Rare Dedham Pottery plate with fish portrait
Harriet Randall Lumis o/c still life painting
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Flying Pig Auctions is honored to offer the contents of Bloomin’ Antiques from Fitzwilliam, NH, an antique landmark for over 50 years in southwestern NH. Proprietors Gary Taylor and the late Bob Camara (2012) met when Gary was just 21 years old and were together for 42 years! Bob worked in the sheet metal business and Gary in men’s clothing in Manchester, NH. In 1973 they founded the original shop Bloomin’ Antiques in Fitzwilliam. Gary and Bob bought a home in Richmond that was built in 1790 and was completely original. They traveled to and from Fitzwilliam daily to work in the shop. Bob was the face of the shop, greeting and working with customers, while Gary refinished and repaired items in the basement. They expanded the shop twice before eventually moving to their current location on the square in Fitzwilliam. That home was one where Gary and Bob shopped frequently, buying antiques and visiting with the homeowners who eventually asked if they’d be interested in purchasing it. They were thrilled, and in 1979-80 moved in, making their home/workplace all in one space! Bloomin’ Antiques was very popular and had a waiting list of over 100 dealers from all over New England that wanted to be participants in the shop. At maximum capacity, they had almost 50 dealers and kept the shop very full! Gary and Bob stayed very busy with the shop and founded the original “Tailgate.” They traveled all over the East Coast collecting and buying for the shop and their personal collections. Gary loved folk art paintings of objects and currently has several hundred in his home and at one time had over 500 pieces! (Coming to auction late spring!) He also loved Italian pottery and stick spatterware. Bob’s forte was books and aluminum and evolved into liking many of the same things as Gary. However, their buying wasn’t limited to those categories, as they believed it was important to have a great variety to get people through the door. And a great variety they amassed! This auction will feature the contents of the shop including Fine Art, Lighting, Glass, Porcelain, Pottery, Pewter, Iron, Baskets, Boxes, Textiles, Stoneware, Yellowware, Ironstone, Bottles, Toys, Dolls, etc. A massive number of items to be sold individually and in lots. The contents of Bloomin’ Antiques will be complemented by Part II of the Merrimac, NH, & Enfield, CT, estates, which also feature many of the same categories! There will truly be something for everyone from primitive country to Victorian and early 20th C antiques and accessories and all periods in between. This is going to be a big sale! Don’t miss it!
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