Blaine spotted this watercolor illustration, titled The Investigators, that shows some sailors in a jeep ogling two women standing next to the Greenpernt Grocery. The watercolor sold for $287 at auction in April of 2019. It’s larger than I initially thought at almost 3 feet wide (35.75 inches) and 28.75 inches tall. I could find nothing about an artist named “Sweet”.

The name “Greenpernt” might be a reference Greenpoint in Brooklyn, New York. Apparently, Greenpernt was how Brooklyners referred to the area at one time. As one person wrote on a remembrances page, “My Brooklyn was High School days riding the GG train to Brooklyn Automotive in Greenpoint (Greenpernt to my dad)”. 

There’s also a corner of Noble St and West St (note the signs in the illustration) in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, that suggest this corner might have inspired the artist.

The painting is noted and signed by Rex. As you can see here, other originals by Rex Brandt aren’ t quite priced so high on eBay, but most don’t have notes on them.

View all the information on eBay

“riginal 1949 REX BRANDT watercolor painting depicting a Willys Wagon kicking up sand in the desert (beach?). This is a CLASSIC California Scene Painting by one of California’s most famous artists. Painting comes directly from the estate of a close personal friend of Brandt’s. It is signed, dated and inscribed “To Jay – XMAS 1949 – with memories of many fine trips – REX”. Painting measures 10″ x 14″, is in pristine condition and has been professionally framed (frame is in good condition). You won’t find another one like this! Please call or email ANY time with questions. Acquired directly from friend of the artist.”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Price was $16 for the pair.

(02/18/2019) Not one, but two 54″ x 96″ tablecloths.

“TWO Vintage Smokey the Bear
Prevent Forest Fires Paper Tablecloths-
Both New Old Stock-
Hard to Find Collectible Items

Up for sale in this auction are TWO vintage paper tablecloths featuring Smokey the Bear. A hard to find item that will make a great addition to any Smokey the Bear collection….also great to use if you like. Definitely never opened or removed from the package.

I believe that both tablecloths are the same design…..they just look different due to the way they are folded within the plastic wrap. Made by the C.A. Reed Company….featuring “Futura Stylized Designs”. Only one tablecloth has the label on the back. The tablecloths measure 54 x 96 inches in size.
Continue reading →

Jeff Pranger shared the following two wonderful paintings by his father, Ed. Ed Pranger was a WWII US Navy artist and cartoonist for The Hoist in San Diego. According to Jeff, after the war, when surplus Jeeps were plentiful (and Ed was single), his father and his buddies would go hunting and drinking in their Jeeps in the Yakima, Washington, area. Ed produced many paintings and some had Jeeps.

Both of these paintings appeared to have been painted in Anacortes, Washington, one year a part (each has Ed’s name, the year, and the location it was painted on it). The first was completed in 1988 and the second in 1989.

It being a small world, I traveled through Anacortes (to catch the ferry) both of those years, as I was working in the San Juans in 1988 and then got married in the San Juans in 1989.