- Editor’s
Note:
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- This
column is a regular feature in the Wayback Times in which my
husband takes interesting people out to lunch … and sends
me the bill.
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- (It's
a tough job, but someone has to do it!)
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- Send
us an e-mail if you have someone in mind for one of Peter Neilly's
interviews over lunch.
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- Peter Neilly is Out
to Lunch
- Breaking bread with
interesting people
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- Out to Lunch!
- with Peter Neilly
 I
am constantly hearing that the vast majority of antique collectors
and dealers are older people and, in fact, we tend to think of
anyone under 50 as "young" in this business. Well,
my Out To Lunch guest today is of the younger generation. Much
younger. Bradley Higgins is a very mature 13-year-old
antique collector who is selling at antique shows.
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- I first met
Bradley a couple of months ago at an antique show in Prince Edward
County. He had purchased a few items from me and some other dealers
at the show, but what impressed me about this youngster was his
amazing knowledge and apparent love of antiques.
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- Bradley was
so busy with school work, after school activities, the school
band, piano
lessons and getting ready for his next antique show in two day's
time, that I had to join him at his home for this meeting. We
weren't able to "do lunch," but the Warden (aka Sandy)
made sure I picked up some famous strawberry-custard tarts from
Dooher’s Bakery in Campbellford to take with me.
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- Peter: Bradley, explain to
me how a 13-year-old gets started in the antique business. Where
did you get the money to buy all this merchandise?
Bradley: I started making jewellery four years ago when
I was nine. I would make hemp bracelets and other things to sell
and then moved on to semi-precious stones. I would sell the jewellery
and give part of the money to the Cancer Society and use what
was left to buy antiques and collectibles.
- Peter: You have tons of stuff
here, What did you start collecting first?
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- Bradley: I started with coins
at first and then moved on to buying old books. I have more than
700 coins and over 500 books at this time. I also have a men's
silk tie collection with over 60 vintage silk ties.
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- Peter: What is it about antiques
that has you so interested?
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- Bradley: I just like the feeling
of holding something that is 100 years old and thinking about
who else has held or used it over all those years. It's a neat
feeling and it makes you think.
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- Peter: Is there a favourite
piece in your collection?
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- Bradley: I have one thing I
would never sell because of what it means to me. It's a 1612
first edition King James Bible that I bought in Prince Edward
Island at a yard sale when we were visiting my grandfather out
there. When I showed him the bible,
the first thing he read in it was Psalm 83, verse 18 and he told
me it answered a
question he had been searching for an answer to for many years.
That was just before he passed away last August. That Psalm means
a lot to me, too.
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- Peter: How do you get around
to buy all this stuff when you're only 13 and don't drive
yet?
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- Bradley: My mom's great. She
takes me to yard sales and to antique shops and shows, but I
always use my own money.
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- Peter: What antique shows
do you have coming up in the future?
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- Bradley: I'm doing the Picton
Prince Edward Curling Club's 46th annual show this weekend, and
on September 17, 18 and 19 I will be doing the Crystal Palace
Fall Show and Sale which is also in Picton.
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- Peter: I will also be doing
that show this fall, so have a good show but leave some of the
customers for us, okay? Thanks for meeting with me, Bradley.
You have an amazing grasp of knowledge and appreciation of antiques
for someone who is just 13. Keep up the good work.
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