Armed with little more than backpacks, canteens of water and energy bars, a group of specially trained people woke early Saturday May 26th to finally accomplish what they'd been working towards for months.
After months of research, special training and practice, those who can only be described as the elite in their field, strolled, hopped, skipped and jumped their way through the Christie Antique Show & Sale.
It was a licensed event so there was a little crooked meandering as well.
I am proud to say that I, my sister and my mother were all part of Team Antique at Christie's this year. We were joined by what is scientifically referred to as a "bunch" of other people. Scientifically speaking.
We were going to invite the fella but frankly, none of us thought he could handle it. Crossfit? Heh. Antiquers EAT Crossfitters for breakfast. On a Blue Willow plate.
If you want to get what you looking for you can't be passive or indecisive. I lost a beautiful pair of black iron candelabras that way. If you want to be a successful antique show shopper you need to possess a combination of stealth, weaponry, charm and decisiveness. Being a little shifty doesn't hurt either.
It was a quick run through this year that left one of our team members down for the count by hour 4. She received hydration and is expected to be out for the rest of the season.
The rest of us worked through the pain and pressed on.
Here's a little of what we saw.
A lot of people complain that Christie's is overpriced. And indeed ... some items are. You get that many people in a confined space, all frothing at the mouth for something unique, old and decrepit, there's bound to be a little price gouging.
But there's also a lot of opportunity to get some great buys. The smart dealers who go are set up at Christie's Antique Show are also there buying.
The 6th or 7th picture down from the top shows my sister holding a bust. A bust. Not her bust. It was one of a pair. As are most busts. I thought they were hideous. She loved them. And I have to admit they're very her and would look great in her house. After a bit of debating (she knew they were a bit odd looking but loved them anyway) she slapped down the $50 for the pair of them (a girl head and a boy) and continued to wander around. We bumped into a very knowledgeable antiques dealer we both know and showed him what she got.
Turns out ... she did quite well for herself. They're Victorian era (probably around 1890) bisque busts worth ... about $450. So there are deals to be had at Christie's. Another lesson here is to just buy what you love. Don't worry about it's value or sometimes even it's cost. If you love it ... buy it.
For those of you thinking of attending the fall show, I have 3 words of advice. Drink plenty of water, get lots of rest and eat well. If it doesn't prepare you for Christie's you'll at least be fully prepared should you ever become a celebrity and need an acceptable lie for how you stay looking so good.
The fall Christie Antique Show & Sale is being held on Saturday, September 8th.
I've already begun my new training regiment. This time I'm gonna do it Hunger Games style.
julie
GREAT STUFF! Woulda wanted to buy everything in your pics. Well, except the bust. Fall vacay in Ontario???
Emi
Wait, wait a minute there! You're not going to tell us/show us what you took home. Egads, I'm so bummed now.
Debbie
oh I am so drooling over all that Jadite!!!!!! <3 in love!!!! Just curious - why can't I see the other comments? They're just as much fun to read as your posts!!
Meagan
While viewing those baskets (the first in your series of basket pictures) I actually thought to myself that you could find a cheaper way of making a modified version. They really were rather simple looking...it's just a matter of attaching the side pieces together with...something? Thoughts?
Karen
Meagan - If they aren't old enough that they're handmade, the baskets are pretty affordable. For now. Give it a year or two and they'll be hundreds of dollars. ~ karen
Bonnie
I also love your sister's bust.
LOL
Actually, I think I have seen something very similar at one time when I was a kid. I am old.
;)
Langela
Some of those wire baskets would make awesome light fixtures. I have been looking for some myself. I could never go to something like that because I would cry when I ran out of money in the first booth. There are so many neat things just in your photos. I can only imagine how overwhelming the rest must be.
gogothrift
tell me you didn't leave those orange and pink mod chairs there.....I'm drooling
nicole d
oh my goodness, i had those exact little house books when i was little... NO CLUE where they have ended up! perhaps next time i find myself in my parent's basement i'll take a peak and see if i can find them. :) .... they're bound to be down there somewhere!
marilyn
what did you get karen? next time we can take the back way in by foot..we will be commandos and your training will really come in handy!!
Karen
LOL I forgot to show what I bought! I'll show it next week. :) ~ karen
Michelle
I SOOOOOOoooo want those greyhound statues!
Pate
Hi,
Just read about Christie's antique show. What fun! Where is it held, sorry.......I'm still asleep and I probably missed it. We idiots in Connecticut (well, I'm actually in Maine right now) can
not remember anything.
By the way, you should really be writing memoirs and books. You are so #$%^ing hysterical. I really look forward to reading you every day.
xxxxxxxx
pate
ps Do the girls get mites?
Karen
Hi Pate - Thanks! No books for me. More people read blogs now than books anyway, LOL. The girls have never had mites, but I *do* add diatomaceous earth to their bedding, nesting box and dust bath. That helps to kill mites. ~ karen!
Laura
Pate,
You should check out the Brimfield Antiques Show along Rte 20 in Brimfield, MA. It appears similar to Christie's in size and scope. It's simply MASSIVE. It runs 3 times / year for 5 days each. It could easily take you 2-3 days to see all of the booths. The next one is in July. Here's the website:
http://www.brimfieldshow.com/
Laura
Elizabeth
Yes, you should have bought some of that glass. My heart skipped a beat at the jade ware.
Beckie
the hot pink/orange/chrome chairs made me squeal out loud...like...for reals
all that beautiful flatware and Fire King ~thud~
Christie's looks awesome!
your blog is Awesome!
YOU are AWESOME!
Karen
Wow! Awesomeness all around. :) ~ karen
Susan
I went to Christie's.....I never saw any of what you took pictures of! Of course there is a lot to see and I saw lots more! I also sweat my ass off cause it was so humid and warm. Therefore the beer tent was very much appreciated! I did come home with a couple of prized possessions though. I have been successful there many times before but this time I was looking for a screw into the wall type bottle opener. I found one original never been used virgin like in the original virginal box. The dealer wanted $75 for it. I just about had to have mouth to mouth! He said the box alone is worth $30! I told him he could keep the box......I guess I'll keep using my Betty boop opener. BTW poor Betty! I'd kill you!:-)
Phyllis
Damn you! I have successfully avoided going to Christie for years, I have convinced myself there is nothing there that I need or want. Well now...you did just a fine job in letting me know I have been seriously mistaken. As said before..Damn You!...the game is on Hunger or otherwise! Thanks!
Deborah Flanagan
Looks like a great time. I would not have been able to get past the silver. Love those dog statues.
Deborah
ARGH!!!!!!!!! I WANT THOSE ROLLING PINS!!!! OMG! The one with the picture indents so your dough comes out with designs! (the one with the yellow handles pictured next to the hideous fuschia and orange 60's chairs - WHO buys those?!) Dammit ~ I SHOULD have gone!!! GRRRR...Now I am totally pissed at myself... I shall have to make an effort this September and HOPE to heck they are there again! (BTW - NICE find on the pair of busts your sister bought...but I agree, they are hideous) :D
Shannon Clarke Devine
It makes me want to cry that we have nothing like this in South Africa - which is probably a blessing as I would be broke and living on the street amid my Antique treasures!!!
Shannon
Amanda
I LOVE that you wanted the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. My daughter is reading them right now... well she is asleep right now... but it is her current reading selection. However, we live in Kansas... and I think its illegal to be a girl here and NOT read them LOL. Ya know we still have the Little House here its a historic site! Then in Wichita we have Cowtown which is a living museum about the old prairie days and it has a perfect replica...
Gayla T
Howdy Amanda, I live in Topeka. I've already invited Karen and anyone else interested to come to Kansas and I'll show them around. Now, I'll have a side kick, huh? I live two blocks from a historical site called Old Town with all the old restored buildings and homes. Lot's to see here if you love the era like karen does.
Trysha
All that Jade! I just died and now I'm dead. So beautiful.