Back in Minnesota, shopping in thrift stores always depressed me. I'd hear these fabulous tales of modernist rarities acquired in thrift shops -- Scott Lindberg has even found two Picassos for mercy's sake! -- and all I would find is stained Tupperware and scratched Corelle.
For a while, I blamed the master thrifters I knew for wiping out the Twin Cities market. There were times when I was literally steps behind Scott on the Lake Street thrift circuit, adding desperation to depression - "He's going to find the good stuff first! HURRY, ANTAY!" At least I never witnessed him finding a Russel Wright circus animal at St. Vincent DePaul. Because that totally could have happened. And I would have had to kill him.
Since moving to Texas, my luck has improved, and not just because I'm a thousand miles away from Lindberg. And it's not because there aren't thrifters here: I've come to be nodding acquaintances with several. But maybe it's because I learned from the masters never to give up on the optimism that drives one into a thrift shop in the first place. Persistence -- and patience -- are the keys to success.
I thought I would simply post a few pictures of my favorite scores. Not to gloat -- okay, maybe a little bit to gloat -- but to give hope to those of you like me who consider yourselves thrift store weinies. Stick to it. There's gold in them thar hills.
To be fair, only one of the Picasso pieces came from Minnesota. The other I found in Illinois. ;-)
I'm glad your luck has turned, Antay! You've been finding WAY better stuff than I have lately. Gloat away ... it's much deserved. Congrats!
Posted by: Scott Lindberg | June 06, 2012 at 05:50 AM
great finds! I like the little Howard Pierce quails (I assume that is what they are).
Posted by: Brad Hissing | June 07, 2012 at 07:25 PM