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By LINDA SLOCUM
NARROWSBURG - Do you remember that old blue tricycle that you rode
on every day in your old neighborhood, or the faces of favorite
dolls that shared your room with you ? You may be one of the lucky
individuals who still have their childhood playthings, but you
would be the rare exception.
The fact that the baby boom generation is in the process of
maturing has contributed to the increased demand for antiques and
collectibles.
As children, baby boomers were provided with an unprecedented
variety and quantity of manufactured items for their playtime
hours. In addition, families traveled thousands of miles of new
highways to new homes in other parts of the country. Very often,
toys and bicycles were given away, sold, or thrown out when the
family moved.
Photo:
Linda Slocum
This
still life includes a folk art carving of a Curlew made by
Matty Kaszuba of Red Bank, New Jersey. His skillful
driftwood carvings are held in high regard by collectors
world wide.
These trends have resulted in a wealth of opportunities for
finding antiques and collectibles in New York's Catskills and
Pennsylvania's Poconos. From the finest Limoges porcelain to the
gaudiest TV lamp, there are shops and marketplaces for every taste
and budget. The only ingredients necessary for a successful day or
weekend of antiquing are a little bit of time, a degree of
patience and some money to spend.
Although there are as many reasons for individuals to collect
things as there are things to collect, the one common denominator
is that collecting allows you to hold onto a small piece of the
past. Not only was the object designed, made or manufactured by an
individual, it may have also been used, worn or admired on a daily
basis by someone who lived a long time ago. There are
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the
treasured family heirlooms that may connect us to an ancestor or a
beloved relative, as well as more recent collectibles that can
remind us of our own childhood-or perhaps the one we only dreamed
about.
If you are an early bird, try your luck at some of the area's
yard sales and flea markets. Check the classified sections in
local papers or, if you prefer a more casual approach, simply head
down any country road and see what you'll find. It will be helpful
to have a detailed map of the area that includes state, county and
town roads so that you can find your way back home after a day of
antique hunting.
Photo:
Linda Slocum
A
variety of
the merchandise
that you can find in one of the antique shops
on Main Street in Narrowsburg. The offerings shown include a
primitive cupboard, accent lighting and decorative and functional
kitchen wares.
For those collectors who prefer a leisurely breakfast and that
second cup of coffee, there are many antique shops, shows and
auctions to visit. Main Street in Narrowsburg features several
antique stores near the Big Eddy Diner and Delaware Valley Arts
Alliance. Most antique shops have a brochure with shop listings as
well as a map to direct you, such as the Wayne, Pike, Sullivan
Antique Dealers Association ( WPSADA ) brochure available at
Narrowsburg Antiques, Art and Collectibles.
If you are a beginning collector, it is a good idea to visit
your local library or bookstore and look over some of the
antiques-related titles on hand. There are hundreds of collecting
categories and there is sure to be one that will appeal to you.
One of the best general books available is Schroeder's Antiques
Price Guide. It has everything from Tiffany lamps to television
characters, with
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informative descriptions of each category that
include brief histories, significant marks, collectors clubs and
experts.
In addition, many of the home and garden magazines now have
special sections devoted to decorating with collectibles, and they
often have suggestions for clever ways to live with and display
your treasures. You may have unwittingly started your own
collection just by hanging on to those wonderful handkerchiefs or
colorful aprons that once belonged to your grandmother.
For serious collectors who have already found their special
area of interest, there are numerous titles available that focus
on single aspects of collecting. Some of the recently published
titles include: Collector's Guide to Wallace Nutting Pictures, Collector's Guide to California
Pottery and A Treasury of Scottie Dog Collectibles.
The internet has dramatically expanded the
amount of information that is available to anyone with a computer.
There are incredible resources online that can assist collectors
at all levels of expertise, including libraries, museum
collections and auction results.
Photo:
Linda Slocum
A small
grouping of mid-century dolls share a display shelf with
an early 1900's hand-cut silhouette and a hand-carved
Eskimo doll.
Now, gather your maps, measuring tape, magnifying glass,
bottled water and a hat. Put on a pair of comfortable shoes, head
off in any direction you choose, and enjoy your hunt for treasure!
[Linda Slocum is the owner of Linda Slocum Antiques with shop
locations at the Hawley Antique Exchange in Hawley, PA and
Narrowsburg Antiques, Art & Collectibles on Main Street in
Narrowsburg. Her
antiques web site is: www.worksbyhand.com. ]
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