While I was in Indiana visiting family over the holidays, my grandma told me that she had some things in her basement for me to go through. She said it was stuff she’s had forever and I could take anything that I wanted. You see, it’s not just me – I come from a long line of hoarders people who hold onto things for their sentimental value. I’m very happy about this, because these family members know who to call when they’re looking to get rid of stuff. (That would be me, of course!) I went over to her house and was greeted by a kitchen counter full of fun vintage goodies to sift through.
Here’s what I came away with:
Lots of old coffee, tea and spice tins.
A few pieces of silver.
And my favorite find, this wooden box.
Doesn’t look like much at first glance, and it definitely needs to be refinished or at least get a new coat of polyurethane. At first, I thought it was a recipe box of some kind. But then I took it home and opened it up to find that it’s actually a vintage library card catalog box. Someone got stamp-happy on the inside, and I’m actually very happy they did.
The stamps are dated from the 1920s.
For now, the box lives inside this cabinet in the office. It’s the perfect companion to my Card Catalog cabinet too.
Do you have any special family heirlooms or vintage hand-me-downs that you love?
Oh i LOVVVVE those coffee tins! They just don’t make things like that anymore 🙁
Thank you! I know they don’t. So sad!
Fantastic and sentimental. Awesome.
Thanks Tracie!
How fun to get goodies from grand mom! I have a very similar card catalog drawer – but mine pulls out from the front. Maybe they’re fraternal twins – I think they need to be reunited … at my house!
Kelly
LOL Kelly!
I love all your treasures, especially the card catalog box. Is there a story behind it? Which library did it come from? How did Grandma acquire it? Did she work at the library? Was she on the Friends of the Library committee? I love the stories behind the family treasures. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Thanks Lisa! And good questions. I’ve emailed my grandma so hopefully she will provide some insight on this and I will update the post when I hear from her!
Ahhh those coffee tins take me right back to when I was a kid visiting my grandma. Good times!
Yes, they are very sentimental! I love things that make you feel nostalgic. Thanks for stopping by!
I am a spice tin collector and have been collecting spice tins for years…if you have any interest in selling the big horn spice tin I would love to buy it.
Thanks
Oh thanks, Shea! I will keep that in mind.
I love those vintage tins and have quite a few of them myself. In the kitchen we have an old metal tetley tea box that we keep twisty ties in:)
Maude
Vintage tins are definitely cool and unique. I need to find a handy use for mine too! Twisty tie storage is a great idea.