Posted on Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 6 a.m.
Ypsilanti couple sends antiques, part of city's history, to auction
By Janet Miller
Maxe and Terry Obermeyer’s love story has come full circle.
When the two dated while attending Michigan Normal School (today’s Eastern Michigan
University) more than 50 years ago, they attended auctions at nearby Schmidt’s Antiques in Ypsilanti. As long as they didn’t bid on anything, it was a cheap date that included free cookies and coffee.
It also began a life-long love of antiques.
Now it’s time to thin the collection that overflows their west Ypsilanti home and spills into the homes of their four grown children. The couple, who both work in real estate, will again turn to Schmidt’s, which will hold an auction Friday, Sept. 25, to offer part of the couple’s collection, including two pieces linked to Ypsilanti history.
The first is a 19th century Victorian settee given by Henry Ford to Ypsilanti resident Charles Newton, who was the head buyer for the Henry Ford Museum. The settee, circa 1850, is the same style of chair President Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot, said Chuck Schmidt, president of Schmidt’s Antiques.Â
“It’s something that would go in the formal parlor and used just two or three times a year,” he said.
The second is a walnut secretary from the Wiard family homestead that will also be in the auction. George Wiard founded the family’s apple orchard and cider mill in 1853, which continues to operate today.
“It’s time to scale back,” said Maxe Obermeyer. “We’re in our 70s, and our children have everything they want. It’s time to make life a little more comfortable.”
Their home is a museum of their travels and interests. “People say we have a magic shoehorn,” Obermeyer said. “Someone who was on one of the tours of the house asked us if we have anything in the drawers.”
They’ve visited all seven continents and 116 countries, buying antiques and souvenirs along the way. Terry Obermeyer collected dolls and hand-painted eggs. Maxe favored canes and paperweights. Together, they have large collections of hand-turn wooden bowls, birdhouses and bronze figures.
With the auction, and with at least one more that will follow, they're letting go of some of their memories: Lacquered Russian boxes, walking canes, pitchers from Europe, Lladro porcelain figurines from Spain, birdhouses, masks from around the world and more. More than 100 items will be available in the first auction, said Schmidt.Â
Maxe Obermeyer said they will add Terry Obermeyer’s doll and dollhouse collection and some of their paintings and prints to the next auction.
Some of the Ypsilanti history they've collected over the years won't be for sale. They bought a Victorian chair and settee from Hatti Swift, who came from a long-time Ypsilanti family, and a vase from the estate of David Landy, who at one time was one of the city’s largest landowners, Obermeyer said. A 19th century fireplace from the home of Ypsilanti lumber company owner Martin Dawson is in the couple’s family room.Â
The Obermeyer collection will be part of a 350-item auction scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Schmidt’s Antiques, 5138 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti. Preview starts at noon.
Some of the Ypsilanti history they've collected over the years won't be for sale. They bought a Victorian chair and settee from Hatti Swift, who came from a long-time Ypsilanti family, and a vase from the estate of David Landy, who at one time was one of the city’s largest landowners, Obermeyer said. A 19th century fireplace from the home of Ypsilanti lumber company owner Martin Dawson is in the couple’s family room.Â
The Obermeyer collection will be part of a 350-item auction scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Schmidt’s Antiques, 5138 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti. Preview starts at noon.
Janet Miller is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach our news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Ralph
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 2:24 p.m.
I just thought you would like to know that my Ancestors brothers Edrmann & Reinhold Schlegelmilch ( Great great uncles) and their Nephew Oscar Schlegelmilch made R S Prussia China