A Dickens of a good find at a local flea market!

This past Saturday I was browsing a flea market while my wife was getting her hair done. There was a little Christmas shop inside the flea market. Of course, I asked the proprietor if she had any village buildings by Department56. She said yes, and showed me three older pieces from Dickens' Village. There was "M Fezziwig Warehouse", "The Flat of Ebenezer Scrooge" and "Old Curiosity Shop".

I don't collect Dickens, but I know that is what I wanted to give my brother and sister-in-law for Christmas. Perfect. I asked her if the lighting worked, and she tested each, and showed me all sides of each building. They were perfect. I was so excited. It was a very good deal, right?

It's funny, because before I chose Snow Village, I was going to choose Dickens for my christmas village, basically because I've always loved the movies, including every single remake. These pieces may end up at my office - which I have dubbed "The island of misfit pieces" -- it's where all of my buildings that don't make the cut at home end up. It's quite a hodgepodge display. I'll have to snap a picture this year!