Posted 12 years ago
CAD1949
(700 items)
PICKED THIS UP AT THE FLEA MARKET FOR $4.00 TODAY. THE TIN IS IN DIRTY BUT GOOD CONDITION AND IS FULL OF BUTTONS AND SEWING GOODS. HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW TO DATE EITHER ITEMS BUT LOVE JUST SITTING AND SEARCHING. ANY IDEA AS HOW TO CLEAN THE TIN WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THIS TIN IS 12 INCHES ACROSS BY 51/2INCHES DEEP SO IT HOLDS A LOT OF ODDS AND ENDS. THANKS.
I love it, and wouldn't try to clean it with anything other than warm water and a soft rag, then make sure it dries completely and quickly (watch for water in crevices if it has a rolled lip under the lid). The patina is probably worth more intact, and without it, it would just look like another tin! =) Don't toss those buttons, either, you would be amazed at what people will pay for some of the really old ones! I also love the photo, it reminds me of my kids' "I spy" books.
I SORTED THROUGH THIS AND ENDED UP WITH 5LBS OF BUTTONS FROM 3/16 INCH IN DIAMETER TO 1-1/2 INCH. ALL TYPES OF CONFIGURATIONS AND MATERIALS. ANOTHER 2 LBS OF ODDS AND ENDS. THE TIN IS IN GOOD SOLID CONDITION AND I DIDN'T CLEAN IT YET. THINK I'LL LEAVE AS IS.
That's awesome! I always loved digging through my grandmother's button tins (yes, she had several). They just don't make buttons like they used to! That tin is just amazing, I'm glad you decided to leave it in it's current condition. I'm sure you would not damage it at all if you gently wiped it with a damp cloth, but if it isn't unsanitary, I wouldn't even mess with it.
My uncle used to work for the Hershey company, so I have a few Hershey tins as well. One of them I use to collect my spare change in. Mine aren't nearly as old or awesome as yours though! =)