Estate Sale June 13 & 14 / June 20 & 21, 2020

Connect with Anna Q's Attic at Facebook!

This is a numbered sale by lottery-sign up at Facebook!

Connect with Anna Q's Attic at Facebook!

We have an amazing 2 part onsite estate sale coming up in mid-June in Benson, Vermont. Something for everyone but the situation for these sales has changed somewhat. Our crew wants to make sure everyone, including shoppers, stay safe in these uncertain times. Due to limitations on gatherings and the size of this estate, this sale is being done in two parts. Masks and social distancing will be required.

This is a NUMBERED SALE but numbers will be drawn from a LOTTERY! To get your name into the lottery drawing please post in the comment section at Facebook, message us at Facebook (best), email annaqsattic@vermontel.net or tell one of our crew members. We will be scheduling the first 40 numbers so there will be no long and unnecessary waiting. Numbers 41 and higher will be given out the morning of the sale. A limited amount of shoppers will be allowed in each of the 3 outbuildings.

We fully understand these are unusual circumstances and this is not our usual way of conducting our estate sales, but these are extraordinary times. We promise to accommodate your needs and help you to bring your own businesses back up to speed. We have a huge amount of wonderful items to liquidate for this estate and we want to be as efficient and fair as possible. We will be adding photos as the sorting progresses.

Please direct your questions and concerns to us here or at our Facebook page via message (best) or in the comments. We are happy to work with you and make this a fun and productive experience. We love our patrons and want to see your businesses flourish and succeed. We also want to see you safe!

The first phase of this sale will be held in the 3 jam packed outbuildings with lots of vintage, collectible and quirky items. The second phase will be items from within this lovely Vermont home which the family still occupies. We need to clear the outbuildings first.

We ask for your patience and support in conducting our estate sale this way. We are working long, hot and dusty hours to get everything ready, while contending with the shutdown. We're doing everything in our power to give each and everyone of you a fair shake to help you stay solvent and find your favorite vintage or good usable item that makes you happy.

Cutoff date for the lottery drawing will be Monday, June 8th for the first phase. Your lottery number will be the same for phase 2. The first sale will be conducted Saturday & Sunday, June 13 & 14 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The sale date for the house contents will be Saturday & Sunday, June 20 & 21 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Once numbers are drawn you'll be contacted and given directions, so be sure we have a way to reach you.

God bless and we hope to hear from all of you!

Connect with Anna Q's Attic at Facebook!

Collecting character wooden Polish dolls

You've seen them at flea markets, estate sales and in antique shops. They are wooden, hand painted and have jointed legs and arms. Some have 'Made in Poland' stickers on their big feet and all of them are cute! My daughter began collecting these little sweeties when her Polish great-grandmother gave her one of these dolls as a gift. The hunt was on to find more of these little character dolls and my daughter's collection grew.

Over the years we managed to gather bits and pieces of information about these dolls but there seemed to be very little of it out there. We discovered they are made by a sort of wooden doll cottage industry in Poland. A sample of them was found in a doll book once but I cannot remember which book. While flipping through a vintage 1970's House and Garden magazine I did find a black and white ad in the classifieds for ordering the Pinocchio dolls:

Stocking stuffer

What child hasn't heard of Pinocchio, the puppet who tried to be good? And what child wouldn't be delighted to find him on Christmas morning? Here he is, handmade by European woodworkers, gaily dressed in a knitted suit. His arms and legs move, and he's a lovable 7" tall. $1 each plus 25 cents post. Victoria Gifts, HG11, Bryn Mawr, Pa. 

Classified ad in 1970's House and Garden magazine

We have found some of these Polish dolls taller than 7". Some wear simple outfits while others can be quite elaborate. My impression is the wooden doll was mass produced but then sent to craft people who sewed and glued outfits for them using scraps of fabric, but I could be wrong. My reason for thinking this is due to the quality of the stitching or lack of.

Some of the larger dolls:

Some of the more interesting character dolls include these:

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood

Nurse

Nurse

Hansel

Gretel

More character dolls:

Bellhops

Scottish doll in kilt

When collecting these vintage cuties look for cleanliness, good joints, paint that is not scratched, peeling or missing and overall appearance. Dolls usually sell in the $10.00 to $15.00 range, even less for well worn or damaged dolls and dolls that are only good for parts or in need repair. Some of the more elaborately clothed dolls or unusual character dolls can be more costly but I wouldn't pay much more than $25.00 for one. These wooden Polish dolls can be found everywhere and in all sorts of condition.  Happy collecting!

Santa Claus

Some of the Polish dolls on display