Old, but still new
It may be a strange selling point, but a big draw of the 66th annual GFWC Intermediate League of Butler Antiques Show and Sale March 18-20 is its newness.
“This show will feature vendors from the tri-state area,” said Anne Miller of Butler Township, the sale's general chairman. “They are bringing collections of general antiques, furniture, primitives, spongeware, lamps, quilts, trunks, dolls, flo-blue, jewelry, coins, postcards, silver, china and much more.”
“Not to be missed are the unique offerings of Bill Sarver's American war memorabilia, Michael Peloza's early country and primitives and Jerry Pebbano's spongeware,” said Miller.
“Collectors and dealers have made this show a tradition,” she said.
“There is something for everyone. Last year the show drew close to 1,300 people,” Miller said.
Proceeds from the sale at the Tanglewood Center, 10 Austin Ave., Lyndora, will go to the Art Center, Butler Public Library, Butler County Historical Society, Catholic Charities, Community Health Clinic of Butler, Lutheran Senior Life Foundation, Maridon Museum, Tanglewood, VNA, YWCA and BERI.
“Our first-time recipients this year are Butler Little Theatre, Lighthouse Foundation and the Summer Dramatics Project directed by Gordon Cavalero,” Miller noted.
Melanie and Jim Thomas of Harrison Township, Allegheny County, will be representing Wexford General Store Antique Center, 150 Church Road, Wexford.
This will be their sixth year at the show and sale as dealers, but they have been attending for 40 years as they first began collecting antiques.
“The most important thing about this show is how well it is run. A lot of credit goes to the Woman's League of Butler for making it such a success all these years,” Jim Thomas said.
The Thomases have selected a number of items specifically for this show. One of the items they will feature is a round walnut table with drawer.
“It boasts an ebony and apple wood inlaid checker board top, and we believe it's dated to around 1875,” said Thomas. “We've owned the table for 25 years, and it will be the first time we've taken it on the road.”
The pair enjoys collecting old trunks and will be bringing several along to the show.
“We have a nice selection of refurbished immigrant trunks including a rare tall-sized truck,” he said, noting it was the first tall size they've ever had.
Collecting light fixtures is another one of their passions.“We will be bringing a group of electric lamps, both table and floor that will be available for sale,” Thomas said. “We have three nice slag glass lamps and a variety of others that are quite interesting.”The Thomases got their start collecting Yellowware.“We started collecting pitchers and bowls and other decorated stoneware pieces like crocks and jugs,” Thomas said.They have no formal training but have been educated in the school of hard knocks.“We made plenty of mistakes as we were starting out — and it still happens — but that is what keeps people interested in the business,” Thomas explained.“When you see a piece, you know it, and you never regret buying it, but if you pass it up, you will always regret not buying,” he said.“Anyone who tells you they know everything about antiques isn't worth talking to. Never stop learning,” he said.The duo is in it for the thrill of the hunt, which is their real passion.“We really enjoy the fact that it is something we both love and we can do it together,” said Thomas.He advises new collectors to educate themselves. “The problem today is that often our young buyers aren't knowledgeable about antiques in general and most are not the 'collector' type,” he said.He also noted that purchasing one really good piece of something is better than purchasing many pieces that are of lesser quality.Of all of the items the Thomases collect, they could not do without their wooden furniture collection.“This show appeals to customers because they can experience pieces not common to this area and items dealers save specifically for this show. One would have to spend days visiting local and out-of- town shops to see the quality and variety that will be housed in one place at this show,” Thomas shared.The show will also feature a raffle of a quilt with the Carpenter's Star pattern made by the First United Methodist Church Quilters.As always, there will be a $100 cash door prize.
WHAT: 66th annual GFWC Intermediate League of Butler Antiques Show and SaleWHEN: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 18; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 19; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20.WHERE: Tanglewood Center, 10 Austin Ave., LyndoraTICKETS: Available at the Butler YWCA, 120 W. Cunningham St., and from Intermediate League members.INFORMATION: 724-287-7959 or www.pittsburghantiques.net.
