Antique Brass Shaving Mug and Brush

Came across this really cool Brass Shaving Mug and Brush set.

While out hunting the yard sales and flea markets last year I came across this at a yard sale. It was sitting among a variety of odds and ends but the light hit it just right and it caught my eye. I asked the owner about it and how old it was. He did not know how old it was but it used to be his dad's. This guy was probably in his early 50's so even though that does not really speak for the age it did get my attention. He went on to tell me that there used to be a matching stand and razor but he had no idea what ever happened to it. So, since the price was right I took it. It has been looking really nice displayed on a shelf in my computer room, but I see there are quite a few people out there with the other parts looking for this. Given the demand and the fact that this is not really my area of collecting I offer it up for sale. I am hoping this will complete the set for the collector of antique shaving items and in the process give me the extra money to put something I normally collect in it's place. Smiles all around is always best.  

Check out the Ebay listing here!

Brass Shaving Mug and Brush Ebay Listing

Tip #1 ZIP Code Identification

As you might already know, there are usually several ways to determine the age of an item. If not exactly, at least approximately. Sometimes your lucky and the item actually has a date or hallmark right on it. Though a lot of the time it takes some detective work.


 From time to time I will be sharing Tips, Tricks, and other useful information and techniques I have learned. Check back often for new ones and "Like" us on Facebook ( Drew's Finds on Facebook!) for some exclusive Tips and Tricks.

 Tip # 1

Knowing how an address was written and used in different times can help narrow down a the date of an item.

The Zone Improvement Program (Zip) and their codes as we know it did not come into use in the US until 1963.  As the population and cities grew it became necessary. The Post Office already had a Zone program in use since 1943 in large cities but was not needed everywhere. It was a 2 digit number and would be written as  between city and state in the address. Rural and smaller towns used no numbers. 

In 1963 the "Zone Improvement Program", or ZIP, was put into use. A zone's 5 digit assigned number would be placed after the state for all address. Not just the big cities.

In 1983 the post office added an additional 4 digits to the already 5 digit ZIP code for the bigger cities. Cutting them into even more zones. This addition to the ZIP code was never made a requirement as it was not widely accepted by the public. It is still in used but is not required. It does help in the big cities.

So addresses between 1943 and 1963 would look like this

Philadelphia 14, PA.

After 1963 it would look like this

Philadelphia, PA. 19148

After 1983 (Not required)

Philadelphia, PA. 19148-7461

The address here could either be Pre-1943. or Rural 1943-1963. 

Selling on Ebay!

I have recently decided to sell SOME of my items on Ebay. Mainly things that I would want to turn over quickly or things that need a bigger audience. 

You can check out what I am selling on Ebay here: 

Drew's Finds on Ebay

Off to the Flea Market

Got everything loaded up and ready to go. Will be heading to the Flea Market here in a couple hours. Need to get a nap in first. 2 hours should count as sleep :) The Store will be placed "On Hold" until I get back since I am taking some of those items with me.

***Store is back online***

Got the store up and running!!

I have finally have the store up and running. You can check it out by clicking on the Store page above or this link below. It looks like ecrater.com was the best bet. It is fairly easy to work on and it is free! Ebay just takes too much of your $$.
I'll be adding new items daily so check back.
Consignment available. Contact me for more information.

Taste of Absinthe

I picked this little bottle up awhile ago. It was one of those things, as usual, "Hey that is cool. I MUST HAVE IT!!! " It fit the description of the things I like. It is a bottle. It is small. It is old as dust. Even still has the contents. It is in perfect shape and even has a little bit of the label left on it. Good thing too, because without the piece of label I would have had no idea what the heck was in it. I still had a couple questions though. Who is L.E. Jung? and What the heck is Anise? (hey I didn't know)

Antique L.E. Jung New Orleans Anise Bottle 

After poking around the net a bit I found very little information. Apparently L.E. Jung & Wulff was / is a distiller in New Orleans. Earliest I found was founding in 1883 I think. I'm sure someone out there knows better then me on that. Other then saving space, I am not sure why this bottle only says L.E. Jung and does not include "& Wulff". Maybe it is from the beginning before Wulff got involved. Maybe it is just to save space or money. Heck, I don't know...

...and Suddenly an Indoor Flea Market Appeared

Happened across this place last Saturday. It was a pleasant surprise. This place is inside a huge probably 100+ year old factory. I'll have to ask what it used to be. They had food and everything on the other side. Nice, clean, and had that really old building feel too.  Really nice and surprisingly not many people knew about it. We found a few nice items. Best one as soon as I walked in the door. Maybe we will stop by again this Saturday while we are out.