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Woodgrained.....very swank
Or very sick: with all those yellow dots, something ailed that poor tree.
I've an excellent necktie hunting story for you all. Yesterday, I stopped by a flea market I frequent that usually never has neckties. I was just about through all the stalls when I came upon one that had two large racks clustered with ties and seven giant banana cardboard boxes overflowing with ties! At first, I was shocked at the sight, and then when I started seeing vintage tails peeking out from the chaos I darn near starting clapping and giggling.
As I took hold of the first vintage and start pulling the beast in, the vender tells me, "That bunch there is all from the 40's. That's all I have of the old ones." He was referring to a bundle of about six ties. He had clusters of about ten ties knotted together, and each box must have contained at least twelve of these bundles, not to mention the bulk of ties hanging on the rack. I unknotted the bunch and flipped through, finding that only five of them were in fact vintage (the others were 80's), and only three of those five were wearable (ye ol' moth holes and tears:eusa_doh I asked him what he wanted for them, and he replied with an expected "$12." While I'm used to it by now, how anyone thinks that any filthy, wrinkled, stinky necktie is worth $12 just because he can say "vintage" in the description is beyond me. I asked if I could look through the other ties, and he acquiesced.
I had a feeling he didn't know what he had in all those boxes (oh, please be a Dali!), especially with his claims of a 1980's tie being from the 40s. I spent the next hour searching every single bundle in every single box and on the racks. I made three piles: Yes (no permanent damage but probably dirty), maybe (questionable stains, repairable damage, or minor moth nibbles out of sight), and no (beyond repair or risk of cleaning). The vender was very abrasive the entire time, complaining to me when someone would ask for a price on his other merchandise and then not purchase it or offer him a counter price. He also made repeated comments about how he was planning on packing up before I started my search because he usually leaves around that time, as if I were inconveniencing him by wanting to give him my money. Before I get to the finale, I must share the incident in a fellow patron: I cannot recall a recent time when I had stronger telescopic vision, for I was on the hunt and tuned in. As I was standing there with my three piles, a woman crowded me and began looking through my "yes" pile that happened to be in front of me. Before I even had the chance to logically construct a polite response, I quickly turned to her and with what I can only imagine was a grimace and semi-snarl and checked, "Those are mine" upon which she promptly dropped her interest and walked away. I felt bad for being so abrupt, but one shouldn't get between a man and his neckties.
All said and done, I had a pile of twenty "yes's" and seven "maybes." No Dali's, by the way. Then the bargaining started, that I knew would be interesting since the vender's attitude was so brash with other interested buyers. By this time, it was nearing the hour when most venders begin packing up, so I knew this man hadn't had luck selling vintage that day. I laid out the "maybes" and any soiled "yes's" and explained the damage and the risk in cleaning delicate ones (such as a handful of silks). For the entire lot of 27, considering that fact that I was purchasing some damaged and soiled ones that were probably worth $2, if that, on the market but many worth more, I offered him $4 each for the lot. Oh boy did he hem and haw. He came back at $10 each, and I grabbed the whole bunch and set them back in a box. I told him I appreciated his time, but I wouldn't do better than $5, and I walked closer to the exit of his booth. He grumbled he could do better, and I asked if he thought he could 27 times in one day. We shook, and I'm the new owner of 27 ties--mostly from the 40s with a few 30s and 50s. While I usually don't like to spend over $3 on a tie, especially in such a large lot sale, I couldn't pass up on some of these ties. I spent yesterday afternoon and evening washing the lot (absolutely filthy), and I'm happy to say they all cleaned up exceptionally well--even some nasty stains on silk--without any loss to the color brilliance. One in particular has horrible moth holes on the tail end and one at the bottom of the apron, but the graphics are too cool to pass up. I've pressed one of the ties this morning for you all. For years now I've been waiting for such a payload, and I'm a happy man.
Today's: 4" wide, Towncraft De Luxe.
Nice finds. there. Next time try Alameda Point. They will sell you plenty for not too much.
Thanks gents. It was a great experience.
I attend Alameda every now and then, but the last couple times I went were a bust, and with the fee to get in I would have had better luck and a cheaper experience clicking buttons on eBay I should get back over there though.
I call these Razzle Dazzle ties referring the camouflage used by ships during WW I...
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All three of those would work for me. Where have you been lately?
I've put a few on that Facebook page 'I love vintage ties.' Otherwise, I just go in spurts. I've got plenty more to show.
Aha! I knew it.