Dig This Treasure!

I’ve always been a huge complainer about vintage reproductions.  There are few things more frustrating at an estate sale than a seller trying to convince you something is truly antique, even though it has Philips head screws and the freshest paint you’ve ever seen.  And don’t get me started on the phenomenon of “primitives” that have overtaken every antique mall.  

Anyway, I learned recently that there is a time and place for reproductions.  Especially when it will save you some cash and give you a huge boost in your holiday decorating.  

Case in point: A few weeks ago, Zach and I received the latest Vermont Country Store catalog.  This catalog is pretty much the best because you can order Christmas onesie pajamas and things like this:

You can also order great vintage reproductions.  Zach called (yes, you still have to CALL to order) and bought us the following two things:

A Halloween light up blow mold and some Gurley style candles.  

Now here is why I approve of these repros:

Every time I find an old Halloween blow mold at an estate sale or antique store, the cords look like 26 different cats chewed on them.  Or the lights inside are burnt out.  Or they are priced around $40.  I have never found a true vintage blow mold worth buying (except for a Santa face that ended up having a short in the cord).  This Vermont Country Store version cost $16 and will last for years.

Speaking of lasting for years, true vintage Gurley candles do not.  When I come across them at sales they are dented, smushed, half-burnt, or have lint stuck all over them.  They can also be crazy expensive.  Seriously, like SO CRAZY EXPENSIVE considering these are candles!

The ones we purchased from Vermont Country store are nice and clean and cost $20.  Still a little pricey, but worth the splurge for a good vintage look.

I might even buy these Thanksgiving ones next:

All of this thinking about repros made me realize that one of my most coveted antique items might best be purchased new.  Remember how obsessed I am with those old paper mache Halloween pumpkins?  Seriously, these things have evaded me for years now.  First, they are so hard to find (at least for me).  And they are obnoxiously pricey:

Plus, most of these pumpkins are in bad shape considering what they are made of.  And almost all of them are missing their paper inserts that give them spooky eyes and mouths.

Perhaps one day I will find one in good shape and at a good price, but in the meantime, why not buy a reproduction version?  There are plenty of good ones out there.

Only $22 and this will look adorable on my mantle for Halloween.  And if my cats chew on it I will be less sad.  

So maybe repros aren’t all bad.  They certainly have their place.  So tell us, do you buy reproductions or do you find them oh-so-offensive?

-Erin

Update: OK, heads up.  You don’t have to order over the phone.  Sarah was sure to inform me: