At garage sales and op-shops, my eye is only for something serviceable and necessary, like a new iron. Or, with luck, classic literature in hardback. I can recognise the cultural value in books and art, something that could do well at auction. But the very act of selling brings up huge irrational inhibitions - a Midas I shall never be. If I see such a thing, I'm more likely to pass it on to a library, gallery or museum.
No. But one time I saw a box fall out of the back of a truck. I stopped to kick it out of the street. I was curious as to what it was so when the truck didn't come back I put the box in my trunk. I forgot about it. A couple weeks later my FIL was at my house and I thought about it. He throws nothing away so I figured he would want it whatever it was. When he saw it he got excited. I don't even remember what it was now, but it was a piece of equipment that he was thrilled to get free. It was brand new.
