Show coverage
by Roderick Sergiades
Antiquers from far and wide sought out Canadiana, vintage fashion and jewelry, antique advertising and most other hallmarks from the days of yore. More than 40 experts from all over Ontario, Quebec and as far away as Manitoba landed near the shores of scenic Lake Muskoka to deal in the past, and cater to every budget at the Muskoka Antique & Vintage Show.
The Antique Shows Canada (antiqueshowscanada.com) event attracted hundreds of people looking to escape the monotony of modern retail by gathering at the Port Carling Arena in late July on a glorious summer weekend. With the hockey rink an ideal facility for vendors to display their wares, it was hard to plot a course without being distracted by the many treasures on full display.
Cottage country’s newest antique and collectibles show made quite a splash, almost literally, with a very rare and newly refurbished 1949 eighteen-foot Old Town HW sailing canoe. Complete with full sailing hardware and period paddles, it could be had for a swift $6,200. If you’d like to tow it with your post-war Packard, Roger Young would be more than happy to discuss the details at 705-295-1563.
Speaking of vintage cars, Bowles Hilltop Antiques of Markdale, Ontario, had two headlight bezels (likely from a 1939 Dodge) inserted with mirrors. No doubt this would complete the ultimate man-cave washroom. For $65 each and a call to 519-377-2220, they too can be yours if still available.
For those seeking a more ‘practical’ set of wheels, C & C Antiques & Collectibles had three budget-friendly steam shovels. These 1950s-era Lincoln toys ranged from an economical $125 to $200 for the more deluxe model. Although a tad slower at excavating than today’s full-size variety, this vendor would be happy to discuss their merits at 905-410-2447.
As this has been a royal year with a marriage and birth, it also marks what would have been the 81st anniversary of the coronation of King Edward VIII. Due to the intervention of Canadian prime minister MacKenzie King, the eldest son of King George V was forced to abdicate the throne in order to marry American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Nevertheless, if you’re looking to pine for what never happened, Antiques by Linda of Cambridge, Ontario (226-868-3803) has a small, but well preserved and colourful King Edward VIII coronation biscuit tin for $35.
Yet if you’re looking for a real antique (100 years or older), Abbey Antiques & Art (abbeyantiques.ca) of Winnipeg was more than happy to show off their late Georgian three-section room screen. Expanding to 5-1/2 feet high by the same wide, ornate, curved and made of solid ebony, even Superman may not be able to see through this circa 1820 vanity enhancer. Priced at $695 it, not surprisingly, is so heavy it comes with castors.
For those wishing to follow in crooner Perry Como’s first career, Quebec vendor Peter E. Baker (peterbakerantiques.com) had a 5-foot high, circa 1880 wooden barber pole for $975 in the more historic red and white stripe pattern.
Nearby, Mrs. Denison Antiques & Vintage (416-699-3535) had an 1890s-era, treadle-powered Montgomery Ward Damascus sewing machine for $265. Complete with the original instruction booklet, vendor Mary Anne also supplies two long bobbins and a long shuttle for this American-made International Sewing Machine Co. product that comes with a somewhat elaborate wooden cabinet/table. Interestingly, Period Living magazine ran an article a few years ago on women in England who only used late Victorian sewing machines due to their very high build quality.
In the end, this Friday-Saturday antiques and collectibles show was thoroughly good entertainment for the $6 admission and guaranteed you would be leaving with at least a smile on your face, if not a sought-after collectible accompanying you home.
/div>