|
by Rosemary Lee Potter
Special to Tropical Breeze
A perfect Saturday morning outing, neither
too sunny nor too breezy, as I headed south to St. Peterburg's
Historic Coliseum. If the architectural beauty of this famous
building outside is not enough, then be surprised inside, with the
garlands of lights framing the high ceiling, a canopy of tiny
lights above the dance floor catching every entering eye.
The scene of tea dances even in these
days, just inside the doors, another fabulous sight -- row-on-row
of antique dealer booths, more than 75 of them stretching across
and down the dance floor, in alcoves, on the stage, and even in the
balcony, each booth especially attractive by its unique goods, well
displayed to impress, of course. We're talking hundreds, more like
thousands, of collectible items -- furniture, toys, books, pottery,
jewelry, glass, lamps, and more.
It's the three-day Sunshine City Antiques
& Collectibles Show at a well-matched venue, The Coliseum.
On the main floor is where two booths
offer me a look at nearly two dozen flat cases filled with
"smalls." Smalls are just that -- tiny items such as a charm, a
top, a political badge, small framed pictures, advertising
premiums, organizational pins, marbles -- imagination reminds us
that our world, including our purses, our desk and cabinet drawers,
is filled with these items.
 |
|
| Dealer Buffy Charboneau, left, shows off a case of vintage jewelry and husband Frank Charboneau displays his collectible pop culture plastic items at the Sunshine City Antiques and Collectibles Show. |
The wonderful thing here is that the
Charboneaus, Buffy and Frank, enthusiastic owners of the goods for
sale in booths 70-71, have spent much time organizing their tiny
souvenirs and momentos. They've classified the items in the cases,
some goods by material – say plastic, gold, shell, Bakelite;
or relationship, say military or political. Frank shows me a case
with little plastic tops, noisemakers, and yo-yos; Buffy a lovely
one with bracelets and other jewelry.
The Charboneaus obviously love their work
and are very proud of the impact their display makes on those
attending the show. In fact, it is difficult moving on from them,
but I decide to climb up the stairs to the balcony and look at
other vendors' wares as well as the Appraisal Fair being held up
there.
 |
Anita Kolback waiting for appraisal of “Isabella and the Pot of Basil,” a Victorian framed print she’s owned since 1986.
|
Good thing, too. Just as always with
antique hunters, much of the best "finding" is by chance. Thus I
discover as I stroll along the balcony rail, one Anita Kolback, who
is waiting her turn by number for an appraisal.
Luckily for me there still are some folks
ahead of her--so we chat, she sitting in a chair beside her antique
art work, having paid $5 for her number, meaning a few minutes with
a professional appraiser.
I have to chat with Anita because she's
brought in a really striking print of a mysterious lady, it framed
with what I think is an unusually detailed column/pavilion design.
Anita bought the piece in 1986 from a Texan. She's hoping to get
both identification information and a good valuation for it as she
is planning to sell it.
The next day Anita e-mails me with much
more information about the art including some related websites.
Turns out her print was by John White Alexander (1856-1915) an
American portrait painter. The figure in the painting, which is
called "Isabella and the Pot of Basil," originally executed in 1897
in oil on canvas, hung in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Story? The Alexander painting is based on
an earlier painting in 1868 by William Holman Hunt which is based
on a poem by John Keats, "Isabella, or the Pot of Basil." Seems
it's all based on a tale of a grief-stricken woman who pines over
a pot of the herb basil, in which she has interred her dead
lover's head!
You never know what you will learn when in
the throes of such a collecting adventure. As for Anita, she tells
me the appraiser was impressed with the frame as well. The
appraisal? $450.
For those who missed this fall's
collecting excursion to the venerable Coliseum, good news. The
Sunshine City Antiques and Collectibles Show returns to the
Coliseum (535 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg) next month for three
days -- Jan. 11-13! Show info: 727-823-4130 or visit:
www.sunshinecityantiqueshow.com
© 2007 Rosemary Lee Potter. All
Rights Reserved.
TROPICAL BREEZE PHOTOS BY ROSEMARY POTTER
Rosemary Lee Potter is a confirmed victim
of the collecting bug and can be reached by e-mail at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or write to her in care of Tropical Breeze,
P.O. Box 585, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.
|
Front Page 
Columns 
