Kevin Marshall's Antiques in Florida (2/4) By Robert J Smithson

(1/4), (2/4), (3/4), (4/4).

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So here I am 20 years on, February 7th and its 80 degrees outside, I think I made the right decision. But I do miss Hull, as strange as it would seem. Why do I miss Hull? mainly because of Kevin's warehouse, along with some very special friends, I actually make up false business trips to the wife, so I can fly nearly 5000 miles to be there - how sad. Every year I head to Hull at least twice, and of the time I am there, 50% of it is spent moseying around Kev's store, or treasure chest, as I call it.

Seven or eight years ago I got very excited when I saw resting proudly against a wall, a beautiful Gothic shaped leaded window, around 100 years old which Kevin said came from some stately home around Brough. I started to dream about how I wished I could have a house which could have such a classy window piece, so I bought it. I didn't have any way to get it back to Florida so I asked Kev if I could leave it there as I knew there were other things I would want, and we could ship them back altogether. 'No problem,' he said, in his kind, generous manner. This was the start of Robs Room.

For the next few years of visiting Kevs store, I just kept buying stuff I liked and putting everything in one room, rent free. Kevin tells me that some of the dealers who frequently visited the store thought he had an imaginary friend, as they would try and buy pieces from my room and Kev would explain they were sold, only to see them still in the same place, weeks, months, years after they had been there previously.

Kevin guarded them for me. He had an amazing knack for selecting pieces that he knew I would want; he would store away from the eyes of others who would have eagerly bought them, or even when I would arrive unexpectedly, he'd say 'there's something I know you want', in the maze of rooms he has, he was always right.

Continued .... Next Page (3/4)

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