One of the Southeast's most-eagerly awaited antique shows happens this week in Thomasville. The event is not only a chance to buy, but also an opportunity to learn.
Dorothy Cobb is the Thomasville Antiques Show co-chair.
“This is our 28th Annual Show and Sale,” she said. “It’s going to be February 23rd through the 26th and it’s held at the Thomasville Fairgrounds. Our mission has always been to support local children’s programs as well as educate the public on the decorative arts and antiques. So that’s why it’s still going on because people really believe in it.”
Cobb said the heart of the show remains an incredibly variety of items at many vintages and price points.
“When you walk through the show, you see some really great old jewelry, art work, to furniture and we’re even trying to bring in a new vein this year. We’re doing a ‘pop-up-shop’ with some more modern decorative pieces.”
But it's not just about looking for that unique treasure to grace your own collection. Cobb maintained many visitors are in the market to sell their pieces and are eager to find out just what their items will bring on the market.
“We bring in Mark Mason, Antiques Road Show expert and this year his son – also Mark Mason – will be coming, so the duo will be there to tell you about your pieces and authenticate things and it’s so fun to see what people bring in and had no idea what it was or the value.”
Some antiques have wheels and Cobb says that will be a discussion topic at this year's show.
“One of our speakers Mark Gessler is the president of the Historic Vehicle Association. He’s based out of (Washington) DC and he’s a car guy, and so he’s doing what the National Trust for Historic Places did to register houses, he’s doing for cars. He’s coming to talk about the Jeep that Ronald Reagan used to ride around the ranch that he has bought.”
And Cobb added Gessler won't be just talking about priceless old vehicles.
“He is bringing with him a 1933 Graham Blue Streak sedan, which is going to be added to the National Register and apparently this was on display in the National Mall in DC.”
Cobb said somewhere around 30 exhibitors will be making this year's Thomasville Antiques Show an overflowing buffet of goodies.
“And they come from all over the country and we’re going to have jewelry dealers, furniture, handbags and you walk through and every booth has a little treasure and a lot of them have been coming. We’ll have a lot of the same dealers, but we also have some new ones every year.”
And there are also guest speakers and workshops.
“We also have Paula Pryke flying in from London. She’s one of the top floral designers and has written over 15 books and has a floral school. We also have Amanda Lindroth. She’s an interior decorator and was in Nassau and decorates these gorgeous Bahamian style homes. And we also have an adult and children’s floral workshops, so get on line and check out the schedule of events and buy your tickets at: www.thomasvilleantigues.com.”
It’s all happening at the Fairgrounds in Thomasville this Friday through Sunday, with a formal kickoff party this Thursday night.
