Going Antiquing
A tradition of more than 60 years will continue next weekend when the doors open on the GFWC Intermediate League of Butler Antiques Show and Sale.
The fundraising event at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora will feature 42 dealers and a quilt to be raffled. Each year raffle tickets are sold for $1 during, with the winner being drawn on Sunday.
“Our quilt for the raffle this year was made by the United Methodist Church Quilters and is a queen size in muted soft pastel colors, which will go with any décor,” said Leona Angert, the publicity chairwoman for the event.
Among this year's vendors are John Podner and William Perdue of Perdue and Podner Antiques in Volant, formerly in Zelienople. They both were teachers before entering the world of antique dealing and have more than 40 years experience.
The pair has been involved with the show at least 10 times.
“This event is one of the few quality shows still going in the Pittsburgh area. The committee people are great to work with and they treat the dealers really well,” said Perdue.
One of their specialties is Pittsburgh glass. Though Pittsburgh is primarily known for its steel, its impact on the glass industry is quite substantial. One of the earliest industries in Pittsburgh, the first glassworks was established in 1797 by Gen. James O'Hara with the help of Major Isaac Craig.
They made mostly utilitarian items like bottles and window panes. By 1813, the industry gained prominence with a total of five glass factories operating in the city.
Bakewell & Ensell began in 1808 and emerged as one of the prominent manufacturers of high quality craftsmanship glass. They were the first to make totally cut glass pieces in the area and their works are highly collectible.
Perdue and Podner will take many such examples of early Pittsburgh glass to the show.
“We'll be offering the Pillar-molded bar bottle and a celery vase along with two Atterbury oil lamps. We'll also have early tin whale oil lamps and a pewter whale oil lamp,” said Perdue. “The glass and lamps ... fall within the 1840 to the 1870 time period,” he added.
Perdue said he got his start in antiques when he purchased the contents of a very old drugstore, which had a lot of Pittsburgh glass.“There were also many documents that referred to the purchase of the glass display jars from McKee Bros. and U.S. Glass,” he added.“I guess I've always had an interest in all things old because as a kid I went with my parents to almost every auction in the area. Mom collected all kinds of glass and china while Dad bought horse- and farm- related items,” said Perdue.Perdue, who taught biology and chemistry in Linesville, would frequent the antique shops, procuring wooden items before the dealers closed for the winter.“I would spend a lot of time refinishing and refurbishing them and when summer came I would have too much ‘stuff' so I would do flea markets in the Pittsburgh area,” he explained.Another area of expertise for Perdue and Podner is Victorian silver. One of the silver-plated centerpieces they will feature was made in Wurtemburg, Germany, circa 1906.“The centerpiece features a woman in classical dress looking over her shoulder at a young draped boy. The metal dishes have raised iris flowers in the art nouveau style. The silver plating is original,” said Podner. They will have several pieces of Victorian era silver plate — 1870s through to the early 1900s — for sale at the show.Many novices have gotten their feet wet in antiques at this local show. Perdue challenges novices to do their homework before they purchase.“Read, read, read and ask a lot of questions. We have hundreds of reference books that we use almost daily in this business,” said Perdue, noting the library is an excellent source of reference books.“Get to know the dealer you are buying from and feel comfortable about your purchases. Really, 99.44 percent of antique dealers want knowledgeable customers and repeat customers,” he added.Perdue and Podner also say collecting antiques should be fun.“Buy what you like and can use, but always buy the best there is in whatever category you are collecting,” Perdue advised.“The upper end of any category seems to hold its value and interest. In glass early forms and color are always a good bet,” Podner explained.Angert said attendees who attend on preview night Friday will receive hors d'oeuvres and may return free both on Saturday and Sunday. Lunch will be available on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon until 4:30 p.m.“We also have put together a book commemorating our 60th year of hosting this show,” she added. The booklet will be available during the show and sale.Proceeds of the sale will benefit Butler County Emergency Relief, Butler County Historical Society, Butler County Meals on Wheels, Community Health Clinic, Maridon Museum, Mars Home for Youth, Tanglewood, VNA Hospice and the YWCA.
<B>WHAT:</B> Annual GFWC Intermediate League of Butler Antiques Show and Sale<B>WHEN: </B>6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. March 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 19, and noon to 5 p.m. March 20<B>WHERE: </B>Tanglewood Center on Hansen Avenue in Lyndora<B>TICKETS: </B>Friday gala preview tickets $8 presale at the YWCA or through Intermediate League members or $8 at the door. Saturday and Sunday $6 at the door. Quilt drawing $1 per ticket.<B>INFO: </B>724-287-7959 www.pittsburghantiques.net
