This month's Antiques by the Bay in Alameda was packed with people and, luckily for us, lots of treasures too. This booth immediately caught our eye when we noticed the selection of vintage bus rolls hanging from above...
We love the graphic look of these black and white posters, originally used on a roll to show the next stop or destination of a bus. We're sorry to say that we didn't get a price (it had been a long day), but the items are from Home Economics, a store located in Grants Pass, Oregon. You can email the store for more information at homeecvintage (at) gmail (dot) com, or check out similar bus rolls from local home decor boutique Eden & Eden.
(Images: Lily Gahagan for Apartment Therapy)
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Comments (10)
I bought the pretties turquoise clear glass vintage candy dish with lid.
I did not score on the beautiful lawyers metal bookcase in white with glass doors, a moment too late.
We even got their earlier than usual and didn't find anything. That's okay - it's always a great place to look around, get ideas, and people watch.
I bought a hideous painting because I liked the frame. Now its hideousness is growing on me as I ponder the thin line between outsider art and kitsch. Oh, Alameda, so much to answer for.
Wish I'd seen these bus rolls. Which row were they in?
Ugh, look what I missed! We used to spend every summer on busses, how cool would a bus roll be to remember those tours by?
Not "got their earlier" - should have been "got there earlier." Ugh. One of our favorite overheard conversation snippets of the morning....
Woman #1: "I'm doing vintage garden."
Woman #2: "Oh, people love that!"
Huh? We spent the rest of our morning trying to figure out exactly what vintage garden is and how you do it. Other classic overheard comment: "I'm into 4th of July." God I love that place.
casiep that cracks me up.. I the former art snob lately buying bad art because of the frame and yes they start to screw with you, questioning yourself when you know its bad but maybe its so bad its great, then you find a wall for it, then its up for a few days and you say not bad, after a few days then you say WTF was I thinking, then you say I will keep it up for a couple more days, then friend comes by and says is that new I love it, then you question your friends have they been lying to you or is it that they have bad taste and you never noticed.
We saw the bus rolls, and had our hot little hands on the "STANKS" one. Realized we really needed a pair, and at $250 apiece, it wasn't in the budget.
The bus rolls are Scottish (take it from me). I am fascinated as to how they made their way to Oregon. Milngavie etc are Glasgow area. Haymarket, Waverley that would be Edinburgh (an entirely inferior place). Thought the people who bought them might like to know that.
"I did not score on the beautiful lawyers metal bookcase in white with glass doors, a moment too late."
LoriSF I think I know exactly which bookcase you are talking about because I'm still kind of kicking myself for not even getting the price. its like a backwards buyers remorse.
Home Economics: Household Goods, Vintage & Otherwise... from Grants Pass, Oregon, just began offering the vintage UK bus route signs via www.etsy.com to online shoppers.
It will take a few days to fully stock the site @ http://www.economica.etsy.com prices will range from $75 for tyvec route signs from the 1980s to $400 for 6 foot long linen route signs from the 1950s to 1970s.
Will be at Santa Monica Airport Outdoor Antique Show on July 26th and at Antiques by the Bay Alameda Swap Meet on August 2nd & the Seattle Gift Show's Vintage Collection beginning August 22nd.
Look forward to hearing from you & thanks to apartment therapy's blog for the wonderful exposure. Many contacts made and route signs sold through homeecvintage@gmail.com.