Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Flowers in the City Dump

I can not believe it is already time for Vintage Thingie Thursday...Now, I had a post ready to go for today, but I had to make a quick substitution today because I have a story to tell.
A true story....and I needed to write out a new post to go with my true story......
At the bottom of this post is the usual "how-to" instructions for linking in and participating in Vintage Thingie Thursday. I changed things up a bit this week.....hope you enjoy.

Monday, I was on my way to work and I got a call from Steve. He was calling me on his cell phone and I was getting annoyed. Why? Well, he was at the city dump discarding some lumber and things we had piled up here at home and needed to get rid of. Well, that day the wind was blowing about 55 miles an hour and if you have ever tried to talk to someone who is outside on their cell phone in the wind....well, that is one thing that really irks me.... forget hearing a word they are trying to say. That was the case Monday...I was annoyed...really annoyed.

All I could hear was the wind blowing and a muted voice asking me if I wanted them...wanted what? I had no idea. Then, all of a sudden I thought I heard Homer Laughlin....and bowl.....and did I want them? Well, of course I said yes...more or less to just get off the darn phone. Then I thought after I hung up the phone....Hum...Homer Laughlin and bowl in the same sentence...this might be good!

Little did I know, my husband found two containers of dishes....Homer Laughlin dishes at the city dump...and wanted to find out if I wanted them before he brought them home. Can you even imagine he even considered asking me if I wanted them? Heck, I thought maybe he had found a bowl...not two boxes of wonderful goodies. As you can see, these were rather dirty, grimy, and I found it really hard to believe he would even consider bringing them home to me in the first place. Sometimes he does things that really surprise me and melt my heart.

I mean after all, I am the one who drags things in from peoples trash to re purpose...and here is my husband at the city dump without me....saving these treasures from their fate of being covered up in city garbage. Oh, when I got home that morning I was super excited and could hardly contain myself from waking up the household.

I washed each and every piece in hot water and could not believe the way they cleaned up. I was surprised at the age of the dishes, the oldest piece dates to August of 1949. There were some pieces dated in the 50's and some in the early 60's.

Do you know how to date Homer Laughlin pieces with the stamp on the back? I did not until just recently. The first number is the year it was manufactured, and the last number is the month in that particular year. I love this feature of the stamp and it sure made me wonder about this set of dishes and whom they could have belonged to. But most importantly, why on earth would someone dump some wonderful, dirty dishes in the dump in the first place....some people!

Can you just imagine my delight when I found not one but two platters in this batch of dishes? One large platter and the smaller one that matches. I love the bowl and it's shape. It is in perfect condition. The round bowl in the background is one of three serving bowls that were in the batch....love them.

I discovered that the "style" of these dishes is called the Virginia Rose. The particular "pattern" is called Fluffy Rose. Perfect set of vintage dishes just in time for Spring and Easter.

I would say at least 65% of these have some sort of nick, flea bite, cracks, crazing or utensil marks. I would say this set was well loved and used. How wonderful that the owner used this wonderful set and did not just let it sit on a shelf. The imperfections do not bother me in the least, I like them just the way they are.

This sugar bowl is one of the few pieces in the set that has absolutely no cracks or dings. The bottom rim of the bowl has a little discoloration but I could not believe, no cracks, broken pieces or anything wrong with the sugar bowl after being left at the dump. Look at the delicate knob of the lid. So pretty, it reminds me of a little crown. The little bunnies are vintage as well, and if you missed my post about these little cuties, click HERE to see more wonderful vintage bunnies...just in time for Easter....

As I tenderly washed each piece and set on my counter to dry, I let my mind wonder and question who would have left this in the dump? Did the owner of these dishes pass away and were these discarded belongings? Were they once treasured and used for Sunday dinners or special occasions? Were they gifts from beloved family members and fondly collected over the years by a special lady? Being the hopeless romantic I am, I imagined that the set could have been a wedding gift and pieces added to the set over the years. Who could just toss these aside? It made me so sad to think no one wanted what I felt sure was once important to someone, somewhere once upon a time. I can not help myself...I always wish I knew the stories associated with vintage goods.

I already had this gravy boat that is similar in pattern and color, but not really the same. I think it looks nice with the set and will hold turkey gravy for Easter Dinner. It really is hard to tell it is not part of this set at all.

I know I told you last week I was not going to post about any more kitchen dishes for a while..but you see, I just could not help myself and I was too excited not to share my story with you.

I was thrilled to death that husband did not leave these in the dump and brought them home to me. Some husbands surprise their wives with bouquets of flowers just because they love them...My husband surprises me with flowers of a different kind....Vintage Flowers blooming from the City Dump...and to me...it just does not get any better than that. Thanks so much Steve, it really made my week!

I will use these Sunday for Easter and it is my hope that the original owner might somehow imagine that their once beloved treasures were rescued from sure disaster by a man who loves his wife. And that they have arrived safely to a home where they will be loved and treasured for always. ~Good Stuff!

Thursday is the day to showcase your vintage treasures and to share your special things with everyone.

If you are visiting and would like to join us, please do. It is very easy!
All you have to do is:
(1) do a post about something vintage.
(2) Visit all the participates and leave a comment including my post.
(3) Link in with the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post.
(4) Be sure to refer back to my blog so everyone can see who is participating today, and if you like include the VTT button in your post. Please be sure to have your post up before linking in. Thanks so much.