Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Oliver Airedale ~ Financial Dog and Industrial Leader . . .

A timely page from:

The Ordeal of Oliver Airedale
or
To the Dogs and Back
A Satire with Teeth in It

Written and illustrated by D. T. Carlisle
New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1941

Oliver Airedale was not the only financial and industrial leader in Caninia who disapproved the government's major policies, including those for social relief. At the same time he was acutely aware of the great need for a betterment of conditions, particularly in his city of New Airedale. He gave unstintedly of his time and means in the emergency and invented such slogans as "Keep New Airedale Out of the Dog Pound" and "No Pariahs in New Airedale". Oliver Airedale always believed in helping a lame dog over a stile and served many years as president of the Animal Rescue League.

There are always lessons to be learned from old books!

As always, you can enlarge either of the photographs.

Take care of your antiques and they'll take care of you.

SOLD ~ $5,234,500 to Albert Sack

New York City, September 26, 2008, Sotheby's Americana Sale. This carved walnut compass-seat Philadelphia stool circa 1750 brought a whopping $5.2 million. The figure above includes the buyer's premium.

The pre-auction estimate for this rare object was $200,000/500,000.

Ex-collection Rear Admiral Edward P. Moore and Barbara Bingham Moore.

Antiques really are a good investment. Buy the best you can afford, use them, admire them, care for them, and at the appropriate time in your life pass them on to the next steward.



Content in a Cottage

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Monday, September 29, 2008

Hearts are hiding everywhere . . .

Walnut shell found in a puddle yesterday morning. I was delighted to see a perfect heart in the center!

Vine with heart-shaped leaf. All the leaves will soon be on the ground. My rakes are standing by!

Yellow flower with hearts in the center. A repeat photo from a July post for new readers to enjoy.

I continue to discover hearts on my walks and will share as I find them. Enjoy your day.


Friday, September 26, 2008

Pumpkin patch in the yard . . .

I absolutely love this pumpkin patch that comes right up to the porch. Wouldn't it be great to open the door, take a few steps, and pick out your jack-o-lantern or the main ingredient for a pie? Pumpkin pie is my favorite ~ another reason for enjoying this time of year.

It looks as if we are in for a rainy weekend. Not good for the annual Fireman's Auction and Sale in New Vernon. Most things are under a tent...but some of the donations are in a big uncovered field. I hope they keep all the books dry. I'll wear my wellies and walk around in the mud. I always find a treasure.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

My diminutive bookcase . . .

I finished the renovation of my cottage in 2004. I sold all the large pieces that did not have a place here before moving in and have been slowly filling in the bare spots ever since. Luckily I am a patient person as it is very hard to find small-scale antiques.

Over the summer I finally found a bookcase for my overflow of antiquarian books. I am thrilled with the size and style. I love the graduated shelves with waterfall sides, the bottom drawer with brass pulls, the legs with brass castors, and there is even an inlaid conch shell on the back panel. I found it at an estate sale nearby. I was not one of the early birds either. Luckily, this treasure was piled high with junk and the other lookers passed it by.

I just wanted to drive home the point that the best homes are not decorated overnight. I went to a realtor open house yesterday that looked as if all the furnishings were purchased on the same day. Not a good look in my opinion.


Don't be in a rush. Slow down and enjoy the hunt.

All things come to those who wait!