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Nostalgia is in. Collectibles are hot. Now's the
time to pile in the car and search for treasure
at a bounty of Michigan antique shows.
LINDA BACHRACK SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
t's a summer ritual, or some call it
a compulsion, even (yikes!) an ad-
diction. No, not a sudden craving
for chocolate ice cream. We're talk-
ing scavenger hunts for one-of-a-
______ id rid treasures — the predawn
frenzy that has come to be known
as "flea market fever" or "antique show
syndrome."
There's no better motivator than the
thought of uncovering greatness in a huge
stash of shabby, yet potentially chic,
bibelots. Just a little imagination often
turns the unwashed, dusty, paint-peeled
dresser into a prized collectible (see side-
bar on "Pattern Play").
The prevailing attitude of the '90s is: If
it's more than 30 years old and.has.some
Bohemian sophistication and charm, it
fits a broad definition of "vintage." Today,
antique markets brim with '40s textiles
in pinks and turquoise, gilt frames, bam-
boo furniture and op-art shag rugs.
Some "hot" collectibles include: Mission-
style furniture (often pricey), chrome
kitchen appliances, Murano glass, vintage
toys, pottery from the '50s, metal garden
furniture, mid-century desk accessories,
lucite chairs and "anything mohair or
vinyl," according to one NYC designer.
If kitsch is not your cup of tea, and
you're a serious antique collector, all of the
area's premier shows and markets feature
treasures to tempt the most discerning of
shoppers. Imagine roomsful of Stafford-
shire, Canton and Majolica.
Whether you yearn for an Edwardian
_1[
table or a Chinese porcelain, you're
likely to find it at Michigan's larger
shows. Specific collectors items include
apothecary jars, sports parapherna-
lia, Victorian jewelry and rare maps.
But nostalgia is the emotion that's
driving the market. It's the innocent
passion of our childhood that captures
our imagination — from a bright pond
yacht to a weathered hockey stick.
Perhaps an object's real value is its
ability to touch the heart.
The following antique shows and
markets should sate your craving:
July 18-20: DuMouchelle's Auc-
tion at the Galleries
Featuring the estates of Ernest J.
Possin of Grosse Pointe, Katherine H.
Parcells of Grosse Pointe Park and
Hazel Lambert of Waterford, this
show includes an American Chip-
pendale mahogany chest, a Baccarat
crystal chandelier, Persian silk rugs
and George III slant-top desk. 409 E.
Jefferson Ave., Detroit; (313) 963-
6255.
Nostalgia is the emotion that's driving the market.
Saline Road, Ann Arbor (Exit
#175 off 1-94, then south three
miles); 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (313) 662-
9453. Also held Aug. 17, Sept. 20-
21 and Oct. 19.
July 26-27: Michigan Antique
Festival
Featuring 1,000 outdoor and
indoor vendors selling collectibles,
memorabilia, folk art and antique
auto parts. Midland Michigan
Fairgrounds (U.S. 10 at Eastman
Avenue), Midland; Saturday 8
a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
(517) 687-9001.
July 26: Summer '97 Antiques
& Collectibles Outdoor Mar-
ket
Look for lures, quilts, primi-
tives, wicker, tins, dolls, decoys,
glass, china, tools, crockery and
books. Civic Center grounds,
1200 E. Front, Traverse City;
(616) 947-4695. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Also
held Aug. 23.
July 27: Allegan Antiques
July 19-20: 1997 Summer Show
Market
Michigan's largest collectors show, If it's more than 30 years old and has some Bohemian sophistication
Featuring over 200 exhibitors
with Victorian and country furniture, and charm, it fits a broad definition of "vintage."
displaying art pottery, art glass,
glass and pottery, antique toys, ad-
vintage toys, postcards, Nippon,
vertising art, quilts and vintage clothing. July 20: Ann Arbor Antiques Market
The Brusher show is in its 29th season. Depression glass, decoys, jewelry,
Over 600 dealers from 15 states. Mid-
Michigan Ingham County Fairground Over 300 dealers in quality antiques and stoneware, wicker, military ephemera and
and Exhibition Center, Mason; Saturday select collectibles. All items are guaran- primitives. Allegan County Fairgrounds,
8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (517) teed as represented. Everything from art Allegan; 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (616) 887-
glass to Zeisel ceramics. 5055 Ann Arbor 7677. Also held Aug. 31 and Sept. 28.
676-2079.