Reverse Gear

By Shana Karn, Co-owner of The Second Knob, 129 North St. Dryden

Does anyone else find that they are more nostalgic during the fall than at other times of the year?  Perhaps, it is because fall is a natural seasonal-segue into the holidays; the time of year which I am certain elicits the most nostalgia. Perhaps, in central NY, the nostalgia is due in part to the change of colors and knowing snow and ice follow in its footsteps. Jack London once said, “Darn the wheel of the world! Why must it continually turn over? Where is the reverse gear?”

Understanding his sentiments, I believe I’ve found the “reverse gear.”

Every time I walk through the door at our shop, The Second Knob Gifts & Antiques, and especially down the stairs into my father’s “antique section,” I find an area where some of the wheel of the world is in reverse. Even for a…ahem… youngster like myself, our antiques bring back memories of time spent with my grandparents and elderly neighbors and friends — my “reverse gear.”

Upstairs, we have both vintage and older primitive pieces scattered about, tucked in corners and hung on walls, serving to display some of our [new] gifts. Downstairs, you can weave your way between various size dressers while passing by glass front china cabinets, drop leaf tables, blanket chests, butter churns, one drawer stands, stools, benches and plant stands. Notice the oak ice boxes…instead of being used as a refrigerator these now work well as wine or beer coolers for special parties. Early to mid-1900’s pottery like Weller, Roseville, McCoy and Hull is displayed on tabletops and dressers. There are some early Fiesta and Pyrex bowls in the 1930’s Hoosier kitchen cabinet. There’s also a nice variety of glass….including cut, art, depression and carnival. A mixed selection of stoneware jugs and crocks, most of which have cobalt blue designs, will certainly catch your eye! Vintage Adirondack pack baskets, snow shoes, early hunting/fishing/trapping pin back licenses,  fishing nets, wooden fishing lures, decoys, old reels, primitive wooden long bows and arrows are the favorite of many a man who visits our store. And where in the world did my dad find those early 1900’s chauffeur badges? Among my favorite items is the old advertising, including paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and tin. Today’s advertising graphics can’t compare to the time and effort that is evident in old advertising, back when they didn’t have computer software for design and digital enhancement.

Some of the usual Collector’s favorites in our store include vintage Coca-Cola and Pepsi items, military related pieces from WWI and after, Scouting memorabilia, old Enamelware and Kitchenware, and decoys, decoys, decoys. My dad can’t “duck” the facts; he buys far too many decoys! Early carpenter chests and toolboxes are a home décor favorite—and not just a personal favorite. I have had some neat conversations with both men and women about what these pieces will “perfectly” display. Hand sewn quilts and quilt stands are here and there. Of course we have some great cane seated and plank-seat chairs, and several neat old rockers.

My dad (owner of ANDEE’S ANTEEKS, and co-owner of our store, The Second Knob), Andy Seyfried, supplies the antiques and vintage items for our store. He seems to buy more than even he can sell so we try to routinely rotate the pieces in our “antiques area.” He also occasionally purchases antiques and collectibles from customers. If you’re looking for a special item and if we don’t have it, we always try to find it by request. Come visit us at The Second Knob to see our unusual and unique antiques, and those soon-to-be antiques that we also offer.