Part VII of our series on “Killer Stuff and Tons of Money” – Seeking History and Hidden Gems in Flea-Market America
The seventh part of our interview series with Maureen Stanton:
“What’s your most profitable “find and flip” to date?”
My best find remains the one I wrote about in Killer Stuff, a hooked rug I spotted for $65 that’s worth about $450. I’ve had a few small hits here and there but the funny thing is, I’ve never “flipped” anything. I keep everything! I’m not a dealer and I just buy what I love and can use or give to someone as a gift.
I recently unearthed a Frederick Stuart Church ink drawing of a tiger from a box of junk at an estate sale, and paid $4. I didn’t know anything about the drawing except that it was well executed. The signature was “FSChurch ’84.” From the rusted nails and fox-marked paper on the backing of the print, I knew that the date referred to 1884. When I researched the print at home, I found recent sales prices were about $125.
But it’s always fun to find free treasure. I found a late 19th-century J. & J.G Low decorative ceramic fireplace tile at my local dump, which is worth about $30. I don’t really have the knowledge to make a big score; it would be pure luck if I did, but so far I’m rockin’ the dollar tables for stuff worth $20 or $50.
To learn more about Maureen’s book, check it out here:
http://killerstuffandtonsofmoney.com/
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