John Edward "Jack" Whistance, a well-known dealer and an
authority on early American antiques who for more than 50 years ran
Lock, Stock, and Barrel Antiques with his wife MaryEllen, died at
Benedictine Hospital on Saturday, July 7, after a long battle with
prostate cancer. He was 85.
Jack was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on November 1, 1921, the son
of Elizabeth Phin "Betty" Nicoll and John Edward "Eddie" Whistance of
Queens, N.Y. During World War II and the Korean conflict, Jack worked in
the aircraft industry. While employed by Republic Aircraft on Long
Island, he worked on the F84F Thunderstreak.
Jack moved to Kingston in 1954 and started his antiques
business soon after. Jack became widely recognized as an authority on
toy marbles, early blown glass, colonial period country furniture and
early American folk art. He generously shared his knowledge with all
those who associated with him.
In 1959, Jack wrote: "The study and collecting, and most
important of all, the use, of antiques can give us a more rewarding
contact with the past. Through association with these lovely old things,
the crackling of a log on old fire-dogs or the cozy comfort of an old
wing chair, we can by some subtle alchemy feel the influence of the men
and women who made and used them. It is a good and joyful thing to feel
this connection with those before us. It seems to affirm God's promise
of immortality to man. ...
"[Antiques give pleasure] because they mean something. They exude an
atmosphere that age alone can give. They are rich in association, and if
you understand them and their history, you also will be rich in treasure
that can't be measured in dollars and cents."
Jack had a great appreciation of nature and was notable for his
ability to identify obscure species of birds, reptiles and amphibians in
their natural habitats. He was also an accomplished artist and a jazz
singer who performed jazz standards using the name Johnny Bruce. He was
an authority on early phonograph recordings of jazz, blues and classical
vocals, and continued to sing and record as a hobby until just before
his death.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, MaryEllen, whom he
married in Queens on August 26, 1944. A son Bruce, daughter-in-law Gail,
and twin sons Andrew and Bradley also survive.
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Article from the Hurley Historian, November-December 1959, Vol. I No. 10
History and Antiques Leave Us Cold?
By Jack Whistance
Many of our good citizens of this beautiful Hudson Valley of ours could
stand, I am sure, in the garden of the old Senate House in Kingston or
at Washington’s Headquarters at Newburgh or perhaps even farther north
in front of the bastions of Fort Ticonderoga with its magnificent view
of the whole Champlain Valley and not feel the slightest emotion.
But I
like to feel that most of these people need only a little patience and
perhaps a gentle nudge along the right track from those of us who
understand the wonderful warmth and charm of old things.
Having these things in our homes is a reminder of the intimate home life
of our forebears. There is a certain intangible something that exists
in a home where beautiful old things made and used in the exciting early
days of our nation’s history are used and treasured.
It is something that can not be easily described but will be readily
recognized by all who have discovered the irresistible attraction of
genuine antiques.
We read the history of our nation, of the great events of our early
days, of the lives of our most illustrious countrymen but we can’t
somehow get the feeling of actually experiencing these things, of a real
contact with them. Like many of Hollywood’s epics, these histories can
be occasionally entertaining but are rarely convincing.
The study and collecting, and most important of all, the use of antiques
can give us a more rewarding contact with the past. Through association
with these lovely old things: the crackling of a log on old fire-dogs in
an ancient hearth or the cozy comfort of an old wing chair, we can by
some subtle alchemy feel the influence of the men and women who made and
used them. It is a good and joyful thing to feel this connection with
those before us. It seems to affirm God’s promise of immortality to
man.
In a day when Americans are not quite so widely held in the kind of
respect they once commanded throughout the world, we would do well to
remember and cling to our heritage and to let it be known that as ever
before, we are a proud and an independent people. Our patriotic spirit
has always been centered about our homes and our reverence for our
forefathers.
You may have spent a great deal of money on the decoration of your
home. You may have spent hundreds on a TV or a patio but can you tell
why they give you far less pleasure than the pair of old candlesticks on
your mantle? It is because they mean something.
They exude an
atmosphere that age alone can give. They are rich in association, and
if you understand them and their history, you also will be rich in
treasure that can’t be measured in dollars and cents.
Jack and MaryEllen Whistance are proprietors of the Lock, Stock, and
Barrel Antique Shop, Rt. 28, Kingston, NY.
