Clearance Day at Goodwill was Good to me

[lordkenmore]

I make it a point to visit Goodwill store on the days when they have any sort of clearance sale. I'm surprised at how often I find good things. Yesterday was no exception--I found what I think must be a vintage sugar bowl. It was made by Manning Bowman, and it was made in the USA. (I'm not aware of any place named USA that makes anything; I wonder if it's as good as stuff made in China?)

 

[lordkenmore]

I can't get the underside to photograph properly. It has an "MB" with "Means Best" on top. Below, it has the Manning Bowman name, and the Made in USA bit.

This site has a picture that looks very much like my inscription:

http://www.mygrannysatticantiques.com/html/manning-bowman___co__.html

 

[lordkenmore]

Included in my haul was a matching sugar/cream pitcher. I honestly wonder about this set. The style makes me think vintage, but I'm not sure it's well enough to be vintage. There is no maker name stamped.

Anyway, here is the cream pitcher. Sorry about the bad photo...old camera, plus incompetent operator!

 

[lordkenmore]

Another lousy photo, showing close up of the design element near the handle:

 

[lordkenmore]

Sugar bowl:

 

[mixfinder]

The Night Before

When thrift stores advertise half price sales on Monday holidays I try to hit them the night before. While you still pay full price there is usually more inventory to choose from. John, those are beautiful serving pieces and they don't appear to need polishing.

 

[lordkenmore]

The night before a sale does have better selection, and I have been known to buy stuff that 24 hours later will be cheaper, just because I figure it'll likely sell quickly.

But the sale pricing--especially on rock bottom clearance--is very attractive. I'm surprised at how many good things actually do survive until the last minute.

The key questions are:
-Do I like this enough to spend full price?
-What are the chances of this selling when on sale?

And yes, these finds posted above are in pretty good condition as-is. Although there are flaws noticeable up close. But I prefer to consider those flaws "patina" and "visible history!"

 

[kevin313]

Fun Finds

John, nice finds - even better when they are half-off! Manning-Bowen made deluxe small appliances, and they were sold at "better" department stores. Their motto was, "MB Means Best." The creamer you have is part of a set that included a creamer, and perhaps a serving tray. This would have been an accessory to a MB percolator (probably a high capacity model with a spicket)and something that one would put out on a buffet. The coffee pot, creamer, sugar bowl and tray would share the same design. These were popular wedding and housewarming gifts. As a stand-alone piece, it is still very attractive and will make a nice addition to your collection. Enjoy!

 

[lordkenmore]

"...even better when they are half-off!"

Well, actually these were better than even better! The Goodwills in my area have a half-off list price sale period on a given price tag color (which should be the oldest stuff in the store). Then, at the end of the clearance period, the price drops to about $1. I got these on the last day of last week's tag color sale.

I had wondered if the Manning Bowman piece might have once been matched to a percolator. I know Manning Bowman made percolators, and there was something about that sugar bowl that reminded me of urn percolator sets I've seen.

 

[lordkenmore]

I decided I might as well add my "big" find of this week to this existing post. I was wandering through a place near a Goodwill I shop. This place is antique mall concept (many booths with many dealers), but the merchandise is more general second hand. I have found many useful things there.

This find is somewhat useful, but more fun and a trip down memory lane: a Corning Un-Candle. These are made of glass. As I recall from past experience, one fills it with some water, and then adds vegetable oil on top. A float holding a wick sits on the oil.

We had a couple of these when I was growing up. Found, as I recall, a garage sale. (Or, as Grandma once called them in a possibly accurate slip of tongue: "Garbage sale"!) I do remember us using them from time to time. We always ate by candle light in winter. So elegant, even on nights when it's just hamburger casserole. Plus, it was very practical--the ceiling light didn't work well.

I don't remember how well Un Candles worked, apart from the fact they needed the wick changed every use. But they did--and still do--seem fun.

I see these turn up regularly, but usually resist. I try to minimize clutter. I seldom use candles now, except when the power goes out.

But when I saw this Un-Candle--cheap--I had to get it. Partly, because I liked these in the past. Plus, I have seen many Un Candles, but I have never seen this style. It's a "Jack Be Nimble". 2 part, with cylinder for the candle part, and a small saucer like thing with carry handle! How could I resist? I couldn't.

At least, it comes with many wicks. It will be practical for power failures.

Enough babbling (which maybe I should sell as an insomnia cure!) Here are some pictures.

Picture #1 is the box:

 

[lordkenmore]

The Un-Candle spread out. The small, almost impossible to see clear circular thing on the lower left is the float. The little bag holding white things is, of course, the wick supply.

What I don't think I've seen before is the small white box. This holds a couple of votive candles, but it's clearly branded to go along with the Un-Candle. This Un-Candle might not be new, complete--but it's the closest I've seen.

 

[lordkenmore]

The Un-Candle roughly assembled. Note the little finger handle on the right. I have never seen that before on one of these.

 

[polkanut]

My Grandma had received one of these for Christmas many years ago, and never used it. I wish I had snagged it when we cleaned out her house, if not to use, then just for the sheer novelty of it.