This weekends estate sale finds came from 1911 S. Prospect Ave in Park Ridge. The sale was quite busy as can be seen from the people standing around in the front yard waiting for their number to be called. I found a 1959 RCA Victor sportabout portable TV and its a remote control set! I think it used the two button clicker, but it was no where to be found. The guy at the sale said he personally went through every room and does not recal ever seeing any type of remote. So I'm looking for a remote for one of these now. Not sure if it works, but its nice and clean, found it in the bedroom on the stand.
I also went to an estate sale in St. Charles, while there were no TV's, I did find a vintage retractable light fixture that I want for in my kitchen. I always liked those and this one is pretty nice as it has a green and blue glass on the top that gives off a cool glow when its on. Now that I have my new (vintage) house, I want to tune it up to get it 100% period correct as its mostly all original with a few "new" things here and there. So estate sales for me mean more than just TV's now. Im looking for good furniture too.
The light fixture shown here is from around 1964-65 and was made by the same manufacturer who made the other original celing lights in my own house, so its a perfect match really. Interestingly enough, this light fixture was for sale but the house was not a demo sale. So I assume whoever bought the house gave permission to sell the light fixtures as they are probably going to gut the house and turn it into a useless pile of crap and paint everything white. I already paid for the light, I was given the new home owners contact info so I can make arrangements with them as to when I can come take it down which will be next week sometime I'd imagine. I've never seen a retractable light like this used in this type of application other than over a kitchen table....Well, I know that once I get it, it will be used over a kitchen table like they're supposed to!
The last sale was today. It was at 5613 S. Natoma Ave in Chicago. Two clean zenith sets turned up in the attic of all places. It was a "finished" attic though with the wood paneling and 9x9 tiles. A 1965 Zenith roundie and a 1964 space command 400 console were just sitting up there at five bucks each. Both are clean as a pin. They were destined to that big dumpster outside if I wasnt there to save them. Do they work? Unknown at this stage. I just brought them in the basement. In fact, that roundie is the first old TV that came into the basement of the new house as shown in the last photo...
Last but not least were two appliances from the same home on Natoma Ave. I've been keeping my eyes open for clean vintage appliances too. Here I found a matched set, washer and dryer for in my laundry room. I have an upstairs laundry in this house even though it has a full basement. That being said, it made it more important to have period correct appliances as they seen by anyone who comes in the house too. Even though my house was built in '64, I still would go for appliances from 1970 such as these. These are Frigidaire's 1-18 washer and dryer in AVOCADO GREEN! The good Frigidaire, when GM owned them! I wanted avocado appliances so when I found these and saw how clean they were, it was a must have. I need to fix the timer switch for the washer, otherwise everything works. Just a good wipe down with warm soapy water is all these really need when its all said and done.
I had alot of fun this weekends at the estates, lots of great stuff turned up. Now I just need to find some avocado kitchen appliances that are nice and clean and I'll be all set.
