A Very Personal Story – by Joelle Graves

Joanne Beneventi (seated) and Joelle Graves with Edwin Cole lamps at Sterling Creek Antiques

Speaking of Antiquing – with Joelle Graves, Sterling Creek Antiques

It was one of those quiet days here in the shop when I wasn’t really sure whether I would have any business or not. Unexpectedly, mid-way through my day, a petite white-haired lady walked in the store and announced, “My name is Joanne and I’m either going to make or ruin your day!” She was shaking a little, anticipating that another of the “antique experts” she had consulted recently was about to have no idea what she was about to show me. After Joanne passed me a picture of some lamps and an article from a magazine, she asked, “Do you know the name Edwin Cole?” I slowly looked up at her, glanced back at a couple of lines from the article and answered, “Yes, of course I know the name Edwin Cole.” Joanne smiled and said, “I’m his daughter!”

I was simply dumbfounded by Joanne’s revelation. Back in the 1980’s, my husband Roger and I were in the furniture business with his parents… I’d spend hours on-end listening to stories about his dad’s years in the business; the furniture mart in Chicago; the furniture mart in San Francisco. And, I was pretty sure that Dad had probably met Edwin Cole at the Mart in Chicago since Cole was from Chicago. Cole’s lamps had been stuck in my mind for years and I’d always wished someone would start a reproduction line of some of his famous lamps and furniture. I also knew these mid-century pieces were worth some significant dollars but never expected to meet someone connected to them personally, face-to-face…in Jacksonville, Oregon!

Edwin Cole shell sconces at Sterling Creek Antiques

I was still a little bit in-shock when Joanne asked, “Do you know the Stiffel Lamp Company and Dinkelspiel Furniture?” “Yes…I sure do… my father-in-law sold it at The Country Store in Belmont, California,” I told her. And that was the beginning of our business relationship, mutual admiration and budding friendship.

Joanne Beneventi, the daughter of Edwin Cole, lives in Pioneer Village—she retired here from Illinois a few years ago to live closer to her son and his family. Her father, Edwin Cole began his professional career as an architect. In the 1920’s, he was a building designer before turning his full attention to interior design and furnishings in the 1930’s. In the following years, Cole worked with the greatest names in the architectural and interior decorating professions and was the subject of numerous national and international articles featuring his work. He designed a line of portable lamps for the Dinkelspiel Company along with additional decorative furnishings. In the 1950’s he designed a line of tables introduced by the Weiman Company of Rockford, Illinois—two of which are now displayed in the window of Sterling Creek Antiques.

Edwin Cole sconces with drawing at Sterling Creek Antiques

Following several more face-to-face meetings with Joanne, I learned that her father worked from the family home in his workshop—a separate little building designed to harmonize with the main house that offered him a chance to experiment with his ideas before offering them for production.

As a professional appraiser and antique dealer, the next part of this story was truly exciting for me when Joanne said that she had several pieces of her father’s collection and was interested in selling them. The following day, as soon as Joanne’s son had delivered lamps, tables, sconces and original drawings to Sterling Creek Antiques, I threw myself into more Cole research.

Soon after, I’d discovered three galleries in New York had recently sold Edwin Cole lighting pieces…and learned these pieces were hot sellers in metropolitan markets. All three designers I spoke with couldn’t believe that Edwin Cole’s daughter was here in Oregon and was offering-up many personal things for sale. “Provenance” means a lot in cases like this one and since Joanne also has her father’s original drawings and photographs, her collection represented a very exciting discovery for an antique lover and dealer like me!

The Cole lamps similar to the ones in our window recently sold for $7,200 in New York City. However, since Joanne just wants someone to have the opportunity to enjoy these magnificent creations, we are offering them for sale at more modest prices and invite you to come visit and see these true pieces of American manufacturing history for yourself.

As it turned out, Joanne had made my day. It is a great honor to represent her and the items made by her father, Edwin Cole… I invite you to drop-by and experience the love that went into each and every piece.

Sterling Creek Antiques is located at 150 S. Oregon Street, 541-702-2224.

Posted July 2, 2013