Antiques dealer who weathered changes

Morris Finkel, 88, of East Mount Airy, an antiques dealer who rose to national prominence during six decades of business on Philadelphia's Antiques Row, died Thursday, Dec. 22, from complications of pneumonia at the Visiting Nurses Association hospice in East Falls.

Since 1947, Mr. Finkel had been a constant presence in his corner store at 10th and Pine Streets. He worked with private clients, major museums, and historical societies and helped form important collections.

Known first as M. Finkel Antiques, the shop originally featured American furniture and period accessories from the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1975, Mr. Finkel's daughter, Amy, joined him and they renamed the business M. Finkel & Daughter.

Father and daughter expanded the business to include a selection of antique samplers, needlework, quilts, and silk embroideries.

"I was extremely fortunate to have had my dad as both my mentor in business and my father in life," said Amy Finkel, who is recognized as a scholar on samplers and other textile antiques. "He taught me a great deal with his daily, hands-on instruction on each object that came through our business."

For a story in The Inquirer in 1982 about fathers and daughters working together, Mr. Finkel said his daughter was definitely more aggressive than he. "It's obvious from the way our business has grown," he said. "The customers not only like her but trust her judgment. So do I." Amy Finkel told The Inquirer, "He'll give me a lot of rope - and watch to see if I hang myself."

Over the years, Mr. Finkel and his daughter exhibited at major antiques shows around the country and collaborated on important transactions. Amy Finkel recalled their sealed-bid purchase in 1987 of three significant late 18th-century samplers by Mary Cooper of the Camden Coopers. After M. Finkel & Daughter acquired the samplers, two were bought by the Winterthur Museum.

"It was considered one of the most important needlework acquisitions at Winterthur, and it was thanks to Morris and Amy," said Linda Eaton, senior curator of textiles at Winterthur.

In 2006, The Inquirer interviewed Mr. Finkel about changes on Antiques Row. The district on Pine Street that runs roughly from Ninth to 13th Streets was at a turning point, with antiques giving way to boutiques and restaurants.