Apr 15, 2008 9:06 am US/Eastern
Philadelphia Antiques Show Out To Sea
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
If you've ever wondered about the value of a family heirloom or found fascination in an antique shop, the 47th annual Philadelphia Antiques Show is the place for you.
Thousands of people, including high-end collectors and those with less experience, made their way to Philadelphia's Navy Yard Monday for what many consider the premier antiques and decorative arts show in the country.
Amateur collector, Kathleen Waugh of Alexandria, Virginia made the two day trip with her daughter. She said, "There is so much to see and we know some of the dealers, so it's nice to chat."
And Kathleen isn't alone. According to 2008 Philadelphia Antiques Show Chair, Karen Drury, Kathleen is one of 10,000 people to attend this year's show.
"We've had more people come through the show than ever before. It's a record attendance," Drury announced proudly.
The show, which featured loan exhibit, Fore and Aft – Philadelphia Collects Maritime, paid tribute to the Age of Sail in part because of its new location at the Navy Yard and because of the historic role of the two rivers.
Exhibit curator, Craig Bruns said, "Philadelphia's maritime history is huge…so many things happened on these two rivers. This city is here because of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers."
Featured maritime items included a commemorative anchor, which belonged to a sailor in the late 1800s. The item, which Bruns called a "physical diary," functioned as a mnemonic device for storytelling.
Sailor valentines, who came in the form of mahogany boxes adorned with sea shells, were also among this year's featured relics.
Local vendor and highly respected antique dealer, Diana Bittel of Diana H. Bittel Antiques, was quick to dispel a common misconception. "The sailor's didn't make them. In fact, most were made in Barbados." Still, the personalized pieces did serve as souvenirs for sailor's sweet hearts.
The show's theme may have taken antique lovers out to sea, but the four day event set sail for much more.
Diana Bittel explains, "You're going to see porcelain, jewelry, American furniture, New England furniture, English furniture, folk art…there is something for everybody here."
Items on the show floor range from hundreds of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, how can you be sure you got your money's worth?
According to Bittel, the highly esteemed show is well vetted. She went on to say "It's a very important show and there's a waiting list a mile long because this is the best. These are the dealers that stand by their goods…they guarantee them."
It was a happy ending for collectors and the community. Proceeds from the show benefit the University of Pennsylvania Health System and the Penn Lung Center.
RELATED LINKS:
The Philadelphia Antiques Show
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