I returned to TMR last week and avoided getting another ticket. I was paranoid for most of the run though, which wasn’t too fun. I stopped at this place, which provided the picture frame from a couple posts back, but the bags were kind of torn up. I didn’t look long because I didn’t want to get blamed for causing the mess, which would result in a different kind of fine. It seemed to mostly be junk anyways. I imagine the bags were ripped apart by a raccoon.
I didn’t find much that night, but I was able to make a bit of money off this big 50″ Panasonic Plasma TV. I brought it home and tried turning it on. It didn’t work, which wasn’t really a surprise. However, the problem was with the circuitry, not the screen itself (which is the most valuable part). I listed it on Kijiji and ended up selling it within two days for 60$. Not bad! I’ve passed up on TVs before (largely because they take up so much space, and I had less room to work with at my old place) but I may take them going forward. At the very least I can flip them to guys like this for a quick profit.
I came across this spot with some interesting junk outside on Thursday night in Montreal West.
One bag held a bunch of clay masks, which I presume were bought during trips to Central America.
They look extra creepy when photographed in this light!
There were also a bunch of fantasy (mostly dragon) figurines. Many were busted, but a few were salvageable.
I gave this sweet stained glass dragon lamp to my sister. It fits her decor nicely! There are a few cracks to the yellow part of the stained glass, but it’s not at all noticeable.
I also saved this cool dragon figurine. It was made by Melody Pena of Windstone back in 1986. These are fairly collectible. In fact, mine just sold as I was writing this post for 75$!
I’ve also been keeping an eye on this stately home not far from downtown. The place is huge and was likely built in the 1920s. Whoever owns it now is tossing out some interesting stuff. There were bags and bags of magazines, including stacks of House Beautiful and Town & Country, most of which were published between 1950 and 1970.
I saved a box of Birks teas which I’d guess were made in the 1950s. The teas aren’t good anymore, but the boxes are attractive.
I also saved a couple nice jars …
… two cool vintage maps;
… a photography magazine featuring British women in various degrees of undress (this may sell for a decent amount on eBay);
… some unused vintage ink;
… a box of shells in an old Oglivy’s box;
… and a cool sterling silver cigarette holder.
It’s marked as being made in Germany. I should be able to make a shiny penny from it on eBay!
I made a couple of odd finds in front of this house as well. I pulled this box of bullets of out a black bag. The bullets are quite old, probably having been made in the 40s or 50s. I was a bit scared of them, not being an expert on how well munitions age (and knowing that old, though admittedly much larger shells have killed people in the past). However, putting them back in the bag for the trash collectors to crush didn’t seem like a good idea either. I thought it over and figured they were probably safe enough to take, though I drove home gingerly (and made sure to have them point away from me) just in case.
This old leather coat was also interesting. It’s in very rough shape (very stiff, dirty, and has a few rips) but I took it because it seemed somehow special. Specifically, I wondered if it had First Nations roots. A lot of Native Canadian history has been lost, largely due to the cultural genocide that occurred here over many generations, so I figured the coat was worth taking just in case it had some historical value.
I posted the coat to Reddit’s “What is this thing?” message board on the off chance someone knew something about it. To my surprise, someone (who is trained as a “Native American art curator of objects”, according to their other comments) chimed in. They said: “Aw, this is lovely! It’s a circa 1930s deerskin jacket in the style of an early 19th century hunting frock coat. It’s likely Cree or Cree-Metis – it’s embellished in a manner that has its roots in Santee Dakota style quillwork, but uses the silk floss embroidery that was being taught to Native women in southern Canada on the east coast and in the Prairie by French Catholic nuns as a kind of mission civilacitrice.”
This person seems to have legit knowledge of the coat. Unfortunately they didn’t reply to my last comment asking if it still had historical or monetary value given its condition, and if so who or what organization might have interest. I’m pretty busy right now trying to get some publications ready for Expozine this weekend (come by in you’re in Montreal!) but maybe I can research it more when that’s all done. In the meantime, if anyone has any information about the coat let us know in the comments! A few more close up shots are below.
Otherwise, I saved a large vintage VW bug toy made by Tonka (NDG);
… a half bottle of Chanel #5, which I sold to a reader for 15$ (Hampstead);
… some nice original art (Ville St-Laurent);
… a working vacuum cleaner (Hampstead);
… and a vintage Peugeot bike. I found it in Ville St Laurent on one of their heavy garbage days. It looked like it had been sitting unused in the basement or garage for many years. It had two flat tires and an ugly seat but otherwise seemed fine. I figured it needed new tires and inner tubes, but they actually still hold air after all these years. The bike would actually be pretty decent for trash picking: the diagonal women’s frame makes it easier to mount and dismount (something you do often while picking) and it already has a nice rear basket holder. I’m going to give it a try, and if I like it I’ll keep it for myself!
Nice haul, Martin! That Tonka VW should sell for a pretty penny and that sterling silver cigarette holder is gorgeous – definitely a salable piece. The Central American masks are of great interest. You should find a lot of collectors who will jump to buy them! Good going!
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the masks are the type of thing you find over-priced in “artesanía” markets in Mexico and Central America (and to be honest, they look to be Incan-style, so are likely from Peru), and probably aren’t worth much unless someone really wants them. Good yard-sale material, maybe?
I’m personally thinking yard sale material myself. Regardless, someone will likely want to take them off my hands.
Very nice leather jacket. Don’t try to clean it, sell as is. Ebay is probably the best place, unless someone contacts you. I don’t think you are allowed to call it Native American unless you know the maker by name (eBay’s rules). Maybe Native Canadian, First Nation, Metis, are allowed. Reenactors who do Fur Trade Rendezvous (use all those keywords in title) might be interested (they would have to get rid of the snaps, and substitute leather ties/bone buttons). I would start at $150, you can always go lower if no bids.
Thanks for the info. An auction is probably the best way to get it “out there.” It’s an interesting piece.
Wonderful,wonderful finds.Great dragon lamp find.I am very happy you gave it to your sister.Why do you keep finding so much more treasures in the trash of Town of Mount Royal than in the trash of Westmount?Westmount is definitely richer than the town of Mount Royal.
I go to TMR more often. Most people in Westmount put out their trash in the morning, and I don’t do morning runs as much these days.Plus, Westmount is divided into two days, so each trip there is half the size of one TMR trip.
That that dragon lamp is out of this world. I’m so jealous of your sister! The leather jacket is also a great find.
I’m sorry your back-in-the-saddle visit to TMR was stressful. Maybe the stress will lessen in time, with exposure. The week was good in terms of variety and interesting items though. Wonderful, eminently saleable finds!
There are lots of possible uses for that unused stale-dated tea. See http://www.teatulia.com/tea-101/tea-uses.htm and http://ask.metafilter.com/139950/Uses-for-old-unused-tea-in-teabags and https://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070826181210AAiIQkI
I like the original art, particularly the flowers. I can’t make out the artist names. Have you been able to find any information on them?
That bike looks like a sweet new ride for you. Biking is great exercise. http://www.mensfitness.com/weight-loss/burn-fat-fast/10-reasons-to-get-on-a-bike
I haven’t looked up the art yet. Maybe I should. I figure the tea boxes are best used as decoration – there’s stale tea, and then there’s stale tea. This stuff is likely 60 years old, and wasn’t stored in a way that would preserve it for this long (like how they do with a good pu-erh). The boxes are very nice though, and it’s cool that the tea is still inside.
Great finds as always. Those creepy clay masks should do well. Like the art too! – Karen
Hi, That old Cree jacket looks like one Pierre Elliot Trudeau used to wear on his canoe trips. Look it up. Love your site, Carol Ann
That’s what I was going to say. Not that I’ve seen the picture recently to see
how close they look, but it’s definitely that type of jacket. Maybe it could bring
in good money right now, with “Trudeamania” starting up again.
Michael
It does, though I think his was probably made in the 60s or 70s.
heyo i’m a bikie mechanic if you ever pick bikes up send me a texto 514-909-3249 i’ll buy repair and resell.
Good to know, thanks. I don’t often find bikes worth repairing, but maybe I will again soon.
Love your finds. Some of your finds might be useful for movie/tv productions. There are some out there actively looking, just have to find the right company. Here in FL we have a place called Vintage Finders that seems to buy & sell at reasonable prices. I’m sure something like that exists where you are especially considering how many shows/movies are shot in Canada.
That’s definitely a big market for vintage-y items. I’ve never sold to a production company, at least not to my knowledge. It’d be interesting to see something I found in the movies!
Oh that Peugeot bike! I love that old model, I hate those new modern gear frames they make now that look so bulky. Got an old one by KTM but it needs some work.
Guess what just this morning I passed by my favourite spot, it doesn’t produce a lot but when it does it’s good, and there was a much needed old fashioned Dutch no-gear model bike badly needed for my DH. Just needed a new back wheel which I happened to have. I was about to buy him a second hand, cost saved at least EUR 100.
Good stuff! I surprisingly don’t find many bikes in the garbage. Well, no good bikes anyways. I see a lot of kids bikes and junky bikes, but that Peugeot was the first one that was actually “nice”. I’ve been riding it ever since, it’s very comfortable.
hi martin,sorry for the delayed reply- i called the watch guys several days ago and they told me they were still working on them! they told me that the pocket watch should be ready for end november. i am hopeful that you can list it on eBay and we can get a buyer for the christmas season. best!michelle
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:49:36 +0000 To: michellemilne@hotmail.com
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