Antique stores, like Grapevine Antiques in Amana , Iowa
Another feature of local antiques stores is historical local
items. At Grapevine the regional reach of material can span from the Amana area
to Cedar Rapids and Iowa City plus other sections of the state. A
recent stop in Davenport and Moline
offered another element to the regional mix – that of the Mississippi
River and local rail road headquarters.
Today Grapevine highlighted a ball and claw table foot for
$35, a set of old time children’s books from the 1940s and ‘50s, and the ever
popular pocket knives.
Collectors look for things to start or expand their
collection. However sometimes an item sells because of an emotional connection
with the purchaser, but not in all cases.
A few weeks ago a women came to the store looking for a
1940s era radio for her business’ new historical display. She mentioned that
the radio did not have to be functioning because she would gut it and place
modern speakers in the shell to broadcast the company’s history in the display
she was creating. A quick search of the store turned up no radio candidates.
My
own collection of radios may have helped but I couldn't let a fully functioning
tube radio become stripped for a display.
