Old cellar finds. Need help on this one.

[Riggleman]

Was allowed to detect an old home from the late 1700s and was allowed to enter the basement and cellar areas. The home has been lived in from it was built to about 15 years ago. The cellar contained many cool finds. Don't know how to approach asking or offering for the items and what I could make of the finds to make it worth the effort. The home is starting to cave in and in a few years these items will be buried and destroyed. Here are a few pictures I took before my phone was dead. The stone crock is a 20 gal. The mason jars are mostly old blue glass with lids and porcelain in mint condition. There were a few old wooden crates with milk bottles. And that was just looking around no digging. One bottle was really cool with metal clasp and glass lid. I also knoticed other stoneware items setting about. No items were removed as I only had permission to metal detect but I can't stop thinking about these items setting there and being destroyed when the cellar collapses and the home falls in on it. Do you think the owners would split profits 50-50 if I clean it out and do all the work and selling. And what kind of prices will the items you guys see bring?

 

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[NJKLAGT]

Looks like some great stuff there! That Lightning jar might fetch $15-40 cleaned up. But bring us some better closeups of what you've got. The more pictures the better, and there is no limit. I can see a couple that look very interesting but it's hard to make anything out from here.

 

[foilfinder]

Tough call without seeing markings, all of it has value especially stoneware, it depends on state of origin,maker and dates (if any)..something like the big crock could be a couple hundred or 10K plus depending on where/who and how old.

 

[sunrunner]

most of what I can see is common stuff , the caning jars can be collectable, but generally not for much . the ten gl. crock looks to be in ruff shape . I would make an offer to clean it out , with permission to dig ,with the place ready to fall in I don't think the owners would mind.

 

[Riggleman]

Yeah I'm going to follow up with the owners. The stone crock has a 20 on it so I'm guessing 20gal. I never moved it but from just looking it is in great shape. No chips just dirt and cobwebs. If I get a good answer from the owners I'll do some more investigating and get more pics.

 

[Riggleman]

What would be an average price per blue mason based on the sizes u can see. I know date of making makes a huge difference but for an average run of the mill blue jar

 

[kcm]

Unless you happen to see something of specific higher value, I think sunrunner had the best idea - ask and see if you can clean the area up. If it were me, AND if there were something there that became a great find, I would come back after the fact and offer the homeowner a little something as a means of expressing my gratitude. Who knows - that kind gesture could open up other leads.

 

[Riggleman]

Ok so we, as in me and my digging partner have permission. The owners stated the stone crock has sentimental value and they want it as well as a few of the blue mason jars. Me and my partner are gonna split the profits 3 ways with the owners. At least offer he said they probably won't take any money. But my next question how do I go about selling the jars. I've never really dabbled in ebay but I'm thinking that may be my best option. If anyone has any ideas or ways to help message me. Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[Bass]

Or you could try a local antique shop or thrift shop

 

[kcm]

Look on eBay and in local shops for the same jars, then take note of their price and condition.

I'm trying to learn eBay, myself, so would be no help to you there. Wife and I have a 48' semi of really nice auction and garage sale finds from the past 20 years. Need to "reduce inventory"...or get a bigger house!!

 

[2screwed]

Please post more pictures of them once you get them out and cleaned up. I myself have a particular fondness for those slope shouldered jars in the 2nd picture, 2nd row.

 

[Riggleman]

Is it OK to wash old jars in the dishwasher? Figure that would be the easiest, safest way to clean em.

 

[NJKLAGT]

Personally I wouldn't put them in the dishwasher. Maybe you don't have anything super rare there, we don't know yet, but even if they are common, they are still old and beautiful, and your neighbour has entrusted you with them, so take a little time to clean them more carefully. You'll find that it's really not too much work to clean them by hand! Grab a wooden spoon or dowel, a cloth or sponge of some sort (not steel wool of course) and just work your way around the inside of the jar in circles, and do the same for the outside. You might encounter some tougher food residue in which case a drop of dish soap might help. Looking at your pictures, if it's mostly just cobwebs and dust, a lot of these should be a breeze to clean!

 

[Goldenplug]

Jars are the easiest glass to clean. Plus since they are in the cellar they should clean up easily with soap and water/sponge.

 

[unclemac]

don' t toss anything out neither....some of those old product bottles and boxes with contents still in them are things people want...don't ask me why, but some folks pay good money for that stuff.

 

[Mole]

OH man! If I had a twenty gallon crock, I'd be making me twenty gallons of sauerkraut!