This weekend’s MYSTERY FIND. Can anyone identify what this somewhat horrifying/fascinating 1950’s lamp is made of? It seems like some sort of petrified fungus – perhaps a giant sea anemone? It’s rather large and reminds us of varnished driftwood. But it’s not. Post your guesses here!
What the heck IS this thing?
No. Seriously. What is it?
Our favorite score of the year? Probably this gorgeous Fifties vintage Ceil Chapman burgundy brocade full circle cocktail/party/dancing dress! Are you the lucky lady who will take it home?
Our very first Ceil!
The all-important Ceil label.
We love the open neckline and the nipped waist.
1950's LUX electric wall clock with month and day ($65).
1950's pink floral pin-up Hawaiian sarong-style swimsuit ($75.)
At the same time Yo La Tengo were puttering around the back room of the Spot flipping through our 45’s, another customer was in the front of the shop. She seemed happy to keep to herself, spending time in the book room and gathering up a selection of vintage items. After Ira and Georgia left, she brought her purchases up to the counter and we started to chat. She introduced herself to me, and whaddya know – it was Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs!Karen O is not only utterly delightful, she has great taste. She purchased our favorite hat in the shop – a one-of-a-kind treasure we’d just picked up a couple of weeks earlier. (You can read more about it in our Memorial Day Weekend Estate Sale Finds post.)
Here Karen O holds some of her purchases: the book Avant-Garde British Printmaking, 1914 – 1960 ($30.), and the aforementioned old men’s straw fishing hat with netted top ($22.). We can’t think of a more deserving head!
See, I really like to sleep. So setting the alarm clock and getting up at the ungodly hour of 6 or 7 or even 8am to try to beat the competition to local yard and garage sales is pretty much my idea of a living hell. Yet, somehow, every spring a girl’s fancy turns to saling.
So here I was up at 7AM, up before the turkeys, and out the door, pre-coffee, to check out the estate sale down the road. Estate sales are almost always worth the effort, as they usually involve a much broader selection and a motivated seller. Drove up to the lovely old farmhouse and there, hanging on clothesline all around the wrap-around porch was a bunch of clothes. You can’t really tell until you get closer if it’s Wal-Mart circa 2005, or Wards’ circa 1972. Fortunately it was the latter, so I made a big pile and with a little friendly haggling was soon the proud owner of about ten women’s jackets and 5 Western shirts.Wanna see?
Lovely Cowichan-style knit sweater with horses on front and back.
Made by Miller, and a bargain to be had at the Mystery Spot for a mere $44.
This 1970s suede sherpa vest is all kinds of wonderful.
Of course, you’re all favorites! Here are some memorable moments captured by our camera over the past eight years. We migrated these photos over from the Mystery Spot website, where you can click through pages and pages of happy snapshots of happy customers from Mystery Spot days past.
Back for more!
Photographer/musician Jeff Stults makes a return trip to Le Spot to pick up a cute blonde that caught his eye last time he visited. This Sixties signed oil on canvas painting of a waif-like girl set him back only $75. (He’s since told us that he named her Bavaria and has composed and recorded an entire concept album around her). Meantime, metalsmith Jason Yoder couldn’t pass up this pair of mid-century 60’s ceiling lights, a mere $50. for the two.
Comedienne Lisa DeLarios and her dog Stargil find inspiration in a vintage multicolored honeycomb crepe paper decoration ($8.). The comic (not to mention decorative) possibilities are endless!
Spot regular Kate Pierson of the B-52’s proudly displays her finds for the day. They’ll all go towards furnishing her fabulous modernist/rustic getaway, Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel, in nearby Mt. Tremper. Included are a mod 60’s canister set ($20.), a chartreuse ceramic 50’s lamp with bubble shade ($40), and a pastel drawing of a Joan Kennedy lookalike (free).
Tessa is snug as a bug in a rug in this awesome Sixties long gray flecked cardigan with oversized faux fur collar ($42.)
What a difference a year makes! Last year Akira’s main mode of transport was stroller. Now she’s a big sister (and a cowgirl)! According to doting dad Chris Stein (Blondie), she’s already showing signs of the musical talents that run deep in her gene pool. Chris and Barbara left with an armload of purchases, including a 1910 Mandarin Primer ($40.), this 1960’s National Enquirer ($10.) and a stack of art books.
Tessa models – forgive the understatement - the most killer pair of boots we have ever seen in our lives! A pair of vintage Sixties white leather mod gladiator lace-up sandal boots ($125.) straight from the estate of a former stripper. She completes the look with a deadstock 60’s patchwork cropped shirt ($28.) and Sixties Aquarius Zodiac medallion ($14).
