Sale by Mario!

SALE BY MARIO

It is with a heavy heart to announce that Big Moon Little Stars will be be hosting an estate sale for the late Mario McKinley, who passed away unexpectedly in October 2021. For those long-standing estate sale shoppers in Montgomery County, you’ll no doubt remember attending a “Sale by Mario.” It was generally packed, chaotic and filled with the shouts and laughter of one loud, mustached Italian man. He definitely made an impression on all who attended his sales. His loyal customers, many of whom he considered dear friends, would often come to his sales just to catch up on the latest and to inquire about his lovely wife Elizabeth, who proceeded him a decade ago. 

Mario and Elizabeth’s home was filled with a life time of treasures, much of which was acquired when they traveled to Mario’s beloved hometown of Trieste. They bought and sold antiques and collectibles during their time as vendors at the Georgetown Flea Market, and later showcased a curated collection as Pina’s Treasures in Kensington. As such, you’ll find this sale has a varied and rich collection of items. Assembling this sale has been a labor of love, and we hope that if you’re in the area, you’ll come by and say hello. 

Note: Because of some safety issues, Mario & Elizabeth’s estate has been relocated to a commercial property, where parking is metered. Big Moon Little Stars will have plenty of quarters available for the meters, there is also a small public lot nearby.

PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY OR THE LOT BEHIND THE BUILDING.

Highlights of this sale include:

Entertainment

• Mario has an EXTENSIVE record collection of mostly 1960s & 70s rock-and-roll, including hundreds of Beatles albums. In addition to R&R, is collection includes some jazz, Christmas, crooners and classical. 
• Small collection of 45s
• 1940s Sentinel “Suitcase” TV set
• Vintage sheet music
• Transister radios
• Vintage electronics
•  

Furniture & Decor

• Victorian walnut 3/4 bed frame
• Victorian barley twist table
• Tufted Victorian settee
• Oak Arts and Crafts storage bench with snake motif, c.1895
• Antique English mahogany barley twist storage bench
• Victorian oak mirrored vanity with bench
• Side/accent chairs
• Empire carved high chest
• Edwardian inlay etagere
• Vintage walnut Savonarola chair
• Empire oak coffee table
• Jacobean-style oak buffet, c.1880
• French-style inlay kingwood chest
• Round mission oak dining room table & six chairs
• Hand-knotted Afghan and Iranian wool rugs

Art

• Original oil and acrylic paintings, many from Victorian-era through mid-century
• Lots of carved alabaster, metal, chalk ware figurines/busts, including a Teplitz amphora figurine and a bust by Henry Weisse

Collectibles

• Huge collection of early-to-vintage Steiff stuffed animals
• Vintage-to-antique jointed bisque, composite, ceramic dolls
• Large collection of pocket knives, as well as swords
• Silver Certificates in $1 and $5 denominations, as well as an ample assortment of coins
• Vintage cast iron figurines, door stops and miniatures
• Scarce large enamel Mercedes-Benz dealership sign
• Political memorabilia
• Antique books
• Vintage typewriters
• Large collection of vintage Hummel figurines
• 1980s G.I. Joe vehicles and figurines