Over the years I’ve picked up a lot of weird, oddball, and unusual secondhand items. From church basements to auctions and estates, the bounty of stuff has been never ending. The highlights?
A trebuchet (2008). The ten-foot high flinger of objects required two men and a truck to move. My husband wasn’t even there when I eagerly agreed to take it– not that owner was selling it. The trebuchet had been abandoned by her ex-husband when he fled the state. It was totally free!
A hot air balloon (1990s). Purchased at a lost freight auction for $75. Even sans basket it required a flat bed truck. Later, I resold it for a profit.
Those two items stick out in my mind because they were difficult to transport. Oh yeah, there was that ornately carved baby grand piano (church basement). I cringe at the memory of moving that beast. Twice. I sold it in 1996 to finance a trip toFrance.
Speaking of hard-to-move items, in 2007 a Lane cedar chest was a bargain for $5! I had to have it. I figured somehow, someway, I would wrangle it into the COMPACT Ford Escort I was driving at the time. I did. Trouble was, once I got it home it was wedged the backseat so tightly it wouldn’t come out. It took my husband and me hours to remove.
These days I tend to stick to smaller, more portable objects. I have a deep and abiding love for vintage clothing, especially belts, but that’s a whole other blog post. Yet my weekend expeditions still yield up the odd and the unusual, too. Just in the past few weeks I’ve found these two treasures – not that I need them. I just had to have them. Because they’re cool!
I mean, a 1941 package of Harvey’s Hawaiian Nectar gum? The fly wheels of my imaginations whirl every time I look at the gum. I keep it on my desk, beside my globe – though seriously, this gum probably belongs in a World War II or Hawaiian museum. Maybe a candy museum!
And the left-right-hand set of Ozzy Osbourne candle holders? So awesome they probably belong in a museum as well – though they currently reside in the garage because they creep my husband out. Actually, come to think of it, the candle holders kind of creep me out, too. 
So, got any good yard sale stories or treasures to share? I’d love to hear about them!
Posted by mandicasey on May 31, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Great post, sounds like you’ve found wonderful items throughout the years! My husband would have flipped if I needed a flatbed to transport a find like these, lol. And congrats on your release! Love your writing
Posted by Jamie Brazil on May 31, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Thanks, Mandi!
Re “items”, I’ve been lucky with transportation in the past — having the right vehicles at the right time. I don’t know if I had a greater sense of possibility back then, or was just delusional, but seriously, what was I thinking when I agreed to bring home those larger items??? The hot air balloon and the baby grand are NOT in the realm of possibility this weekend
Posted by donnamshields on May 31, 2012 at 4:37 pm
OMG I love the rummage sales! Been doing it since I was like 5. I must say I’ve never found anything like you though.
Posted by Jamie Brazil on May 31, 2012 at 5:42 pm
That’s so great that you’ve been rummaging your whole life. My parents always hauled my sister and I around to antique stores and as a child I swore I’d never own an antique when I grew up…. ummmm… fast forward a few years…
So what sort of items are you drawn to, what do you like to find at sales? I LOVE swapping stories with other rummagers!
Posted by donnamshields on May 31, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Anything unusual. Usually knock knacks or old records. My mother has a very large collection of records all being country and bluegrass. I just bought these wine glasses that are palm trees. I paid 2dollars for the 4 of them
Posted by Jamie Brazil on June 1, 2012 at 12:10 am
Palm tree wine glasses? So fabulously kitsch! BTW, your vinyl collection is probably worth a small fortune.
Posted by jannashay on May 31, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Love the post and love rummage sales. I always find interesting items, although nothing as interesting as you have. The Ozzie candles creep me out too.
Posted by jannashay on May 31, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Love your post and rummage sales. I always find interesting items although nothing as interesting as you have. The Ozzie candles creep me out also.
Posted by Jamie Brazil on May 31, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Thanks, Janna! Those Ozzy candles may have to find a new home. They are super creepy.
So what has been your favorite treasure?
Posted by jannashay on May 31, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Sorry for the double post but I’m having trouble with wordpress.
Posted by Jamie Brazil on May 31, 2012 at 5:44 pm
No problem. I was having a heck of a time with WP earlier.