‘Top shelf’ antiques in R.I.

By Stephen Elliott, Moline Dispatch

ROCK ISLAND -- Behind the tables of Tiffany glass, pocket watches and jewelry, the dealer in the cowboy hat eyed the people browsing his wares.

"That Oriental teapot is 300 years old," he said to a woman studying the item. "You can buy it for $375."

The woman simply moves on to another of the 71 exhibitors at the Spring Antique Spectacular at the QCCA Expo Center.

The dealer, Mike Hammes of Corralville, Iowa, merely nodded and watched as others passed through his displays. Some of his items ran in the thousands of dollars, while others cost under $100. He seemed relaxed and able to tell when someone was interested or just passing through his territory.

"I've never had another job," Mr. Hammes said Friday. "I have degrees in chemistry, physics, biology. But with antiques, the learning never stops. There is nothing like it. You see something new each day.

"In 40 years, I've sold close to $20 million," he said. "I'm still learning. It's the risk, the gambling, the fun."

A man stops to look at some diamond rings and porcelain items. "I think I'll take $290," Mr. Hammes said to him. The man doesn't bite.

Another man stops to look at a candle holder. "I can probably do better," Mr. Hammes said. "I can do $350."

He said this is his favorite part of the business: the bartering, the trading, talking prices. He speaks of each item with familiarity, saying his photographic memory gives him a knowledge of every collectible or antique he has read about.

"I could retire, but for what?" Mr. Hammes said. "I'd rather be buying and selling this."

He points to various pieces of glass, explaining when they were made, and how to tell the difference between legitimate and fraudulent.

Scattered throughout the hall are other treasurers. One booth has baseball gloves from the era when a glove was the size of a hand. Pottery, stoneware, toys, dolls, marbles and rugs were displayed at others. A beaver pelt had a sticker price of $88.

A fellow seller approaches Mr. Hammes. "Good to see you Mike," said Naim Bouchareb, of Davenport. "What time do you open tomorrow?"

They talk briefly, Mr. Bouchareb holding a paper sack of items he has bought. He sells items on eBay, and does business sometimes with Mr. Hammes.

Mr. Hammes said 98 percent of the dealers are honest.

"Ask them and they'll know more about the item than anyone else," he said. "The dealers -- we've read so many books. Our base of knowledge is so deep and tremendous. But, our market is constantly adjusting to people's moods and attitudes. There are ma and pa collectors that save a $100 a week for four or five weeks to buy a few things to take home.

"Other people just need to spend money," Mr. Hammes said, "and they like pretty things."

At a booth nearby, Stephen White of Pomeroy, Iowa, is selling books. His business, called "Hungry Horse Book Sales," features rare collectibles and out-of-print and hard-to-find books.

A row of Zane Grey items lined one of his temporary shelves at the Expo Center.

"This is a quality show," Mr. White said. "Everything they have is top shelf. The people support it quite well."

If you go:

The 13th Annual Spring Antique Spectacular continues through Sunday at the QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Ave., Rock Island. Show times are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $6, and is good for both days. Parking is free.

Show coordinator Kimberly Schilling said the show features dealers from nine states and merchandise from around the world.