Featured Finds Thread

I got my first microwave in 1978. It was made by Litton & it was twice the size of the one I have right now above my stove. We used that thing until we built our last house in 1992 & the only reason we stopped then was it would not fit into the space that was built for the microwave.

We donated it to the small private high school our son was attending because it did not have a cafeteria. They had about 10 or 12 microwaves sitting on tables around the hall where they ate lunch. It last another 2 or 3 years before the kids finally killed it.

I guarantee you will not find a workhorse like that now a days.

Peggy

 

We had a more recent Microwave bite the dust-- a Half Pint Sharp. Purchased new in the 90's. The darn thing went out about 10 years ago, and went to find another exactly like it not because of longevity but because of space constraints. We had a small square corner space and this fit exactly in. The Sharp Half-Pints were longer made, so checked on Ebay to see if I could find a similar one. To my amazement (and education) this type of Microwave was now COLLECTIBLE. They came in bright colors --orange, red, blue, etc. and although retailed for around $89, were selling in the $200 range.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLUE-Sharp-...380624?hash=item4b02320890:g:1Z8AAOSwT5tWM4I8

 

I'm still using a Sharp microwave bought in 1987. It's in perfect condtion, really well made and works beautifully.

 

I got some old reel tapes with music from the radio recorded on them. The guy that made them mostly skipped the commercials but missed a few. There was a 1976 ad for a microwave with six year financing available.

Do you think this will test as sterling?

 

Terry5732, the lily-of-the-valley decoration is a charming enhancement.

 

& wouldn't the etched G ruin it if it were plate >>??

 

No. Lots of silverplate stuff with engravings - monograms, dates, etc. Ruin in what way?

Terry, I'm a tad skeptical on the "English Sterling" mark. Have you had it tested?

 

Odds are it's an American silverplate mark.(LOL) It has just slightly more silver in it than British Sterling cologne, doubtless.

 

I always thought the engraving would go thru the plate , down to the base metal...

 

It should be sterling silver, a few American companies used 'English Sterling' marks right around the 1860s, including Tiffany - this mark has generally been attributed to John R. Wendt, it's most often accompanied by a retailer's mark.

I collect Lily of the Valley items - would be no problem to take this insignificant little piece off your hands, just to give it a good home, of course...

~Cheryl

 

for an insignificant little price , no doubt !!!

 

Thank you Cheryl.

The nitric says it's sterling. This would have to be the earliest hex screw I've seen.

 

nice find Terry...

 

Hmm...looks like English stePling. An auctioneer here told a story about her mother -- who was living in the US at the time -- thought she had scored some sterling but it was marked "stepling" and was silver plate. I do hope that Terry's is steRling!

 

The damaged 'T' and 'R' in the mark are of no concern, punches often show wear from use - it's correct in form, style and construction for a piece from the Wendt shop, and from the era.

The piece linked below bears the 'English Sterling' mark, as well as a Starr & Marcus retailer's mark - the cattails and leaves under the handles show similar workmanship.

http://www.silverperfect.com/Inventory/rare hollowware/wendtlobsterbowldetail.html

~Cheryl

 

If a silver plated item is engraved it must be replated as the engraving would remove plating and base metal.Printer paper is .0032 inch thick,silver plating is 0.0020 inch thick.

 

Well known painting, 'September Morn'

Print catalogued in local auction 'September Moon'

Well, I suppose you could say so.........

 

Hmmmm, the auction catalogue preparers must have had a "full moon" on their minds.

 

Waiting for an estate sale this morn, felt the Oklahoma earthquake in Minnesota

The sale was a bust