Do you know... what we call today's tag sale actually started in the early 1800s?
That's right, shipping yards often sold unclaimed cargo and other warehouse items off the docks as part of "rommage" and later "rummage" sales. These sales were also conducted out of churches and other community areas to raise money for various charities. In the 1950s and 1960s, families began holding sales out of their garages and yards in an effort to get rid of "no longer used" belongings. My Great American Tag Sale, which was held in a back field of my Bedford, New York farm, was a large version of one of these fun traditional events - shoppers mingled, stories were shared, and many, many treasures were found.
Everyone had such a good time. Here are more photos, enjoy!
Many of the items I sold were also props used on my television shows and in my magazines. This coverlet was used in an issue of “Living” – do you remember it? Here are Bernie Wong and Dennis Landon, two of my greatest fans and Instagram friends, folding this great find. And guess who purchased it? My friend, longtime colleague and crafts expert, Hannah Milman.
Shoppers were finding treasures in every aisle. We instructed everyone to bring their own bags to carry away their items – many walked away with bags overflowing.
We gave t-shirts to every seller and volunteer, so they could be easily identified.
As tables emptied, our team put out more merchandise. Here’s James LaBorne taking out more pottery to fill the tables.
There were bins and bins of linens for sale!
Tibby Gordon made sure every item that came out of storage was tagged and displayed nicely.
Do you know what these are? They are glass floats. Also known as glass fishing floats, or Japanese glass fishing floats, these are now popular collectors’ items. They were once used by fishermen in many parts of the world to keep their fishing nets and longlines afloat.
Here I am during one of the walkthroughs making sure every tag was filled out appropriately. I made multiple rounds in all the tents to visit with shoppers and to help make sure everything was running smoothly.
Haden Spenard and Areesh Haq from “Team Hessney” handled logistics and planning.
Antiques expert, Vincent Manzo, was on hand to help shoppers with pricing and also share the history of many of the antique items for sale.
Lustreware in its earliest development was made throughout the Middle East. The name “lustreware” comes from the iridescent or luminous effect created on glazed ceramics which, following the initial firing, are taken through further treatment with metal oxides. Traditionally, copper and silver oxides were used, but the range also included gold, platinum, and bismuth.
Here’s antiques expert Elizabeth Jackson posing for a snapshot after another successful sale!
Shoppers looked at every item so carefully. It was nice to see how interested visitors were in the stories about these pieces.
Many rugs and runners also sold – some were used in my personal homes.
And, I put out racks and racks of clothes – some from my own collections, and some from my personal wardrobe – almost every item sold!
Sergio Ducatti helped with loading and unloading – he was part of our “muscle” crew.
Old wheelbarrows – some also seen on the pages of our magazine, were all sold.
Every tart tin and pie plate was sold.
Jim Klinko and Vincent stopped for this photo before the afternoon crowds filled the tent.
Judy Morris and Heather Kirkland from my team pose with Bernie and Dennis after meeting for the first time. It was such a wonderful event for everyone.
Everyone is still talking about it, this morning - my first-ever tag/garage/yard/estate/get-rid-of-it Great American Tag Sale!
This weekend's event was a huge success. We sold thousands and thousands of items including furniture, tableware, art, linens, clothing, plants, decorations, holiday, kitchen, clothing, and so much more. The Great American Tag Sale kicked off with a lovely early evening cocktail party and preview, and then over two days of glorious sunny spring weather, we welcomed van loads of excited shoppers to my Bedford, New York farm. Everyone who attended found treasures. And all for a great cause - ticket proceeds are going to New York City's Mount Sinai Martha Stewart Centers for Living. It took a large team to put it all together, but we all did it, and it was a great time!
Here are some photos, enjoy!
On the day preceding the Great American Tag Sale, I hosted a cocktail party and preview outdoors on the courtyard of my stable located at the end of this long Boxwood Allee. The day was just perfect – blue skies and mild spring temperatures.
My friend Chef Pierre Schaedelin from PS Tailored Events and his team prepared lots of wonderful bites for our guests. The appetizers included these roasted country ham in buttermilk biscuits. Our ham is from Loveless Cafe. (Photo by Pierre Schaedelin)
They also include giant jumbo Mister Spear asparagus with crispy parmesan and lemon zest, Mr. Spears green asparagus soup shots, cheese gougéres, marinated salmon from Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish wrapped in buckwheat crepes with horseradish cream, endive roquefort blue cheese with caramelized pecans, double baked potatoes with broccoli and sharp cheddar cheese, mini quiche with melted leeks and poached quail eggs, and of course pigs in a blanket.(Photo by Pierre Schaedelin)
All our small bites couldn’t be served fast enough – everything was so delicious. (Photo by Dominic Benevento)
We also had a seafood buffet of delicious oysters and shrimp. (Photo by Mike Krautter)
Our wait staff shucked the oysters for all the guests. They were so plump and flavorful. I always order oysters from Copps Island Oysters in Norwalk, Connecticut. (Photo by Mike Krautter)
These large, fresh shrimp are courtesy of Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish, a farm shop and restaurant here in Westchester, New York. (Photo by Mike Krautter)
Guests also walked to my Hay Barn set up with a tent filled with a sampling of premium items for sale.
Here is a beautiful framed photo of my old corn crib – for sale.
Art work was hung on wall panels for guests to see, while other collectibles were displayed on long tables.
Here are some of the Jadeite pieces – they were snatched up right away.
It was a busy morning before the tag sale. Mercedes-Benz provided four Sprinter 15-passenger vans for us to drive guests to and from my farm from the nearby John Jay Homestead. Here are the vehicles washed, cleaned and ready to go.
The side walls were removed from the tents. We had several large tents at the tag sale from Stamford Tent & Event Services.
With just 30-minutes to go, Chris Hessney gathered all the sellers and support staff for a last minute meeting.
Samantha Frisoli, who helped organize much of the inventory, checked that every item had an appropriate tag.
Here’s antiques expert, Vincent Manzo, ready to help shoppers and answer questions.
Tibby Gordon and James LaBorne stopped for this quick photo as they placed last minute items on the tables.
The Great American Tag Sale started right on time at 9am sharp.
I welcomed the first guests as they arrived and walked around sharing stories about some of the pieces up for sale. It was great to meet so many interesting and enthusiastic tag sale shoppers.
Here are Haden Spenard and Areesh Haq from Chris Hessney’s team – they organized many of the logistics of the event. (Photo by Dominic Benevento)
Shoppers entered the main tent where we displayed all kinds of pottery, and lots of chairs, cabinets, rugs, tables, and so much more.
Christopher Spitzmiller was also at the Great American Tag Sale. Here he is with his new chairs!
Shoppers took home many items! I think these two were very happy with their purchases.
Shoppers loved all the yellow ware – pieces went so quickly.
I sold many, many books – some of my own, and some of those I’ve collected over the years.
Here are Dominic Benevento and Chris Hessney taking a selfie! (Photo by Dominic Benevento)
Shopper also loved all the rugs and runners!
Here are Bernie Wong and Dennis Landon, two of my biggest fans and Instagram friends. They purchased many, many things from the sale.
And here is Andrew Ritchie, another dedicated fan and founder of the Martha Moments fan blog and Instagram page.
Auctioneer and antiques expert, Frank Kaminski, tagged these glasses – SOLD!
And here’s Jim Klinko, my old friend and antiques dealer in nearby Westport, Connecticut. He’s been eyeing this piece for himself.
Day 1 was a great success. I am so glad to be able to give proceeds to New York City’s Mount Sinai Martha Stewart Centers for Living, whose mission is to advance the quality of eldercare and to reshape the public’s perception of aging and provide outpatients with whole patient assistance, including medical examinations, advice about diet and exercise, and caregiving.
After several weeks of hard work, the day has finally arrived - the tents are filled, the signs are posted, the shuttle vans are washed, and everyone is ready to help. It took a big group of people to get everything prepared for this big day - our events team from Chris Hessney, all our antiques experts who appraised the items including Jim Klinko, Vincent Manzo, Frank Kaminski, Elizabeth Jackson, Jennifer Pascal, Karen and Robert Defalco, my entire crew here at the farm, and many others. Yesterday, we kicked off the sale with a cocktail party and preview.
Enjoy these photos.
Proceeds from the Great American Tag Sale are going to New York City’s Mt. Sinai Martha Stewart Centers for Living – two facilities that are very important to me. The first opened in 2007 and is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. This second is downtown in the Union Square area. The Center’s mission is to advance the quality of eldercare and to reshape the public’s perception of aging. It’s designed to provide outpatients with whole patient assistance, including medical examinations, advice about diet and exercise, and caregiving – a place that teaches older adults, and those who love them, how to grow older gracefully.
Among the last items to be placed in the tents – beautiful art work… for sale!
More art work – prints, photos, etc…. for sale!
Flower frogs… for sale!
Old wheelbarrows… for sale!
My hay barn was styled for the preview. We displayed some of everything in this tent, including these pate covered dishes – did you see them on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48?
More art work on these display panels… for sale!
Jadeite glassware… for sale!
Baskets, art work, and turkey covered dishes… for sale!
I was so happy to have the help of many friends, including Jim Klinko, antiques dealer from Westport, Connecticut.
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