Familiarity Breeds Content
by Cate Murway
In such a throwaway, disposable society, where personal effects are getting more and more “high tech”, and culture continues progressing toward a so incredibly “low touch”, it is truly refreshing to have met Mr. and Mrs. Tony Tenaglia, the proud owners of the Bristol Auction on 216 Mill Street [rear entrance]. Their healthy reverence, respect and passion for quality are nearly lost phenomena. Tony and Loretta are jointly committed to enlightening the current generations about the insignificant “pennies on the dollar” return for a new version purchase that seems to have a half-life of its predecessor.
Anthony [Latin, meaning “Worthy of Praise”] Phillip Tenaglia works untiringly to make infinite acquisition options available for the every Tuesday evening Bristol Auction. Tony, who biked almost daily to the Borough, grew up in West Bristol, with his parents, Anthony and [Agnes] “Dolly” and his brother Michael, a mechanic and his two sisters, Diane [husband Tom], co-owners of Diamond Auto on Bath Road and Joanne, an R.N. He acquired his potent work ethic “helping out” in Tag’s Pizza and the Windsor Auto Service, two of his family’s businesses. A Bishop Egan ’75 and Pennco Tech Auto Tech grad, he was educated to appreciate quality “second –hand” tool merchandise under his father’s tutelage. Originally he would ask, “Who wants to look at other people’s junk?” but he in fact was astounded at his father’s “finds” at flea markets and yard sales. His personal favorite collections include any antique hunting items, mid 19th century powder flasks, and obsolete flintlock weapons that were still seeing action in the earliest days of the American Civil War.
Tony and Loretta [Kendig], a Bishop Conwell ’78 grad have been inseparable since they were introduced by a co-worker friend of Loretta’s while she was employed as a Nurse’s Aid at Statesman Nursing Home. Her parents, Robert L. & Teresa C. Kendig, Jr., lived on McKinley Street prior to moving their family of three sons and three daughters to the Appletree section in Levittown. Loretta’s brother, Robert L. Kendig III [Bubba] is part of the successful Bristol Auction team. They were married in 1984, nearly 10 years before their respective alma maters graduated the last single-gender class and the first coed freshman class reported to Conwell-Egan Catholic. Since 1996, they have resided in Buckingham in their spacious 1793 stone home, complete with a barn and a carriage house on the property. They are truly proud parents of their two sons, Marc, a Central Bucks East H.S. student and David who attends Holicong Middle School.
For three decades, Tony and Loretta trained and educated themselves on the subjects of superior collectibles, fine furnishings, premium glassware, vintage jewelry [Loretta’s favorite!], and classic decorative items. They have shared their expertise, appearing in at least a dozen HGTV “Cash in the Attic” episodes. For the last twenty years, they have provided a varied selection of treasures at the charming and quaint Golden Nugget Antique Market in Lambertville. In 2001, they purchased the Bristol Auction business from David Paul Reday. David, the lead singer of a 1950's Rock 'n Roll band called the MonVal's, was co- proprietor of R & R Auctions at the Mill Street location where Tony and Loretta had once occupied bidding seats as attendees! They rent the entire ground floor from Dr. Anthony Mannarino and pride themselves with acquiring exclusive antiques that boast original patina and “unmolested” finishes. Tony and his team not only procure unique antiques, but they also purchase “old collections, accumulations, individual items or whole estates”. Auction manager, Tim Cekoric, is an important component of this very organized industry group. He and his wife, Heidi, the Golf Shop Coordinator at Jasna Polana in Princeton, have three daughters, Calla, Madalyn and newborn, Michaela.
The Best of the Best is offered at the “Quality Sale” the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Admission is Free. Grab a chair and experience this phenomenal social event next Tuesday, October 17th. Bid for your opportunity to own a hand-carved by a master craftsman Victorian oak display cupboard with hand cast brass handles. This is a solid investment piece in terms of technique, perspective and exquisite detailing. Another of the offerings is an alluring seascape by famous artist Dey De Ribcowsky (1880-1936) with his signature in the bottom right corner. Step back in time and appreciate a “$1.11 total sale” on an original Sinclair H-C Gas pump, complete with the green “Dino”, a potent symbol of American business, in use from the mid-40's to the early 60's. You will also have an opportunity to purchase a Firkin! What is a Firkin? Come on in and ask Tony! He has acquired a wealth of knowledge, which he readily shares.
According to their very informative webpage, designed by their exceptionally quick, agile and smart auctioneer, Ray Snyder, who’s fast-paced chant creates excitement and makes the auction entertaining: “Discerning, reliable, hard working, trustworthy, and fair are the standards of operation that have earned the Bristol Auction its’ well deserved reputation under the stewardship of Tony Tenaglia.”
Every Tuesday
Please Note New Start Times!
Inspection 3:30PM Until 5:30PM
Box Lot Auction 4:00PM
Main Auction Sale 5:30PM
Auction # 215.788.6700
Cell # 215.499.7023
Recommend a Spotlight: e-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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Robert L. Kendig, Jr.
Bucks County Courier Times
Robert L. Kendig, Jr., age 74, died August 16, 2003, at the St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., he has resided in Levittown for over 40 years. He was a 1948 graduate of Coughlin High School and is a member of the St. Michael the Archangel Parish where he was an usher for many years. He was a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #4215, a member of the American Legion Post 960 in Levittown, and a decorated Korean War veteran. Mr. Kendig worked at 3M in Bristol, Leaseway in Bensalem, and Clearview Printing in Newtown. He retired in 1994. He loved hunting, fishing and being at his mountain home, and spending time with his grandsons. He will be sadly missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his loving daughter, Theresa Ann Kendig, who passed away in July, 2001; his mother, Nellie Mary Kendig, and father, Robert L. Kendig, Sr.
He is the beloved husband of Teresa C. Kendig (nee Wargo), with whom he just celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary. He is the loving father of Mary and Richard Zackowski of Bristol, Loretta and Anthony Tenaglia of Buckingham, Robert L. Kendig III, Joseph and Janet Kendig and Gerald B. Kendig, all of Levittown. He is also survived by his grandsons, Kyle Joseph Kendig and Marc and David Tenaglia; his brothers, Richard and Donald; his sisters, Barbara, Doris and Florence; his sister-in-law, Barbara Kendig; many nieces and nephews and friend John Clarke.
Family and friends may call Thursday from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 3500 Bristol-Oxford Valley Rd. in Levittown. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in the St. Michael the Archangel Church in Levittown. Interment will follow in the Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem. There will be no evening calling hours in the funeral home.
August 19, 2003 12:00 AM
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Anthony "Tony" Tenaglia Jr.
Posted: Sunday, November 11, 2012 4:00 am
Anthony Tenaglia Jr. Anthony 'Tony' Tenaglia Jr.
passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012
at Doylestown Hospital with his family by his side
after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 55.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in Bristol, he moved to Buckingham in 1996. After graduating from Bishop Egan High School in 1975, Tony graduated from Bucks County Community College with an Associate's degree in Business, and went on to complete his degree at Pennco Tech.
He, along with his wife, owned and operated Bristol Auction Inc., as well as Estate Treasures of Bucks County located in New Hope. Tony could also be seen at the Golden Nugget Flea Market in Lambertville, N.J. on the weekends selling and buying with his brother-in-law, Bubba. He was very passionate about antiques.
He will be remembered as a loving, caring, honest, protective, and hardworking husband, father, son, brother, and good friend to all who knew him. He always had a kind word for all.
Tony was an avid nature enthusiast who loved sharing his love of nature with his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony P. Tenaglia Sr., and will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 28 wonderful years, Loretta (Kendig). He was the devoted father of Marc and David Tenaglia; the loving son of Dolly; and the beloved brother of Diane Schneider and her husband, Tom, Joanne Tenaglia, and Michael and his wife, Kathleen. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Tommy and his wife, Amee, Dana, Daniel, and Vincent; his great-nephew, Justin; great-niece, Katelyn; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and many good and loving friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to call starting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 3500 Bristol-Oxford Valley Rd., Levittown, followed by his funeral service at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.
Donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 480 Norristown Rd., Blue Bell, PA 19422. Galzerano Funeral Home, Levittown
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Antiques collector's treasures to be auctioned
By Crissa Shoemaker DeBree Staff writer | Posted: Sunday, December 1, 2013 3:30 am
Before his death last year, Tony Tenaglia was a well-known fixture among Bucks County antiques dealers, famous for his passion and acumen at finding outstanding pieces.
The Buckingham resident was also known for his hesitation to part with his favorite antiques, amassing an impressive, eclectic collection of everything from one-of-a-kind silver pieces and artwork to military memorabilia and furniture.
Those treasures will be sold next week in what auctioneer Rago Auctions says is one of its biggest auctions ever of a single collection.
“It’s a rare thing that one person could have amassed a collection of this size and quality,” said Tom Martin, director of great estates auctions at the Lambertville auction house. “People don’t collect this way anymore.”
The auction begins at noon Friday with the sale of silver, coins and currency. The remainder of Tenaglia’s estate will be up for sale on Saturday. The final day of the three-day auction on Sunday will feature jewelry that isn’t part of Tenaglia’s estate. The auction house is open at noon daily for public previews through the beginning of the sale.
The entire collection of more than 600 pieces is expected to bring between $1 million and $1.5 million.
“We fully expect a very good reception among local participants,” Martin said. “But we also know this will have a global appeal.”
Tenaglia, who died a year ago at age 55 after a battle with cancer, owned and operated two antiques-related businesses, Bristol Auctions in Bristol and Estate Treasures of Bucks County in New Hope. Tenaglia was also a fixture at Lambertville’s Golden Nugget Flea Market, a haven for antiques lovers, where he’d sell items on the weekend with his brother-in-law, Bubba.
Tenaglia acquired most of his collection through estates and private sales. He was a shrewd businessman, but he also picked pieces that he liked.
“Tony was a real American picker,” said Sarah Churgin, a silver and jewelry expert at Rago.
The silver pieces in his collection, Churgin and Martin said, are among the most significant they’ve seen.
Among them: a Viennese silver “Triumph of Flora” centerpiece featuring the goddess of spring, valued at between $200,000 and $300,000; and a “Japanesque” silver bowl designed by Edward C. Moore in 1880 for Tiffany & Co. Estimates put that piece at $80,000 to $120,000.
Other pieces include a bronze sculpture by Sir William Hamo Thornycroft, an iron snake made by the Myochin School in Japan in the late 19th century and a Victorian-era brass eagle lectern. Eagle-related memorabilia were among Tenaglia’s favorite pieces.
“There are many jewels,” Martin said.
While the economic downturn has affected antiques sales, Martin said, there’s still a strong demand for high-end items like those in Tenaglia’s collection.
“People still want to collect and they want the best,” he said. “And we have some of the best in this sale.”
Tony and Loretta Tenaglia
Bristol Auction Antiques and Vintage Collectibles
