By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Salisbury is a long way from Lynchburg, Va., but Frances Jackson and her husband, Hugh, think it’s worth the time for the sake of antiques.
The couple own Jackson’s Antiques and will have a booth at this year’s Historic Salisbury Antique Show, which begins later this weekend. This is the 58th year of the event.
The show is at the Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The show hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday with lunch and dinner served, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday with lunch served.
Tickets are $6 at the door and $5.50 in advance.
Advance tickets can be purchased at the following places — Salisbury Emporium, 230 E. Kerr St.; the Rowan Museum, 114 S. Jackson St.; Clyde’s, 224 E. Bank St.; Queen’s Gifts, 221 S. Main St. and Caniche, 200 S. Main St.
“We have done it for five years and it’s a little far for us to come, plus my husband and I both have full time jobs, but everytime we go the people are just wonderful,” Frances said.
She said they always seem to do pretty OK when they participate.
The Jacksons have Chinese Export Rose Medallion, Canton, Early Chinese Export as well as English and American furniture.
In addition to setting up a booth, the two shop the show.
“I pick up items once I’m there. You’re always looking and always find things you add to your collection,” she said.
The annual event — the oldest of its kind in North Carolina — benefits Rowan Museum and its two house museums, the Old Stone House and the Utzman-Chambers House.
“I look at antiques as a wise investment,” said one organizer, Virginia Robertson.
She said there is nothing like the quality and craftsmanship of the items that will be found at the show.
“It’s unparalleled,” Robertson said.
She said antiques can be used as a statement piece in a room.
Tickets for the patron’s dinner are $85 and will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Davis Cooke with Old Sarum Gallery in Salisbury has been participating for years.
He and business partner John Short will have about 10-15 pieces ranging from museum quality art pieces, known artists and what Cooke calls “some sweet little paintings” that may not have a well known artist, but are still a great find.
“Antiques are a connection with the history of our past whether its jewelry or art, that’s a tangible link,” Cooke said.
The majority of what Old Sarum Gallery has falls under landscape and seascape.
The antique show is a way for some people to expand their art collection or start a collection.
“We’re preserving and restoring history,” Cooke said.
He also has people who typically stop by his booth who don’t necessarily want to buy a painting, but want to know how to restore one they own.
Old Sarum Gallery does restoration services as well.
A silent auction will take place both Friday and Saturday. Bids close at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
This year the following 17 antique dealers are participating in the show:
• 1839 Antiques, Salisbury
•The Brass Lantern, Greensboro
• The Crescent Collection, Charlotte
•Chestnut Galleries, Spartanburg, NC
• Victoriana, Rocky Mount
• The Linen Lady, Mount Airy, Md.
• Elaine Miller Jewelry Collection, Raleigh
• Windsor House Antiques, Charlotte
• Laurinda’s Antiques, Edenton
•DBA Flourish, Charleston, S.C.
• Heritage House Antiques, Bland, Va.
• Old Sarum Gallery, Salisbury
• All That Shines, Charlotte
• Bellflower Antiques, Camden
• Lillian’s Library, Salisbury
• Jackson’s Antiques, Lynchburg, Va.
• Inglis Hale Antiques, Tryon
For more information, contact the Rowan Museum at 704-633-5946.