Philadelphia Antiques Show 2016_

✷ 133 ✷ FROM THE COLLECTION OF… FROM THE COLLECTION OF… PATRICK BELL OLDE HOPE ANTIQUES, INC., NEWHOPE, PA e antiques business is a very personal one where acquaintances are made and friendships are formed. Among the earliest such connection for me was with Florence and George Dittmar of Colts Neck, New Jersey; passionate collectors who became clients, mentors, and dear friends through decades of interaction. Of the many items I admired from the rst tour of the Dittmar collection was this charming 10th wedding anniversary gift from the 19th century in the form of a tin heart on a chain. I had seen many wonderful examples of these tokens of a ection but never such a heart. It was special to Florence as well and made me think of the Tin Man’s heart from Oz. After a long and wonderful friendship, George passed away and a few years later Florence followed. eir children, who had become friends as well, asked both Ed and me to select an item from the collection we would like to have as a memento of their parents. With no hesitation I asked for Florence’s tin heart, which will stay with me until the end as well. EDWINHILD OLDE HOPE ANTIQUES, INC., NEWHOPE, PA In the late 90s I went on a local house call to look at a weathervane. It was a 1950s reproduction. However, the dining room of this secluded 18th-century farmhouse included furniture by George Nakashima. Living only miles from the Nakashima Studio, I had never been drawn to his natural, free-form style of woodworking. On this particular day, however, it was as if a light bulb turned on in my head. I wanted this furniture. It took another year to consummate the deal with the heir and then I was possessed. Shortly thereafter, Rago’s Auctions in Lambertville was o ering the Nakashima collection of a local gentleman, Maestro Roland Fiore. Amongst the dozen or so pieces I wanted, there was a walnut music stand signed and dated 1976, one of three Nakashima made in his lifetime. ere was no question about it. If I was going to continue seeking his furniture, what were my chances of nding another music stand? Sculpturally, this one was superb. I was brave and paid a record price that day for one of his pieces. I have never had a single regret about that purchase and it has given me great joy every time I walk into the room where it stands. At a garden party a year later, I told George Nakashima’s daughter, Mira, that I owned the Maestro’s music stand. Instinctively she asked, “What instrument do you play?” I squeamishly replied, “ e piano.”