Lititz Historical Foundation Continues Premium Show LOU ANN GOOD Food And Family Features Editor LITITZ (Lancaster Co.) “I’ve always loved old things,” Jean Cook said of her reason for becoming involved in the Lititz Historical Foundation’s annual antiques show and sale. Her sentiments were echoed by the 47 dealers from seven states that exhibited June 28-29 at Bon field Elementary School, comer of Front and Oak Streets, Lititz. “Many shows decline in quali ty, but this has maintained its quality,” one exhibitor said. “No 19505-196f1L stuff and crafty things, just authentic, high quali ty antiques.” Both Jean and her husband Robert grew up in Rhode Island, Robert Cook, co-chair for this year’s Lititz Historical Foundation Antiques Show and Sale, said that the show began in 1962 and has continued to grow in quality and numbers. Proceeds from show admission and baked goods provide funds to maintain the Mueller House and Museum, Lititz. Cow spills were used to hold rolled paper to keep kitchen fires going or to light candles. Children did not always have unbreakable plastic toys. Instead china figurines and animals were popular. Those displayed in front of the plates are believed to have been made between 1750-1800. The most primitive are under glazed and were formed from two-piece molds. Lancaster Fan^mg where they began their antiques venture. They chose to retire in Lititz because of its sense of com munity. The Cooks specialize in cover lets, homespuns, copper kettles, and other items associated with Lancaster County history. Teaching school and selling antiques make a good fit accord ing to Mareen and Fred Fenton, Maine. During the summer months teachers are free to travel to shows. Antiques satisfy a teacher’s natural inclination to research and education, accord ing to Mareen, who with her hus band operates Teachers’ An tiques, Maine. Some exhibitor names are more difficult to identify. Ali Rickstrau of the Kentucky Sand- piper said that his business name means odd bird or strange duck. “That’s me,” he said. Ricks trau attended his first antique show when he was 8 years old. “I got an infectious disease there for which I seek no cure,” he said of his addiction to collecting old things. He specializes in Early American, country, and period furnishings folk art and need ful things “but nothing I wouldn’t want in my own home,” he said. An antiques show is always the place to pick up ideas to display and use items. For example, an Early 19th century child’s table can be used as a coffee table in stead of its original intent. The Lititz Historical Antiques Show began in 1962, when Lititz formed a bicentennial committee for its 200th anniversary. Money raised from that event was used to create the Historical Founda tion. Today the show continues to be an all-volunteer effort to maintain the Johannes Mueller House and the Lititz Museum, 13S-145 E. Main St., Lititz. The 2003 show is scheduled for June 27-28 at the John R. Bon field Elementary School, comer of Front and Oak Streets, Lititz. For more information, write to Bob and Jean Cook at Box 342, Lititz, PA 17543. Roger and Nancy Por sells, York, specialize in eclectic country. “I’m not bogged down with Ameri can-made,” he said. This Romanian handhewn sled was pulled by a horse. A set of Stafford dogs (1840-1860) numbered from 1-6 sell for $30,000. dumber one is the largest, but the smaller ones are much harder to find, most likely because chil dren played with .the smaller ones. The sets appear in red and white, black and white, and copper luster. 6<sy//^y‘ Country furnishings and accessories in original sur faces are on display at the Teachers’ Antiques, Harpsville, Maine. The hutch table is typical of a New England table that flips or comes off for versatile usage. The Windsor stickback chairs are also from the New Eng land area. The flo-blue plates are mostly from England but some pieces were made in America. Notice the soup tureen with ladle and undertray (1840-1910), which is priced at $4,000. Buyers searching for missing pieces to complete a set can easily see what’s available at the display by Shaef fer’s Antiques, Md. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 13, 2002-B1 9
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers