WMUR'S, NEW HAMPSHIRE CHRONICLE

Visits The New Hampshire Antique CO-OP

For those from away, New Hampshire Chronicle, is a TV show, sponsored by ABC affiliate WMUR in Manchester, NH. It's a "newsmagazine" that airs weeknights at 7:00 pm and highlights New Hampshire people, places, history, and lifestyle. Launched in 2001, it has become a very popular mainstay in local television.

Jason, awaiting WMUR personnel, inspects the front lobby.

On Wednesday, 21 November 2013, WMUR Producer Mary Paige Provost and Videographer Chris Shepherd stopped in to visit with the folks who run the NH Antique CO-OP in Milford, NH. The Hackler family is in their 30th year at this location and continually hosts interesting events to keep their business fresh. Not one to sit on their laurels, Father Sam and son Jason with a very loyal and engaged group of employees keep the place hopping.

Mary Paige Provost, started the interview with a tour, lead by Jason through the interesting "streets" that define the CO-OP. Here he demonstrates an antique, Wurlitzer Mahogany Disc Music Box, made in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1900 or so. It comes with 20 discs of music guaranteed to entertain your friends.

Here's a little closer look at the box and the 18 1/2" discs that it plays. It's in superb condition and has a deep, mellow sound.

After presenting several displays of Early American Antique furniture, Jason lead them to the glass display cases to highlight the "smalls." With more than 200 exhibiting dealers and 20,000 square feet of floor space, the CO-OP has a wide variety of antiques to interest most any collector. 

Seated in the lobby, Jason fields questions concerning antiques, business, the economy and his exhibitors. He became most animated when asked "how he became involved with antiques and the business." He recounted attending auctions, estate sales and flea markets with his parents as a small boy and being more interested in antique auction catalogs then comic books. 

Several days of filming is hard work!

Jason's dad, Sam Hackler, (seated facing us) started this business with his wife Eileen in 1983. To say that they created a "group shop" would be a vast understatement; what they've built is an extensive "marketplace" that continually flourishes and keeps pace with an ever changing antique world.

Sam Hackler behind the window, being interviewed by the Chronicle Team.

To survive and flourish in the antique world after 30 years is no small task. The Hackler family's business acumen, enthusiasm and presentation for their product is greatly apparent. If you have a passion for antiques, or think that you might and want to learn more, a visit to the NHAC will do much to foster your enthusiasm. Their inventory is constantly changing so frequent visits are not only necessary... but fun.

To see what's going on at the NHAC during this holiday season, CLICK HERE to read their 2013 Holiday e-Newsletter. And don't forget to show up for the annual open house festivities on December 7 and 8.

Thanks very much for reading and happy antiquing.

Rand  

Sebastian

So who is this little boy that has us doing headstands when we visit our daughter and son-in-law in Marblehead? I'm a retired airline captain and have flown large jets throughout the world, spanning oceans and continents with as many as 400 passengers at a time. But when I'm in Sebastian's company I'm a driveling fool, making strange faces and even stranger noises. Such is the role of a grandfather. But admitting that I'm old softie isn't the purpose of this post.

Market Square and the Old Town House, built in 1727.

Linda and I were visiting in Marblehead, which has become a regular activity lately and Sebastian needed a bit of a diversion. No longer happy watching his parents and grandparents, hang shades, paint fences or mow lawns... he wanted out! I think his parents wanted him out too, so I grabbed the stroller by the horns and out we went.

                                                     Marblehead Harbor, late October.

If you're looking for a wonderful place to get out and walk, particularly if you love New England, the ocean and beautifully restored architecture, this is the right place. And doing this with your one year old grandson only enhances the opportunity. We'd spent considerable time at the town wharf observing working boats off loading their catch and met many who stopped to chat with him. He's a real gadfly!

But what I noticed from the wharf, while Seb was busy entertaining others, was that the front door to Sacks Antiques was open. This was the first time that I'd noticed this during many such strolls.

Stan Sacks from Marblehead

I came dangerously  close to never meeting Stan Sacks and that would have been regrettable. He's only open one day per week at his little shop near the corner of State and Front Streets. Built in 1727, the diminutive clapboarded building has served many owners over the 18th, 19th 20th and now 21st centuries. His Grandfather Hyman Sacks, an antique restorer on Charles Street in Boston, found his way here in 1899 to open his shop and sell as well as restore prized antiques.

Stan told me that this is the oldest, continuously operating antique shop in Massachusetts. His father, Abraham, a WWI veteran succeeded his father Hyman in 1912 and continued to build the business. With a valued reputation, Abraham, or Jim as locals called him, imported English antiques into the country and participated in furnishing The White House in Washington DC and the Lee Mansion, now a prominent museum in town. He was consulted as well and provided antiques for several homes in Colonial Williamsburg and for Hollywood movies, most notably, The Philadelphia Story produced in 1940 starring Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart. Apparently, seeking authenticity in the background was important to Director George Cukor.

Interior of Sacks Antiques

Stan gave me the grand tour, pointing out specific pieces native to Marblehead. He's a gregarious man, easy with a smile and a story; an excellent businessman I'm sure. But at 88 with no one in the family interested in continuing this fabled business, he plans to shut it down after the 43rd annual, Marblehead Christmas Walk that will be from December 5 - 8, 2013.

Just one of the many beautiful homes you'll encounter in "Old Town."

When Stan asked me what I did, (I knew that he'd get around to that) I was almost embarrassed to say that I was an antique dealer. After all, my experience, when compared to his is nearly negligible. But he chastised me when I mentioned that and advised that even he was still learning 88 years later and for me not to forget that.

Now you understand why it would have been regrettable if I'd missed the opportunity to meet Stan Sacks of Marblehead.

Thanks for reading and I hope to see you at the Marblehead Christmas Walk.

Rand

Let's talk about clocks.

Some 25 years ago, Linda and I were driving through West Townsend, Mass, I've long since forgotten why, but we spotted a sign that said, Delaney Antiques. We love old things; early American furniture, old houses, antique cars, trucks, motorcycles, even airplanes so were unable to drive past without stopping.

435 Main Street (route 119) W. Townsend, Mass  (978) 597-2231

As you're driving past on route 119, this is what you'll see if you're paying attention; a beautifully restored carriage house next to a three story brick home of elegant proportions. A most tranquil, unpretentious setting for what is the finest collection of antique "Tall Clocks" in the United States. You may be at the stage where you'd call them "grandfather clocks," but you'll know better by the time you leave.

Russ Greenwood is one of several highly regarded repairmen, who cleans and maintains the Delaney's collection, with an extensive reference library behind him.

As you step through the door into the entrance hall you'll immediately be dazzled by the handsome collection of mahogany, maple, cherry, walnut or birch tall clocks from the 18th and 19th centuries. These fully restored, weight driven, running clocks are pieces of art, some as old as 250 years that keep excellent time. Keep in mind that most of the tall clocks surrounding you here, were built during the Washington, Adams and Jefferson administrations with hand tools.

I remember being overwhelmed when we first stepped inside and realistically we didn't have the wherewithal to purchase such an antique, but after an hours discussion with Mr. Delaney Sr., who knew we wouldn't be purchasing anything anytime soon, we stored the information and knew that we'd return one day.

The main floor, there's another above to explore too.

The Delaney's have on hand at any time, 150 to 160 American Tall Clocks, mostly of New England origin. Simon Willard 1753-1848 of Massachusetts, Timothy Chandler 1762-1848 from Massachusetts and Connecticut, Benjamin Swan 1792-1867 from Maine and Abel Hutchins 1763-1853 from New Hampshire just scratch the surface of their far-flung collection. 

The clockmaker crafted the "works" or gears and drive train that were made from wood or brass, a cabinet maker built and finished the fine wooden cases and an artist generally painted the wooden, iron or brass dials. No two are alike and each is a treasure to own.

Tall clocks to the rear and shelf clocks to the front. Listening to the rhythmic beat from these antique machines is soothing, but being here on the hour when they strike is exciting. 

Not in search of a tall or shelf clock? How about an 18th or 19th century Chelsea Clock Company wall clock, or a Seth Thomas Connecticut wall clock. Most clocks here are "regulators" or "time pieces" which mean that they don't strike. Sean taught me that a regulator clock was of high standards and accuracy and was used by the clock maker to "regulate" or adjust other clocks that he was working on. They must be weight driven and not have a strike.

To clarify a few terms; strike means to chime, beat means to tick and a face is a dial. Learning the language of clocks will be a part of your education at Delaney's. But acquiring knowledge is as enjoyable as acquiring a clock; the more you know... the more pleasure it will bring.

About prices.  

They aren't cheap! 

-  -  -

But nothing of value is, so if you're looking for an ordinary "grandfather" clock that you'll lose interest in quickly, visit Jordan's Furniture. But if you're in search of an investment, a quality antique with provenance that your children will covet, with someone who will stand behind it, Delaney's has an impressive selection of clocks to fit a variety of budgets. Want to upgrade a few years later? Call brothers John or Sean and discuss that too.

Sean Delaney and Linda when Sean delivered our tall clock.

Twenty years after first stopping in, Linda and I returned and purchased this circa 1820, Concord, New Hampshire tall clock of maple and birch from Sean. You may recognize him from this photo. He and his brother John appear regularly on Antique Roadshow. 

Our cape was built in 1790, but this room is a new addition that connected the ell to the garage. Our goal was to purchase antiquity and quality and this New Hampshire Tall Clock goes a long way in achieving that goal and helping the room appear older than it is. It's the center piece of the room and all else revolves around it with its timeless beat.

Chelsea Clock Company Model #1

We've purchased several clocks from Delaney's now, each experience as enjoyable as the last. This is an 1890, Chelsea Clock Company Regulator. Every clock that we've purchased has come with a one year guarantee and is sent to Russ Greenwood, whom you met above, for a cleaning and inspection before delivery. 

All of our purchases have been eight day, brass movement, weight driven clocks that I wind every Saturday morning. Without fail, each is within 30 seconds to a minute of the correct time a week later. So stop in, say hello, learn and enjoy the experience and the education. Ours continues.

Rand