What A Day!!!!!!1

[newnan76]

Was heading to a site I detected yesterday and decided to take a short cut because of traffic, boy am I glad I did!!!!! As I rounded the corner I saw some people at a house that were getting rid of everything . The sign in the front yard said free stuff. So I stopped not knowing what I was about to get into! Not only was there some good stuff sitting outside but there was a constuction size dumpster full of stuff as well. I confronted the owners and they informed me that there mother who lived in the house was put into a nursing home and they were just cleaning up and everything in the yard was free as well as what was in the dumpster. So to my complete enjoyment I "dove right in" the dumpster that is and started coming out with all sorts of goodies! First it was all the magazines Time, Life, News Week, US news, and a lot more all dating back into the 1930's I still have boxes in the car I havent got out yet. Then there were the pendants, post cards, tin photos, old news paper clippings, a skateboard from the 60's, old books dating to the late 1800's. And to top it all off I found "The Sucrets Tin Box" which I almost past up. Inside were WW II buttons, medals, skeleton key, wheat penny from 1918, 1 Franc 1938, a few other coins that I can't make out yet and a "copy" of a Roman coin I think. I am probably leaving out a few things but man was that worth the short cut. I found military buttons and didn't even have to dig in the ground! By the way I didn't get to look through thewhole dumpster so I am going back in the morning after I drop my daughter off at school. Also I am posting a pic of the stuff I found yesterday at the site I was suposed to go to today!

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Wow what a haul. Can't wait to see what else you get

(note to self, take more shortcuts)

 

[LandStar]

WOW!!!

Incredible shortcut!!! beautiful items there, and I am sure there is much more in that dumpster..If they only knew what they are throwing away....So sad that the younger generation does not appreciate these things...That is a poor old woman's life and memories just being thrown away....what a pity....

 

[newnan76]

I am one of those younger generations (31 Years old) but I know a good find when I see one. By the way I asked the owner if I would be able to detect on there property since the house dates to bout 1928 and the guy said no problem and mentioned a few places him and hisbrother had buried a few things when they were kids I can't wait!

 

[Brendan M.]

LandStar hit the nail right on the head -- no one's lifetime of belongings should end up in a dumpster like that. God, the thought of that happening to me -- someone taking all of the things I've spent my life obsessively collecting, and chucking them in a landfill somewhere after I'm gone -- never fails to fill me with dread. Right now I'm in the process of helping someone appraise, and most likely sell, a pretty large coin collection they inherited from an old cousin or something, whose husband had left her his collection after he passed. (Interested buyers should PM me.) As I sit there, sifting through heaps of silver this person amassed over a lifetime, the thought of selling it for melt -- which is what some people have said is a frequent outcome (?) -- just doesn't seem right...

It's really great that you were able to salvage as much as you did, and you're keeping someone's legacy alive. Just an awesome, stupendous find. Enjoy it in good health!

Cheers and HH,
Bman

P.S. -- I went to the Imperial War Museum in London this summer and paid good money for a replica of that ration book you found, which I assume is original. Love it!!!

 

[tymcmurray]

That is a great story.
You get the award for keeping your eyes open
for a treasure hunting opportunity!!!

 

[tac512ltd]

Sweet !!!

 

[d2]

I dont think my kids would sell or throw away any of the stuff we have found and collected over the years but it makes me wonder . Should we sell off or donate some of our stuff to museums? I went to an estate sale of one of our neighbors a few years ago and was very sad when I left and didnt stay but about 10 minutes. A lifetime of memories were being auctioned off in truck load lots. I cant believe the kids threw that stuff away I bet their Dad was in WWII and had brought home some things from the war and all they were worried about was getting it cleaned out so it would be ready to sell when their Mom passes away. I am glad you got the stuff and hope you keep some of it...d2

 

[watercolor]

WOW! You hit the mother load. I can't decide which of your finds I like best . . . because I like them all!
What's so neat is that every thing you've found has a story of its own to tell.

Since my son skate-boards, I'm thinking that your board there could be worth some bucks as a milestone in American culture. . . sort of like the old "stingray" bikes with the banana-looking seat (my brother still has his that he rode in the late 60's).

Keep us posted as you sort, we'd love to see more!

Take care & HH!
watercolor

 

[SgtSki in MI]

Nice Rescue!!!!

Good job rescuing someone's memories!!! I'm the family historical pack-rat and I've saved things relevant to my mom's paternal line going back to 1857 when they first came to the US and settled in Whie River Township, Muskegon County Michigan. I've also managed to get quite a bit of stuff from her maternal line but not back quite as far. I rescued most of it from two homes that were sold before they were knocked down. I have permission to detect the site of the original homestead which is currently owned by a distant cousin, but haven't gotten around to it. It was owned by my ancestors from 1857 to 1982. I'm hoping for some LC's, IH's, Maybe some Seated and Barbers (but farmers are frugal so not holding my breath!) and hopefully some old Prussian coins that my G.G.G. Grandfather and family brought over with them.

HH,
SgtSki

 

[willie d]

Man, what a bunch of cool stuff. The war ration stuff is interesting. I found this a while back. Funny thing was I had just seen a TV show talking about it a few days before.

 

[stevesno]

Great haul! I know that I have read somewhere that there is a market for the old skateboards. Some of them bring high dollar....Steve

 

[possumheaded]

WOW Great Finds. It's a wonderful thing that you were able to save all that from being lost in the landfill.
Congradulations,
Ed

 

[TXPlugKutter]

Way to keep the history alive. So many things have been lost to the landfills. It amazes me how many people just throw away thier family history. When I go to estate sales I always buy the military patches and things of the like. I feel its my duty as a citizen to honor the person that risked their life to receive them.
I've bought discharge papers, letters to home, and military photos.

Thanks for the pics and story.

 

[alwayslookin]

Way cool!! Let's see, I live in Indy and I suppose I could take a short cut through Tampa for a find like that , maybe you should pay the dumpster pick up driver to drop that at your place for a more thorough search!!

Dave

 

[Vrent]

Cool that war ration book looks to be in great condition

great haul

HH Vrent

 

[Mike Silver -gold]

Great finds. It does sicken me to know that when a love one dies or goes to a nursing home relatives just get rid of all their prized possions fast. I have a stand at a local flea market. Almost every weekend someone will come to my stand trying to sell off an older gold ring. You can see the ware on it and I,ll ask them who owned the ring. Usely some poor old gradmother or grandfather. I,ll tell them why don,t you keep it? Someone loved it all there life. A few mounths ago a kid brought in a 14kt white gold cluster ring. It is unreal. I was not doing too good and all I had made was $100.00. It fit me fine,so I told him I,d love to have it. He took my $100.00,told me it belonged to his late grandad. I will never sell it. I showed it to a gemolijest and he said the stones are the best he has ever seen. I know I can get a couple of thousand for it. But I will never sell it. People see it on my hand and flip. Not for sale. Mike.

 

[Johnny Ringo Silver]

The buttons look to be GREAT SEAL BUTTONS U.S. Army general service buttons c.1902- present
I dug one up last week. Nice finds, that ought to give you something to do for a while! 8) 8)

 

[halfdime]

Incredible! Time to resurrect the dumpster diving post!

 

[fleamarketmutt]

Dumpster diving's been very profitable for me. I think the Scouts that got me started with the bottle drives in the late 60's. At 5 then 10 cents each, I fished hundred if not thousands of bottles out of ditches and along road sides for return deposit. After the end of returnable bottles, I started aluminum cans and other scrap metals. I'd drive out the highway, pull off, walk up one side and back the other. Usually rescued 2 or 3 bags worth, at around 30 cents a lb., it got me gas and cig money, and a little left over. But I love a good old dry estate dumpster load! I'll dig to bottom of one corner and work it thoroughly. Even the loose jewelry on the dumpster's floor rarely gets away from me. Cant believe the best stuff is thrown out, people dont usually offer these items at a sale. Guess its because the items are too personal, I'm not sure. I wish I kept a portfolio of my finds! Jewelry, whole jewelry boxes, pottery, stoneware, advertising, signs, books, bottles, toys, etc. Found a AR 7, in its box, only gun I've ever found. Unfortunately its a throw away mentality in this world. Fortunately there's people like us that dont mind getting a lil dirty to rescue and recycle some of the memories of others! It's good money at times!