This is my first post in a week! I’ve been doing the old trash picking but haven’t felt the creative spark to create a new post. I haven’t found anything particularly mind blowing where I have-to-tell-you-about-this-right-away either.
July 1st, Montreal’s big moving day, is approaching and there’s going to be a lot of trash on the streets. There’ll be far too much for me to take (especially when it comes to housewares) so I encourage all the Montrealers et Montréalais to keep their eyes out for good stuff on the curb. Use some of my tips under the “About” section if you want advice.
Since I found that cool stuff in VSL I’ve been a bit more focused on exploring new neighborhoods. I took a night trip to Ahuntsic (didn’t find much, though) and made a little list of new places I could check out. I may check out Viauville, which is a part of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve this evening for a change of pace from my usual tour of the Plateau. If anyone knows of trash days on Monday or Thursday evenings (where the trash is picked up after 7pm) that aren’t the Plateau/Mile-End let me know. That area has produced a lot of great finds but it’s been dry of late. I feel like taking a little vacation from the place I’ve explored the most in my life in Montreal.
Last night I went to Villeray but didn’t come up with much. I pulled this big case of coloring pencils, pastels, and crayons out of a bag with other kids stuff on des Belges (Belgians) near Cremazie. I left it in this safe spot next to an apartment complex on Cremazie in hopes that someone with a family might find it. Most of these pencils were never used.
I also found this ring in among a bunch of tools set out in a box on the curb. Oddly it’s marked as being made of brass, and doing a bit of research I discovered that some wedding bands were made of brass back in the day as a cheaper (working-class) alternative to gold or silver. I like how humble this ring is. It fits well on my pinkie finger so I may keep it for myself.
On Tuesday evening I came across these boxes somewhere between Laurier and St Gregoire. Inside were old toys and schoolbooks which someone who lived nearby told me belonged to her landlord.
There were a couple of comic books dating from the 50s and 60s as well as a kids book about Jean-Marie de la Mennais published in 1945. They’re in pretty good condition, particularly the book on Mennais which is in impeccable shape.
My mom has a clacker toy similar to this one. All you do is press the little metal tab on the bottom (see pic below) and it makes a sound sort of like a metallic hiccup or a robo-cricket. Toys back in those days were way simpler eh? If anyone knows when these things were popular or common let us know!
Here’s an old poster featuring all kinds of space stuff. I figure it dates to the 50s or 60s. It’s not in perfect shape but it’s definitely cool. I’m sure I’ll find a buyer for 50c at a yard sale.
An old Tonka truck. You know it’s old because it’s made of some kind of metal, possibly tin.
Last but not least is this “Texas Kid” toy for aspiring cowboys of the Wild West. I imagine it’s been many years since this toy’s last game of “Cowboys and Indians,” though that’s probably for the best anyways.
I sold some commemorative tokens from a 1970s Shell Oil promotion on Ebay last night for 29$ and a wood plane for 20$, raising my monthly profits as of right now to about 80$ (which includes the change I found and a couple of odds and ends).
Not much I know, but I have some Ebay auctions ending soon. The auction for the St John’s Ambulance medals I found ends later today. Bidding is up to about 56$, which is more than I was expecting. There’s about 7 more hours left on the auction and I hope a few more people make a bid. I also have other things that might sell for a decent profit, including the WWI dog tags and the DVCAM unit. Feel free what I have on Ebay by clicking here.
I’m also wayyy past due for a yard sale, perhaps this weekend if the weather permits! My room is quite orderly but my storage is a complete mess.