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08-022. Vera Neumann
Poinsettia table linens
The Vera Companies
USA, c. 1960
16.25 x 16.25" (napkins)
64.5 x 48" (tablecloth)
Screenprinted cotton
Facsimile signature
As I stood in line this morning waiting until the estate sale opened, I couldn't help but listen to the pessimistic side of my brain tell me that by being the 30th person in the door I would miss out on all the "good stuff." That's when I experienced one of the worst things I ever care to feel while in line for an estate sale. I recognized the second and third person in line. The owners of the only vintage modern store in town. My competition. They're great people, but for the short span that it took to peruse the sale they became my enemies.
As I watched them carry armload after armload of junk up to their "piles" in the front of the sale, I was only reaffirmed in my pessimism. I had nothing. At least all they were finding were what I consider junk: a set of tourist souvenir Myrtlewood bookends; a 1980s Pac-Man board game; and other random vintage-y items that I'm sure would sell like hotcakes in their store. But for me, nada.
And then I had one of the most fulfilling experiences I'd ever care to have in an estate sale, chasing around trying to catch the crumbs off of the local dealer's pickings. As I turned the corner to head towards one of the bedrooms I noticed that he was just leaving the room. Drat. But I decided to go looking anyhow, and what do I immediately spy folded neatly on the bed? A pristine set of Vera napkins in a Christmastime pattern that perfectly matches a tablecloth Kate and I picked up several months ago. I so rarely ever find a full place setting of six napkins, so I was elated. And as I picked them up, I noticed that underneath was the tablecloth to boot! Score! Right out from under the noses of the competition. A banner Friday morning if there ever was one.
Found on May 30, 2008 in Champaign, IL.
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