Snake Q&A 010: Joshua Matthews / Comma
Snake Q&A 010: Joshua Matthews / Comma
Cycling depth—Campagnolo, Polo Sport, White Industries Components—and Prada, Globe Wernicke and more
Now at Snake: Every other Friday or so an interview with a person in good standing of the newsletter whose taste in vintage, furniture, collectibles and adjacent fields is worth celebrating and learning from. Sellers, buyers, set decorators, artists, adjacents, etc…
Here’s the 10th…
Joshua Matthews / IG / Comma IG / Brooklyn / Shit don’t stop / Website
Josh has legit taste that goes to the edge. His book, Hard Shell, ostensibly about Arc’teryx items he owns, is a reflection of how far. It’s a reference, but isn’t. None of it is in thrall to the brand. Nothing much like it; I’m always curious what he’s doing next, or interested in…
Q&A 010
Fav flea market?
Velofest
Best flea market day ever—what did you get?
An original 1974 Warner Bros. Blazing Saddles movie poster. My only grievance was the seller wouldn’t include the original poster canister with the official info on it. But there was a silver lining to the day. Before leaving I caught three deadstock Centerline racing wheels tees and a Matthews Bicycles sweatshirt.
Best eBay purchase?
A late 80’s Campagnolo “servicio corsa” (service course) mechanic suit that I bought in 2015. These were made only for the official team mechanics who serviced the team bikes for all the their races, including the Tour De France. For me, it highlights one of the most important roles for the team, the mechanic. Without him, your efforts are pointless. I was hyped because it was a medium, and could wear it myself.
Best Craigslist find?
‘99 Colnago Tecnos. The cat who was selling it told me that he had met the love of his life and they were moving somewhere where he could no longer ride. As he was telling me this, he was unconsciously ruining the construct of love for me.
Best LiveAuctioneers find?
Always live, but never did LiveAuctioneers.
IG seller account you hang out on/look at their stuff the most?
Thing you most regret passing on?
I didn’t really pass on this, as I was on my way out of town and couldn’t get to it, but a ‘99 Team Polo Sport Litespeed Tsali mountain bike.
Best thing you got for insanely cheap?
An entire lot of 57 deadstock vintage late 90’s Campagnolo caps, made in USA. Nylon body with a terry headband and just a superior fit. Perfect for on and off the bike, because the brim was shortened just enough for great visibility, but not too short you looked like you were auditioning for a part in Do the Right Thing. The guy was reluctant to sell the lot to me, so told him I was buying them for my wedding: my bride-to be and all of our friends were big cyclists, and we planned on giving them away at the reception. Gotta think fast out here. One of my top 5 hats, and something I haven’t seen from any other company, bike or otherwise, then or now.
Best thing you overpaid for?
White Industries Components “eno” sticker. I was rebuilding one of my bikes and converting it from geared to single-speed. The eno hub was designed exactly for this purpose. What I didn’t know is that I would find one deadstock in the box with the sticker. I actually didn’t spend much more than if I would’ve found a used hub, but finding an eno is a task, and it being DS with the sticker motivated me to throw down those extra beans.
Favorite piece of furniture you own?
Globe Wernicke stacking metal officers barristers.
What’s one thing you own that you won’t ever sell?
2002 Prada insulated flannel. Me and my boy Carlos ran the Flight Club vintage store together back in 2009. He brought this in to consign one day and I was like, naw homie that there is gonna be mine. As with a lot of things, it wasn’t a money transaction. He knew I was sitting on shit, so he was like, what you got to trade? I knew he was a fiend for Neighborhood, and so I traded him a shadow plaid flannel I got from Union back in like ‘05. I love the piece, but I also love that it came from ‘Los, a true NYC legend and overall close homie. Dude worked at Antique Boutique. IYKYK.
Piece you have now that you despise and want to replace?
Made in the USA electric blue Burberry rain slicker. It was an amazing piece till the coating just started delaminating. Now it just sits in the closet decaying.
Who do you think sold more records: Nelly Furtado or Three 6 Mafia?
If only the store music directors at The Limited Too noticed how well the subtle nuances of “Tongue Ring” resonated with their target audience, the outcome for The Mafia could’ve been drastically different. It’s hard out here for a pimp.
Secret spot that you love but won’t tell anyone about? (please describe as judiciously as possible while omitting any identifiable characteristics)
Set in between local roads, is a rhythmic world with no local codes. You’ll think you can fly, even though you are nowhere near the sky.You can also just drive there it’s off the L.I.E.
Rarest/most canon vintage thing you have but never wear?
Princeton “Ivy Dining Club” Champion reverse weave crew for the class of 1990.
Most jealousy-inducing thing you’ve seen? (e.g. I saw a guy in Foremost jeans once in 2012 and I’ve never gotten over it)
Jealousy is bad for your breath and skin.
Favorite Russian novelist?
Genndy Tartakovsky.
Is there a field of collecting are you looking to get into in the near future? (Furniture era/paper/autographs/stamps/model trains/computer shirts/90s Harley shirts/digital watches/lighters/slot cars/faberge eggs/Amish quilts etc)
Postmodern toilet ephemera.
What’s the item that’s been on your watchlist the longest without you having pulled the trigger?
Set of Ronal Penta R9 rims. I go back and forth on whether they’re the final look I want for the whip.
Is the best vintage/furniture online or in the wild?
Wild caught is always better than farm raised.
Has all the cool shit been discovered? (Yes or no answer only)
No.
Any more unknown vintage accounts you want to rep or boost? Furniture? (feel free to include local spots)
Follow Joshua on Instagram.