posted 09-28-2005 11:56 AM            

While I have been here, I have met numerous people, most of whom invariably have been among the kindest and most generous I have ever encountered.

At a small social gathering within the first week of my stay, I met a number of fascinating people of diverse interests, including artists, musicians, and members of other cultural media and fields.

I have spent a good deal of time with one person especially, whose career mostly entails working closely with persons, entities, and organizations in all fields of cultural arts. As such, she is aware of many local obscurities that a mere visitor like myself would never have the fortune to encounter, the best hang-outs, museum exhibits, local publications, area merchants, etc.

She and I visited Charleston last weekend. I had never been there before, but I was struck immediately by how similar in appearance the town is to New Orleans. My friends have always liked to joke, when they speak of towns like Charleston, or Savannah, that they are indeed very much like New Orleans, yet cleaner, and without the decadence and decay (It's true, but I love my town, anyway).

As in New Orleans, there is a thriving antiques trade in Charleston, and we seized upon the opportunity to traverse the merchant district of town, visiting in the meantime many shops that had a sizable inventory of silver. I believe they call this, "busman's holiday". I made a few contacts and saw quite a bit of very nice silver. My new friend seemed eager to hear about this unusual fascination of mine, itself I suppose somewhat of an obscurity these days, so when for example we came across an 18th century English berry spoon with repoussé chasing in the bowl, I explained to her that the chased berries and fruit were likely a much later modification, as the fashion for that kind of embellishment hadn't arose until the late 19th century, and it is common to find older English serving spoons, which would have been plain, decorated with later chasing when it came into fashion (A fact I learned here).

Though we did many other things in Charleston, my friend told me later that her favorite part of the visit was learning the obscure little facts I would tell her while we looked at old silver... I'm not sure whether to believe that, but it's nice to hear her say it.

Tomorrow is my 25th birthday. My friend has given me a book entitled Palmetto Silver - Riches of the South - A Celebration of South Carolina Silver, which was published by the McKissick Museum of the University of South Carolina. I don't yet know much about Southern coin silver, but I know it's a field I'd like to break into. This book is likely a good start.

posted 09-28-2005 12:07 PM            

Happy Birthday! I am glad that you are well and that there is a "silver lining" to this terrible event (yes, the pun is intentional!).

posted 09-28-2005 06:44 PM            

I had the opportunity, under much less stressful circumstance than you, to spend a few days in Charleston as well recently and my visits to King Street antique establishments were among the most memorable I have had-so much so that I was induced to make my largest silver purchase to date!