There has been much going on this summer, but I've always wanted to attend the Baltimore Antique Show. This show was hampered by the hurricane. People were worried that the show, held in the basement next to the harbor, would flood. It didn't, but they did have an earthquake during setup. My California friends paused a moment, and then continued working. About 20 minutes later, the building was evacuated. You can tell the east coast doesn't know how to handle earthquakes. ( #1 Rule: DO NOT stand on the sidewalk outside brick skyscrapers. Those bricks can come down and kill you....)
This is the first time I've been to the Baltimore show. I've been to Miami, Philadelphia and my husband has been to Brimfield, but I tend to stay on the West Coast. The Left Coast is the best coast--for hiking, weather, etc (or life, as my daughter says)--but go to the Right Coast for antiques!
I intended to take alot of photos, but wound up not thinking about my camera or blogging. The show opened at 11 AM, and I didn't complete the first "walkaround" until 3 PM. That's unusual for me, and I can usually blow through a show in 2 hours.
On to what you want to see--pictures. I don't collect French faience, Quimper, but thought that it has a nice look. Given that I collect early transferware, it seems like a nice collecting category to pursue. So I'll think about what it is that would work for me in a collection. I like to look for unusual items in a collecting category, but ALL of these pieces seem unusual.
A wall of Faience |
Part of the Baltimore Show is a book show. I've never sought out an antique book show, but I was delighted to have stumbled into such a wonderful show. When we were first married, all I bought at estate sales were books. Who could afford expensive (ha) antiques every weekend, but a $20 bill would buy me a stack of wonderful old bindings "decorator books by the yard". I still can't pass up a nice book, however, instead of $2, it's more like $20-$60.
I took the business card of this dealer, I'll add his name when I find it... |
Wow! Check out these really old books. Homer Iliad from 1664 in Greek for $1250? Really, I can own something that old? |
Check out all these wonderful books, many for $200. Wouldn't you rather own one of these than an I-phone? (I would, and I don't have an I-phone) |
Owning books that are hundreds of years old is like owning art--literally. This was quite an education |
Of course the French Prayer Books with the embroidered tops were something I'd like to prop on the edge of my bookcase! |
This was a German table from the 1700's. Being German, I think I should consider owning something like this. Oh wait, I have one like this! |
This English Penwork table has my name all over it. Never go to an antique show without a mini-van.... That's my new motto. Shipping this to the west coast would probably cost as much as the table. |
This was like visiting a museum. Many fabulous pieces, so over the top to own. Can you imagine the size of room you'd need to hold this massive desk? I think this was MS Rau from New Orleans.
My husband really liked this lamp. It was very cool, you can't really see the molded glass that is a cameo like effect of a head. I think he liked it because it was for holding the dealer's business cards, not for sale. hee hee.
There were a couple of other purchases, but I wanted to share with you some of the fun of seeing the show. Next year's advice: Plan on two days to do the show. Take an empty suitcase of bubble wrap so you can take a suitcase home on the plane with your treasures.
Since I've been home, I've been wandering through listings on Ebay. I found another wonderful platter in mulberry transferware. I'm working on a wall of platters in my bedroom.
It's great to get an antique fix without spending all day on an airplane too!
What a fabulous antique show and sale. Antiques like these do not come around often. Oh, I wish I could have gone and better yet, found a treasure to call my own. Thanks, Richard from My Old Historic House.
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