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Showing posts from September, 2009

12 Days in Paris: 100 Years of Bugatti

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Bugatti celebrated one hundred years with a rally on the Champs Elysees in Paris on Sunday (September 20). We caught the end of the exhibit and WOW! The Bugatti company, considered legendary for producing some of the most expensive, most exclusive and fastest cars in the world, was founded in Molsheim, France (originally a district of Germany), in 1909 by Italian car maker Ettore Bugatti. It is owned today by the Volkswagen group. Some 60 Bugatti cars, from a very old 1929 Type 44 to the very recent Bugatti Veyron, began their centenary rally last week in Molsheim and ended it in this exhibition on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

12 Days in Paris: Flea Markets

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Paris flea markets range from neighborhood markets (the Paris equivalent of garage sales, which are not allowed in Paris) to brocante markets (like the one we went to at Porte de Vanves) to the antique flea markets (such as the Paris Flea Market at Clingnancourt). Starting at the high end, we went to the Marche les Puces Saint Ouen at Porte Clignancourt – better known as The Paris Flea Market (Intersection of rue des Rosiers and rue Paul Bert, 18e, Métro: Porte de Clignancourt). This “market” is actually a dozen markets scattered over several streets in the area. The market is large, confusing and many of the antiques are expensive. We started at Marche Paul Bert and Serpette, then over to Marche Biron. These markets are typically high end. Great to look at and you will definitely see things not available here in the Bay Area. We eventually got over to Marche Vernaison where we were more at home with the brocante shops. Marche Paul Bert and Serpette We didn’t bu...

12 Days in Paris: Lea Stein Jewelry

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Lea Stein was born in Paris in 1931. In the 1960s her husband, Fernand Steinberger, developed a method of laminating thin strips of rhodoid (celluloid acetate) creating interesting textures and colors. Initially, Lea Stein designed buttons for the fashion industry using the rhodoid laminated components. In 1969 she started making fantastic and whimsical 3-dimensional jewelry using these laminates. Her business thrived in the 1970s, but in 1981 she sold her inventory and closed the shop. Her jewelry actually grew in popularity after she exited the business, so in 1988 she re-established the jewelry line, albeit on a smaller base. Each year she introduces one or two new designs. At a neighborhood flea market in Place du Guignier we spotted a small collection of Lea Stein brooches and snatched them up for Vintages. Except for the fox & Corolle, these are all pieces that were designed after 1988, when production was smaller. These will be priced ...

12 Days in Paris: Village St. Paul

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Village St. Paul is a small area of le Marais that runs along rue Saint Paul and adjacent streets and courtyards. This area is home to a number of boutiques and antique/brocante shops. We strolled along the streets, wandered in and out of the courtyards and found some nice items for ourselves and the shop. You’ll be seeing some lovely little perfume bottle labels, medicine boxes, and small paper items in Vintages. Au Passe Partout (21, rue Saint Paul, 4e) has a fantastic selection of antique keys, corkscrews and other objets insolites et de collection (unusual objects and collectibles). The owner is Marc Feldman who authored a book (in French) about antique keys, Des Clefs et des Hommes (Keys and Men). I purchased this wonderful Champagne Tap from Marc. It is a very unusual example and will be a great addition to my collection.

12 Days in Paris: Le Marais

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Le Marais is a complex warren of narrow winding streets past 17 th century houses and ethnic diverse shops, boutiques and restaurants. This is a great walking area, as there are interesting and curious boutiques just about everywhere. The Marais district is home to the Paris History Museum – Musee Carnavalet – that is located in a pair of buildings dating back to the 16 th century. We were drawn into the museum by the wonderful formal gardens in the open courtyard. The museum is laid out chronologically, to give the visitor a nice timeline of the historical events that shaped this great city. There are a number of scale models of sections of the city that are works of art in their own right. Along a couple of the halls is a marvelous collection of antique hanging signs. Boy would I like to have some of these! After some time in the museum, we hustled over to have lunch at L’As du Fallafel (34, rue des Rosiers, 4e). This place was recommended to us by ou...