Archive for the ‘It Came from the Shed’ Category

An Ode to the Trout

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

Trout fishing season in the Catskills opens today, April 1st. The Esopus Creek, one of the best trout streams in the world, runs right through the center of the village of Phoenicia.

We hereby present our small tribute to the beautiful and mighty trout. (*Please catch and release – thank you!).

This sweet book from 1951, Tommy Trout by R.W. Eschmeyer, is one of a set published by Fisherman Press that we picked up at a yard sale last year. The other books in this True-To-Life Stories series are Billy Bass, Freddy Fox Squirrel, Bob White, Bobby Bluegill, and Charley Cottontail.

We love these books so much we do not plan to catch and release any of them – sorry!

Here’s another favorite from our personal collection…a hand-knit 1950s Cowichan style sweater depicting a trout in mid-jump.

Mildred Pierce mystery circa 1911

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

In honor of the Kate Winslet remake of Mildred Pierce which premieres tonight, we present to you this mysterious postcard from 1911 which we found in our travels many years ago.

So many unanswered questions….

Did she have to help Edith carry the money bag over the hill?

What was in the money bag?

Why is Edith referencing herself in the third person?

Whatever happened to Mildred Pierce of Delhi, NY?

Happy Halloween!

Sunday, October 31st, 2010

Exhumed from the crypt, one of our favorite pieces from our personal collection. An incredible piece of folk art. Masonic robe? Yale’s Skull and Bones Club ritual robe? 1920′s Halloween costume? We have no idea what it is, but we thought we’d share.

We picked up this early skull and crossbones black ceremonial robe from one of our favorite dealers at Brimfield many years ago. He got it out of a Connecticut estate, but that’s all we know about it.

The front says CONN 370. The back, the skull and crossbones and again, 370.

Any guesses? Let us know!

Vintage black robe with skull and crossbones (back).

Vintage black robe with skull and crossbones (front).

Close-up of hand-appliqued skull and crossbones and number 370.

Summer’s End

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

It’s TIME

1950's LUX electric wall clock with month and day ($65).


To slip on that Fifties Bombshell Hawaiian Sarong Swimsuit from B. Altman

1950's pink floral pin-up Hawaiian sarong-style swimsuit ($75.)


Grab some good old classic American literature

And head down to the creek as your Summer Vacation gently winds down.

But don’t cry for these waning days of summer……

…As more fun awaits in the Big City!

More Favorite Customers of the Mystery Spot

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

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).