Mr. Wishtart is downsizing and  a list of quality woods and woodworking tools will be available in the months ahead.  Telephone 724-287-4868.

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Here is a picture of Andy Warhol as a child.   I am a second cousin to Andy!

(Anna Zavacky Lasky, my grandmother, and Andy’s mom, Julia Zavacky Warhola were sisters. Grandma was the youngest sister in the family.

Quote: “He was a real holy terror”at age three…

…..but  Andy had a kind and gentle spirit and was truly a genius.

Going back in time my dad remembers his buddy Andy because they played together as children.  (My dad passed away in 2005 at age 78).  As time passed Aunt Julia and Andy moved from Pittsburgh to New York .   My grandma (Anna Zavacky Lasky) stayed in touch with her sister Julia.  Over the years Aunt Julia urged grandma to make her home with she and Andy in New York but grandma chose to stay in Butler, Pennsylvania that is about 35 miles from Pittsburgh.  Grandma died in the 1980′s.
As a young adult just out of high school in the late 60′s, I went to New York to visit Andy. The first time in New York I could not get in to see him.  The next time my grandma called ahead to relatives to alert Andy of my coming to visit.  He was ready for my sister Dianne and I.  We went to the “Factory” where  Andy invited us to stay for lunch. That was sometime in the 1970′s.  He had some infamous luncheon guests there to meet us.  He telephoned an order from his favorite vegetarian restuarant of pea soup in paper tubs. That was the first I had ever tasted pea soup and all I can remember is thick green and hard to swallow.  If Andy had only known that was our least favorite vegetable as kids!  But then not every one has a planned luncheon with Andy!  We sat at a long banquet table.  One of the guests at lunch used Andy’s camera to take pictures of my sister and I on either side of Andy.  The photos will probably turn up or could have already surfaced from one of the time capsules housed at the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.    As we posed for the picture the guest said, “They are prettier than you, Andy!”  Andy just smiled and seemed to gloat a little after that comment.  Later that afternoon we walked one on one side and one on the other of Andy as he handed out free copies of “Interview” magazine along the busy New York street nearby the Factory.  Andy invited us to meet him that evening at an “opening night”  art exhibit.  He told us he had promised the artist that he would make an appearance.  We arrived early and there was a quiet hum while everyone awaited Andy since word had gotten out about his being there.  Andy came directly to us when he entered down a couple steps into the gallery.   He  apologized for not having more time to spend with us and then offered us a gift of money from his brown paper bag before leaving the gallery.  We declined graciously.

As years went by in the 1980′s – 1990 I called ahead to Andy or wrote him of upcoming trips to New York so that I could stop and visit.  I had  a bit of time with Andy during those business trips to New York .  Although our time was brief we had discussions and similar passion for antiques, as well as our family attachment.   I had a notion that Andy recognized my resemblance to his mother.

Going backwards in time from the 1960 era…

Zavacky Family Archives:

The picture below shows my Aunt Julia and my grandmother pictured alongside other family members (Zavacky Family), in their Carpathian Mountain village before World War 1. . See: www.c-rs.org

Grandma being the youngest child, she is the little girl pictured in the bottom row.

Sisterly love was evident between Julia and Anna. Although miles separated them, they stayed in touch throughout their lifetime. Aunt Julia sent grandma works by Andy at intervals throughout their lives. Julia personally signed some of the art by Andy. She had beautiful handwriting.  Not many knew of there bond. “I hope to visit the Carpathian Mountain area sometime during my lifetime”.

Grandma lived in Butler, PA… Aunt Julia lived in New York.

Grandma Lasky had an eye for beauty and hands that created it. She made magnificent finely crochet items and was a seamstress and a hat maker.  When I was a little girl, Grandma sewed matching print corduroy jumpers for Mom and me. Grandma was the first person to teach me to use a sewing machine.

She and I were both drawn to dolls and pretty things.  One day I presented Grandma with a large Italian Furga doll that she dearly loved.  That doll remained in her living room for as long as I can remember.  When a little girl I made a craft picture out of semi precious stones that grandma hung on her living room wall near the archway.

Grandma always gave her grand kids a quarter for ice cream! She showed her affection by gently pinching our cheeks, smiling and laughing softly as she told us how beautiful we were as she gazed at us through her pretty green blue eyes.

The images above were borrowed from the book, “‘Holy Terror – Andy Warhol Close Up” by Bob Colacello.

A very rare find, especially in this very good condition.

Carol started thirty years ago assembling her personal collection of antique dolls.  Since then she has appraised special collections in PA , N.Y., Baltimore, etc.,  for insurance and estate purposes.  Her expertise encompasses dolls from the 1950 era back to the 1800′s that include china dolls, German and/or French bisque dolls, Schoenhuts, composition dolls, artist dolls, hard plastic name brand dolls such as Alexander, Ideal, etc.  I do not do modern collectibles, reproductions or Barbies.  Appraisals for large collections only.