MUSINGS ON ESTATE SALES

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October 28, 2015

TYPICAL TUCSONAN TASTES

I’ve lived in 4 states and survived earthquakes, power outages, lengthy garbage and transit strikes, hurricanes, floods, rush hour traffic in NYC and LA, months-long temperatures of over 100 degrees and other natural and man-made disasters. One would think I, having lived in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami and Tucson and having travelled the world, am experienced in many varieties of life-styles. This is true. But figuring out Tucson style has been a conundrum.

After 20 years as an immigrant to Tucson, as are many of my fellow citizens, just when I thought I knew the likes and dislikes of this community, I was aghast to realize “typical Tucsonan tastes” is an oxymoron. Having been in the estate sale business for many years now, I was sure I had my finger on the pulse of what’s in demand and what’s not. Silly me. When it comes to second guessing the full and part-time residents’ interests in home furnishings, collectibles, apparel, what-nots and what-is-its, I, as an experienced know-it-all, have to admit . . . I don’t. How depressing.

I was sure leather sofas and recliners were the most desirable (and therefore sellable) items on which to sprawl one’s body. However, if the leather is pink, turquoise or chartreuse, that isn’t true. No matter the price. No matter the condition. It won’t play into a Tucsonan’s sense of style. Albeit, since it’s here, some immigrant must have brought it with them from their home state where vibrant colors are more acceptable (or it was purchased here while having a senior moment.)

High end auction houses brag about their sales of fine china sets that some czar ate his blinis from and sell for a fortune. I’ve also had beautiful fine china sets for really, really fair prices that shoppers admire but don’t buy. Why? Is it the price? The pattern? The color? No. Because of the silver or gilt trim, it can’t go into the microwave or the dishwasher, which would either remove the finish or blow up the microwave. Hand wash an entire set of fine china? Are you kidding??? Who does such a thing anymore? Besides, who ever heard of serving barbecue and tacos al carbon on anything but Stoneware or Dixie?

One would logically think that because of our colorful fusing of citizen immigrants, Tucsonan’s would have a wonderful variety of styles to select from at estate sales, and that’s often the case. However, many owners tried ridding themselves of undesirable items (to them) before moving here. Their kids didn’t want it nor their best friends and neighbors who so often admired it but wouldn’t spend a penny to buy it, so they brought it along on their southwestern adventure, sure that eventually there were those who would covet such classic items and pay their high value (to them). Nope. Collections of old stuffed bears sit forlornly (unless they’re Steif), individual footed porcelain teacups and saucers await new lips sipping from their gilded rims, lace antimacassars crocheted from the gnarled, arthritic hands of ancestors long gone are piled up in hopes they’ll grace another chair arm. Nope. Perhaps these unimportant objets de valeur are no longer valuable, but people with imagination are willing to re-purpose these unwanted articles into today’s new must haves as long as they can be purchased at a reasonable enough price.

And that leads to the Typical Tucson Taste. Whether painting rusted car parts to create a mobile, shattering some old china into mosaics to decorate the top of a rotted wrought iron side table, removing the guts of that old 60’s TV cabinet and making a dog bed out of it, Tucsonan’s may not see a need for the soignée of the second hand market’s offerings, but perhaps a blend of the unwanted creating the new must haves.

I think . . .

 

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