asures

Oldies But Goodies

Local collectors reveal their passion for antiquing.

B

RUT HAN BRODSKY
Special To The Jewish News

vying and collecting
antiques, once a cottage
industry, has become a very
popular and lucrative busi-
ness in Michigan and in most parts of
the country. Where once there was
only dusty, over-cluttered stores selling

5/22
1997

Si.

antiques next to pawn shops in the
oldest section of cities, now there are
antique galleries and mini-antique
malls with 20 and 30 booths selling
everything from jewelry to hickory
shaft golf clubs. Where once antiquing
in rural Michigan, Ohio, and
Wisconsin meant stopping at homes
where the living rooms and front yards
were converted into display areas for

antiques, now there are flea markets,
trading centers and designated histori-
cal sites reserved by traveling antique
shows.
Antiques are bought for invest-
ment, for daily family use, or for
strictly decorative purposes. Listening
to people passionately describe their
collections and excitedly explain the
adrenalin rush that accompanies each

hunt for the antique prize is enough
to believe that antiquing must be
either addictive or some genetic irreg-
ularity.

GUILTY!
Audrey Edelheit considers herself
an experienced antiquer but hardly
compulsive, although she does admit
to attending the Monet exhibit in Ann