montreal – Page 90 – Things I find in the garbage

Fur

May 27, 2013May 27, 2013 garbagefinds9 Comments

I opened a trash bin next to an apartment complex and saw a piece of luggage. I took a look inside and found a couple of old fur hats, a fur scarf and a well broken-in catcher’s mitt.

The fur is “shedding” a bit but seems to be in pretty good shape. I think they could use a good clean though. What’s the best way to clean fur? My first guess would be dry-cleaning, but if anyone has any suggestions let me know. These could have some value when the cold weather inevitably comes around again.

I also found a 10k white gold earring sitting on top of a trash bag underneath that suitcase. I scoured the rest of the bin, which smelled pretty gross by the way, but didn’t come up with any other precious metals. I’ll add this piece to my junk gold collection.

I had a pretty good day selling things off Craigslist. I finally sold the nice set of china for 90$, a manual typewriter for 60$ and the Peavy Rage amp for 30$. That adds up to 180 which raises my monthly total to 445$. That’s basically enough to cover rent, bills, and a basic amount of food for the month. I’m treading water and that’s not too shabby.

Tomorrow morning I’m heading off to Villeray. It’s nearing the end of the month so I’m hoping to make some nice finds.

Calf’s Head en Tortue

May 23, 2013May 23, 2013 garbagefinds17 Comments

In came across these bags in the alley adjacent to Parc. In the back was some original art I took an interest in.

It looks to be signed by a Bobby Atkinson. A woman by the same name published a book of watercolour scenes of Montreal and Quebec in 1970 in the same style as the one I found. Also, the signature in this signed copy of her book looks like a match.

It’s a really well done piece. I took it out of it’s busted frame and brought it home.

A box of circuit breakers I came across on St Urbain. I brought them home but I have no real plan for them. If anyone has an interest in these send me an email!

I also found this backpack with a working staple gun (with staples) inside. I’m going to keep this for myself as these things come in handy.

Overall no motherloads today but I’m pretty happy with the little (and big, in regards to the floor lamp) things I salvaged.

Here’s something I recovered from the trash of the unwelcoming woman on Tuesday. It’s a menu from a July 27 1963 dinner on the Empress of Britain, which was a ship of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company which regularly traversed the Atlantic in the 50s and 60s. The ship was sold to a Greek company in 1964 and exchanged a few more hands before finally being scrapped in 2008 at the age of 53.

I looks like it was a pretty fancy meal based on what was on the menu. Then again there’s also something called “Calf’s Head en Tortue” which just sounds weird. If you feel like seeing what’s on the menu click on the picture and zoom in!

Tomorrow morning I’ll be checking out the neighborhood of Villeray. I’ll keep you posted as to how it goes.

Electrolite

May 23, 2013May 23, 2013 garbagefinds9 Comments

I set out this morning for my usual Rosemont trash run but didn’t find anything of note. I was heading back “chez moi” when I came across this old lamp on De Lorimier near Dandurand. I decided to bring it home, which via bike was an interesting and occasionally harrowing experience. At some point a woman biked by, asked if I had found it and told me she was “jalouse” of my find. I enjoy encounters like that.

The lamp was made by Electrolite in Toronto. I think that it’s pretty old because of how the label mentions that it’s an “electric” lamp. It likely came from a time when having electricity was still novel and not taken for granted.

My guess is that this lamp was made in the 1920’s. What do you think?

It’s not in perfect condition but I think with some TLC it could be great. The wiring is the main issue as it tripped my breaker when I plugged it in. It also needs a little polish and a little rust removal but I don’t think there’s anything that a elbow grease couldn’t fix.

Old lamps can be valuable so maybe I can make fixing the wiring a little project of mine. I found someone on Ottawa Kijiji selling a lamp just like mine for 150$, so if I can get it working and looking pretty I can make a nice profit.

I got the slides (from Expo 67 and etc) I found a few weeks ago digitized and subsequently sold them to someone with an artistic interest for 15$. I sold the shin guards from the hockey equipment I found in the McGill ghetto as well for 40$, increasing my monthly profit to 265$.

The slides are pretty interesting and I plan on uploading them (perhaps to a different website / blog) soon. I had my hopes set a bit high in terms of them being super professionally done, but they are cool amateur shots of times long past.

I’m going to check out the Mile End and environs later today. It’s supposed to drizzle all day but I don’t mind. In fact, I kind of like being out in a pleasant drizzle, and at times even a torrential downpour. I find it relaxing somehow.