“Have you seen this before?”
“Did Grandma use this when I was little?”
“Was this part of her wedding set? Her nursing kit?”
Stories matter more than appraisals. That “strange spoon” might be the one she stirred your baby formula with.
Step 4: Research the Time Period & Lifestyle
Knowing when your grandma lived in the house (or when the item looks like it’s from) helps narrow things down.
Common Eras & Their Tools:
✅ 1920s–1940s
Buttonhooks, hair crimpers, kerosene testers, butter molds
✅ 1950s–1960s
Fondue sets, TV dinner trays, rotary phone parts, fabric pinking shears
✅ 1970s–1980s
Cassette cases, rotary calculators, avocado-green kitchen gadgets
Context clues help: Was she a homemaker? Nurse? Teacher? Gardener?
Each role came with its own toolkit.
Step 5: Visit Local Experts
Sometimes, human knowledge beats algorithms.
Try:
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