Jan & John Maggs

Antiques and Art

In next month's newsletter

Each year the Massachusetts legislature designates a weekend in August as the Massachusetts Tax-free Weekend, during which most retail sales under $2500 are exempt from the state's 6 1/4% sales tax. This year's tax-free event will be held on the weekend of August 8 and 9.

For several years we've held dedicated sales events during the entire month of August, with special discounts on some parts of our online inventory. We're planning another such sale, beginning with the posting of our August newsletter on August 4, in plenty of time to allow the tax exemption, as long as payment for purchases is made during the tax-free weekend.

We're keeping details about the sale private until the 4th, but we can assure you that, as we make an effort to reduce our inventory, this year's sale will be significant. If you've been thinking about a special piece to add to your collection, be sure to have a look at our August newsletter - online at 10:00 on the 4th.

This month's feature

Our feature this month is a brief pictorial containing details from works of art that we visited during our spring travels. The images spotlight smaller denizens in artworks who lend texture to paintings, enlivening them and expanding the world they portray. We call the essay "Flowers and small animals found hiding in a few European museums". Click the picture to have a little fun on us.

Notes From Our Past

We've had this early table for nearly twenty years. It lives on our screened porch, and it serves as our default dining table during the temperate months. Shortly after we purchased it, we published a story in our newsletter about where and how we found it. The story and, in particular, its sequel still seem amusing as they cast light on a unique and special aspect of the business that sustains, challenges, and rewards us today. Click the table to read it.