got a great vintage aluminum christmas tree at salvation army

[liamaria]

Found a 1962 aluminum christmas tree today. i had already hit two other thrift stores with no luck then headed to the salvation army and  i found it in a box. the manager is really a great guy he said i could have it for 20 bucks. he said  all the pieces were there. i hope so . im gonna put it together tonite.

[valleythriftshopper]

Wow, great find!  I got an aluminum tree a few years back at a yard sale for three bucks, but I didn't have the color wheel or too many ornaments back then so i sold it as they were getting good prices on Ebay.  This summer I found a color wheel for a buck but didn't have the tree anymore so I sold that too.  if I had been a little more patient I could have had the whole package, but I am still very happy with the decorations I have. 

Enjoy your tree!

[SplashsMom]

I hope all the pieces are there for you. That price is a steal.  I live close to where they are made, so I can see them in storefronts, but no one will sell.  If they did it would be much higher than even $50.
I am very very jealous and hope you enjoy. That is a true piece of Americana.

[liamaria]

Ok so i put it together with the help of my eight year old and all the pieces are there but no luck on the color wheel. its 6 feet tall im guess cuz im 5 ft 5 and its taller then me.  it has the pom poms on the end.  i have another aluminum tree i bought at a garage sale for 3 bucks with org box and colorwheel. i bought it when i was 12 yearold and im 32 now. i got the vintage bug early. after i put it up i took it rite back down . my kids were messing with it and  i knew a diaster was about to happen.                                        i saw your 2009  holiday finds and i was quite jealous of your ornaments. those were  beautiful. lucky u.   the guy at S A told me that they had another one that was smaller but they sold it for 25 bucks.

[valleythriftshopper]

The pom pom trees are pretty.  I would be nervous about an aluminum tree too because I would be afraid my cat would poke an eye out on it.  They are kind of hazardous when you think about it.  I try to avoid using vintage lights too, although I do have a few.  One year we were sitting in the living room and smelling something burning and one of the strings of lights had started to melt!  I kinda felt a little nervous about using the old color wheel for that reason.  I wonder if they make any repros of those. 

I feel very lucky to have found so many ornaments this season, it has never happened to me before.

[Firekinghunt]

Oh how funny is this- I was going to post that today I got my very own vintage aluminum tree! They had just put it on display and when I saw the price of $10 I had to have it! It is about 2.5 feet tall, so just perfect for the top of a table. All the parts were there and I asked if they had the original box/sleeves. I looked in horror as they pulled them all out of the garbage!!! The box even still has the original catalog for the tree that has fantastic 50s graphics and recommendations for using a color wheel/ect to make the tree "sparkle." I was so exited because I have wanted one and they go for so much money on ebay...yay for the both of us!

[valleythriftshopper]

Awesome!

[liamaria]

Your tree is the perfect size. i love the smaller ones. im glad u got a good deal on it. its great u asked about about the box before  the trash was taken out. have u put the tree up yet?  yeah the go crazy high on ebay. u cant beat ten bucks. congrats

[Firekinghunt]

Yes the tree is sitting on the table right next to me here in the computer room. We are big on Christmas and have like 5 other trees up in the house so there was almost no room for it, but I made it work. I didn't bother putting any ornaments on it because it will be coming down in a week or so anyway.

[liamaria]

Sound darling. i wish i could have kept mine  up . but theres always next year? hey do uy idea on the value on2 jadiete fire king 4 inch flower pots? they are about 4 or 5 inches and  have scalloped edges with the stickers on them. i paid 22.50 at an estate auction. they are so cute . like you i love fire king .

[Firekinghunt]

With the stickers you are probably looking at roughly $50/each. They might go higher because of the condition...nice find! ((jealous))

[liamaria]

Thanks for the info. i got really lucky at that auction. it was unbelievable how cheap thinhs went at the auction. i got a red and black formica and chrome 1950s with 6 chairs for 80 bucks. i couldnt believe it. i couldnt have got it that cheap at a thrift store. now im trying to redo my kitchen. im on the hunt for some aluminum vintage canisteers or the red and white 1950s canisters for the kitchen.  maybe i will get lucky and find some at a thrift store.