There are three things in life I enjoy the most: fishing, working out, and thrifting or sourcing vintage resale items. While I didn’t manage to hit the gym much on my recent vacation, I did get to spend a massive amount of time out at the water. I fished a lot—though, unfortunately, without much luck this time around!
But a vacation isn’t complete without fulfilling that third passion. I stumbled across a great opportunity to check out an estate sale in Cape May, NJ.
While I didn’t come away with a massive pile of inventory to flip, I found treasures nonetheless. Honestly, the biggest treasure I walked away with was the pure self-fulfillment of doing something I truly love. To some people, waking up early to pick through an estate liquidation might look like work. To me? It’s an unexplainable release. If you know, you know.
The buy wasn’t huge, but what I did purchase is interesting to say the least. Here is a look at what went down during the walkthrough and what I brought home.
The Cape May Walkthrough
Stepping into a local property in the Cape May area is always exciting because of the deep history of the region. You never quite know if you’re going to walk into a house full of modern items or a time capsule packed with pieces from decades past.
As I did my initial walkthrough of the home, I kept my eyes peeled for anything unique, historical, or carrying that perfect vintage patina. Even when a sale doesn’t have hundreds of items in your specific niche, the thrill of exploring the layout and hunting for that one hidden gem is half the fun.
The Haul: Quality Over Quantity
I didn’t score an overwhelming amount of items on this trip, but the pieces I did locate are fascinating.
A Shelf Full of Antique Books
The absolute highlight of the day was locating a bookshelf packed with antique books. These pieces are beautiful, weathered, and carry a ton of character. Right now, I can tell they have at least a little bit of value, but I still need to dive into some deeper research to know exactly what I have.
I’ve definitely got my fingers crossed for a few specific titles in this stack! There is something incredible about holding a piece of history in your hands, and these are exactly the types of interesting finds that make the search worth it.
Watch the Full Walkthrough Live
Want to see the property, the bookshelf, and the full hunt as it happened? You can check out the live video footage right here:
The True Value of the Hunt
At the end of the day, reselling is a business, but sourcing is a lifestyle. Taking a break from the fishing rod to clear my head at a local estate sale was exactly what I needed. Whether these antique books turn out to be minor wins or major home runs after my research is done, the time spent doing what I love made the trip an absolute success.
Have you ever gone sourcing while traveling and hit an estate sale in a historic town like Cape May NJ? What’s the most interesting antique book you’ve ever found? Let me know in the comments below!
