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Conference 7.286::home_work

Title:	Home_work
Notice:	Check Directory (6.3) before writing a new note
Moderator:	CSLALL::NASEAM::READIO

Created:	Tue Nov 05 1991
Last Modified:	Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2100
Total number of notes:	78741

423.0. "OLDE BOSTONIAN (used/antique building materials)" by DELNI::J_KING () Wed Sep 09 1987 12:26

This past Saturday, I took at trip down to Olde Bostonian, an Archetectual 
Antiques place.  I'd like to pass on my findings to those who might be 
interested.

First off, the stock consisted, heavily, of old doors, mantles (wood) of a 
wide variety of styles, and a large quantity of marble pieces.  Also, there
was a fairly large selection of old door hardware.  Condition on most of 
this stock was questionable.  Other than door knobs, I spent over 1/2 hour
trying to find matching door hardware (rosettes, etc) that was in decent 
shape and matched, with no luck.  The wood pieces (doors, etc) were heavily 
painted, and very difficult to tell what kind of shape they were in (or 
what kind of wood) under all the paint.

There were some very interesting (and expensive) items - A copper-walled 
cubicle:  Three walls 8X8 made of copper paneling.  Quite unique, and nice,
and a steal at 9,000.00.  There were also some nice condition mantles, etc, 
but every single one had a sold tag on it.

Conclusion:  If you have some time to kill and are in the area, or if you 
need porcelin, plain brass, wood, or glass door knobs, or single pieces of 
other door hardware, or need a door of a specific type (that is common to 
older houses), then the place is worth visiting.  Otherwise, no.

I also stopped into the Renovator's Supply store in Brookline - Send for 
the catalogue - A visit to the Brookline store isn't worth it, even if you 
are right in front of it.

Joe King

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
423.1		AKOV68::GLEASON		`Thu Sep 10 1987 12:51`	6
	Could you tell us a littld about designs and costs of marble fire- places? I have a dismantled marble fire-place from the 1850-1860 periodand I'd like to know it's value for potential resale. It's design is neither plain nor highly ornamented. I think it was a mid-range product( price wise, of that era.
423.2	RE: Marble Mantles	DELNI::J_KING		`Thu Sep 10 1987 15:52`	21
	Sorry - I have no idea. I was only reporting on a visit to OLDE BOSTONIAN, not on values of archetectual antiques. There are two ways to go about getting an idea of the value - 1. Calling a place like OLDE BOSTONIAN in Boston and seeing if you can get a high/low estimate of their purchase price. 2. Sending for a catalogue (cost about 3.00) from a place that deals in used mantles, specifically. I have an old OHJ catalogue at home, and I'm pretty sure that such a company (out of FLA.) was listed. Through the catalogue you can get an idea of what the company is selling comparable pieces at. When I was at the OLDE BOSTONIAN I did note that there was a dearth of Marble mantles - the only one I saw was fairly busted up (it was complete, but in many more pieces than it should have been), and, sorry, I did not notice any price tag. Joe
423.3	not a bad place	KYOA::YATES		`Sat Sep 12 1987 18:16`	20
	I've been there, I was able to get some old molding and bulls eyes for around a closet I put in. The stuff I got had to be stripped (yuk), but it cost me about 50 bucks. This is verses having the stuff made or buying plastic replicas. The cost here would have been about 150 bucks. Also the guy who runs the place collects beatles stuff - and loves to talk about it. I also got a mortise lock for 10 bucks that works, the one in the renovators supply catalogue was all brass and 75 bucks. So I've save a large amount of $$ by going there. tom
423.4		VIDEO::DCL	David Larrick	`Mon Sep 14 1987 17:41`	16
	I've been to Olde Bostonian twice. The first time, we weren't looking for anything in particular, had a lot of fun just poking around, getting ideas. Didn't buy anything. The second time, we were looking for a couple of specific things (I forget exactly what), and were disappointed by the selection, the condition of the available pieces, and the prices. Didn't buy anything. It's in Dorchester or some such place. Southbound on the Expressway, you can see its outdoor storage on your right, including a two-story wrought iron spiral stairway. Just keep taking right turns until you find it. There are lots of big, old Victorian houses in the surrounding neighborhoods, plus a fair number of junky antique/good used furniture stores reasonably near by. So neither trip was wasted.
423.5	New location	26523::SIMS		`Mon Feb 19 1990 08:51`	8
	In case anyone will be looking for it, Olde Bostonian has moved. They are in the same area but are on the NORTHBOUND side of the S.E. X-way. Sorry, I don't know the new address but it's the exit you woyld take for Bayside Expo. It's right next to the X-way north of Bayside.