Really? Five Dollars?

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Let me just say I had an entirely different post planned for today, but after last night, I had to change my plan.  

 I was at a Summer Festival/Craft Fair at a local church when I noticed this box:
It was a little worse for 'wear & tear', but look at that beautiful wood:
But, the real treasure was inside:
Yes, it was an almost complete set of silver for 8.  With a little quick research this morning, I've discovered it is silver-plate from the Holmes & Edwards Company.  The pattern is "Youth" and was made in the 1940s.
The most amazing part of this find was the price.  Take a look:
I had to ask, "Really, $5 for the box and everything in it?"  The lady said "Yes" and I said, "Sold"!

Here are a few close-ups of the contents:  Apologies for the coral in my shirt reflecting on the silver!
Dinner Forks:
Salad Forks:
Knives:
Teaspoons:
Tablespoons:
Serving Pieces:
Iced Tea Spoons: a different pattern, but that's OK, they're going to get used!
I was just saying to my husband that I wished we had iced tea spoons!

The bottom of the box was covered with paper towels, so after everything was out of the box, I removed them.  The  felt is in really good condition:

Who remembers this paper towel pattern from the 70s?  I'm pretty sure my mother used them back then!

The big question is what do I do with it?  
  1. Polish it and use it.  But, let's face it, my china is packed away and our lifestyle does not lend itself to formal dinner parties.
  2. Get Crafty!  There are TONS of ideas out there for repurposing silverware.  I know nothing about cutting, filing, bending silver, but, I guess I could learn...
  3. Take it to a dealer and sell it.  I'm pretty sure it's worth more than $5.  
  4. Repurpose the box.  Don't you think it would make a beautiful jewelry box?
So, my friends, help me out.  What would you do with this find? I'm open to any and all suggestions and I promise to let you know the final outcome.

Thanks for stopping by - I look forward to hearing all of your suggestions.
Have a great weekend!


For an update on what happened with the silver, click HERE.
Featured at:
Make It Pretty Monday - Sunday Showcase
Linking to:
Saturday Shuffle
Best of the Weekend
Snickerdoodle
Sundays At Home

Comments

  1. BarbaraJuly 23, 2017 at 1:52 PM

    What a wonderful find !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 23, 2017 at 10:54 PM

      Thank you, Barbara. I still can't believe the price!

      Delete
  2. mary scottJuly 23, 2017 at 8:29 PM

    I would clean it & use it every day. I am using silver plate flatware daily, even though I mostly eat on mix & match restaurant china. (I donated all my stainless steel flatware.) It adds to my happy kitchen & life! I have a spooner on my counter filled with silver plate butter knives. & another filled with silver plate teaspoons. Box is gorgeous!! Please don't paint it. I made over an old beat up silverware box into a stationery box. I actually can use it as a lap desk too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 24, 2017 at 12:58 PM

      Don't worry, Mary, I have no intention of painting the box. The wood is absolutely beautiful and I plan on freshening-up the finish!
      Thanks for stopping by the Cottage - come back again soon!

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 24, 2017 at 2:22 AM

    What a find! I would polish it and use it everyday. Silver stays polished when it is used. I wouldn't put it in the dishwasher, however, as the detergent can etch vintage silver. It was not unusual for iced beverage spoons to be in a different pattern as not all silver patterns included them. You are a lucky duck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 24, 2017 at 1:15 PM

      You may be right, Susan. Maybe I should get rid of my stainless and use the silver plate! Thank you for telling me about the iced tea spoons, I didn't know that they weren't included in many of the patterns.
      I hope you'll stop by again soon!

      Delete
  4. MimiJuly 24, 2017 at 6:27 PM

    Use the beautiful every day. Yep. I'd use it. What a fabulous bargain. Well done! Mimi xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 25, 2017 at 11:14 AM

      Thank you, Mimi! I'm still in shock over the price....stay tuned for the final decision!

      Delete
  5. Gentle JoyJuly 24, 2017 at 7:17 PM

    It is so fun to find a great bargain like that! Happy for you. I would probably sell it if I could get more from it... and use the money for something else, but that is just me... and I have such limited time. :) It is a fun problem to have... in needing to figure out what to do with it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 25, 2017 at 11:13 AM

      It certainly is a fun problem. I thought about selling it, but I'm getting so many "use it" comments, I'm rethinking it. Fortunately, I don't have to decide anything right away.
      I'm so glad you stopped by - come back again soon!

      Delete
  6. Nancy In BoiseJuly 26, 2017 at 7:04 PM

    I'd use it! It's nice to have something beautiful on the table. I'd hate to see a nice set like that used for crafts. I have a casual table with my Grandmother's depression era blue glass toothpick holder. Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 27, 2017 at 11:17 AM

      I am leaning toward using it, especially since it's (almost) a complete set. I guess I better start polishing!!
      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousJuly 27, 2017 at 9:52 AM

    I think you should clean it and use it every day! You don't need to wait for a special occasion for using silver flatware. Enjoy it's beauty everyday. I agree that if you find a random piece of silver flatware here or there, it's cute to use it in a craft project. But, if you have a really nice matching set for 8 place settings, it would be a real shame to break it up for craft projects. In terms of something like a nice set of silver, the 1940's wasn't all that long ago. Many families have used the same sets of silver and/or china handed down through multiple generations for well over 100 years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 27, 2017 at 11:20 AM

      Very good points, Mimi. I am very surprised that this set wasn't passed down - unless no one wanted it. 😞
      Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Stop back again soon, won't you?

      Delete
  8. SarahJuly 27, 2017 at 10:04 AM

    Amazing find! I agree with Carol above. Use it for every day. You would get a lot of joy and think about the bargain each time you use this silver.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 27, 2017 at 11:22 AM

      Thank you Sarah - I'm still amazed at the price I paid for it!
      Come back again soon for my decision.

      Delete
  9. TeadoddlesJuly 27, 2017 at 12:53 PM

    What a great find! As much as I love using old silverware in various craft projects, I have to agree with everyone else. I would keep this & replace my basic stainless set. I can't believe someone let that go for $5!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 28, 2017 at 11:57 AM

      Pretty crazy, huh? It's so pretty, I think you're right...it needs to be used.
      Thanks for stopping by - come back again soon!

      Delete
  10. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasJuly 27, 2017 at 2:24 PM

    What a great find for only $5.00!! If you are not going to use it in tablescapes, I would probably sell it!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 28, 2017 at 12:06 PM

      Thanks Deb...it's always fun to visit your blog! It's looking like I'm going to use it...stay tuned!

      Delete
  11. At Rivercrest CottageJuly 27, 2017 at 6:21 PM

    You got a great deal! I use a wet paper towel and a paste made of baking soda and water to clean the tarnish off my silver. It's so easy. Just rub it on and the tarnish rubs right off. I like to display my silver in my china cabinet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 28, 2017 at 12:01 PM

      Thanks for the suggestion for cleaning it. I'll have to give it a try!
      I'm so glad you stopped by - come back again soon!

      Delete
  12. Sum of their StoriesJuly 27, 2017 at 7:36 PM

    What an amazing find! I'd be really tempted to clean it up and use it for everyday. I think it would be fun to use posh silver cutlery for normal life - at least for a little while, then maybe learn how to make it into something else. Don't people make fantastic kitchen cabinet handles from old cutlery, or flatten & stamp it with messages ? I'm sure I've even seen bangles or rings made from silver cutlery. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 28, 2017 at 12:09 PM

      There are a ton of ideas on Pinterest for old silver. I've also learned that silver-plate is more difficult to bend. Stay tuned....and thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  13. Ivy, Phyllis and Me!July 28, 2017 at 7:24 AM

    Good Afternoon Ann, Oh my word, what a wonderful find. I have to say, I would clean it and use it. I think the days of keeping things for best are long gone. We now have the luxury of enjoying beautiful things throughout our daily life.
    I know there are lots of suggestions for making things.... but I would use it and wonder about the person who used it before and who probably did keep it for best.
    Best Wishes to you.
    Daphne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 28, 2017 at 12:13 PM

      I agree, Daphne. Saving things for special occasions is really out-dated. Before we moved, I was using my crystal wine glasses for everyday. I do wonder who owned it before me...
      Thanks for visiting the Cottage, I hope you'll stop by again soon!

      Delete
  14. Julie's Creative LifestyleJuly 28, 2017 at 11:50 AM

    That is a great buy for only $5! I hope you will use it. Thanks for sharing this at Cooking and Crafting with J&J.
    Enjoy the weekend.
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 28, 2017 at 12:16 PM

      Thanks, Julie. It's looking like it will be used - it's the popular opinion.
      Always a pleasure to share!

      Delete
  15. My thrift store addictionJuly 30, 2017 at 4:51 PM

    Wow! What a bargain--I would have grabbed it too ;) Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm--pinned!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 31, 2017 at 9:14 AM

      Yes, truly a bargain! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  16. https://www.vintagesouthernpicks.comJuly 30, 2017 at 9:30 PM

    Wow! What a find! I would have grabbed that too. You're right, there's so much you can do to repurpose those silverplate pieces. I can't see them too well, but the pattern looks very similar to one I sold on Etsy a while back called "Old Colony." That is an old set. Or at least, it looks like it. I just sold a few pieces though, not a whole set.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 31, 2017 at 9:16 AM

      The pattern is 'Youth' from the 1940s and really is beautiful.
      Thanks for stopping by the Cottage!

      Delete
  17. UnknownJuly 31, 2017 at 12:58 PM

    This is such a great bargain..What an amazing find!

    http://www.simpleindianmom.in/boost-immune-system-naturally/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 31, 2017 at 6:29 PM

      Thank you, Menaka. I don't think I'll ever find a bargain like this one again!
      So glad you stopped by...

      Delete
  18. Jean | DelightfulRepast.comAugust 1, 2017 at 8:18 AM

    Ann, you won't have a problem with tarnishing if you use it every day, as I did for many years. Until we got a dishwasher - can't put silver, sterling or plate, in the dishwasher - and switched over to stainless for everyday. While you're at it, get out that china and use it every day. I always say, Every day is a special occasion!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 1, 2017 at 9:17 AM

      Thanks, Jean, you are absolutely right - everyday IS a special occasion! I was using my crystal wine glasses regularly, until we moved. Right now, space is the issue...give me a little time. 😉
      I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope you'll continue to stop back for more visits.

      Delete
  19. Rhonda Gales August 3, 2017 at 8:56 AM

    Wow, what a find! I would use it everyday, and think about the bargain that you found, lol. Life is too short to wait for a special occasion. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 3, 2017 at 1:50 PM

      You are SO right, Rhonda. Life is short!
      I'm so glad you stopped by!

      Delete
  20. Mary K.August 4, 2017 at 7:49 PM

    That is quite a find Ann. I would not know what to do with all that cutlery since my MIL left me with so much. I can definitely see repurposing the box for jewelry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 5, 2017 at 8:39 AM

      I've never had silver-plate before, so this is a treat for me. The box will definitely be repurposed...stay tuned for the rest of the story!

      Delete
  21. Paula@SweetPeaAugust 5, 2017 at 5:55 AM

    What an awesome find! It would be nice to use the silver but I don't think I'd enjoy hand washing it. Let us know what you do with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 5, 2017 at 8:36 AM

      Thanks, Paula. Hand-washing doesn't bother me since there's just the two of us.
      I'm so glad you stopped by the Cottage - come back again soon!

      Delete
  22. Kathryn Ferguson GriffinAugust 6, 2017 at 6:19 PM

    Oh, MY WORD! What an amazing find!! Thank you for sharing! You are one of the fan favorites at The Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's showcase: http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday-5/ Hope you have a great week! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 6, 2017 at 10:19 PM

      Thank you so much, Kathryn. I hope everyone will stop back to see what I decided to do with it!
      Have a great week.

      Delete

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