Something Old...
In today's culture, people are obsessed with everything shiny and new. Every six months when Apple announces a new version of the iPhone, people line up outside stores like crack addicts waiting for a fix, paying huge sums of money for the latest model. Why? I will never understand this phenomenon, but Apple is a master of branding and creating hysteria for its products. I'm a creature of habit and keep things until they completely wear out. Mostly because I'm too cheap to continually pay for superficial items. This includes all cars I've owned, clothes, purses, etc. I drove my Honda Prelude for 15 years before I sold it. I would rather spend money on travels.
As a child, my parents always took me to antique shops, which completely bored me. I could not understand the appeal of such things. However, recently I've learned to appreciate their value and can get lost in these shops for hours. I first experienced antique euphoria in the Amish community of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Huge warehouses there filled with treasures and collectibles from all eras. Some reasonably priced, some very expensive. When I recently wrote about Syria, Virginia, I forgot to include photos from a local antique store.
1. This store was large and getting ready to close when we visited. So, I only had twenty minutes to view some items. What a pity because it was full of interesting things, including old furs, books, flags, paintings and other collectibles. Personally, I could never wear a real fur, as there is no appeal in having a dead animal wrapped around me. However, I don't judge women who do. As with everything in life, this is a personal choice.
2. Great hats in this place and beautiful mannequins. Since childhood, I've always found life-like mannequins and dolls creepy. I suppose it's a strange phobia of mine. Clowns also.
3. I purchased this hat from an antique store in Amish land. I love it, something from the roaring 20's maybe?
4. A lot of old pins. Many Americans collect these, including my Uncle Dean who I previously told you about. He has more antiques and memorabilia than any other person I know. Someday I'll go photograph all his collectibles and show them to you. During a recent trip to China, he took a bag of political/American flag pins and handed them out to children instead of candy. Apparently they loved it. He's a creative and innovative man in many respects.
5. Old cash registers, and milkman carts. Just seventy years ago, most people in small town America relied on daily deliveries from the milkman for cream, butter and other dairy items. The popularity of refrigerators and expansion of supermarkets, even in small towns, basically eliminated the milkman profession in America. I think there are still some small towns that have them for nostalgic reasons.
Here's a video on modern day milkmen in Manhattan, but somehow it's not the same as the good ole days.
Click to view6. A whole section dedicated to owl figurines. I don't know the significance of them, perhaps they are all from the same maker and are worth a lot of money?
Do you collect any items, or have such stores in Russia? I never noticed them during my visits, but wasn't really looking for them. If so, it would be interesting to visit one and compare to the American counterpart. If you're ever in America, be sure to stop by one of these antique stores in the town you're visiting. You can find them almost everywhere, and it's an excellent insight into American culture throughout the decades. Perhaps because I myself am quickly aging, I've learned to appreciate the value of something old.
Related Post
Amish Land: Lancaster, Pennsylvania