Estate and Yard Sale Surprises: Artist Ed Paschke

This time of year is ripe not only for reducing our load, but also for acquiring things that need a new home because of someone else's cathartic clean-out. Our search for an estate sale yesterday on Craigslist led us to one that sounded simple yet promising.

Browsing through the "stuff," my boyfriend started seeing clues about the previous owner and the home's history. Turns out we were at the home of renowned Chicago painter Ed Paschke.

Yellow Fish, 1999

Surprisingly, all the Craigslist ad said was: "Piano, tables, couches, dressers, metal filing cabinets, kitchen ware, kids clothing, tables, beds, televisions, drafting table, art books, Large fabulous china cabinet, rugs, plates, copper pans...".

Pink Lady, 1970

This stumble into such a rare and wonderful opportunity should remind us all that the rewards from our scavenging are often much more than material. This was truly inspirational! We were able to tour Paschke's former home, see loads of artwork, and walk away with those copper pans, a teapot, and some records, just to name a few things.

Anyone else have some surprising stories or amazing yard/estate sale finds??

Comments (7)

Wow! That is such an awesome surprise!!!!

posted by katie on 2006-05-22 15:11:06

Can you send a link to the exact ad? Thanks!

posted by Sara on 2006-05-23 10:20:41

Hi Sara,
Here you go:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/gms/162498759.html

posted by heather on 2006-05-23 10:56:04

Thanks. Wish I could have been there!

posted by Sara on 2006-05-23 13:08:46

What a great story! I have none to rival, but I'm revved now about getting out to some sales this summer.

posted by Christine S on 2006-05-23 15:54:46

Heather did you buy anything awesome?

posted by katie on 2006-05-23 16:01:54

I think my favorite estate sale ever was in Texas at the home of Connie Reeves, who is in the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Appropriately enough, she died practically in the saddle at 101. She fell from her favorite horse while giving riding lessons (at 101!) and died several days later.
I was able to pick up some great items from her estate, including some fantastic vintage store racks for bread that she had been using to plug up holes in her fence. I mounted them on the wall and hung vintage cooking utensils from them. I always think of her unquenchable spirit whenever I look at them.

posted by liz on 2006-12-27 14:16:45