If anyone can remember as far back as July, I went on a short trip to New York City. A few of you recommended a visit to Obscura Antiques & Oddities, which is also a television show on the Discovery Channel (I’ve seen, like, one episode at a friend’s house where there was a Bible possibly made of skin or something). I had plans to walk around the East Village anyway and the place seemed weird enough for someone like me who’s into hoarder-type shops full of crap. First of all, the store was difficult to find because it sort of blends into its surroundings (and it had also recently moved from another location) and there were no obvious signs or anything. Second of all, I know I was a tourist myself but Obscura was full of tourists all from freakin’ Iowa or whatever. You can tell they were very excited to be there and had probably been standing outside of the Today Show earlier that morning. Third of all, shit was expensive, which I guess makes sense…you know, cash in while you can.
Obscura is more museum than shop. It’s kind of like Cabinets of Curiosity from back in the day. Stock varies, but if you are ever to visit, some of the things you’re likely to come across include anatomical models, memorial photographs, medical art prints, taxedermied pets, shadow boxes, fraternal organization memorabilia, prosthetic limbs, Victorian mourning jewelry, magic lantern slides, collections of pinned insects, funeral ephemera, stereoscopopic cards, carnival castoffs, two headed fetal pigs, a jar of worms, corsets, and top hats. You know, your basic everyday merchandise.
As I attempted to take a few photos of the cramped interior (not sure if there were more chatty tourists or mummified animals) one of the owners (I believe it was a Ms. Evan Michelson) told me I wasn’t allowed to take pictures. When I said I was doing it for a blog, the other owner (I believe it was a Mr. Mike Zohn) said something like, “Oh, a blog…that’s okay…nobody reads that.” So I was allowed to continue to take pictures because nobody cares about blogs. Did you hear me, readers? You don’t exist. Anyway, I didn’t stay that long because I was getting a bit claustrophobic and I had other shit I needed to see and do. I did get one of the tourists to take a photo of me standing in front of the giant glass cabinet full of daguerreotypes, dead animals in jars and other creepy things. But I decided not to post it because I look sweaty and gross (hey, it was July after all) and there are enough freaking pictures of me on the internet. Trust. Anyway, I will include some of the other photos in another post shortly. Wait for it, people.
