April 4, 1998
Greetings Accumulators!
We are in the midst of doing the Triple Pier Expo here in New York City.
It's a tremendous show with enormous crowds of buyers and wonderful items
you've never seen before! It's also a very civilized show to do, and I
know the dealers out there will understand what I'm saying. Many celebs
attend the show and I'm always amazed when they recognize me and say
they're fans of "Personal FX". Let us move along, as the show opens for
the day in a little over three hours.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF WHAT A SET OF PIPES
Ella Fitzgerald, who was indisputably one of the finest voices ever to
grace the world's ears, has gone on to her final reward. But her son has
generously decided to share his fabulous mementos of his mother with the
rest of us. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC has mounted an
exhibit of his donated collection of Ella Fitzgerald memorabilia. Included
are many photos (including that famous one by Annie Lebovitz of Ella and
the car), costumes, music, letters and more. We can only hope that the
collection will be sent out on tour so that we can all see it. For now
though, you have to go to Washington to see this tribute to America's
songbird.
YEAH, WELL HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE THE PERSON THAT HELD THE YARD SALE?
DEPARTMENT
An auction of antiques was held in the Harborlight Mall in North Weymouth,
Mass on January 29. The top grossing lot in the sale was an oak Gustav
Stickley bride's chest that earned $8,250. Now, that's not the highest
price ever paid for an item of this type, and especially not for a Gustav
Stickley. So, what was so unusual about this chest? It had been purchased
by the consignor at a yard sale for a few dollars, and had been used as a
coffee table until someone wised up and looked at the mark on it. Of
course, now the consignor has to serve her guests drinks on TV tray tables,
but she probably hasn't got much time to entertain, what with the fifty or
so yard sales she must be attending each weekend.
DIG IT!
The now defunct United States Pottery Company in Bennington, VT is the site
of an archeological dig. The pottery, in business from 1847 to 1858 was the
earliest pottery in New England, and also the largest. It was the first to
produce Parianware and so far, the dig has uncovered examples of forms and
materials heretofore undiscovered. The Bennington Museum, administrator of
the project, is looking for volunteers and contributors. You can reach
them by writing to The Bennington Museum Archeology Project, Att: Mary
Gardner, The Bennington Museum, West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201, or
by calling Cathie Zusy at (617)868-0489 or Victor Rolando at (802)442-0105.
"PERSONAL FX, THE COLLECTIBLES SHOW"
For 1,000 episodes and nearly four years, this show has been on the top of
the heap when it comes to collecting. Many people write to me asking what
John Burke or Claire Carter are really like, what we do during commercials,
and whether it's as much fun as it seems to be. To read about it, follow link
Well Accumulators, it's been nice typing to you. Off to the land of heavy
duty commerce. Happy Hunting!
Best,
Judith
© 1998 Judith Katz-Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Antiques and Collectibles Newsletter #36
U.S. Library of Congress
ISSN 1520-4464
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