One never knows what one will find while antiquing, even if one has been to the same shop or fair over a million times and knows every nook and cranny with one's eyes closed. Though antiquing is a source of magic, wonders behind a painting, tucked within the pages of a book, stuffed in a pocket, hidden in a box under a bed… antiquing shows one another world, another time, a passage to lives lived.
An antique dealer I know was allowed to enter a famous ruined home, and to purchase whatever he found interesting. The home was of Antoine St Exupery… what he found he mostly donated to the city and the local museum, plus he sold other items. A few things he kept and lends to museums and events which focus on St Exupery.
One such item is St. Exupery's flight coat.
"Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, Comte de Saint-Exupéry (French, 29 June 1900 – 31 July 1944) was a French writer, poet, aristocrat, journalist, and pioneering aviator. He became a laureate of several of France's highest literary awards and also won the U.S. National Book Award. He is best remembered for his novella (Le Petit Prince) and for his lyrical aviation writings, including Night Flight and Wind, Sand and Stars.
Saint-Exupéry was a successful commercial pilot before World War II, working airmail routes in Europe, Africa, and South America. At the outbreak of war, he joined the Frenc Air Force (Armée de l'Air), flying reconnaissance missions until in 1940. After being demobilized from the French Air Force, he traveled to the United States to help persuade its government to enter the war against Nazi Germany. Following a 27-month hiatus in North America, during which he wrote three of his most important works, he joined the Free FrenchAir Force in North Africa, although he was far past the maximum age for such pilots and in declining health. He disappeared over the Mediterranean on a reconnaissance mission in July 1944, and is believed to have died at that time."
Yann was fortunate to try on St. Exupery's flight coat, and when he put it on a tear formed in his eye.
Yann asked the antique dealer why he did not have the flight coat restored? The antique dealer responded, "And take off the patina of time, remove the essence of St Exupery, you mean to make the flight coat new? To erase the journey?"
I beamed at the antique dealer's response. So true. Why do certain people want to "restore or renovate" certain objects when the value is in the beauty of age where the story speaks, "I have been around awhile and still I have something to share."
Listening with the eyes.
Feeling the invisible story.
St Exupery knew that.
We were able to buy one of St Exupery's maps, the others had been sold to the museum in Nice, it was an early father's day gift for Yann.
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