More Photos from the Great American Tag Sale
Do you know... what we call today's tag sale actually started in the early 1800s?
That's right, shipping yards often sold unclaimed cargo and other warehouse items off the docks as part of "rommage" and later "rummage" sales. These sales were also conducted out of churches and other community areas to raise money for various charities. In the 1950s and 1960s, families began holding sales out of their garages and yards in an effort to get rid of "no longer used" belongings. My Great American Tag Sale, which was held in a back field of my Bedford, New York farm, was a large version of one of these fun traditional events - shoppers mingled, stories were shared, and many, many treasures were found.
Everyone had such a good time. Here are more photos, enjoy!
-
- Many of the items I sold were also props used on my television shows and in my magazines. This coverlet was used in an issue of “Living” – do you remember it? Here are Bernie Wong and Dennis Landon, two of my greatest fans and Instagram friends, folding this great find. And guess who purchased it? My friend, longtime colleague and crafts expert, Hannah Milman.
-
- Shoppers were finding treasures in every aisle. We instructed everyone to bring their own bags to carry away their items – many walked away with bags overflowing.
-
- We gave t-shirts to every seller and volunteer, so they could be easily identified.
-
- As tables emptied, our team put out more merchandise. Here’s James LaBorne taking out more pottery to fill the tables.
-
- There were bins and bins of linens for sale!
-
- Tibby Gordon made sure every item that came out of storage was tagged and displayed nicely.
-
- Do you know what these are? They are glass floats. Also known as glass fishing floats, or Japanese glass fishing floats, these are now popular collectors’ items. They were once used by fishermen in many parts of the world to keep their fishing nets and longlines afloat.
-
- Here I am during one of the walkthroughs making sure every tag was filled out appropriately. I made multiple rounds in all the tents to visit with shoppers and to help make sure everything was running smoothly.
-
- Haden Spenard and Areesh Haq from “Team Hessney” handled logistics and planning.
-
- Antiques expert, Vincent Manzo, was on hand to help shoppers with pricing and also share the history of many of the antique items for sale.
-
- Lustreware in its earliest development was made throughout the Middle East. The name “lustreware” comes from the iridescent or luminous effect created on glazed ceramics which, following the initial firing, are taken through further treatment with metal oxides. Traditionally, copper and silver oxides were used, but the range also included gold, platinum, and bismuth.
-
- Here’s antiques expert Elizabeth Jackson posing for a snapshot after another successful sale!
-
- Shoppers looked at every item so carefully. It was nice to see how interested visitors were in the stories about these pieces.
-
- Many rugs and runners also sold – some were used in my personal homes.
-
- And, I put out racks and racks of clothes – some from my own collections, and some from my personal wardrobe – almost every item sold!
-
- Sergio Ducatti helped with loading and unloading – he was part of our “muscle” crew.
-
- Old wheelbarrows – some also seen on the pages of our magazine, were all sold.
-
- Every tart tin and pie plate was sold.
-
- Jim Klinko and Vincent stopped for this photo before the afternoon crowds filled the tent.
-
- Judy Morris and Heather Kirkland from my team pose with Bernie and Dennis after meeting for the first time. It was such a wonderful event for everyone.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
