What is the advantage in buying an antique over a reproduction?
Brimfield Antique and Collectibles Show is one of the largest shows in the U.S. Held three times a year, spring, summer and fall, over a six day period, almost anything you want can be found there. Thousands of people attend the shows. Hundreds of die hard antiquers show up at 6 AM each day to begin the hunt. Inevitably, there is a buzz through the dealers about what the “catalog” buyers are purchasing. These select items will be taken back to “catalog” company headquarters, examined, discussed and eventually, some of them will be reproduced and sold through catalogs, which I am sure many of you receive. Just check out Pottery Barn’s painted furniture line or their line of “Great White Pitchers” to name a few. “New antiques”, as some of us call them, do serve a purpose. For those who appreciate the design, but not the wear of age, new old is great. And for some utilitarian items like bowls or pitchers, you can be sure that the new ones are not as fragile and do not have lead glaze. But
