THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510050208
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 30 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Let's invite the president down for a grand tour of the Yellowhouse Gallery and Annex in Nags Head, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
A stop at the Yellowhouse, which specializes in original antique prints, should be mandatory during campaign tours for every political wanna-be.
A chat with proprietor Jack Sandberg, a keeper of political satire and local history, could provide good insight to take to Washington. The wisdom embedded in this quaint old cottage might give pause to the big guys holed up in big rooms setting big policies.
Sandberg, known around these parts as ``Uncle Jack,'' is the sole buyer for Yellowhouse Gallery and Annex.
Armed with a master's degree in sociology and anthropology, a doctorate in educational psychology, a historian's soul and one heck of a funny bone, the former Carnegie Mellon University educator simply picks what he likes to fill the old Nags Head-style cottage.
The shop offers prints that range from serious political cartoons to a jolly Santa print collection. Surely, Jack would be happy to give Bill and his contemporaries a tour. And if they are lucky, the former humor columnist may add a commentary.
It would be fun to note their reactions as Uncle Jack walked them past the hard-hitting 19th century satirical Thomas Nast cartoons. And to think we're still fighting about the issues he covered, such as separation of church and state.
Bill, of Southern roots, would be fascinated by the original antique map prints that Jack sells of the area. The local family names are constant over the years, but the fragile land has changed. Nothing new there.
The president would feel good about modern-day fishing regulations after reading an 1861 statement off an old print about the landing of 20,000, 100-pound rockfish in local waters.
Distinguished visitors would love the original first edition Audubon prints and the old botanicals. And the sea art would definitely be good therapy for folks who carry such great mental loads.
Any visiting Republicans on the NEA-bashing bandwagon would surely change their opinions after a stroll through Jack's decorative art section. Monet, Degas and Renoir would enslave them in a glance.
And what about all the insight they'd gain thanks to Nast, the old mapmakers and historic illustrators? They'd go home shaking their heads while mumbling thank yous to the artist who preserved on paper the extinct North Carolina parrot.
The prestigious contingency could not leave Yellowhouse without a souvenir. There's plenty to choose from, and at Jack's prices, they could pay for it with pocket money. Bill could choose a humorous Santa print for the Oval Office, or take home a print commemorating the gallery's 25th year.
In honor of a quarter-century in business, Jack published three prints to sell at the shop.
You can choose from a 175-year-old map of Nags Head, an 1831 hand-colored copper plate engraving of a frog - the store's mascot - and ``The Landing of the Troups on Roanoke Island.'' What wonderful keepsakes.
Maybe Hillary is fond of frogs?
Jack says many folks are, and frog prints are hard to find. If Bill's really lucky, Jack may autograph for him one of his books. He's put together two from humorous letters and columns that he wrote while working at the Outer Banks Current.
Though Uncle Jack has an acerbic wit, make no mistake about it, he's kind-hearted. He'd warn Bill not to read the books in public. He wouldn't want the president to be caught by the press with a contorted face as he chokes back hysterical laughter.
Good tonic, though. In fact, every political wanna-be should read Uncle Jack daily.
A thank-you note would definitely be in order once the folks returned to Capitol Hill. Just address it in care of Uncle Jack, Nags Head.
And while you're thanking this witty and insightful man, why not include thanks to Nast, Audubon, Monet, Degas, Renoir and that parrot artist?
Tours begin at 9 and end at 5 Monday through Saturday all year. MEMO: The Yellowhouse Gallery, at Milepost 11 1/2 on the Beach Road, is open
from 9 a.m .to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The annex offers fine
matting and framing. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
Jack Sandberg collects and sells prints that range from serious
political cartoons to a jolly Santa.
by CNB