Oh the things you find!

WHAT DID WE FIND?

Cleaning out houses and commercial spaces leads us to come across a variety of items. Sometimes we find things of obvious sentimental value that the owner may have missed. We make every effort to reunite these items with the owner. Other times we find items that can be donated to the various charities we partner with. But the most fun is when we find an item and say “what is this?”

We come across many interesting and unusual items as we sort through a space separating the junk from the donations and the recycling. That is when someone will stop and say does anyone know what this is? If no one can answer this is usually followed by a search on the internet. Victory is figuring out what it is and usually learning something historic about it. Then there are times when we come across something that is just not seen too often or is no longer generally in use.

Often, these are not valuable items, just items of interest. Here are some of the items we have found and some information about them.

In the first picture there is a coin dispenser used to make change. They were worn on your belt and used to give change to customers at a time when things cost less than a dollar and people paid cash.  Common uses were paperboys, in arcades, gas station attendants or an ice cream vendor. They could be used without a belt in places like a taxi cab to give the customers change. https://www.instagram.com/p/BrbM_YplOWd/

The second picture is of sperm whale oil which is a liquid wax and is not the same as common whale oil which is rendered from blubber. It was used to lite lamps and lubricate machinery. Initially, it was replaced by cheaper alternatives, but is not sold at all now because whaling has been banned. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl3lrochNxV/

The third picture is of air raid papers which were issued by the OCD, Office of Civil Defense as handbook H-6 in the 1960’s during the period known as the cold war with Russia. It was called “Fallout Protection–What to Know and Do About Nuclear Attack”, and millions were distributed. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd3ZsclBNpa/

Part of an airstream travel trailer is shown in the fourth picture. They are very recognizable by their distinctive shape and have been manufactured in the United States since the 1930’s. They are made of aluminum and have an expected life span of about forty years. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk8o_VMBUf0/

One of the things that make this job so interesting is finding these oddities and learning about them. That is why we like sharing them with you. Please follow us on Instagram at @donothrow or https://www.instagram.com/donotthrow/ to see some more of these finds.

Thanks

Andrew & Hollie
Do Not Throw It Away

Andrew@donotthrowitaway.com