Boonton’s historic district is home to David Pucciarelli’s Iconic Images Art Gallery, featuring original artwork and limited-edition prints and photographs. You can see, after all, a stunning collection showcasing Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, and other legends of the entertainment and sports field. Open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the gallery is located at 414 Main Street.
It’s, in fact, located in Boonton’s historic district with unique original artwork and limited-edition prints and photographs on every wall. You can see, after all, a stunning collection showcasing Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, and other legends of the entertainment field.
Lifelong Passions
The dark-haired Pucciarelli is eager to speak about his lifelong passions. He is a local Morris County resident who lettered in baseball at Montville High School. Indeed, he has been obsessed with baseball since he was young, specifically the Yankees. He played semi-pro ball, loved music, and began collecting vintage vinyl.
Beatle’s Revolver
At age 8 or 9, Pucciarelli bought his first record, the Beatle’s Revolver, with money he collected from his paper route. He remembered playing the White Album first. Yet, after repeatedly listening to And Tomorrow Never Knows, he realized there was more to life than Mickey Mantle. Here’s Eleanor Rigby from the Revolver Album.
Iconic Images Art Gallery
414 Main Street
Boonton, NJ 07005
(201) 826-2713
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Eric Clapton
Pucciarelli finally saw his first live concert in 1983. On this occasion was The Ronnie Lane Appeal for ARMS (Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis) with Eric Clapton. Jerry Page, Joe Cocker, Bill Wyman, Jeff Beck, and others were also on stage. He paid $60, and visitors can thus see the framed ticket in his shop.
Beatles Memorabilia
Pucciarelli then started collecting Beatles memorabilia and items from other musicians. Additionally, he collected sports items from the Yankees and Don Mattingly. Eventually, with the start-up of eBay, he could buy, sell and collect.
Beatles Trenter 1963. Public Domain
The Fifth Beatle
On the wall in the gallery is an original drawing by Stuart Sutcliffe, the music legend and artist known as The Fifth Beatle. Sutcliffe passed away at 21 back in 1962. Pucciarelli emphatically stated that he would never part with this highly prized artwork, no matter the offer. But that doesn’t prevent him from offering many one-of-a-kind pieces that collectors covet.
Ernest Hemingway
Once Pucciarelli began collecting, he turned to painting after visiting the Ernest Hemingway studio in Key West, which sparked inspiration. “I took a picture of the Hemingway studio through the gate; the photo was so impressive my girlfriend sent a copy to the Hemingway bookstore. The shop has continued to sell copies of the photo ever since.” Next, he noted that “the studio gave me a physical connection to the great artist. Hemingway said painting gave him a way to see and feel images, which he could translate to his writing. I translated this inspiration to my painting.”
Stevie Ray Vaughan
After that, Pucciarelli took photographs and started painting. He soon used several mediums, including acrylics and watercolors. His first painting was of Stevie Ray Vaughan, which he sold on eBay. The woman who purchased it bought it for her husband, a guitarist. Thus, the massive amount of artwork available today began to amass 17 years ago. Check out Stevie Ray Vaughan performing Pride and Joy.
The Gallery
Pucciarelli then discussed why he opened his brick-and-mortar shop. He was, after all, making money on eBay. But he thought, why not open a store, share the priceless items he had gathered, and let more people enjoy his museum-quality gallery? The gallery, meanwhile, became even more successful when the Town of Boonton ran First Friday Night celebrations during summers. With Main Street shut down for foot traffic, scores of visitors wandered through the two-story building. Lucky patrons could enjoy concerts on a balmy summer night featuring artists like American Idol runner-up Elise Testone.
American Author Ernest Hemingway aboard his Yacht around 1950. Public Domain
Amy Winehouse
Today, Pucciarelli’s obsession is with Amy Winehouse, with some of her memorabilia on display and many photos. He particularly follows Testone because she emulates the powerhouse voice of Winehouse. Pucciarelli desires to share his love for both artists. Discover the amazing Iconic Images Art Gallery while seeing for yourself every picture, painting, and song in the gallery that tells a treasured story. Here’s Amy Winehouse performing Back to Black.
Iconic Images Art Gallery, 414 Main Street, Boonton, New Jersey 07005. Please check online for limited hours of operation.
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