Avid shoppers and fans already have Jan. 26 marked on their calendars for the Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale preview, renowned as Northern California’s largest, best rummage sale and an established tradition here in the East Bay. They know it’s hard to resist the first chance to browse and buy before the official sale March 7-8. This is a true community event, organized by the Oakland Museum of California Women’s Board and made possible with the assistance of more than 1,000 volunteers and donations from the public. The sale has raised more than $10 million over the past five years to support the museum’s exhibitions, events and programming.
Even the well-worn phrase “something for everyone” seems an understatement, with 20 departments in a 96,000-square-foot warehouse on the Oakland Estuary (across the water from Alameda’s Bridgeside Shopping Center) housing secondhand treasures of fine jewelry, books, tools, artworks, ceramics, collectibles, music, sports equipment, furniture and household items; vintage and contemporary apparel; men’s, women’s and children’s clothing; and more, enticing vintage and retro enthusiasts, art lovers, musicians and anyone who loves a good deal.
“All the departments are filled to the brim. There’s something for every age, every interest, every hobby,” said Sherry Westernoff, the Oakland Museum Women’s Board’s president. “In many cases we have vintage items that have been donated so people come looking for vintage comic books, vintage linens, the list goes on and on. You never quite know what’s going to be donated and what you’ll find; there’s always something new. We see a lot of the same people year-to-year, and we get to know them by name and what they like.”
This year certain treasures are already making waves, such as a very large selection of ’60s and ’70s Pyrex bowls; fine embroidered Marghab linens created in Madeira in the 1930s; and, in the boutique department, a 1912 Tiffany dorébronze-pattern desk set. A fine collection of Pacific Northwest art including Native American masks is also a standout.
“The jewelry department gets mobbed; we have everything from costume jewelry to beautiful silver, vintage pins and jewels that have been donated as part of estates,” Westernoff said. “If you’re looking for a costume, we have a number of departments with items that are great for creating costumes, and in accessories we have a lot fascinator hats.”
While the actual sale takes place March 7-8, real bargain hunters want the first chance to get into the warehouse and search. Aside from the hunt, the event itself from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is fun, with volunteers clad in white shirts lined up to welcome shoppers, many who arrive and line up themselves as early as 6 a.m. and come rushing in to reach their favorite department. Some shoppers even attend in unusual outfits. “It’s fun, and people seem to enjoy just being there,” she said.
Shoppers of all ages from all over the state make their way to the sale. Some are bargain hunters, some collectors. There are always great buys on children’s clothing and toys, and Westernoff recalls a bride shopping for items such as napkins, tablecloths and vases to use for her wedding reception.
Fun aside, the White Elephant Sale plays an important role in the museum and the community. The museum Women’s Board’s mission is to support the Oakland Museum of California, and the board is the museum’s largest donor after the city of Oakland, with proceeds from the sale helping support programs and exhibitions. This year that includes a series of special community events and programs for the museum’s 50th-anniversary season, including “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man,” on view until Feb. 16, and “Hella Feminist: An Exhibition,” which celebrates the lesser-known stories of feminism in Oakland and the Bay Area and opens April 25.
The fact that every item in the warehouse is donated speaks to the fact that the museum and sale are important to the community. People help by donating items, knowing that any funds raised by their sale will go back into the museum and its programs benefiting the community. Westernoff offers tips for preview shoppers, including arriving early and buying tickets in advance.
“If you’re interested in certain departments, you can go online and see photos of some of the unique items for sale this year. If you’re not familiar with the warehouse layout you can print a copy of the floor plan to bring with you as well as see a list of the departments and what’s in them,” she said.
At a glance
What: Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale previewWhen: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 26Where: 333 Lancaster St. in OaklandCost: Preview sale tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door.Details: The official White Elephant Sale is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7-8, and the event is free. Complimentary shuttle service from the Fruitvale BART to the White Elephant Sale warehouse will be provided for the Jan. 26 preview sale and on the official March 7-8 sale days.More info: WhiteElephantSale.org
