Red Hook’s auction house, by George Fiala

Pier 44 is across from Steve’s Key Lime Pie next to Valentino Pier. Unless you get there on a Saturday, or occasionally Sunday, you would never know that Red Hook had an auction house.

It was open today and I was pleasantly surprised as soon as I walked in. My college days were in Lancaster, PA, and in trips back over the years I have taken to driving to Reading and then Route 222 South. A stretch of 222 is known for its antique markets. The grandaddy is Renningers Antique Market. I was introduced to it way back as I had a girlfriend who sold things there. The auctions were great. They bought at estate sales all throughout Lancaster County. Back when I went (I graduated 1974) you could still see stuff from the Civil War. The big purchase I made was a mahogony wind-up Victrola that I got for $39. It was really a piece of furniture, and it still played the old disks. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what I had and left it in Pennsylvania when I finally moved back to NY.

I’ve stopped back at Renningers and competing antique shops many times on trips back to Lancaster – delighting not only whoever I was with, but myself as well. I bought my first uncirculated Indian penny on Route 222. In fact is was from 1865, last year of the Civil War. That I still have.

Those antique stores in Pennsylvania were what popped into my head as I walked into Pier 44 for the first time. There’s all sorts of furniture, some of it period, others more modern, that Roger Archibald and his wife have on display. Rather than me talking about furniture that I’m not an expert in (the Archibald’s are), take a look at the photos below.

The furniture and curios are all sold at the monthly auction. The next one will be Saturday, August 16, from 1 – 4.  In case you happen to be browsing at a time when there is not an auction – which are the other three Saturdays in the month (they sometimes open up Sunday’s as well) – and you see something you must have, it can be bought at the upset price.

I heard Roger say that about 80% of the items for sale are there by consignment, which means that if you have a nice piece of furniture or curio, they may accept it for an upcoming auction.

Of course, you can find out everything I am saying and more at their website  www.pier44antiques.com. Their phone number is (718) 852-3400. And for those who are auction experts- they are members of Invaluable and Auction Zip which means you can bid online.

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