Stories and history all a part of collecting antiques

By Mo Cranker on September 5, 2017.

mcranker@medicinehatnewws.com @MHNmocranker

For some, collecting things is a fun hobby.

For others, it is a way of life.

For Hatter Tony Schlachter, collecting antiques is just something he has always done.

“I can’t remember when I exactly started this, but that’s probably because I’ve always liked to collect,” said Schlachter. “Over the years I’ve just built this collection. When we travel we stop at all of the antique shops wherever we are. It’s just been something I’ve always done.”

Schlachter’s house, which is more of a museum at this point, is home to dozens of old telephones, gramophone players, clocks and pieces of farm history. He says out of the hundreds of items he has, he cannot pick a favourite.

“It’s hard for me to pick that one item, or that one thing above anything else,” he said. “In each part of my collection there’s probably one or two things that are far more valuable and rare than everything else. There’s definitely a few clocks, a couple phones and some other items that are far more valuable than the rest.”

Now 83, Schlachter says the history behind the items and the stories they tell are part of why he loves collecting.

“The education you can get from these items is great,” he said. “Whenever a younger person or even an older person gets their hands on some of the antiques, so many questions pop into their heads. It’s great to see people learn from items that are from a very different era.”

Right now Schlachter and his significant other Barb Zemendek say they are downsizing, but do find it to be hard.

“We always say we’re looking to downsize and get rid of a few things, but every time we get rid of something, the hole is filled by three more things it seems,” said Schlachter. “Right now, I don’t want to get rid of too much, but eventually we will have to start thinking about downsizing at least a little bit.”

Select parts of Schlachter’s collection will be on display at the Old Times-Hard Times Dance in Redcliff on Sept. 23. He is hoping people will come to the event dressed in era-appropriate clothing.

For tickets to the event call 403-548-7531, or 403-548-6092.

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