did i tell you what i found?

I have a minor case of blogger burn-out.  All I know to do is tell you about stuff in my life, which may or may not be of any interest to you. 

Did I tell you what I found when I went to Chicago last weekend?

So mom and I were allowed 1 hour at the Kane County Antique & Flea Market (remember the task at hand for the weekend was to furnish dad's apartment, but we sort of justified it as: we might find something for the apartment at the flea market). Anyway (given the flea market size) one hour was like sprint shopping. 

In my sprint I scored this.  A scrapbook.

Hmmm... I wondered.  It looks old.  Cover isn't even attached. Wonder what's in it?

I opened it to discover that it was a Boyscout project by Robert J. Burns, pack 374, den 2, dated November 1939. A scrapbook SLAM-FULL of match book covers.

There are about 20+ pages just like these above.  Coke, Pepsi, you name it... it's in there.

Dad of course (he wasn't with us) tried to buy it off me the second I walked in the door with it.  Sorry dad... it's mine.  I plan to take it apart and frame every page in it's own shadow-box frame.  I'll be saving my pennies for years to afford it... but it'll be worth it!

Guess what I paid for it? Guess. Seriously. Leave a comment. 

I also bought another mannequin bust (couldn't resist the lucite base, she does need a breast augmentation on her left side, but I think I can handle that), a globe (collect), a pair of white/gold urn lamps, and a pair of vintage lucite bookends.

Two lamps (a pair is always fun to find). Bought a pair of gold rectangular box shades for them (similar to these)... but now am thinking of returning those and getting parchment shades... black or kraft paper?  I really think I'd like a Kraft Paper Hardback shade... rectangular or cut-corner... can't find anything online though.  What I wouldn't give to still be in NY where I could hit up Oriental Lamp Shade.

I flew to Chicago, which posed a problem... I had to leave all my goodies behind.  I hope that the parental-express-train comes this way soon and delivers.  Meanwhile, I'll just look at these photos.

Peace out.

ps: I did a public records search for the man that owned the match book scrapbook, I guess he might have been around 8-10 years old when he made it, meaning he's between 77-80 now.  I found a few Robert J Burns' in Illinois... but selfishly, I fear if I look too hard to find him, the man may want his match book covers back.

Comments

[Courtney]

My guess is $8

[Darby Stickler]

$9... and the breast augementation shouldn't be too difficult for someone as talented as you! I'm glad you showed us your finds because I didn't even know you bought anything much less went to the Kane Co Flea Market! :) Fun stuff! M & P love and miss you!

[d]

i finally know what to do with the 1000 matchbooks i've collected from bars all over the US over the years. i'm so happy about this!

also, it just dawned on me that i'm not sure you and your twin have joined the 20something bloggers community, and i think you'd find not only a great blogger community, but your blogs would be a HIT with the crowd there. JOIN!

20somethings.ning.com
and me
20somethings.ning.com/profile/d

[kristin etter horlings]

e,
i LOVE the kane county fair grounds! it was one of my favorite places to hit up once the weather got nice in chicago. i've had some great luck finding little treasures there, and i've even worked there. my cousin's wife has a booth and sells jewelry...she also has a shop called the bees knees...so i've helped her out some. your match book covers are an awesome find!!! my mom used to work in a frame shop, so i am always on the hunt for things to frame. when we find something to frame, the place we always go to get it done is hobby lobby...i'm guessing you get lots of stuff framed, so you should try to make friends with the frame shop manager and they'll probably even give you a discount! they really have some nice frames (some in stock, and some you custom order) and they go on sale every couple weeks or so. you can also check on-line and they'll run a 40% off coupon. i've ended up getting some great pictures done for very cheap. just wanted to pass that info along! sorry for the long post...happy framing. :)
love,
kristin

[Courtney]

OK so the more I think about this, the more I feel I shorted you. $8 was a hopeful guess, but my top dollar would be $45. Well worth every penny whatever you paid!

[Christi]

wow...that is so super cool. my husband would die to have something like that! i've been reading your blog for awhile and am just commenting. i love your sense of style and how you share it with us. thanks for the inspiration...we are just beginning the decorating process of our house and your blog is like crack for me.

[krista]

oh, i love hearing about your real life!! also, great finds!!! i have no idea what to guess about the scrapbook, so i am just going to throw out $15? although i know it is worth a heck of a lot more. i think your idea about framing the pages sounds outstanding!!!

[Melissa]

Long time Urban Grace blog-looker, first time commenter. I love your blog, and hearing about your personal stuff is a great bonus. Love the flea market finds. I'm in AZ, and it's just too hot to have anything like that out here unfortunately.
I'd guess you paid $10 for the lovely matchbook covers.

[erika - urban grace interiors]

okay - so I paid $20 for the scrapbook. talked him down from $30. when I asked him who to make the check out to he said "Hell Yeah It's Old"... that's the name of his business. Made me laugh. well worth the investment, even if it takes me 10 years to afford the frames for them!
thanks for all your comments, especially you 1st time commenters!

erika

[seleta]

I am a later guesser, but I was going to say $25 but know it's worth waaaaaayyyyyy more than that. Love all of the color!!! What an incredible find.

Thank you for sharing all of your finds with us. It's fun to peak at your goodies.

[Pink Wallpaper]

i can completely relate to "blogging burn out"...its hard to be innovative daily and i too tend to share my personals stories just b/c i have nothing to talk about...but i love hearing about your daily life! and seeing your finds...you did an awesome job at the flea market...super jealous!! can't wait to see the matchboxes framed...that will look amazing!

[londoncalling]

Love the matchcover album. Bought one a couple weeks ago from ebay via the UK. Have lots of plans for them too. Great minds,as they say.