The Sukanen Ship Museum antiques and collectibles show began with a long line of viewers and buyers waiting at the door to be first at the event.
During both days many buyers left clutching treasured purchases in their arms. Non-buyers often told ticket takers as they left: “It was worth it.”
George Chopping of Old George’s Antiques in Whitewood was happy.
“I usually buy more than I sell,“ he said partway through day one. “I've paid for my tables and my half of the hotel room.”
An Emerald Park vendor of long-playing vinyl records gave a thumbs up when asked about the show.
“I've been here seven years,” he said. “It’s a good show. My first year there was a bit of interest in vinyl. The next year a bit more and now it’s exploded.”
Buyers prefer the vinyl sound quality to digital sound and want artists from their younger days.
“I can’t keep enough Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac or the Dark Side on hand.”
Nor can he keep enough Waylon Jennings or Johnny Cash records in his 8,000 record inventory.
The yellow cast iron Overland Circus truck stood out on David Gisi’s tables, one of two trucks he bought at a Medicine Hat auction sale about 15 years ago.
“It’s a circus truck. A polar bear goes inside. I have no idea who made it. I think it’s from the 1920s.”
His truck was priced at $120. The same item is listed on eBay for $809 US.
The Medicine Hat resident said he is getting rid of nearly 30 years of collecting to move into a condo. “I got tired of cutting the grass.”
He has been “in and out” of collecting since 1972 when his first purchase was a treadle sewing machine.
His garage is pretty well cleaned out but Gisi still has a catalogued collection of 4,400 ball point pens with another 1,000 to catalogue to sell.
And there’s the pop bottle collection – all 405.
“In ’82 I bought a bunch of pop bottles from the Waldeck antique store when three ladies had it and that’s how I got kicked off on pop bottles.
“I'm selling stuff but not fast enough.”
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
