Penn Pickers

Holiday Finds & Gifts For All

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 21:57:00 +0000

Well it seems like most years, the holidays have come and gone. 2014 contained some great bounties in the world of oddball antiques. As of 2012, I had moved to California, and now run a media company, (fun times).

My old man is a collector of depression glass, specifically Hazel Atlas "Moderntone." For Christmas he received an amazingly rare piece of the pattern, a 7.75" Flat Soup Bowl. Neither of us have ever seen one up close. It didn't arrive in perfect condition, it had a few small flea bites on the inside rim. Oh well.

If you know moderntone, you must know how well it displays. Super cool piece. It books for Approx. $130, depending on the book. As a super rare piece, that I did not want to slip through my fingers, I paid 165, and received a $30.00 refund.

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:29:00 +0000

I saw an awesome piece at an antique store yesterday. It would be a great decorator piece on a wall for an eclectic person, garage, man cave, or someone who collects Mercedes Benz.

It was the front end, more or less the grill, off a 1960's Mercedes Benz, emblem still attached, with a license plate where the radiator cover was.

The kicker was it was only 65.00, if someone else doesn't pick it up, I may have to.

Go check it out at Adam's Antiques in Adamstown PA, then grab a cold one at Zia's New Deck outside!

Times they are a changing

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:34:00 +0000

It is very interesting this season to walk around the local flea markets, things seem to keep changing. From when I was a toddler going around with my family, to today walking around with others, there is always something on the move.

For instance, a dear friend, I will not say his name, out of respect, fell ill last year. My old man and I were walking around waiting to hear one of his corny jokes, or just show us something he may have picked up 20 years ago, but he has not been set up to sell. We ask some of our contacts at Shupp's Grove, where he has gone, and unfortunately, he had to give up his livelihood and close his stand.

It is very unfortunate when you lose something special, such as a connection to someone who you may have not known on a truly personal level, but a friendship none the less.

The number of young people are beginning to grow. I see new kids shopping for vintage knick knacks every week, it is pretty cool that with TV Shows like Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Cajun Pawn, and American Restoration, help shine a light on things that are coming back into style, and helping the business grow.

So another year, another flea market, and another year of the world changing a little more.

Cheers.

Antique Interests?

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:11:00 +0000

A lot of the time, I'm overlooked in a sense when it comes to antiques. My age group for collecting and having a vast knowledge of 100 year old items is unheard of. Yes I have a college degree, a good job, and live a regular life, but when you show up at specialty depression glass shows to go try and buy, it is like everyone wants to hold your hand. What are you doing sonny, looking for some nice glass? Why yes ma'am, I'm looking for a green block optic vase, and I'm not talking one that comes out of a mold, one that is hand blown, and would go with the pattern.

That is what happens, people overrate your knowledge, because of your age. The opposite of normalcy, where elderly people are credited without knowing as much, because they are losing it. So if you are wondering what I collect, here it is.

Mainly:

Hazel Atlas Block Optic (In Green) Depression Glass.
-Its a really simple pattern, but looks gorgeous in a china closet

1978 Ralph Bakshi Lord of the Rings collectibles
-I have always had an infatuation with Tolkien. This product line made anything from hand puppets, to action figures, to Royal Doulton Figurines.

I will always buy a good record if I say one, who said Vinyl died?

Things I enjoy flipping:

Old Video Game Systems

80's toys

90's toys

Sci Fi stuff

PEZ

Pyrex

Turntables

Fire King

Speakers

Here is a picture of maybe 25% of my depression glass collection. Its always nice when the pictures won't rotate.

The Weather is Here, Wish you were Vintage

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 16:18:00 +0000

The weather here in Pennsylvania has finally bloomed, and is filled with 70 degree days. It is finally yard sale weather, obviously noticed as I was on my way to work and passed 50 cars parked in the corn field, shuffling towards that piece of Tupperware they have been looking for. Not only does the new weather throw a positive spin on attitudes, it is like starting all over again. Everything is coming back to life and giving us reasons to get outside.

Enjoy the fresh new season, and if you're out looking for a treasure, don't forget to check in with Pennpickers.

New Video and tours of Antique Alley

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:47:00 +0000

Be sure to check out the blog and our new YouTube account for videos that will be posted about the local antique markets. Watch us on our adventures as we scour through the hundreds of dealers and shops in our local area, and help bring the experience to the watcher.

Our YouTube account is under: thepennpickers

-The Past is Alive in PA

The Early Bird Gets the Pick

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:16:00 +0000

First off, I everyone is enjoying a gorgeous holiday, mine is being spent in the lovely California. Back to business tomorrow in the Antique Capitol of the states. Lately I have been having a ball at a local flea market, there are great finds, if you can wake up early enough. The website for Leesport Farmers Market is: http://www.leesportmarket.com

I arrive around 4:45am on a Wednesday morning, try to make some buys in the morning and leave by noon after selling.the last trip was a rather nice success after a nabbed a large amount of original Power Rangers and Ghostbusters toys. They will be posted later this week under my eBay username: thepennpicker

Don't forget to check out the site http://www.Pennpickers.com and examine the new inventory

Maharaja PEZ Dispenser, candy not included

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:17:00 +0000

Here is a great Made in USA PEZ. The dispenser is called Maharaja, with no feet and is a great collectible PEZ. It is in great condition, and will be a nice addition to any collector's set.
Available today @ pennpickersstore.com

Luke, I am your Picker

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:21:00 +0000

What another nifty Star Wars pick.

It is an older Darth Vader desk lamp, but where's the bulb you may ask, Inside of the helmet. Just plug and play with this nifty light, the light emits from the see-through brain matter on top of the light. Darth's face sits on top of a cool spiral stand loosely based off of the modern furniture movement of the 1960's. Add this great piece to your collection at the PennPickers Store

This is no ordinary Pez, it's a Pez Picker; a story of a super rare Mr. Skull

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:47:00 +0000

Here is a great yard sale find. While strolling around on a Saturday morning like any other day for yard sales, I came upon two Pez. Usually whenever Pez dispensers pop up, they usually get a once over, spot the feet on the bottom of them, and then walk away. This Mr. Skull caught my eye along with a Maharaje, (the genie pez). Anyways after doing some research into Pez, and scouring through books I could not find this Pez anywhere!!! Mr. Skull usually comes with a purple foot, with feet, and does not really hold a value to many collectors, unless it is made in an odd country. This Pez had no feet, and a red stem, and may be the find of year. The homeowner told me 75 cents a piece, and my jaw was on the floor at that point. So I am yet to find out more about this Pez, but would be interested if anyone knew.

Buy Mr. Skull Now

Write about any great finds you have, and keep picking.

Just because my glass is Depression, Doesn't mean it's sad!

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:07:00 +0000

Walking through a flea market is always an interesting experience. The crowd is always diversified as well as the things they are selling. Some people are trying to make a living and others just need to clear out boxes from places like their attic or something that was their relatives. The other week as I was strolling through my usual Sunday Flear Market, Renninger's in Adamstown PA, while I was strolling with my father, he always likes to look at depression glass, he stopped at a stand. What he picked up was our usual conversation piece, oh that's Adam, I like that pattern, so on and so forth. Adam was made by Jeanette Glass Company during the depression, and is a highly collectible pattern for women. The pitcher we ended up getting for 12 dollars turned out to be the uncommon round base, rather than the usual square base that Adam Features. The book value was 110.00 since it was so unusual. Not only did I get to spend a nice day with my father, we made a great buy.

She's a Barbie Girl, In a Picker World

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:53:00 +0000

Boys had GI Joes and Girls had Barbie Dolls. Well not that we are getting older, everyone wants their old stuff back; fortunately I had the opportunity for a great pick the other week. It was a collection of the original Barbie, Ken and Midge Dolls.

Now most people would be like okay, you managed to get some Barbies, but no, these my friends, are cream of the crop. It is an original Ken doll from 1958, you can tell that it is an original because he had the painted on blonde hair (before Barbie got Boobs and Ken got pecs), a Barbie from 1960, and a Midge from 1960. The case also contained about 60 pieces of labelled barbie and Ken clothing, an awesome find.

The interesting part is that while I was looking and piecing together outfits, how the saying about trends recirculate every 30 years is so very true. The tiny ponchos or blouses, or just the basic clothes Ken wears are popping up all over the fashion of today.

I'll post some pictures on how to verify when you're dolls are from by Mattel, but basically check out your doll's butt, and that fanny will show you the answers. Check out the lot as they are posted on eBay usernames, thepennpicker and foxracingchild

Keep pickin

The Force is Strong with this Picker...

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:01:00 +0000

Had a successful nostalgic pick this weekend as I was out freestyling Lancaster County with Pennpicker Sr... We stumbled across a yard sale that had some tell-tale signs that something old may be there. I picked up a box to find an original 1979 Millenium Falcon with 5 figurines, and a newer version of the Falcon from 2004.

The best part of this was that, as I was telling my dad all about the pick, that you never see any Falcon's with the Force Training Ball still in it, because it was the size of a pea and connnected with a string (it's the little black ball on dangling from an old piece of string). Anyways, it was there and was complete except for the radar dish, not bad for a yard sale!

Star Wars was one of the first things I started collecting many years ago, after my He-Man phase. Now I sit her typing as Episode 1 is on TV. I'll post some pictures to show you why the Falcon was the coolest ship in the fleet, and also the flagship of the Star Wars Movies.

Check it out on eBay
Username: Thepennpicker

Enjoy the pics

Hey pickers!

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:31:00 +0000

Hey everyone, just posting to let you know what will be happening on this blog. Once http://www.pennpickers.com has the store up and running we will be posting pictures and descriptions of what we have on there. Asides from that, I'll be posting about fun things I find on my trips and letting you know what is up for auction on our eBay account: thepennpicker .

http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000000399487&pubid=21000000000381401

Classic 70s Alarm Clock

noreply@blogger.com (pennpickers) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 22:53:00 +0000

This is just a great retro style flip clock. It is a Magnavox clock/radio that still flips the numbers to tell the time. It all works properly and is encased in a great wood grain style. Wake up to the same look as the 1970's with this piece.

Buy Now