WOW! THIS WAS LEFT IN OUR HOME! EP 13.5

[@sjfiet]

The kosher salt thing is actually a sugar server for the table. We received one as a wedding present. The silver pitcher with a side handle is for hot chocolale. The gold-ish wall sconce light is probably bronze and can be polished to original condition. If your pots say sterling, they are solid silver, not plated. Sugar bowls don’t have inserts. I think what you have is probably for jam. If you want to know more about the medals you can request the service records of your “world war 2 guy” if you have his name. It will list his unit, where he served and have copies of the citations for the medals, among other things. You are correct about the silver cup being a common gift for babies back in the day. My husband and I both have them. We are both baby boomers.

[@danielulz1640]

The sugar Scuttle and the silver butter dish should have glass liners.

[@MrMarcoboy1900]

Being sort of an expert on Silver myself I would say most of those pieces were not Sterling but a few of them were heavily plated meant for hotel use. If you do have Sterling pieces please take them out of there and secure them

[@sjfiet]

@@danielulz1640 yes, the butter dish should have a glass liner. The sugar scuttle did not.

[@SuzanneBaruch]

The "Le Petite Saucier" pot does look like a hot chocolate pot; this particular item is from the early 1980's and was distributed by the Teleflora company, probably in conjunction with a floral arrangement of some kind. I think he misspoke re: the silver. All of the items I could see looked like they are silver plate, and lacked the "heft" usually seen with true sterling items.

[@ValerieDee123]

Sterling or solid silver will have the silver makers marks on them. It is heavier than sterling plated. After cleaning them, if you store them behind glass, add white chalk sticks near the silver. It won't get discolored as fast.

[@14eilonwy]

Costume Historian here - the high waist, pleats, and lace detailing on the wedding gown probably dates it to approx. 1968 - 1972. It is most likely synthetic, so it should be washable - lukewarm handwash woolite and line dry, steam but do not press, store folded with paper and away from light. Paper - it would be worth the investment to get some acid-free archival boxes to keep clean paper and textiles in while they are waiting to be sorted - the understairs cupboard seems unlikely to have temperature extremes, moisture, or much UV exposure - good for paper and books - you might get a few bags of chemical desiccant to put in there. Silver - If any of it is plate, use only gentle cleaners - harsh chemicals can damage the finish. Sconces, teapots, candlesticks, vases, etc., can all be wired into electric lamps - check with your local independent lighting shop - just a thought for turning pretty into pretty-and-functional.

[@stevengrotte2987]

I was hoping that the Silver would be real silver instead of silver plate.

[@stevengrotte2987]

You might want to double check the silver, it could be NOT SILVER PLATE.

[@ashleygibson2342]

I’m a historical fashion enthusiast. Thank you for posting the info about the dress!

[@pip5858]

If you ever have kids I'd totally put that Champion Duplicator sign in the nursery 😂

[@HosCreates]

😅

[@randomnielle]

Yes! 😂

[@thetruenova2172]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@cathyjustcathy785]

What an idea, I love it!

[@cynicalbuddha]

The Champion Duplicator is from the Champion Typewriter company and there is an ad from 1895 that references the duplicator product. So that sign is likely almost as old as the house!!

[@sharonnowlin2297]

At least Caleb now knows what "the goofy item" is!!

[@lindacgrace2973]

Le Petit Saucier is used for low-temperature, delicate egg sauces, such as Hollandaise. The tin-lined copper heats quickly and evenly, and is easy to set in a basin of hot water or over a small candle to keep the sauce from congealing. It is just the right size to hold a family brunch's worth of Hollandaise for eggs Benedict. My grandmother had one.

[@Jan-2020]

Le Petit Saucier = The Small Sauce

[@mikolajjanowski9968]

Hmm in Europe I see these used for brewing coffee... maybe they have multiple uses 😅

[@stevenedwards4470]

That looks like an Arabic coffee maker.

[@lindacgrace2973]

@@stevenedwards4470 Similar, I agree. But Arabic coffee makers have sideways handles and lids. This had neither. My bet's on it being an ACTUAL "Le Petit Saucier" just as labeled. :-D

[@lindacgrace2973]

@@mikolajjanowski9968 True. But those generally have lids and are NOT labeled "Le Petit Saucier" :-D My bet's still on a French stove-to-table saucepan for delicate sauces. :-D

[@mjdzfun]

The Asiatic medal belongs to your soldier, Sgt Leslie McLain. Here’s the translation of his letter complete with misspellings. I saw lower in the comments a fan posted his obituary and he is survived by his children. They would probably get a huge thrill to see the letters!! Dear Mom, I am feeling fine and I share hope these few lines will find you the same Well Mom I am now 23 years old yesterday was my birthday getting kind of old ain’t I ha, ha, Well Mom they gave us all our German pistols back so I guess we will be moving in a day or so I kind of look to take out tomorrow for where to I don’t know yet I share hope we keep moving toward the good old U.S.A. for I do want to at least see all of youse before I have to go to the Posofick (Pacific) and do anymore fighting. I only hope when I do get back I won’t have to ever come back again. Well Mom even if I do go to Japan first I don’t want any of youse to worie (worry) for I will be ok. Oh Mom hear (here) is a photo that I had taken with my budies (buddies) when I was in town the other night. Oh yes how is sis doing ok I hope and I guess Joe and pop is still working hard aren’t they Well Mom I am going to close now. So long with all my love and the best of luck to all of youse. Your son Leslie P.S. tell MaryAnn if you see her to keep her fingers crossed and ***** I will be home I hope ***** is a word I couldn’t quite make out.

[@stevengrotte2987]

The plan was for U.S. combat units that fought in Europe/North Africa, at the end of the war in Europe to be sent to the Pacific to help in the war against the Japanese, but then the two Atomic Bombs changed that plan, I am sure to the great joy of the guys who had fought in Europe & North Africa.

[@donwilburn2470]

Thank you for translating the letter. Sgt Mclain was my grandfather. It was definately a thrill to get ahold of these guys at the channel and connect the dots. They were gracious enough to meet me and gifted me the letters, the medal, and some other paper belongings to my grandfather. After I read your translation it made everything correct to me. He speaks about Joe and Mary Ann, Joe was his brother, and Mary Ann was his future wife and my grandmother.

[@Toodle.Pipp001]

@@donwilburn2470 what an amazing gift for your family. You never know when ancestors are going to pop up and say hello. 💓

[@cathyjustcathy785]

@@donwilburn2470 This part of the thread is so touching! I'm so happy for you and your family to have these precious items.

[@ScottAJacob]

@@donwilburn2470 that is wonderful that you were able to return these to your family archives! It's extremely lucky and rare that lost ephemera like that ever finds it's way into the hands of ancestors again. Most is just thoughtlessly tossed in the trash, and then gone forever, is someone's life, someone's ancestor. Did you ever discover how those things came to be in their house??

[@portnoy3020]

As a veteran and the grandson of a WW2 veteran (both Navy), I recommend putting out some feelers to see if you can find the family of the author/recipient of those letters. I have a tiny box of memorabilia (letters and such) from my Grandpa, and I dearly wish there was more. Those letters and medals could mean the world to someone.

[@kyontherocks]

So true.

[@umbrastar]

I was thinking the same thing. That could be such a great gift to his family to have those letters.

[@tairdrie7643]

if anyone has an Ancestry account, they may be able to reach out to people who may have a family member by that name that was in the military. It might be able to match up.

[@AnnaReed42]

There's an obit for him on Find A Grave. He died in 2016. Surviving children: Karen Walcott of Winfield, Judith Wilburn of Silex, and Timothy McLain of Foley.

[@kathleenhartman1368]

Totally agree. I treasure the letters my dad wrote my mom when he was in Korea.

[@michelleheslep8877]

Wedding certificate was of John Steller and wife Elizabeth Gardener. He died in 1986 age 90. He served in WWI and II. Age at marriage he was abt 25 and she was abt 17. They had 3 children, 2 that were listed as survivors in 1986 in his obit. He was also born at sea when his family were coming over from Hungary.

[@JodiJames]

Fascinating!

[@stevengrotte2987]

WOW.

[@AkSonya1010]

I love this group

[@steelgranny9027]

The letters written during WW2 would be a great addition to the Western Historial Manuscript collection at the University of Missouri St. Louis. They have archived thousands of letters of this era for posterity. Something for consideration.

[@simplyplaid]

Also consider finding the family of the person/people who wrote the letters/homework, I'll bet they would like items from their ancestors.

[@kyontherocks]

@@simplyplaid This is what I'm thinking as well. I'm wondering if there's a historical organization that connects documents and artifacts to living decedents.

[@TheDisneylover23]

Agreed. The museum would love that stuff and I'm sure would preserve them.

[@twistoffate4791]

@@simplyplaid Not always, which always shocks & saddens me. I am very sentimental, but I have attended so many estate sales that I have seen what family is willing to rid themselves of In order to make a buck. And some folks don't have good feelings about their family, which is also sad, but they have their reasons.

[@judywilburn8736]

Thankyou for getting the letters from my father to my grandparent to my family. Bless you.

[@Grace2Hope]

If you have an Ancestry account, Leslie McLain's ancestors would probably love it if you would scan the letters and upload them for his kinfolk to see.

[@lordracula2461]

Descendants, you mean

[@1959aak]

That book "Magnificant Obsession" published in the late 20's became a movie with Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman in the 50's.

[@charlab.7838]

I remember seeing that movie on TMC!

[@kate_cooper]

Never seen it but I remember Bill Bryson writing about how a tv channel was continuously showing it until he’d caught enough bits of it to have practically seen the whole film.

[@1959aak]

@@kate_cooper it's a great movie.

[@stevengrotte2987]

I spotted that title & GUESSED, wrongly that the book was written in the 1940's.

[@christinasciblo]

The “stool” with the green fabric looks like an old vanity chair

[@mellow_mel1313]

That’s what I thought too! It looks like the one I had with my “waterfall” vanity but my bench didn’t have that back on it

[@dangoodall-williams4200]

Thinking that it might be a piano seat.

[@beverlyfleming6352]

Yes I love that stool to. Would have liked to see the vanity.🌹

[@emdoort8989]

I had a waterfall vanity with a very similar chair as well

[@lisalee6496]

It is indeed! I had the exact same one from my grandma's estate! 😔 Not anymore though. Sigh... 😢

[@angelaw7619]

Hi! WWII & Holocaust historian here! I'm happy to transcribe the cursive letters if you like. I would suggest that anything related to that era might be offered to the US Holocaust Museum in DC. Just a thought! ❤️ @The 2nd Empire Strikes Back

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

Its lovely to read, albeit i struggled on a few words . That would be lovely for you to transcribe it all. Leslie loved his 'Mom' bless him.

[@sallyintucson]

Do you know anyone who takes letters and travel diaries and makes them into books? I have a bin full of letters and travel diaries written by my Great Grandmother when she traveled Europe prior to WW I. I would love to have them made into a book for my nieces and nephews. The letters are not dated but I think the diaries are.

[@angelaw7619]

@@sallyintucson Hi! Such a great project! So I have a fews suggestions: (1) You could reach out to some of your local universities, specifically the history department chair(s) and ask if there are any students interested in such a project. Many students look for these types of opportunities for their senior, masters or even Ph.D. final theses. This project may be given to experienced or skilled students as a 'job' that departments have the funding for. (2) You could, alternatively, pay a student to transcribe and/or digitize these materials as well, if you have the means. (3) Some universities may have an archive institute on-campus to help jump start such a project. (4) Another option could be inquiring with your local historical society or the historical society in the area where your great-grandmother is from. They could help kick-start digitizing and transcribing the materials if they're interested in preserving them on-site. I've done this with writings from Holocaust survivors and their children taken in by a local archive institute. I was able to take these digitized documents and make a book with them directly at Staples! Personally, I think your best bet is to find dedicated student(s) at a university in your area. Department chairs will definitely know who is the most qualified. I hope this helps!

[@lisalee6496]

@Angela W Greetings! 🙋 I'm not trying to be a noseybody just helpful. You've been very generous with yoúr offer, I'd hate to think it possibly going unnoticed by our host. 😔 If I may offer a tip, the @ symbol followed immediately (no space between @ and first letter) with the channel name correctly spelled willl highlight iyour comment for them and let them know that your is a message addressed specifically TO them. They will receive a special notification as well. I do see the @applied on one of your comments to another viewer, but I don't know if it's by default via the reply button or if it's by intent. As I said, I'm trying to be helpful is all. Disregard me entirely if the @ trick is one you already know. 😜 I'm new to this channel and don't know how attentive this motivated young couple is to the comments they receive as I'm sure there are probably quite a few. 🙂 If you should decide to utilize my little tip, all you would have to do is select the edit option within your pre-existing comment. I look forward to watching this beauty of a home restored to its original state. Many blessings to you! ☺️🙏🏼

[@zimlover3]

@@sallyintucson i studied wwi in college and am now in grad school for library science. would love to potentially help you in the digitation / transcribing project if you'd like :-)

[@juliebaker6969]

The reason those papers are discoloring the pages of the book is because the cheap note paper was made using acid to break up the fibers of the wood pulp to make the paper slurry. The left over acid is actually slowly causing a chemical burn on the pages. That's why old note paper gets brown and crumbly, the acid in it is burning it. If you want the books to last, take the old papers out of them.

[@harleyanne3720]

After my mother-in-law died I found a diary from a soldier during the Civil War. He mentioned all the battles that were famous. He later became a minister. He was from New Jersey.

[@williamwallace9427]

Those would be beyond fantastic to get to read

[@jailbird61]

Caleb, I so admire the way in which you handle these old treasures. With kindness and compassion. So gentle. I think that’s another reason why your channel captivates me. You have such incredible passion with this project as a whole.

[@louiserabie1651]

@Bambi Mae, thank you so much for finding and posting Leslie McLain’s obituary, and to the translator of his letter to his Mom with the post script to his sweetheart, Mary-Ann. It looks like finding that one box resulted in the summary of the life of a war hero who returned home, married his love and lived a rich and fruitful life. This channel is so much more than a renovation, thank you Kaleb and Kim.

[@donwilburn2470]

Yes thank you so much. Leslie was my grandfather. Someone did some research and found me on Facebook. I was lucky enough to meet up with Kaleb and get the belongings back in his family's hands.

[@bambimae5854]

Cursive writing is no longer taught in our local school. Therefore, the letters you found will be seen as an ancient language in the near future. Thank you for rescuing them. As you sift through the gentleman’s boxes you will be transported back to an era of great sadness and prosperity. LOVE your house and watching it’s rebirth.

[@robsgirl7778]

We were working on cursive penmanship today with our children in homeschool, it's so important, If they can't read cursive writing how are they gonna read and understand the Constitution and any other old document

[@kate_cooper]

@@robsgirl7778 Surely printed versions are available?

[@sophasleeper7949]

@@kate_cooper yes there are

[@sekhmara8590]

People not being able to read cursive makes me feel so old, and I'm not. I still only write in cursive, unless printing is required, so yeah, happy to help transcribe the ancient writing style known as "cursive" 😂

[@sekhmara8590]

@@robsgirl7778 Thank you so much for teaching cursive to your children. It's not only useful for reading older documents, but I also still think good penmanship is important to have, even in the digital age.

[@rosikoenig7375]

Someone who lived in that house must have loved collecting old ephemera and antiques.

[@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack]

the guy collected everything.

[@rosikoenig7375]

@@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack I love that stuff. Especially the old letters and photos. My apartment is full of photos of people I don't know. BTW, that letter said he enclosed a photo. Were you able to find it?

[@jennifers8843]

@@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack Collected cool things or hoarded everything?

[@KellyfromMemphis]

Or was the old soldier

[@kaybonette]

You need to frame that letter from Addie using acid free paper.

[@sukochilee4770]

Be extremely gentle with that letter.

[@jessica8452]

And if it's hung on a wall, make sure it's well out of sunlight. Overall, really cool finds!

[@cecilyerker]

Acid free paper and UV protection glass.

[@kyontherocks]

Or try to find her descendants and give it to them.

[@kunya16]

It would be very cool if you set up a "museum room" with all this stuff.

[@lj5801]

2nd comment: your "little sugar guy" is a mustard pot. It goes on the table when you are serving something like a ham where some people will put a little mustard on their plate to go with the meat.

[@rosannehart7325]

Coleman Mustard family in England made their fortune on the mustard that people wasted on Sunday roasts. At least that is what my Grandmother told me.

[@diggingmary129]

Me and my family just did that last night for supper.

[@picassomanu185]

Hello there. How lovely for you to get all this. I've been an upholsterer for 10 years and a collector of books and antiques for 30, so maybe I can tip you a bit. For the sugar & salt thing, what everybody else said... Otherwise, if a piece is marked Sterling, it's not plated, it should be silver. The ceramic piece with the 3 ladies may be in good shape, but it's probaply a survivor for a decorative table set. You would have two of those, one at each extremies of the grand table, and a low dish between them. If you want so see those in action, so to speak, you can google Image"Mrs Beeton cookbook", you'll see how they were used. About chair, the ivory covered armchair is in Louis XVI style, the little green bech was probably with a vanity table. But I want to plead the case of big yellow guy here: Yes, he's maybe not as stylish as the little stool, but it looks a lot like a Howard & Sons. Even if it's not, it's the typical English country house armchair, the kind Queen Liz II has in her private rooms: Build to last till doomsday and supremely comfy (and if marked Howard&Sons, extremely valuable). Keep big yellow guy around somewhere, and when, after a life of house restauration, the aches and pains get at you when you push on 55 (ask me how I know), you'll be VERY happy to find him. Trust me

[@growingthehome]

It actually all makes a lot of sense. If one if the previous owners was a hoarder, they love things that tell a story and often seek out things from one particular time or person to fixate on. They might not have lived there but they definitely made an impact on someone who did. They also might have rented rooms out.

[@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack]

the previous owner was using this place as a storage unit for years. When i bought it it was so full you the only way to get around was little paths through each room. I didnt even know the mantels were gone until after i bought the place because i couldnt see them. He had bought many places like this one and stored just about everything here. So i am almost positive nothing is from the brown's just a collection of odd things the previous owner collected from other properties over the years.

[@HosCreates]

@@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack 😥

[@MeMhod]

I'm so glad that all those tresure felt down on the hands of people who appreciate history. Congratulations guys !

[@oxwoman8]

Kim, at 1:01 you are holding a chocolate pot, at 1:24 is a sugar scuttle (but use it for salt by all means, but the salt will erode the plating over time), at 1:51 is a master salt cellar with a glass liner (to protect the plating) and master salt spoon, at 2:55 is (what looks like porcelain) a pedestal centerpiece bowl with "The Three Graces" (the goddesses of Charm, Beauty and Creativity) most likely used for fruit. If you give the plating a polish you may be able to see the maker's marks and you'll be able to date them. Who knows, you may find something that is sterling rather than just plated. The "stool" at 14:55 is a bench that was used with a vanity table for a lady to do her toilette. The settee at 15:02 is American circa 1920s (I'm guessing, I couldn't see it very well).

[@williamwallace9427]

What a fantastic episode. Just as fantastic all the comments in the comments section explaining what so many items are as well as the history of the medals and letters. Just awesome

[@adelechelsea4036]

The title of leaflet on the top of the box of books just caught my eye, Royal Leamington Spa is actually where I'm from the UK! It is a spa town and had roman baths here until the late 1990's and they have been remodelled into an art gallery and museum. You can also still visit the ruins of Kenilworth castle too. What a small world!

[@gensolo83]

"He likes things for...deeper reasons." LOL

[@dianefrench1721]

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver alloy with the remainder other alloy most often copper. It is not plated especially if it is stamped 925 or sterling on it. Sterling is generally more expensive than plated. I would certainly display the items you’ve found. Perhaps the random people you speak about were boarders. Many people in that era offered a room in their homes for people needing a place or if they went off to war, a wife or family member rented a room while they were gone. Just a thought. I’m so interested in what you are doing with your home. What a process! Thank you

[@heveymetale58691]

Yes! I'll bet rooms were rented out during the depression.

[@AkSonya1010]

excellent thought

[@pb7379-j2k]

I came here to say this. When I heard him say “they are all stamped Sterling so we know they are plated” I was like “wait what?!?”

[@Lorili59]

Earl Moran was the pin up artist that used Marilyn Monroe as his model before she was famous! Great finds! People's stories from the past are so fun see and hold and imagine how life was back then! Awesome video!

[@cherylsebby5607]

The letters from WWII and the items from in the veterans box would be appreciated by any Military Museum so they can be preserved for future generations. 😀

[@gerhard6105]

I also found much ww2 Feldpost from the former Belgium/German soldier to his parents, here in my house. I live in Belgium. Most are from the eastern front (Russia). Also his militairy books are still here.

[@cecilyerker]

Take them to the Missouri History Museum

[@aleb1479]

They found the grandchild of the man and returned the letters!

[@tsivard1]

I believe you have the salt and sugar silver items mixed up. The first item with the handle is a sugar scuttle. The containers with the blue cobalt liners are salt cellars. The liners keep the salt from attacking the silver.

[@virginiasoskin9082]

Yes, silver items with cobalt blue glass liners are generally for salt.

[@januarysdaughter6664]

@TheSecondEmpire StrikesBack, the Champion Blower and Forge Co., was founded in 1875 in Pennsylvania. They made woodworking and construction tools. A duplicator is a machine to re-create the same pattern in woodworking (i.e. stair rail spindles or designs in trim work, etc.). You may have found something original to the Browns. Imagine them rubbing elbows and brainstorming ideas with other machinists. They may have used those tools to build the house. Too cool!

[@stevengrotte2987]

Ahhhhhhhh.

[@debshaw680]

A saucier would be for any kind of sauce you would pour over a food rather than a gravy boat. Like chocolate sauce for dessert. It’s copper so could be kept warm. The ladies on the column would have had a crystal bowl for serving a beautiful dessert. I love antique tableware. What a jackpot!

[@lesterbock9851]

From Judy in Australia 🇦🇺. The little vessels with the blue inserts are actually salt cellars for the dining table. The blue inserts protect the silver from salt corrosion. Some can also be for mustard paste which likewise needs to have protection for the silver. The saucier is for sauces. Silver plated is often stamped EPNS for electro plated nickel silver. Solid silver is quite heavy for the size of the piece and of course way more expensive. ❤️🇦🇺

[@user-dn9vd9xg9p]

So cool...These items were used to entertain up to early 70s. I am telling my age but remember when my mother used these items to entertain during tea parties with her friends. Little finger sandwiches and coffee. We kids used to eat the little cucumber sandwiches while her back was turned. Haha. What fun! Good memories.

[@juliebaker6969]

The low backed stool, is a vanity stool. They didn't need a back because the woman using it would be leaning forward to fix her hair or makeup. And since the vanity was usually sitting full of fancy perfume bottles, powder boxes, and probably a fancy toilette set, she wouldn't want a high backed chair hiding all of her pretty stuff when it wasn't in use.

[@maret1729]

I came here to see if anyone else would comment on this. I have a waterfall bedroom set complete with the little chair for my vanity. Sadly my cats will not allow me to keep anything pretty on it so it sit there without any pretty trinkets or perfumes

[@juliebaker6969]

@@maret1729 When I was 14 I inherited a very ornate bedroom suite from my great grandma. She had been gifted it when her son died suddenly, since his widow couldn't bring herself to sleep in it alone. It had a double bed, chest on chest, and vanity & stool. The vanity was very ornate with 3 mirrors reaching over 6' tall, 5 drawers, a low backed bench/stool with cream brocade upholstery, and lots of dark hand carved wood and lighter book matched veneer inlay.

[@akatosh2795]

“Champion Duplicator” - this needs to be on merch lol. Mug, t-shirt, stickers. Etc.

[@1976mcfarlane]

I love the old chairs.. they look to be in great shape too

[@timefortea1931]

I can't tell you how much I love this video! I relate to you both so much in your love of history, antique and vintage items. I collect vintage ephemera ( photos, postcards, letters, tins etc) and Victorian photos, old books and so on! I love the stories they can tell. The butter dish is so charming. The letters from the man to his sweetheart are touching.

[@weatherlady9666]

The white Romantic tower is a fruit display/bowl. It usually had grapes dripping over the side and then apples and oranges.

[@jojo123jordan]

I am very intrigued with all of the old letters and history memorabilia myself. What a treasure to hold such a sentimental piece of history. I was able to make out quite a bit of the letter scan here and I am just thinking WOW! You can really get a genuine a feel of what kind of relationship this young man at the time had with his mother. Just wonderful things here. I’m not ashamed to say I teared up a little reading this. (Reminded me of why I’ve always kept my grandparents letters since I was very young) Truly something special you have here and it couldn’t have been placed throughout time in more perfect hands.

[@jojo123jordan]

Also, adding these into a book may be a lovely piece for your future Airbnb guests to enjoy having a look through in the parlor. I know I sure would.

[@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack]

not a bad idea. I have been scanning them all and plan on putting a letter Leslie McLain at the end of every video until i run out of letters. then ill move on to other cool things i have. Maybe the little girls homework or other cool things i find in other books.

[@jojo123jordan]

@@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack I look forward to seeing them. Spectacular things happening & As always, All of the virtual support from Louisiana ❤️

[@kapekodbob]

What I like is your compassion for these treasures . Handling something that meant a lot to someone from the past like the little girl. Perhaps you would consider a time capsule and some of these treasures in it along with some of your own to be opened in a 100 years.

[@cecilyerker]

Thyme capsules are silly, the items should be out for people to see and learn from.

[@ladyziggysd]

That little stool thing you said was for the front to take the shoes off, it looks a lot like a vanity chair! My mom and grandmas had/have antique vanities through the years and they had a small chair that looks exactly like it , where you can sit and do your hair or makeup in front of the vanities!!

[@betsyh2503]

What great treasures! Who wants to hear the pump organ play? 🙋‍♀️ The wedding dress looks similar to the one I wore which was my MIL’s from her wedding in 1970.

[@simonr6793]

Wow that letter is fantastic. The writer firstly tells him mom he's fine and hoping that she is also fine and not to worry about him. He then talks about celebrating his 23rd birthday the day before writing it and about the possibility of being sent to Japan, he also tells the reader not to worry about him as he's ok and hopefully if they keep moving along they will end up being back in the good old USA. He then talks about two members of the family still hard at work one being Joe and not sure if the other is papa or pipa right before saying goodbye and signed by Leslie. These are amazing letters and insights not only into the war but also how soldiers trying to reassure their families back home that they are being looked after and are doing well. As though they didn't have enough to worry about they still try to convince their loved one's back home that they are ok and will remain that way.. Knowing what we know now about what our families back in the 1930s and 40s went through during the war makes it really hard to believe that they still managed to keep a stiff upper lip!!!. I'd love to read all the letter's, thanks for sharing 👍 😊.

[@jeannegayle6365]

Anything with blue glass is a salt server. Mustard pots were normally ceramic, china or all glass as the mustard would tarnish and pit the silver/silver plate and it would be much smaller than the item with the blue glass insert. We still use china mustard pots for Keens hot mustard. Sterling is a designation of pure British silver and is a trademark. Silver plate would be marked as such. Your straight handled silver pitcher was usually used to dispense hot chocolate. Odd to see these things I still use called 'antiques' and treasures.

[@win1776]

All those little pin-ups would be super cute framed and hanging on the walls in a small bathroom.

[@amberwebb9684]

How fun would it be to be married in the dress you found in the house you restored together. So romantic.

[@dorisbrinkerhoff8124]

i think he is draging his feet . but i agee magic place to get married

[@timefortea1931]

I was thinking that too. I hope that Kim works on the dress and wears it to her wedding to Kaleb and they get married in this house!

[@timefortea1931]

@@dorisbrinkerhoff8124 He's probably focusing on getting the house completed first!

[@lbatemon1158]

That little stool with the green seat is for a vanity! My great-Grandma had one very much like it!

[@priscillaj9950]

"Le petit saucier". So french ! Cheers from France where I wait every week to see your next épisode !

[@elizabethmorris8639]

May already know this, but all documents that are folded should be unfolded and put in acid free folders. Used to work at an archive and that was the first step when we process a collection! The military letters should be taken out of the envelopes because the glue on the envelope is very acidic and will damage the paper, that's why the letter in the geography book had stained the pages...acid in the paper! Cool finds :)

[@juliebaker6969]

Here is a transcript of that letter: Dear Mom, I am feeling fine and I share hope these few lines will find you the same. Well Mom, I am now 23 years old. Yesterday was my birthday, getting kind of old ain't I? Ha Ha. Well Mom they gave us all our German pistols to keep, so I guess we will be leaving in a day or so. I kind of look to take out tomorrow, but where to I don't know. Yet I share hope we keep moving twords the good old U.S.A. For I do want to see all of youse before I have to go to Mc(illegible) and do any more fighting. I only hope when I do get back, I won't have to leave New York again. Well in case I do go to Japan first, I don't want any of youse to worry, for I will be ok. Oh Mom, here is a photo that I had taken with my buddies when I was in town the other night. Oh yes, how is Sis doing? Ok I hope. And I guess Joe and Pap is still working hard aren't they? Well I am going to close now, so long. With all my love, and the best of luck to all of youse, Your son Leslie P.S. Tell Mary Ann if you see her to keep her fingers crossed and soon I will be home, I hope.

[@beefstickswellington1203]

Ohhh but there was NO punctuation LOL that drove me nuts

[@juliebaker6969]

@@beefstickswellington1203 I know, but it wasn't hard to add it. I often write fast while I'm thinking about something, then have to go back and punctuate, fix spelling, and add paragraphs, no big deal. I did leave his wording the same including his use of the iconic New York "youse".

[@zarinaromanets7290]

You the real MVP

[@barbaragremaud3499]

😭

[@mercedesangelesxo]

Awhh😔💔💔

[@tarafotty3149]

I love finding old stuff too! Especially books and coins because then you know how old it is 😊

[@tarafaulkner8659]

Wow! That's a lot of stuff! What a lovely treasure trove you have to explore...some day! Wanted to let you know (if you didn't already) that the envelopes for the Army letters should have an APO (Army Post Office) number on them and there are sites on line where you can look up where, exactly, the letters were mailed from (I learned this after researching my Dad's letters while he was in the China/Burma/India campaign during WWII). Also, an antique dealer schooled me in being able to date, in part, antique furniture by the legs of the piece - if all four legs of an item are carved, it was made before 1850, after that they realized most people aren't going to see the back legs that are nearest the wall, so only carved the showy, front legs. Love what you are both doing for history's sake and am excited for the adventure you are on - thanks for taking us all along with you! Good luck with all of it!

[@twistoffate4791]

FYI to Kaleb & Kimberly: At 14:42, you have a small bench-like chair with a green seat (upholstery). One nearly identical to it came with my mother's vanity, which is a dressing table with a mirror & two drawers on either side with a flat piece in the middle to put makeup, perfume, lotion, hairspray, etc., on. She received the vanity & bench with a matching headboard & footboard and chest in the 1940s as a gift from her parents (my Grandmother & Grandaddy). The seat on hers, however, was upholstered in navy blue.

[@barbaragremaud3499]

Omg, reading the letter really touched me 😭 . I have 20 and 24 y/o sons and I imagining Leslie's and his mom's fears/emotions is very real, even though my sons are not in the military. I am assuming he came home based on what you said about service receipts for his car, etc 🤞 🙏 .

[@twistoffate4791]

Yiu guys really hit the jackpot as far as neat historical trinkets & documents! It couldn't have happened to more deserving restoration champions. I can't wait for more information to pop up regarding these items, such as the identity of "Little Addie". This is so much fun!!

[@debbiegoolsbyjackson95]

I love "stuff", like Kim. I also LOVE the historical stuff, like Caleb. I have my maternal side, family stuff. Passing to my son. Its soooo awesome to hold her homework!!!

[@diggingmary129]

I wish he would have read the note in it, 😢

[@debbiegoolsbyjackson95]

@@diggingmary129 He said he forgot to take it home to scan, but he would try to get it out for us on Monday.😁 Just imagine what that little girl would have thought, if she had known when she was writing it, that we would be looking at it over 100 years later!!!

[@bbbmmmpppxx4746]

For historic books/documents you should either make sure your hands are clean and dry or wear latex gloves. The oils on your fingers can damage the documents. You should also look into buying archival supplies so the items won’t get further damaged. Best of luck!

[@michaellennon13]

Omg almost got heart attack while you were on the box with wallpapers and scraps. They need to be treated delicately 😆

[@daleleeder3534]

Great stuff you have kept, always interesting to sift through old letters to uncover a person's life and like yourselves I absolutely love books and own quite a significant number, I'm currently going through a late friends house with his son, my friend had over 20000 antique and collectable books, is so Interesting , you become curious as to who would have looked through the and where they came from or messages inside etc. Thanks for sharing your finds, you both have a great eye

[@nileswilson577]

Used to do rental clean outs. It's lots of fun finding old things. 🦁 Waiting on Monday.

[@AChristmasCarroll]

Late to the party, but I'm watching from the UK. The pamphlet on the top of the box of books includes a tourist guide for my local area. Kenilworth Castle, Leamington Spa. Someone may have been planning a UK tour at some point. Its cool to see and and makes you wonder how it got there. Thanks for sharing, really enjoying following your journey with this house!

[@brandy495]

I just bought a duplicate of the picture frame a few weeks back at a consignment shop in Clear Lake, Iowa!

[@cowpercoles1194]

The WW2 medal is the standard Asiatic Campaign medal issued to all veterans of the Pacific in 1947. There's one for the European/North African campaign as well. Someone who served at least 30 consecutive days, or 60 non-consecutive days in the Pacific theater was issued the medal, so it's possible that the guy who served in Europe did some of his service at the start, or very end of the war in the Pacific, and would still be eligible for a Pacific medal too.

[@conniehopkins6105]

Incredible finds. That silver will clean up beautifully.

[@teresaschwindt8996]

I love the color choices on the trim. It goes so nice with the green and black. It looks so much better! 😍

[@glitterina8278]

You guys from US are so cute when get emotional for 1850+/1900s treasures...for us european, finding items from that era it’s just like finding something from “yesterday “ 🤣😜

[@Tatiana_Palii]

You're not Eastern European for sure🙄

[@Glametalbarbie]

Not at all... I’m European and I love all of these antiques.. I think it’s a real treasure!!

[@glitterina8278]

@@Glametalbarbie i'm not saying that we don't enjoy these but just that something for 1900 isn't very old for us. I'm Italian, we have tresures from the ancient roman empire BEFORE christ! That's old, for me!

[@JohnSmith-mo6re]

Letter @ 17:50. That's awesome! I believe he used the word "youse"! So cool to see old language in actual use! Not formal, not theatrical, just like a normal commonplace word! Cool!

[@twentyagenarian6300]

The white dress is not a wedding dress, depending on the era it was made in, it was pretty common to wear white dresses. Maybe you could collab with fashion historian youtubers such as Bernadette Banner, she will tell you, from which epoque this dress comes from (:

[@rachaelc2007]

That note from the little girl to her grandma- what a treasure!! I love stuff like that

[@ODiddy67]

Growing up around an older area in the Midwest down near Cairo, I loved finding things in old houses.

[@pamelamcfadden337]

I just love you two, your home and envy your adventure. Best of Luck and good fortune.

[@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack]

Thank you so much!

[@mtc131]

You should have a tin type made of yourselves in clothes from the period and put it in the picture frame... also, I can’t believe the candle sconce wasn’t more important to you. I would definitely hang that up in my home.

[@JodiJames]

I love the comment sections on your videos. So informative.

[@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack]

Isnt it great. I am glad people are so open with their knowledge.

[@neilschipper3741]

That exposed brick over the fireplace looks pretty neat.

[@leighcunningham756]

That container with the blue dish is not a sugar bowl, but a mustard server.

[@pocketjohnson1820]

Or salt possibly as both those would react with the metal

[@tinavidales4510]

Hi Kaleb & Kim!, such lovely things you have! Perhaps when the house is done you can display items throughout the home since it’ll be restored fully! I don’t blame ya if you keep everything since it’s your house and the house owns those items. Thanks again for keeping us posted!

[@imari2305]

Hey Kaleb hey Kim. What a great find in treasures! You all should take some of these beautiful antiques to Antiques Road Show and actually see how much they're worth especially those silver pieces. Maybe at one point the house may've had renters/boarders like the soldier with his letters and the married couple with the marriage license or they could've been relatives or friends of the families who lived there at that time. Beautiful old houses like yours always has some history left behind by those who lived there.

[@kristinadeborasidabutar3053]

Am I the only one that excited to see lots of story line and cute interactions between Kim and Kaleb? You guys are so cool~

[@mkofftiger]

I believe the small silver piece with a hinged lid and cobalt glass liner is a "salt cellar," used with a gold plated spoon/ladle bowl for dispensing salt on a formally set dining table. (The gold plate on the bowl of the ladle is because salt pits/damages silver.) Formal 19th century dining services frequently included small, individual crystal or glass lined silver salt cellars which sat a couple of inches above a dinner plate with individual tiny gold ladles. As my thirtysomething daughter says, "Very Fancy!"

[@robsgirl7778]

This was so neat!!! I'm glad you saved these pieces of history

[@eileenlopez4658]

Make a library museums! Homebound This is a time traveller's so precious! I love going through my parents grandparents stuff

[@mksemposki]

For pictures of the interior have you tried looking up the family on ancestry and seeing if you can find pictures of the family inside the house on there? Just a thought. 😊. Love your home and really loving the videos! It may be new to you and Kim but I believe you are doing an awesome job with your videos!!!

[@pennypaige8864]

Omg I love that yellow chair. I do pin up modeling and Earl Moran is a very well known pin up artist he passed in the 80s I believe. Then there's Gil Elvgren who is my all time favorite. Frame those pictures and put them in the guest bathroom 😍

[@jennypresnell273]

Store your old books either flat, upright, or sitting on their spines. If you sit them on the edges the interior of the book tends to start separating from the boards. This was a fun video with all of your finds

[@melliedearwolf]

My house is from the 1930's and the people who lived here were definitly hoarders. The house was full of stuff when we moved in- some of it (literally) shit... But we also found some cool things like old toys from the 60's and a few pieces of old furniture... Most of it was probably from the 50-80's... I still hope to find something super cool because even though we've lived here for 2 years we can't get to the top part of the attic that we recently discovered is also full of stuff (yes, they literally put stuff EVERYWHERE I'm shook, haha...)

[@Randy8923]

Enjoyed. You have some attractive items and a few nice pieces of furniture to recover. How nice they were left behind for you.

[@beverlyfleming6352]

I like the wing back chair just not the color. I do like the red flower wallpaper on the wall in the main parlor. I love red furniture next to it with green pillow . And a green dress for the Mistress of the house. A green tie for the Mr. of the house. With all that wood beautiful. Stenciling and painting the walls will be beautiful. Long way off I know but love watching the progression to what ever the finish will be. Nice treasures you two have found. Great history your saving all the way around. Thank You Again For Sharing.🌹

[@kimberlythompson719]

I also like the shape of that chair, the fabric is just kind of shiny which is odd. We could get it reupholstered but if someone likes it the way it is we should just give it away. It doesn’t need any work since it’s in good shape and it would be wasteful to reupholster it just because we don’t like the fabric.

[@Topseeykretts]

Those yellow chairs are EVERYTHING😍

[@gingerbread1250]

The ornate cast iron piece you have in under stair storage is possibly a side part of fireplace screen. Very interesting collections, especially old papers and books. So glad you have saved them , I worry that by sharing your finds someone may try to break in and take them from you. Not that they appreciate them for what they are but for what they might sell them for. Anyway, really appreciate your hard work and tenacity to do this restoration right ,would love to help you guys , but live about 600 miles southeast of you guys ,,can't just pop by. Wish you well and keep up the good work.

[@Suz9006]

The goodwill oval picture isn’t an antique. It is a common Princess House picture dating from the 70’s.

[@DragonFox84]

well its tech an antique now lol....just on the newer end of it. or maybe call it retro?

[@dmd5645]

I have two of these picture frames . One smaller(with flat glass) , one larger(with "bubble" glass , as you call it Kim) . Yea, mid to late 1960s/early 70s. I found them at various Salvation Army stores. Ive seen a lot of them since-they must've made millions! Theyre literally everywhere. But theyre still pretty! I restored both of them and inserted new art. I luv them. Great video! Luv all that stuff! It was like looking thru an antique store! Really fun!

[@stevengrotte2987]

@@dmd5645 I wish that they had found some fountain pens, ball points appeared about 1946.

[@billsanzone5444]

That little bench should go to a lady's dressing table/vanity. The silver is lovely-some Wrights Silver Cream would clean that right up beautifully when you're ready to tackle that. The white pedestal dish is a Compote for fruit. Alot of those chairs and sofas are very nice-most would look really good redone-if the horsehair is still good save it to put back as it would be costly to replace.

[@AprilBelle83]

I love the Earl postcards! He did Marilyn Monroe ones which I have one of them in my MM collection 😍

[@cyndibobstreasure8597]

You have some great treasures. You will have much to use for adding history back into the home. Do not underestimate the value of the “misc.” random items you’ve chosen to keep. Your are incredibly fortunate to have an opportunity like this.

[@clicker7019]

The Container Store has many acid free options to store and preserve those documents. Actually, I need to take my own advice. My husband is a descendant of a Union Civil War General and we have his letters to his family during the war. It's fascinating!

[@kathharper]

I am glad there are comments in here for helping you learn how to handle or preserve the items you found that could use some more delicate handling... I admit I cringed when you were going through the items you described as incredibly delicate that were obviously deteriorated and crumbling... hoping you found folks who could help you with the most delicate items that were still salvageable... and watching as you learn your way through the processes!