Dealers, collectors meet in historical 1814 German village

Norton Farm Antiques of Hudson, Ohio, displayed my favorite item at the show. Dealers Phyllis and Dick Zirbel brought a Studebaker Jr. wagon manufactured by the South Bend Toy Company. A superb example of an original, it was originally made as an advertising piece but quickly became a popular toy. Based on the original farm wagon, this company eventually became the major manufacturers of motor cars. In mint condition, it was priced at $1,500. We were tempted, but are still trying to find a place to put it! Photos courtesy Ken Yenke

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If we were to list my favorite antique shows from A to Z, we would probably begin with Z. Zoar’s 37th Annual Antique Show & Sale took place Aug. 7-8 in Zoar, Ohio, and it is far and away one of the best shows we have attended this year.

Show managers Jan and Richard Wilks of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, did another outstanding job this year.

Brenda and I have been drawn to this quaint circa 1814 German Village for more than 20 years now. Our daughter participated more than 20 years ago and set up outside with the American Artisans & Crafts. After visiting with her, we strolled into the giant antique tent, and the rest is history. They must be doing something right to bring us back to shop year after year. That special draw starts with the historic setting, which includes the original working bakery, Zoar Gardens, and an 1800s town that is full of flavor.

This year, the Antique Tent was packed with 65 dealers from many states, and each one brought something special to the show. Brenda and I visited with many of the dealers prior to the show, and they were very optimistic. We followed up with them later, and almost unanimously, they will return next year. Gloria and Bo Beaven of Chagrin Falls,  Ohio, said, “The show went pretty well on Saturday, we sold a large cupboard (furniture has been slow for a long time). It slowed on Sunday, but in total, it was a good show. Attendance was just great!” ?

Greg Smart from Twin Gables, Minn., had an eye-catching array of items. This Bushell’s golf tin cigar advertising sign featuring a nattily dressed woman golfer was especially nice. It was priced at $1,795, and marked Conshocton, Ohio. Smart also displayed a very large clock from the capitol, dating from the 1800s.

Neil Zuelhlke, from Hartland Wis., showed an array of 18th- and 19th-century American furniture. His political display was the focal point of his booth. He sold several items from this display in the first hour or so of the show. The circa 1879 box is paint decorated. Neil found it at a farm in Wisconsin. It has forged hardware and is all handmade, with a price tag of $300. The hand-carved eagle is a very early model, depicting the flat head style. It was priced at $125. This was Neil’s first Zoar show, and he is returning next year.

Jack & Kathy Newman of Wake Forest, N.C., operate Everlastings, Harvesting from the Past. They featured a gathering of American Country, primitives, home decor, and rug hooking supplies. The most interesting item we spotted in their booth was a child sized cot, a salesman’s sample. The found it at a local flea market, and it dates from the 1930s. It was value priced at only $95. She also had linen cloth dolls with painted faces, excelsior stuffed, and painted wooden hands. A mammy doll was reclining on the cot.

Ron and Kathy Wright of Spring Street Antiques on Main in Burton, Ohio, are shown with their favorite item: a rare Peaseware set dating from the late 1800s. David Mills Pease established the distinctive wooden ware in Big Creek, Lake County. He had three sons who also worked in the same art field. In 1876, at the Philadelphia Exposition, they won all of the awards. Peaseware was produced until 1932. Shown here is the spice canister, with seven jars with lids and the round holding box. This set was priced at $2,400. Ron and Kathy are collectors as well as dealers of this art ware.

Carol Weiss of New York does all the New York shows. She goes to France twice a year and brings back morsels from the past. She specializes in textiles and yellow ware. Her favorite quilt is a Boutis, which first is quilted, the intricately stuffed and channeled to give a magnificent texture. A fine example of one of these quilts was priced at $2,500. The rare heart-shaped yellow ware mold she is holding was priced at $500.

Ken Yenke is an author, collector and retired corporate account manager who traveled the world for work and his passion: teddy bears. His books, Teddy Bear Treasury Vol. 1, Bing Bears and Toys and Teddy Bear Treasury Vol. 2 are available for sale on his website, www.kenyenke.com. He lives in Cleveland with his wife, Brenda, and is the curator of the Chelsea Teddy Bear and Toy Museum in Chelsea, Mich.

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Lynn Dingus, from Burnside, Ky., had a marvelous booth in the old schoolhouse. This was Lynn's first appearance at the show. She is the promoter of the Hudson, Ohio, show held each January. It was the first time she had ever had a painted sugar chest. She mentioned if it does not have a lock, it is not a sugar chest. This fabulous find was priced at a reasonable $3,000. The smaller green chest is an all-original sugar box dating from 1830. It was priced at $895. It was a Southern tradition to keep the sugar under lock and key, since it was a precious commodity.

Susan's of New Cumberland, W.V., is owned by Susan Price. She displayed imported and domestic antiques at the schoolhouse. This was her first show at Zoar, and will return next year. We loved her growling papier-mâché bulldog, dating from 1900. With wooden wheels, a pull string to make it bark, and a lot of charisma, it was priced at $2,500. Her booth was surrounded by Black Forest wood carvings and an impressive display of Staffordshire animals.

Nancy Golf and Rick Feller of 1750 House Antiques from Alliance, Ohio, displayed country furniture, toys and decorated stoneware. This early German papier-mâché jack-o'-lantern pail is all original and was priced at $250.

Deborah Fisher of County Antiques of Lebanon, Ohio, featured a seed display that came from an old hardware store. It retains all the original paper labels on the bins and tin ID of the seed manufacturers listed across the second shelf. A great decorating piece, it was priced at $675. Above the seed display is an original Pin the Tail on the Donkey party game. Dated 1887, it was framed with museum conservation materials. The price on the game was $325.