Farewell, Antiques Garage

After 20 years, the Antiques Garage is closing. Sunday, June 29th will be the last day before the space begins its transformation into a 270,000 square foot hotel tower.

Many of the vendors, like Janet West, below, who's managed to offer cool stuff there for 17 years, will migrate to the outdoor lot at 25th St. between Sixth Ave. and Broadway. I guess it might start to feel like the old Chelsea parking lot fleas. Which will be nice, but also means that it's just a matter of time ...

     

First Aid Bandana

Vintage work clothes, pleated taffeta ruffles, camp blankets, peasant blouses and lots of indigo. The Vintage Fashion and Textile Show in Sturbridge is a serious affair. Photography is strictly verboten, but I got a dispensation at Sarajo (formerly of Soho, currently of Maine) to photograph this WWI-era “BANDAGE FOR FIRST AID IN ACCIDENT” scarf/sling.

Infographic on a textile. Does it get any better than this?

Brimfield Day

Once again, I made the pilgrimage to Brimfield, this time for the opening day. The vibe was good, as both dealers and buyers seemed to make out quite well. (previous Brimfield posts here, here, and here.)

Brimfield Outing

Yes, I've been holding out on my visit to Brimfield this year. 

It took quite a bit of restraint, but I managed to not buy this trio of black & white photos.

Also, I remembered to bring sunblock and a hat. So all in all, I considered the day a great success. I promise to post what I did buy as soon as I take photos In the meantime ...

This cow's head at one time graced a now demolished meat market in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

This binder was one of at least five journal/scrapbooks maintained by one diligent traveler.

I didn't make it up to Brimfield last year, but I did in 2011. You can read all about my first time in posts here and here.

Enamel Coffee Pots

Are these not amazing—chips and all? The vintage/antiques world is so condition-crazy these days, that if an item is not “mint,” it’s practically worthless.

Pictured here are mostly cafetières, coffee pots (some canisters and teapots as well) which are mostly French (some Belgian and Dutch too). I consider them to be the anti-mint. And not to get all “shabby-chic” here, but I think they wear their imperfections quite well.

I’ll have you know that I traveled all the way to eBay France to get some of these images!

I snapped this handleless teapot at a flea market in  Zagreb.