Good finds at the Salvation Army today

[valleythriftshopper]

I'm wondering whether it actually ISN'T a Royal Vienna piece.

Which sorta scares the bejeebers out of me because that would make the piece quite expensive. Here's one on Ebay, for instance, which has the same mark on the bottom and, as you can see, is really similar in color and style:

http://cgi.ebay.com/GORGEOUS-ANTIQUE-ROYAL-VIENNA-HANDLED-PORTRAIT-HP-VASE_W0QQitemZ120276626855QQihZ002QQcategoryZ2809QQssPage

Here's the previous attempt from that seller to sell that piece. 
http://cgi.ebay.com/GORGEOUS-ANTIQUE-ROYAL-VIENNA-HANDLED-PORTRAIT-HP-VASE_W0QQitemZ350071511713QQihZ022QQcategoryZ2809QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
He or she might have received more bids without that reserve, people give up at some point if they think the reserve is too high.  Seems like the new strategy is too start at the high end.  This is why I avoid both of these strategies.  Your vase does look quite similar in style & execution though, my guess is that it is authentic- would be a fun item to bring to a charity appraisal event.

[oceangurl]

Oh TSR you have done well! Regardless of market value it sure is worth much more then what you bought it for and that in itself makes it a great find! You probabley do have an authentic piece, so happy for you and a little jealous! And it does go perfectley with your decore, surely the thrift gods were with you that day and gave you your "hearts" desires...Isnt it nice to know that Karma, God or whatever you believe in is watching you and blesses you with said hearts desire! Good Job!

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Valley- very cool information! Thank you. You're right, it was a really high reserve-- especially when it's so hard to know whether it's an authentic Royal Vienna or not. But even then, as it made it up to $100-- heh, I SO did not pay anything like that for my vase. So I'm still a very happy gal.

Plus, I'm not planning to resell-- As Oceangurl said, it goes with my decor, and matches nicely with my other pieces. I'm going to enjoy looking at it, so it's a win to me regardless.

[superiorgirl]

Oh, my! Your heart must have been racing when you laid eyes on that beautiful vase. I wouild have been holding my breath and shaking. Great find!!! Are you going to name her?

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Heh- I have named my house and my car, but I haven't named any of my portrait plates. Actually, she probably has a name somewhere... I know a lot of the portraits were taken from earlier paintings in, say, the British National Gallery, etc.

I did find a plate in one of my Victorian collectible whiteware/china books using the same transfer, just not enhanced by the extra hand-painted detailing that gives this one the depth.

And I think I gasped when I saw it, but I try to have a bit of a poker face in the store. Then I went to my car and did a jig.

[mccoysnina]

Heh- I have named my house and my car, but I haven't named any of my portrait plates. Actually, she probably has a name somewhere... I know a lot of the portraits were taken from earlier paintings in, say, the British National Gallery, etc.

I did find a plate in one of my Victorian collectible whiteware/china books using the same transfer, just not enhanced by the extra hand-painted detailing that gives this one the depth.

And I think I gasped when I saw it, but I try to have a bit of a poker face in the store. Then I went to my car and did a jig.

I know tht feeling well.  Trying to keep a poker face so you don't let the whole world know you just found a real treasure.  I am always afraid if someone realizes what it is they will snatch it back and jack up the price. Not what I want at all.  Then making it safely out of the store where you can celebrate.  I love that feeling. I think it is why I am a treasure hunter.
Jeannie

[Jay2TheRescue]

Heh- I have named my house and my car, but I haven't named any of my portrait plates. Actually, she probably has a name somewhere... I know a lot of the portraits were taken from earlier paintings in, say, the British National Gallery, etc.

I did find a plate in one of my Victorian collectible whiteware/china books using the same transfer, just not enhanced by the extra hand-painted detailing that gives this one the depth.

And I think I gasped when I saw it, but I try to have a bit of a poker face in the store. Then I went to my car and did a jig.

I know tht feeling well.  Trying to keep a poker face so you don't let the whole world know you just found a real treasure.  I am always afraid if someone realizes what it is they will snatch it back and jack up the price. Not what I want at all.  Then making it safely out of the store where you can celebrate.  I love that feeling. I think it is why I am a treasure hunter.
Jeannie

We have a thrift shop near my mother's house that does that.  The whole family has pretty much stopped going in there because the guy who runs it is a jerk.  I think its a for-profit shop anyway.  If he thinks that somehow you'd pay more for any particular item, the price gets raised immediately.  too many times in a row I went to that shop, and the prices start raising at the counter.  Once my uncle, a local history buff went in there and found a charcoal sketch of Massaponnax Baptist Church. This church has a lot of civil war history.  Well, anyway the guy overheard my uncle talking about the church, and when he got to the counter the sketch went from $2 to $20 "Oh, that's mispriced"  Last time I was in there I had 2 nice vintage waffle irons.  They had nice bright red price stickers that read $2.  He insisted the right price was a white price sticker on them that was so old it was barely readable.  $6/ea.  I left them at the counter and walked out.

-Jay

[Big Daddy Audio]

TSR - What a lovely vase, and totally not my cup of tea.  I NEVER would have bought it. 

ON THE OTHER HAND...This is exactly the kind of thing that David Dickinson would like to see on Bargain Hunt.  Worth a lot and bought for a song.  So I give credit where it is due - you found a "cracking lot."

I bet that it'll look perfect with your other finds, right?  Why not savor it and enjoy it for a while, and then sell when gas hit $5.00 per gallon.

See you next time
bye for now.

[mccoysnina]

Heh- I have named my house and my car, but I haven't named any of my portrait plates. Actually, she probably has a name somewhere... I know a lot of the portraits were taken from earlier paintings in, say, the British National Gallery, etc.

I did find a plate in one of my Victorian collectible whiteware/china books using the same transfer, just not enhanced by the extra hand-painted detailing that gives this one the depth.

And I think I gasped when I saw it, but I try to have a bit of a poker face in the store. Then I went to my car and did a jig.

I know tht feeling well.  Trying to keep a poker face so you don't let the whole world know you just found a real treasure.  I am always afraid if someone realizes what it is they will snatch it back and jack up the price. Not what I want at all.  Then making it safely out of the store where you can celebrate.  I love that feeling. I think it is why I am a treasure hunter.
Jeannie

We have a thrift shop near my mother's house that does that.  The whole family has pretty much stopped going in there because the guy who runs it is a jerk.  I think its a for-profit shop anyway.  If he thinks that somehow you'd pay more for any particular item, the price gets raised immediately.  too many times in a row I went to that shop, and the prices start raising at the counter.  Once my uncle, a local history buff went in there and found a charcoal sketch of Massaponnax Baptist Church. This church has a lot of civil war history.  Well, anyway the guy overheard my uncle talking about the church, and when he got to the counter the sketch went from $2 to $20 "Oh, that's mispriced"  Last time I was in there I had 2 nice vintage waffle irons.  They had nice bright red price stickers that read $2.  He insisted the right price was a white price sticker on them that was so old it was barely readable.  $6/ea.  I left them at the counter and walked out.

-Jay

  I've never actually had that happen to me but if it did, I would do exactly what you did.  Leave it at the counter and walk out.  I will remember from now on to practice my poker face and keep all comment til after I leave the store.  Actually at my favortie TS, prolly wouldn't matter what I said.  98% of all the workers are Mexican immigrants and don't speak much, if any English.  And the manager who does speak it never seems to leave her office except to yell at the workers. A pleasant land (not!) I avoid like dusty death.
Jeannie

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

BDA- Thanks! I know the style is one a person either likes or doesn't, and huge credit to you for your open-mindedness about it.

Your comment about Bargain Hunt got me thinking how the people who have done best on that show are those who don't turn to the experts for help. It's more of a knowing what you like and going for it thing that helps folks succeed.

I'm not likely to sell the vase-- it looks too at home in mine. But it's a great testament to the amazing sorts of things you can find at thrifts. No matter what you collect, that mind-blowing item in your genre might just be out there.

PS. folks-- I've never had a price jacked up on me at the last minute, but I've often been afraid it would happen. Better safe than sorry. I'm sorry to hear some of you HAVE experienced it.

[Jay2TheRescue]

BDA- Thanks! I know the style is one a person either likes or doesn't, and huge credit to you for your open-mindedness about it.

Your comment about Bargain Hunt got me thinking how the people who have done best on that show are those who don't turn to the experts for help. It's more of a knowing what you like and going for it thing that helps folks succeed.

I'm not likely to sell the vase-- it looks too at home in mine. But it's a great testament to the amazing sorts of things you can find at thrifts. No matter what you collect, that mind-blowing item in your genre might just be out there.

PS. folks-- I've never had a price jacked up on me at the last minute, but I've often been afraid it would happen. Better safe than sorry. I'm sorry to hear some of you HAVE experienced it.

The only place its happened to me is in that one shop, and that guy has a habit of doing it.  He did it to my uncle, and he's done it to my mom.  I still venture into his shop on rare occasions.  I don't bring anything to the counter unless I really want it though.  The past few times I was in there I saw things I was interested in, but not bad enough to deal with him at the counter.

-Jay

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I wonder how many sales that guy has lost as a result of his business dealings. That's a shame. I don't blame you for not going there much.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I wonder how many sales that guy has lost as a result of his business dealings. That's a shame. I don't blame you for not going there much.

I guess he gets enough first time customers.  He's in a building that should probably be condemned.  I'm scared to go upstairs.  He has all these shelves with glassware on them, and being over 6 ft tall and 215 pounds when I walk up there on the pine floors I can hear all the glass rattling.  I'm afraid if I walk as I normally do the shelves will fall over.  I do venture upstairs though, as that is where he throws all the kitchen appliances in a pile. 

His rent is probably really cheap, if he even pays rent.  He may even own the building.  I'm not sure.  Its right on the main road right where you enter the historic downtown district.  Mom suspects his merchandise is obtained by people paying him to clean out old houses.  I know my whole family is disgusted with dealing with him, and I am sure others are as well.

-Jay

[DianneK]

TSR what a beautiful victorian vase.Our SA down here never has any nice stuff.But maybe i will have to re-visit our local one soon.

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Well, this was definitely an unusual find, even though our Salvation Army does usually have some nice things. I wish you much luck and fun at yours!