! Old books galore……Oh, ignore the Harry Potter, Around the world in 80 days, and the Sherlock Holmes (in the bottom of the left pile). These were a reward for my son who behaved so well the whole time we were in the store (a big feet for someone who hates shopping) while my daughter chose to play with Becky’s two adorable girls back at the Bazaar.

The red one on the top of the right pile is “Up from Slavery”, an autobiography of Booker T. Washington from 1901!!!!! Except for a ripped page and a few loose pages it is in great condition. The third book, again a red one is ‘The Barbary Pirates’ by C.S Forester, a book about the early 19th century pirates (1953 edition). It has great reviews on Amazon, can’t wait to read it. On top of the left pile is a vintage jewelry box with enamel inlays.  The green book, ‘The Men of the Mountain’, a historical fiction by S.R.Crockett is from 1909 (great condition). The third one is part of an aviation adventure series (Airplane Boys) from 1930. I bought all the books except for Booker T Washington’s (had a hunch that I might be onto something there) just because I wanted some old books, maybe for some future projects. Plus their earthy tones go with our decor. Got the photo frame for its oval shape.

Then there is this unopened bingo set, I think from the 50’s. Maybe we could use it in the basement when we get around to decorating it. Have big plans for that vintage tray. See the amount of dust on that? Imagine how long it has been in that store! Still it is a very solid piece, was pretty heavy. I think the glass jar is a decanter? It has West Point’s logo on it. Of course, couldn’t leave the store without that poultry feed burlap sack. 😉

Remember me going ga ga over vintage irons at Pottery Barn the other day? I’ve finally got my own! And these are flat sad irons, even older than the PB ones! It seems these were the very first kind of irons to be used (in the mid 1800’s). Back in those days the term ‘sad’ was used a stand in word for heavy. The black one easily weighs eight pounds. As my daughter says, I’ve got a mommy and a baby one. 🙂 The jar on the left is a vase, which would have been placed on an iron stand with the mouth facing up and the pointy corner on the bottom. You should see the patina on it to believe it!

Crates………..and that too local ones! What more could I ask for? Planning to use them for laptop bag storage in the office.

In hindsight should have picked more crates like the left one. I don’t know, the handles kind a give it  a more polished look. But that’s ok.

For all these, Becky charged me $70 and offered a $25 gift card for next time. Thank you, I really needed that as I’m gonna be a regular. 🙂 I know, we got the friends and family discount….still it was really nice of her. What’s more, even the kids want to go back, my daughter wants to play with her new friends while my son would love to hunt for more books! That’s one contented shopping trip. 🙂

Thanks again Becky and Bob (for directing her to me) for helping me discover the joy of antiquing. The thought of owning things from the 1800’s gives me such a high. The whole night I was grinning from ear to ear………….I’m hooked.

Have you found something that made you so happy?