Brimfield Rush: : The Thrill of Collecting and the Hunt for the Big Score Author Bob Wyss will be signing copies of his new book, Brimfield Rush: The Thrill of Collecting and the Hunt for the Big Score, from May 9 to 14, 2006 at the BrimfieldExchange Information Building op
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - Author Bob Wyss will be signing copies of his new book, Brimfield Rush: The Thrill of Collecting and the Hunt for the Big Score, from May 9 to 14, 2006 at the BrimfieldExchange Information Building opposite the May’s Antique Market on Route 20 in Brimfield.
Wyss has written a fascinating, nonfiction, behind-the-scenes account of a young couple’s odyssey. Through one year of Brimfield markets they deal in American paintings and search for the one canvas that, when sold at auction, will turn their fortunes. Along the way Wyss describes the 40-year history of Brimfield, meets memorable characters and collectors of antiques, ephemera and junk, and explores our modern-day fascination with collecting, from Brimfield to eBay.
The young art dealers, Rachel McKay and Joe Laskowski of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, live on a financial tightrope as they try to build careers as art dealers. At one point Rachel has a toothache and her choices are simple – sell a painting to raise the $2,000 for a root canal or have the tooth yanked for $200. The book is also a love story. It begins with the couple still getting to know each other, and the epilogue describes their wedding ceremony. Rachel and Joe Laskowski are now expecting their first child.
The book features descriptions of the “rush” or stampede that happens as each field opens. One story tells of the television cameraman who wanted to capture the magic of the rush. He secured a very tall stepladder inside the gates at May’s. Somebody suggested this might not be very wise. Sure enough, when 9 a.m. came, the crowd bowled right over the ladder, sending camera and cameraman down. No one was seriously injured.
Early praise for the book has come from Sam Pennington, publisher of the Maine Antique Digest, who said: “What a score. If you can’t make it to Brimfield, this is the next best thing.” Wendell Garrett, editor-at-large of The Magazine ANTIQUES, wrote: “This penetrating and dazzling account of today’s collectors and the antiques trade is riveting.”
The book, published by Commonwealth Editions, retails for $21.95, but can be purchased at discount during the show. It can also be found at local booksellers. Wyss will be making other appearances throughout the Northeast this summer. More information about the book and events surrounding it can be found at www.commonwealtheditions.com.
Wyss is a journalism professor at the University of Connecticut. He was a writer and editor at the Providence Journal for 28 years, covering the environment, energy and business issues. He has written for such publications as the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, Boston Globe, Yankee and Rhode Island Monthly.
