News You Can Use

Historic Aviation Collection To Be Sold by Manions in Online Auction, July 20

Starting as a youth, Harry Block traveled the country, personally meeting with epic figures of aviation history. During the visits, his heroes were often so impressed with his enthusiasm and knowledge they let him keep a memento of his visit as well as subsequent correspondence that would often continue for years. Now, that astounding collection will be sold in an online auction, one that will close July 20th, by Manion's International Auctions (www.manions.com).

The diverse collection includes items spanning the history of aviation, from the Wright Brothers to Operation Desert Storm. A piece of the casket of Manfred von Richthofen (a.k.a. The Red Baron) is included, as is an actual piece of the ill-fated dirigible the Hindenburg. Material from Charles Lindberg, Amelia Earhart, legendary generals, fighter aces and pioneer pilots make up nearly 400 individuals represented in this museum-quality collection.

Manion's CEO Jody Tucker is honored the Block family chose his company to handle their father's historic collection. "I feel it speaks to the unique ability of our auction to deal in these types of items," said Tucker. "You don't just turn a collection of this magnitude over to just anyone. The fact that the Block family chose Manion's is a source of pride for us."

According to the family, many museums have expressed interest in obtaining the collection, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the United States Air Force Museum. Numerous collectors, investors and auction houses have also expressed interest. But after carefully considering their options, the Block family decided Manion's would broker the sale.

The Harry C. Block Historic Aviation Collection special auction closes July 20, with a second special auction soon to follow. To learn more about the collection, and view items up for bid, visit www.manions.com and click the "Wright Brothers to Right Now" banner in the center of the page. To learn how Manion's can help you buy and sell militaria and historic collectibles, visit the site or call 866.626.4661. 

Asheville Antiques Fair, August 1-3

The Asheville Antiques Fair is believed to be the South's oldest antiques show. Proceeds from this 62nd annual show sponsored by the Vetust Study Club will assist in the restoration of a Richard Sharp Smith's 1914 building and the headquarters of WCQS, the regional National Public Radio station. More than 50 invited dealers with quality merchandise from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries will be on hand with English, Continental and American furniture and appropriate accessories, silver, rugs, jewelry, porcelain, pottery, crystal, original art, antique prints, books, and more. Appraisals will be available on Saturday with our Heirloom Roadshow, and there will be a series of lectures from experts in various fields. Show hours: Friday and Saturday, 10-6 and Sunday noon-5. Admission: $10 for the run of the show. The Asheville Antiques Fair will be held at the Asheville Civic Center. Info: Jack Sherman at 828-299-7430 or www.ashevilleantiquesfair.com.

Ridge Spring, S.C. Peacefulness & Peaches

Ridge Spring was once a town bustling with cafes, a movie theatre, and shops; I-20 was conceived, and Ridge Spring lost in the process, but it didn't lose the beauty of the peach tree blossoms or of its people.

Now there is a resurgence of shops and growing excitement in this peaceful town. New shops are offered along with those businesses that thrived through it all: Cone's Meat Market, Yon's Farm with its prime bulls, Pat's Corner Antiques, located in an 1820s home. Also, the Famous Nut House, beckoning with its chocolate-covered pecans and still run by Joe Cal Watson who turned "85 years young" in April and invited the whole town to his birthday party. And happily, the men still gather in Johnson's Variety Store.

But new shops are springing up in Ridge Spring now: Butterfly Heart Gallery & Gifts; Harriet's Garden, with brilliant flowers & vintage garden tables; John & Homer's Stuff & Things; Ridge Antiques & Dry Goods, an antique mall housing 15 dealers; Olde Treasures; and Antiques & Nostalgia with offerings from five dealers. And just in case you shop 'til you're hungry, Ridge Spring has Junipers with its tempting selections, run by Chef Brandon and his wife Jeanne Velie from the Green Boundary Club in Aiken.

So visit Ridge Spring. It is on Rt. 23 between Saluda and Leesville, Batesburg and Edgefield. See the beauty, feel the peace...and shop. 

42nd Annual Shenandoah Antiques Expo

In only happens twice a year so put on your walking shoes and "shop for antiques until you drop" at the 42nd Shenandoah Antiques Expo in Fishersville, Va. This "antiques happening" takes place at Expoland in the Shenandoah Valley on May 2-3 and Oct. 10-12, 2008. Fishersville is a truly unique antique shopping experience with more than 400 dealers and thousands of customers for through the U.S.A. Exhibitors display and sell antiques in three exhibit halls, four large barns, under tents and outdoors.

What's there? Americana is big, but dealers offer a bit of everything from 18th century furniture to '50's collectibles. You will find room displays with papered walls and dealers on the field selling right off the truck. Deals are plentiful, and early shoppers who enter the show on Friday at 10 am go away happy. Exhibiting dealers are not allowed to set up or sell prior to 10 am when customers enter on Friday. Show hours are: Fri., 10-5; Sat. 9-9; and Sun. 10-4.

Augusta Expoland is located at exit 91 on I-64 between Staunton and Waynesboro, Va. and just five miles east of I-81. For detailed information: www.heritagepromotions.net, info@heritagepromotions.net or 434-846-7452. During the event, call 540-337-2552. 

ACNA Announces New Program With Argonaut Insurance Co.

The Antiques & Collectibles National Association is pleased to announce our new collector program with Argonaut Insurance Company. Argonaut is an A rated admitted company in all 50 states. The policy includes replacement cost coverage, fire, lightning, vandalism, theft, accidental breakage, earthquake, wind/water coverage. Deductibles starting at $250. Policy limits starting at $20,000 for $75.00 annual premium. For more information or to request an application, contact Antiques & Collectibles National Association at 800-287-7127 or visit our website at www.acna.us. Dealer coverages also available with Argonaut. 

Apply Now For Antiques Roadshow Tickets

You have until April 20th to apply for free tickets to the Antiques Roadshow. Apply online at www.pbs.org/wgbh/ roadshow/tickets.html, or go there for information on how to apply by postcard. This summer, the Roadshow will be coming to Chattanooga on July 19th. Its other stops include: Palm Springs, Calif., June 7; Dallas, June 28; Wichita, Kan., July 12; Grand Rapids, Mich., August 9; and Hartford, Conn., August 23.

Tickets are given out in a random ticket selection process free of charge, and each winner receives two tickets. All who signed up online will be notified by email by May 9 informing them if they will or will not be receiving tickets. For the winners, tickets will arrive in the mail two to four weeks before the event. Those entering with a postcard will only receive a response ­ the tickets ­ if they win.

You are allowed to bring two items for appraisal, but you can bring a collection of related items.

If you haven't been to the Roadshow, now is the time to try to go.

No Tricks Here...Aviation Collectors Got a Real Treat

On Saturday, Oct. 20, Atlanta's 21st Annual Airline Collectibles Show and Sale was held in one of Atlanta's best kept secrets, the Delta Air Transport Heritage Museum. The museum is a small nonprofit organization that serves as the museum and archives of Delta Air Lines and is located in Delta's 1940s Atlanta maintenance hangars. The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve, and present the history of Delta and its affiliated airlines in ways that are educational and engaging. The museum, with planes ranging in date from 1931 to 1982, was a perfect location.

This year's show couldn't have been held on a more beautiful day. At 6 am, more than 40 vendors began to arrive and set up their booths to sell everything from playing cards to models and even airplane seats. The early bird visitors paid $10 to have first dibs on some very desirable collectibles. Visitors enjoyed the vendor booths, having a bite to eat, visiting the Museum Store, and walking through The Spirit of Delta 767 airplane, recently transformed into an exhibition. While some just came to see the museum on this rare Saturday occasion, others walked away with the perfect collectibles to complete their collections. By the end of the event, more than 550 people had passed through the museum and had a great time.

The Delta Air Transport Heritage Museum is open to Delta employees, families, and friends Mondays-Thursdays. The public is admitted by appointment only; call the Museum Store at 404-773-1219 to visit. Visit www.deltamuseum.org for more information.

The next Atlanta Airline Collectibles Show & Sale will be held Oct. 18, 2008.