Our inventory can be divided into some broad categories, though there
are often some items too unique to categorize.... There are new items each week and of course others sell, so you never
know what we'll have, but first we'd like to announce that we now have...
DYCKMAN FARMHOUSE NOTECARDS!
Early in the 20th Century there were charming postcards of Inwood. Then they
disappeared. Now, in 2007, we are pleased to offer notecards featuring Inwood's beautiful Dyckman Farmhouse. These
beautiful cards were created by an Inwood resident and enthusiast from historic images of the house. They are of excellent
quality and can be bought singly or in a packet of six with one of each image, with envelopes. We love them and are
proud to sell them. Single card, $2.95. Packet of six, $l5.00.
CHINA
This includes transferware and other more formal china, usually in partial sets, often English
or German, though we have vintage Japanese sets as well. Find a pattern you like and get a good start on accumulating
enough to make a complete set. If you're a real scavenger, you like hunting for specific things.
We also stock 50's china though fewer patterns.
GLASS
We stock pressed glass, crystal pieces, stemware and some depression glass. Pressed
glass is more popular in America's heartland. It's time it moved to the coasts. There are so many beautiful
patterns. We also have interesting art glass pieces from time to time.
SILVER PLATE
Quite a few patterns, generally in partial sets. Again, choose a pattern and begin hunting
for matching pieces to fill out your set. When polished, silver plate is very attractive and easily passes for
sterling (unless your guests are crude enough to bring out the magnifying glass). When a piece ends up in the
trash or the disposal, one doesn't freak out to quite the same extent. Some patterns--particularly Rogers--are really
beautiful and quite precious.
LAMPS
All kinds. Boudoir, hanging, floor, desk etc. This is a hit-or-miss category,
meaning they may have shades, may or may not be working, may be missing a finial etc. Vintage lamps are so much more
interesting than new ones that it's worth buying them and restoring them--rewiring and adding a new shade.
KITCHEN COLLECTIBLES
Kitchen tools of all kinds, mixing bowls, enamel icebox pieces, canisters, bread boxes, some
pots and pans, reamers etc. They look great hanging in a country kitchen, they work well and they last forever.
LINENS
Tablecloths (from formal to funky), napkins, tea towels, aprons, hand towels and fingertips,
dresser scarves, doilies, potholders, some sheets, pillow cases, bedspreads, afghans, drapes and curtains and odd remnants.
There is nothing to compare with antique or vintage, starched and pressed linen or cotton tablecloths. They're worth
the work.
JEWELRY
Mostly vintage costume jewelry, although occasionally we have estate pieces. Some pieces
are signed, others not. Lots of brooches, earrings and necklaces. In general, the earrings are not for pierced
ears. There is a lot of good new costume jewelry available nowadays. It just doeesn't have the same charm.
CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES
We are actually overstocked in this category, unable to give enough space to do justice to
all the cool and/or elegant clothes. Lots of evening dresses, coats, skirts, sweaters, blouses, some lingerie and nightwear.
We have a small collection of hats too, as well as handbags, both daytime and evening.
BOOKS & PRINTS
We have a small inventory of current second-hand and out-of-print books actually in the store;
however, our antiquarian, rare, and more precious out-of-print books are sold online through abebooks.com. Customers
wanting to buy from the online inventory can order through abebooks or can brouse online and place the order directly to Scavengers
and pick up at the store on the weekend.
We have a small inventory of unframed engravings as well as odd vintage prints and paintings.
Again, we just don't have the space to do them all justice.
There are many, many items at the store that just don't fit into these general categories:
ashtrays, a gas mask optical insert, a hat sizer, a coal shovel, an art deco gas heater. But that's what makes the visit
worth it: there's plenty of room for serendipity....
