The cage that 'got away'.

My friend, Cathy, and I like to walk through our favorite antique stores as often as possible. It is usually every month or two that we make a sweep of them, both in this town and a town 30 miles away.  I would like to tell you about the cage that 'got away'.  Keep in  mind that this was before I was looking at bird cages, much less looking for them.


One day we came upon the most unique thing I had ever seen. It was a piece of art hanging from a stand. It was the most gorgeous bird cage I've ever seen. I honestly can't remember what the shape was-whether dome or rectangle. It was brass. But what I remember is the wires. They weren't just brass wires, straight off the top and down to the base. NO!! Each wire was twisted around and around. Intricate twisting wires all around this cage. It reminded me of 'back in the day' oil lamps with the oil dripping along wires around an enclosed statue. Delicate little wires everywhere.


My jaw probably dropped, and I just stood there. There was a note about 'original feeders' and some such thing, but I didn't even look at those. I checked the price and decided it was w-a-y out of range of reality. 'Who would pay that for a decorative bird cage?' I asked myself. HA! Now, knowing what I know, and seeing what I've seen, it was a steal at the original price.


Every time we went back, it was still there. Each time, I would stand and look, think, analyze, and talk myself out of it. For months, it called out to me. The price inched down, but I never took the leap to buy it.  One day we went in there, and it was gone!  I mean gone! Not just moved when the booth was rearranged, but someone had actually bought "my" cage!!


I don't know the manufacturer, but it was definitely Victorian. It could have been a "Hendryx". It could have been Lindemann. Maybe an Osborn. Whoever made it knew art and the 'grab' it would have to the bird cage shoppers of that day. Little did the artist know that 100 years later, the 'grab' would still be in the item.


I wish I had a picture to show you. I just have a fading memory of that cage in my mind. My, it's been over a year, but I still think of that cage, my reluctance in purchasing it, and the regret I carry. Cathy and I still talk about it. Isn't that funny?  That cage made a lasting impression on both of us.  It's still hovering in the back of my brain in the "only if" section.


Maybe that's why I snag pretty much any "Hendryx" that crosses my path! I can't stand to be haunted by another one that 'got away".  I love the Victorian ones; the cages with the carefully formed wires in interesting shapes. This is before the smooth lines of the Machine Age. Before the chrome of the Art Deco era. WAY before the plastic.


If, by chance, you see a Victorian cage with delicate twisting brass wires, that is calling my name and is for sale, please email, call, blog, or come running to my home.  I am interested. Very interested.


Thank you. Barbara

Self-confessed Hoarder

I am the first to admit that I am a "Hendryx" Hoarder.  I am fascinated with his work, his creations, the inventors working at his company, the trademarks, the patents, the 'everything' that goes along with the Andrew B. Hendryx Co. of New Haven, Conn.

I don't remember when this 'obsession' hit, but it's been within this last year; more specifically, last 9 months of 2011.  Could it have started with the bird cage 'that got away'? (More about that in a later post.) Could seeds of interest been planted when I saw the delicate work in my friend's two "Hendryx" cages?  Could it have been at an antique show when I started on my initial quest to find a "Hendryx"?  I honestly don't know the answer to these questions?  Or could the Lord have drawn me to this as an interest since I am on disability and not working?  Possible income?  I can't say.

I only know that I live, think, and breathe "Hendryx".  I want someone to talk with who has similar drives and interests.  I want to share items that I have found, and post items that I am looking for.  I want to be able to glean whatever information there is out there that I don't have, and I want to be able to share information I do have with anyone who wants it.  I want my incorrect information corrected.

I know there are at least several of you out there.  I have enough ebay contacts to know that there are people out there, right now, with the same "Hendryx" goal.  I lose auctions to you when you are better bidders than I am.  I am in awe at the prices you pay for "Hendryx" items.  I am shocked at the prices I pay for "Hendryx" items.  All with one goal in mind.

What is this goal that I keep alluding to?  It is very simple.  I want to own a "Hendryx" cage and outfit it the same way the Andrew B. Hendryx Co. did when it left the factory.  I want the same feeders, the perches, the swing, the seed guards, and the same stand.  Put it all together, and I have a piece of historical art that takes my breathe away.  

THAT is what I want.  My initial goal used to include owning one of each "Hendryx" cage made.  40-50 cages later, reality has arrived, and I know it is not going to happen.  My goal takes networking, researching, researching, networking, time, more time, money and more money.  It takes someone willing to share a piece of information that he/she has.  It takes that someone finding this blog and being willing to read,  make an entry, and enjoy the conversation and info exchange.  I want this place, this blog, this area of cyber space, to be a fun place to be.  I want us to laugh, to 'ooh' and 'aah', to be eager to return to our common interest and friends.  To sit and chat a while.

As you can probably tell from this simple design and initial post, I have no clue what I am doing with this blog.  I am stepping out, in faith, that there are those of you out there, not only hoarders and fanatics like me, but regular folks who are interested in my latest find, who are willing to share your latest find, latest tidbit of info, maybe have something for sale, maybe not, maybe just a note of encouragement.  I am looking for people to talk with, share with, and fill the drive within me that sometimes 'screams' for someone to share the creative artistry and vision of the man named Andrew B. Hendryx, his company, his inventors, his creations.

Thank you.  Barbara