Everything Gets Better With Age
It is strange how we often attach sentimental feelings to objects; a bouquet of flowers, a stuffed animal, a family heirloom. However, it’s often not the object itself that we are attached to, but the story behind it. And the longer something or someone is around, the more stories they have to tell. That is what makes antiques so appealing to those who collect and adore them, their stories span generations.
The popularity of antiques has steadily grown with the emergence of TV shows such as American Pickers and Pawn Stars. This is maybe the first time antiques have been considered “cool” by the majority of the population.
Robin Horton, assistant superintendent for antiques at the Fair and an avid antiques collector/enthusiast thinks the attraction comes from the mystery of not knowing the story.
“To me, when I hold an antique I think, ‘someone had this before me,’” he said. “It is about retaining and preserving a piece of history.”
The antiques general entry department at the Fair accommodates many different antique objects, all over 50 years old
Horton delights in the fact that not many individuals get to handle the antiques. He said all handlers use “kid gloves” when touching the objects, because “they are someone’s baby.”
Featuring things from military relics and Boy Scout memorabilia, to dolls and carnival glassware, everyone can find a favorite display. Horton said his favorite object was a Civil War era knapsack/backpack used by a union soldier. The man who brought in the artifact still had the picture of his great great-grandpa with the knapsack on his back. He recommends that anyone who brings in an object should bring in proof of a back story.
He clearly remembers the oldest item he had the pleasure of viewing. It was a family Bible dating back to the mid-1600s.
“The artwork and the verses were unbelievable,” Horton said.
Like most entry departments, judging criteria is based on multiple factors. There are three main judging criteria for each category of antiques. Age, rarity and condition are all factors considered when picking a winning entry. The oldest antique does not always win; it depends on the objects score in each category. Horton suggests that all patrons entering into the competition to make sure you read and understand the rules for your category in the premium book.
To score high in the age criteria, Horton said he recommends that all parts of the object are from “period”. For instance, if a doll is entered from the 1800s, its clothes must be from the 1800s also. Horton also offered a hint to patrons who are entering strictly to win: “remember that because this is the Kentucky State Fair, artifacts dealing with Kentucky related history are especially important.”
Judges for each category are chosen based on their knowledge and expertise of that specific type of item. However, for the category “Anything not mentioned above,” which is an open-ended category, all the judges come together to combine their knowledge.
So whether you are a scholar on artifacts, a history buff or just like watching Antique’s Roadshow, there is something for you to discover and enjoy at the antiques display at the Fair. Stop by and be a see history unfold right before your eyes.
