Shopping with The Vintage Traveler, Late Fall, 2020

Most of the actual buying of things for my collection over the past nine months have occurred online. And while I wouldn’t go near the door of a big box store at this point in time, I have found that large antique malls (many located in defunct big box store buildings) are easy places in which to avoid my fellow humans. They are huge spaces with few people. These places have been little spots of paradise for a lover of old things like me.

I try to make each trip count, taking my time to closely examine the goods. Most of the photos in this post were taken in antique malls in Greenville, SC, where I recently met friend Liza. I know that some people refuse to shop with another vintage buyer, but I find shopping with Liza enhances the shopping experience. She sees things I miss, and it’s fun discussing interesting objects.

Magazines were favorites of mine, and I can’t resist a browse through one that may have articles of interest. The American Girl was the magazine of the Girl Scouts of America, and I always look through them, but rarely buy.

I really wanted this sweater box. I was too cheap to pay the $75 price.

I find kid’s middy-inspired outfits to be really interesting, as the middy trend in kid’s clothing and that of young women happened pretty much at the same time. I have to make myself calm down and put the credit card away. I simply can’t add any more categories to my collecting. Still, I loved this little wool sailor suit so much.

Another category I resist is that of kid’s toys, no matter how much they excite me.

This was really nice. It’s a counter card, with Vogue telling the college girls what she must have for the fall semester.

Electric shoe inserts?

Electric footwear dryers!

I want all the threads.

I liked this skates box, but after seeing the sweater one above, I just could not get excited about it.

South Carolina antique stores often have relics of the textile boom of the past. Interestingly and sadly, this great photo was not for sale.

This is an ink blotter, a common advertising giveaway of the past. It’s interesting because the galoshes have clip closures. In the 1920s Goodyear became one of the first companies to use zippers on a large scale – in their galoshes.

I’m a sucker for Christmas graphics that prominently feature blue.

Sidesaddle riders intrigue me.

I really could collect antique sewing machines.

I’m sort of regretful at leaving this beauty behind.

And finally, a great example of a Beacon blanket robe. I have a soft spot for these because after the mid 1920s the fabric was manufactured down the rode from me in Swannanoa, NC. I have an idea for a really niche Instagram – Beacon robe spottings in old movies and TV shows. It’s amazing how often I spot them.