I came across this stuff in Montreal West a couple months ago. I had hopes that the spot would start producing good trash on a regular basis but I’ve seen nothing on curb in my many subsequent trips to the neighbourhood.
There was a fair bit of neat old stuff. I saved a somewhat busted sewing box full of useful supplies. Not much was worth the effort of selling, so I left the box on the curb for someone else to find.
I kept a few things, including a few vintage packs of needles.
There was also a little medal from the 1959 opening of the St Lawrence Seaway. Apparently the Queen was here for that! Also in attendance was Dwight Eisenhower, President of the United States from 1953-1961. Interesting fact: Eisonhower was the last US President to be born in the 19th century.
From my experience there’s often some cool random thing in these sewing boxes. It’s always a good idea to carefully sort through their contents.
I found a few old Boys’ Brigade pins. The Boy’s Brigade is a Christian youth organization (similar to the Scouts, if I understand correctly) that used to be quite popular but has fallen from prominence in recent years. I’d guess the bronze pin in middle is the oldest of the bunch, perhaps being made in the 30s or 40s.
I saved an old “Ladies LBA of Quebec” pin, and a “5th year” addition that was never added on. I have no idea what the LBA is, if you do let us know in the comments!
There was an old purse, likely made to hold makeup tools, which instead contained an old nickle and dime.
I also found a bunch of watches. Most were junk and went in one of my free boxes. The Timex on top though was pretty nice, and if I remember right sold for 10$ at a yard sale.
Among them was a nice old Bulova watch.
It was likely gold-filled. This was so long ago now that I don’t know if it worked, or where it is now. I expect it’s still kicking around somewhere.
Speaking of gold, I saved a broken 10k gold chain. Not too exciting, but it should net me around 25-30$ when in my bring in my next bunch of scrap.
I’m planning on doing a yard sale tomorrow, so come on down if you want to sort through my stuff! Yard sale season is nearing an end so come by while you have the chance. It’ll be at 5051 Brebeuf, starting around 11 and ending around 6. I might do one Sunday as well but I’m not sure yet. Send me an email or Facebook message if you need any more details.
Hi Martin,
I may be way off base here, but after a little research I did come up with one possible idea, what “LBA” might stand for….
This is what I found while searching, “Marked by both a love for the sport and a long tradition, the Lakeshore Badminton Association, more commonly known as the “LBA”, was incorporated on March 8, 1996 under the name “Association de badminton du Lakeshore”. As one of the oldest badminton leagues in Quebec, and maybe even in Canada, the “LBA” made its debut in 1946 under the name “The Montreal Lakeshore Badminton League”.. The Montreal Lakeshore Badminton League was dissolved after the 1953-54 season, but was reconstituted under the name “Lakeshore Badminton League” for the 1958-59 season, with the original member clubs being Valois, Clearpoint, Hudson and Chateauguay. Today, the LBA consists of both recreational and competitive players, adults and juniors, covering all skill levels, playing in the League.
The part that stated, “As one of the oldest badminton leagues in Quebec, and maybe even in Canada, the “LBA” made its debut in 1946 under the name ‘The Montreal Lakeshore Badminton League'”, I don’t know if they shortened “The Montreal Lakeshore Badminton League”, to “LBA”, so I might be wrong for what “LBA” is abbreviated for.
Seems like a decent guess. The dates seem to coincide well with the approximate age of this pin. Good research!
Thanks Martin, I was a HUGE fan of the TV show (when I used to own a TV) “The History Detectives” on PBS, it was so interesting/fascinating and couldn’t waiting to see what they would uncover next. What made it even better was they met with the person that owned the item and brought a resolution to questions, which were many times very personal in nature to them.
P.S. I hope you do well in your up coming yard sale/s and that it goes along ways in meeting your goals for the year.
Wow!! Very cool stuff!! The medal for the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway is amazing! If you ever want to sell it, let me know!
Just curious – did you sell the Bulova watch? It looks to be possibly from the nouveau or deco era.
Martin, look up Sold auction listings on eBay under: “Junk Jewelry Lot”, “Junk Drawer Lot”, Junk Watch Lot, etc. Some go for good prices. Maybe you can start saving all the little stuff, and put it in a box to sell all together.
True, thanks for the tip. Maybe I’ll do this once yard sale season ends… I like to have a “junk drawer” box at my yards, people like looking through that kind of stuff!
Your posts are always interesting … and the reader comments are too. Keep up the good work.
https://www.pinterest.com/honkercut/vintage-watch-bracelets/
Check this link for bracelets made of antique watches. They don’t have to work. I have one and love it. Don’t toss those watches!
Usually when they don’t work I just put them in my “junk drawer” box. Usually sell them for like 50 cents, maybe a dollar if the watch is particularly nice looking.
20$ for st-lawrence ? (my quebecois grandad used to work there year round when they used to unload by hand!! ) do you still have the porthole mirror? joe 😉
Yeah, if I can find it ha ha. I seem to have stashed this stuff somewhere random because I can’t find it and don’t think I sold it. The porthole mirror is still around… might still be at my old place actually.