We leave Tuesday to start setting up at Cole’s Antique show in Warrenton, Texas.  I will be in booth 128.  This is a 10 day show and is the longest show we do.  This year will be a little different since Sandi has retired and given up her booth.  She has had her own booth for the last 5-6 years, so this will be new to us.  We will both be there to see old friends, but we will be selling out of one booth.  I will have with me a Confederate Reunion Flag, Buffalo Soldier papers from the 1870s, signed J. Frank Dobie books, Texas Ranger books, Ranching and Cattle books, Texas Railroad Land grants, Republic of Texas currency and documents, Texas Political items and a ton of other stuff.  It will be a booth full of Texas related books, documents, art, photos, maps, postcards, etc.

During Antique week in Warrenton, Round Top, and Carmine  there are over 5000 dealers selling antiques from cheap to expensive and some  crafts.  Cole’s is an air-conditioned building at the corner of 237 and FM 954 in Fayette County.  Cole’s Antiques Market offers 63,000 square feet of air conditioned shopping heaven.  Cole’s venue offers a variety of merchandise including, fine antiques, fine art, gold and silver, fine glass, Texana, Texas made furniture, boots, vintage signs, athletic memorabilia,  and collectibles for any budget.  There are over 230 dealers on the grounds.  Stop by for our special Tuesday evening wine tasting.  We will be found on Waco drive(each aisle is named).

Last weekend I was at the Texas State Historical Association Meeting.  It is a lot different from the other shows I do, first because there are only 10 or so used book dealers (but a lot of new book dealers such as UT Press, Texas Western Press, etc), and second because I see customers there that do not come to any other shows all year.  It is an expensive show to do because the tables cost a lot, and there is always the cost of a nice hotel room.  It is never in Austin because the SXSW film and music festival is held at the same time.  The show is held the first weekend in March to coincide with Texas Independence Day and the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo.  The big disappointment this year was that it rained on Saturday.   That had nothing to do with my business, but since my wife Sandi and I were in San Antonio this year, we were hoping to watch the Alamo reenactment Saturday afternoon.  I think it was cancelled, but we did not stay around in 40 degree weather and rain to find out!

During the show, the TSHA held a wonderful reception on the grounds of the Alamo, and then a dinner at the old Menger Hotel.  There is something about setting foot inside the Alamo that really hits Sandi and me every time we go.  It feels to us like a special hallowed place.  What happened there changed the history of the World!  Had Santa Anna not been stalled there, Houston and the Texians probably would have never gotten to San Jacinto in April.

Anyway, business was fantastic.  People were looking for great items, and they were willing to buy when they found them.  My only problem is that I sold so much nice stuff that I have to get more before Cole’s show at Warrenton starts March 27th.  However, don’t worry, I have some rare items put back that will be on the shelf for that show!  One person bought my collection of J.Frank Dobie letters, and another some very rare Republic of Texas paper.  Another was able to purchase a Buffalo Soldier muster roll from the 10th Cavalry from 1872 and a 9th Cavalry Muster Roll from the time when McKenzie was in charge.  There were also lots of small sales and few buying opportunities for me.  The entire show was a lot of fun.

Next year TSHA will be in Corpus Christi, and I strive to have great stuff available for that show!

Happy Texas Independence Day!!.  On March 2 1836,  Sam Houston and the Texian delegates at Washington-on-the- Brazos met and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.  At the same time, William Travis and the patriots at the  Alamo  were under siege from Santa Anna, and Fannin and his men were about to be captured at Goliad.  After the Alamo and Goliad fell, Santa Anna chased what was left of the Texian army to San Jacinto in what is known as the “Runaway Scrape”.  There history was made when Houston and the Texians routed the much larger Mexican Army in a brief but decisive battle.  Santa Anna was defeated, but allowed to lead his troops from the state.

Texas is the only state that fought for its own independence, and the only state that was an independent country.  The revolution created many heroes, and legends.  These are now recorded in the thousands of books that have been written about Texas and the revolution.  The revolution is the basic source of Texas Pride that is famous throughout the world.

The flag shown here is the famous Come And Take It flag.  It was sewn by the women of Gonzalez when the Mexicans tried to take away the cannon that was used to defend the citizens.  The resulting “Battle” resulted  in the Mexicans leaving the field, and was that start of the Texas Revolution.  I like to fly it on Texas Independence Day.