A review of the 1887/1888 and 1906  Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for Downtown San Diego show numerous second hand shops in the working class neighborhoods.  Business directories and census records also show some traditional ethic affiliations of the second hand shops with Jewish immigrants, among others. We also found archaeological and documentary evidence of glass recycling.    

Jerry Schaefer
 
ASM Affiliates, Inc.
2034 Corte Del Nogal
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760-804-5757 (office)
760-804-5755 (fax)
 
 


-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Lyle
E. Browning
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 4:59 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Second-Hand Shops in the 18th & 19th Centuries


On our site today, discussions got around to pottery distribution in  
the 18th & 19th century and secondary markets. The phenomenon of hand- 
me-downs from plantation owner to overseer to slave is documented. But  
in an urban environment, was there a mechanism for distribution of  
wares "not of the latest fashion" to secondary markets and/or  
distributees in any formal manner or was it an ad hoc arrangement.  
And, has anyone looked at the archaeological record to show same, if  
it exists? Did what we now call second-hand shops exist except as 20th  
century inventions? How common were the Dickensian Old Curiosity Shops  
as mechanisms for redistribution of goods for the middle/lower classes  
outside major metro areas?

Thanks in advance,

Lyle Browning, RPA