Antique Trader Blog - Antique Show

17th annual Folk Fest this weekend, Aug. 20-22

Karen — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:44:04 GMT

NORCROSS, Ga. – Folk Fest – billed as “The World’s Greatest Self-Taught Art Show and Sale” – will celebrate 17 years in Atlanta with a three-day show slated for Aug. 20-22 at the North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross. Nearly 100 galleries and dealers will exhibit at the air conditioned, 85,000-square-foot venue. Norcross is located north of Atlanta, off exit 101 of I-85.

Visitors will pour into Georgia from all around the country to see what’s hot in the world of folk art. Folk Fest is where museums, prominent galleries, serious collectors and major art publications make their new discoveries. Attendees will find items priced from a $5 starter piece to a $50,000 museum masterpiece.

Jumping on Grandma's Bed by Woodie Long.

Since its inception in 1994, Folk Fest has become the largest and most important event in the rapidly burgeoning folk art genre. Prestigious galleries and dealers from across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe – all specializing in self-taught art, outsider art, Southern folk pottery, antique folk art and anonymous works – have regularly attracted 12,000 people or more.

As with previous Folk Fests, this year’s show will kick off with a Friday night meet and greet with the artists. Attendees of past events have mixed and mingled with some of the biggest names in folk art: Woodie Long, Charles Lucas, Cornbread, Michael Banks, Chris Clark, Willie Jinks, Mary Proctor, Ruby Williams, Michael Crocker, the Meaders family and many others.

Double face jug by the late renowned folk artist Lanier Meaders.

Folk Fest has been staged from the start by Steve and Amy Slotin, owners of Slotin Folk Art, based in Gainesville, Ga. The couple regularly holds folk art auctions in Buford, a bit further north from Norcross, in addition to Folk Fest. It was Steve who got the folk art bug first, when he ran across an ugly Lanier Meaders face jug near his childhood summer camp in Cleveland, Ga.

“I discovered there were primitive forms of pottery and art all over the South,” Steve remarked. “These incredible pieces were created by housekeepers, janitors, factory workers, farmers and house painters. They created art, but had very little formal education at all. They used found materials – rusty metal, stray sticks, discarded objects, leftover house paint, mud.”

The art was pure and honest, beautiful in its simplicity and embodying the best the South had to offer. Slotin knew he’d found a treasure in his own back yard the day he saw that first face jug. He created Folk Fest to share it with the world. He advertised the very first event in a prominent folk art magazine, without a show date, a venue or even a single exhibitor signed up.

“I took this enormous leap of faith,” he said, “believing that if I could just share this primitive art, this local treasure with others, they would appreciate it as much as I did.” His gamble paid off. Exhibitors signed up and on opening night 6,000 enthusiastic people packed the auditorium. Over the course of its 16-year history, Folk Fest has doubled in size and attendance.

Guinea Fowl by the artist Cornbread.

Slotin said that, despite folk art’s emergence as a legitimate and popular art form (it’s regularly displayed at the prestigious High Museum in Atlanta), he still finds himself having to explain to people exactly what folk art is. Generally, folk art (also referred to as self-taught art or outsider art) includes paintings, sculptures and Southern pottery – some of it anonymous works.

“For a long time this art has been kept outside the mainstream art community,” Slotin explained. “Self-taught art is the most important visual culture America has ever produced. And it’s not country crafts, duck decoys or split-cane baskets. It is highly personal art. It’s religiously inspired paintings, crude tin cutouts, wood-relief carvings and environmental sculpture gardens.”

And it’s usually created from refuse and other found objects. “Self-taught artists don’t seek out the art world,” Slotin observed. “The art world, collectors and dealers passionately seek them out. Their art is done by untrained people who draw on their culture and experiences in an isolated world. It’s made with a true, untutored, creative passion, raw and totally original.”

Artistically acclaimed acceptance has caused the folk art genre to blossom. But, ironically, its very existence is threatened by the inevitable urbanization and population of the onetime habitat of self-taught artists: rural areas. The purpose of Folk Fest, Slotin said, is to celebrate these artists and share with the public an art culture whose roots may soon disappear.

Sadly, over the years Folk Fest has had to say good-bye to many of folk art’s more celebrated masters, legends like Howard Finster, Leroy Almon, Mose Tolliver, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, R.A. Miller and Steve Slotin’s first find, Lanier Meaders. But the enthusiasm for folk art continues to strengthen, as visitors pour into Atlanta to add unique pieces to their collections.

Folk Fest will begin on Friday, Aug. 20, with the Meet-the-Artists Party & Show Opening, from 5-10 p.m. ($15 includes readmission). The Aug. 21-22 show hours are 10-7 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. Admission is $7 both days. Children 16 and under are free. The North Atlanta Trade Center is located at 1700 Jeurgens Court in Norcross, off exit 101 of I-85.

For more information, you may call Slotin Folk Art at 770-532-1115 or visit www.slotinfolkart.com.

Photos courtesy Slotin Folk Art

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter and Facebook
• Visit the Antique Trader website and sign up for our FREE eNewsletter.

• Get up-to-date pricing for tens of thousands of antiques & collectibles on Collect.com – FREE for 1 year – when you join the Collecting Insider Club!

• Browse hundreds of collectibles reference books in our store.
• Need pricing data? Check out Warman's Antiques & Collectibles 2011 Price Guide.
• And browse the Antique Trader classified ads or place your own online ad - FREE

Vintage costume jewelry in North Jersey

Karen — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:57:17 GMT

The NJ/METRO chapter of VFCJ (Vintage Fashion Costume Jewelry) will host the club member’s semi-annual Mini Convention, show and sale on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. This jewelry show, open to the public at no fee, will take place at the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta, N.J., in the Mohawk Room.

Everything related to costume jewelry - vintage rings, brooches, pendants, necklaces, bracelets and earrings from bygone days will be on display and offered for sale. Lots of reasonable, authentic, retro treasures will be available. Exhibitors and collectors of vintage costume jewelry from the tri-state and regional area will be present.

There will be a showcase of rhinestone jewelry from the late 1940s, predominantly from the manufacturers DeLizza & Elster (D & E), the designers of costume jewelry under the tag labels of Juliana, Tara and Gloria.

A wealth of information about the hobby of collecting costume jewelry can be obtained as well.

For more information contact Joyce Simmons, coordinator for the NJ/METRO chapter at 973-729-3341 or simmonsjo@yahoo.com.

Calendar of Events

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Vintage Costume Jewelry Club Show, Lake Mohawk Country Club, Mohawk Room, 21 The Boardwalk, Sparta, NJ 07871.

Open to the Public – no fee

You might enjoy these articles:

• Kathy Flood interviews jewelry designer Kenneth Jay Lane
• Warman's Jewelry explores the passion of personal decoration
• Flood heads first major jewelry sale for Collect Auctions
• Collectors drawn to enamel jewelry
• Baubles, bangles and jewels of Southern belles and Northern beauties

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter and Facebook
• Visit the Antique Trader website and sign up for our FREE eNewsletter.

• Get up-to-date pricing for tens of thousands of antiques & collectibles on Collect.com – FREE for 1 year – when you join the Collecting Insider Club!

Casino chip collecting club wraps another successful convention

Karen — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:14:31 GMT

The Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club, Inc. wrapped their 18th annual convention on June 26, 2010, held at the Southpoint Spa Hotel & Casino. The club reported almost 1,000 walk-in visitors despite the economy - a startling turnout.

Among the highlights were the banquet speaker, former Aladdin part owner and former Nevada Gaming Investigator Bill Zender. Also presenting at the educational seminars were Howard Herz, Charles Kaplan, Terry Shaffer and Al Moe. The presenters spoke on a number of exciting issues as pertaining to casino collectibles.

The showroom floor was crammed with dealers and collectors for most of the three days the showroom floor was open and many, many purchases were made. Next year’s convention is June 22-25, 2011 again at the Southpoint Spa Hotel & Casino.

More information is available at www.ccgtcc.com. ■

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter and Facebook
• Visit the Antique Trader website and sign up for our FREE eNewsletter.

• Get up-to-date pricing for tens of thousands of antiques & collectibles on Collect.com – FREE for 1 year – when you join the Collecting Insider Club!

Can I help you find anything today?

Karen — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:35:56 GMT

The weather has turned warm (yes, sometimes too warm), and the summer show season is in full swing, which prompts this week's Question of the Week:

What are some of the items you specifically seek at outdoor shows? Garden furniture? Architectural antiques? Smalls?

Send replies to Letters to the Editor, c/o Antique Trader, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990 or to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com.

Or, of course, you can always post a reply here on the Antique Trader blog.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter and Facebook
• Visit the Antique Trader website and sign up for our FREE eNewsletter.
• Browse hundreds of collectibles reference books in our store.
• Need pricing data? Check out Warman's Antiques & Collectibles 2011 Price Guide.
• And browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your own online ad - FREE

Star of the North Show this weekend at the Minn. State Fairgrounds

Karen — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:09:06 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Townsend Promotions, Inc., is pleased to announce the Star of the North Antique Show will be returning this weekend (June 25-27) to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Townsend promoters hear many, many positive comments from customers and exhibitors about the show as well as the location and, of course, the free parking.

The Star of the North has something to offer for every collector from beginning to advanced. You will see an exciting array of antiques in every category from Civil War, historical, political, advertising, coins, vintage toys, fine art glass, fine porcelains, flow blue china, paintings, Moser glass, jewelry, sterling silver matching service, art pottery, holiday collectibles, prints, decorative antiques, carnival glass, cut glass, Fenton glass, Cambridge, Royal Bayreuth, Royal Doulton, Nippon, hatpins, napkin rings, match safes, bookends, door stops, notary seals, postcards, ephemera, furniture, primitives, old books and much more.

New to the show – verbal jewelry appraisal services available at the show daily from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. This is in conjunction with a Vintage Clothing Show held in the Fine Arts Building and a Book Fair in the Progress Building.

The show will again be held in the Education Building which is located near the entrance of the fairgrounds and free parking. Hours of the show will be: Friday: 10 am – 6 pm; Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday 11 am – 4 pm.

Admission is $6 and is good all three days of the show – mention this news release on the Antique Trader blog and receive $1 off one admission at the door.

For show information, call 641-832-2700 or 507-269-1473 or email us at Townsend Promotions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter and Facebook
• Visit the Antique Trader Website and sign up for our FREE eNewsletter.
• Browse hundreds of collectibles reference books in our store.
• Need pricing data? Check out Warman's Antiques & Collectibles 2011 Price Guide.
• And browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your own online ad - FREE

-posted by Eric

Hampshire vase stolen in Brimfield

Karen — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:28:40 GMT

BRIMFIELD, Mass. – Subscriber Faye D. Richards reports someone stole her blue Hampshire Pottery vase during the May 14 J&J Promotions show during the Brimfield spring antiques market. The vase was taken at approximately 1:30 p.m. while Richards assisted a customer.

The vase is a signed piece by Emma Robertson, circa 1904–10, Keene, N.H. Measuring 8 1/2 to 9 inches tall with a bulbous body, the vase is decorated in a blue glaze matte design and mottled texture. Artist’s markings on the bottom of the vase are a uppercase “M” and lowercase “A.”

The resale price was estimated to be between $700 and $1,200. Anyone having information about this item is asked to contact Richards at 860-485-1713 or 170 Scoville Hill Rd., Harwinton, Conn. A theft case, number 10-36-OF, has been opened by the Brimfield Police Department, which may be reached at 413-245-3442.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter.
• Find us on Facebook.
• Visit the Antique Trader website. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• Get more information on subscribing to Antique Trader.

• Reference media available about your favorite collectibles.
• Antique Trader message boards .
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads .
• Enter the Antique Trader Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes.

This issue made it all worthwhile

Karen — Fri, 28 May 2010 20:08:18 GMT

It has been a crazy-busy week this week.

We've had two publication deadlines: the June 16 edition of Antique Trader and the Summer edition of the Antique Trader Traveler. The Traveler will be available soon as a free PDF download, so you'll want to watch for that. We'll announce when it's ready and where you can get it.

And, of course, we had the Auction Extra on Tuesday, and our regular e-newsletter that went out today. Plus, we had to produce next Tuesday's Auction Exra early because of the Memorial Day holiday on Monday. [You can sign up to receive your free Antique Trader e-newsletters at www.antiquetrader.com.]

Also, the office has been abuzz with preparations for the Randolph St. Market's Chicago Antique Market. Editor Eric Bradley will be out the door shortly to hop on down to Chicago and make final preparations there.

Whew! That's a lot of commotion!

But, I tell you what: Seeing this week's issue come together really made it all worthwhile. This may be our best issue yet! Here's a look at the cover. We've got a really fascinating piece on industrial antiques as our cover feature, and Eric had the chance to speak with American Pickers' Frank Wolfe on just that, industrial antiques.

I have to admit, when Eric told me about the industrial antiques feature, I had my doubts. But I have been completely won over.

We here at Antique Trader wish all of you a wonderful and safe holiday weekend. We're planning on sharing our weekend antiquing experiences with you — and we hope you'll do the same.

... and if you're in the area, drop by the Chicago Antique Market and experience the excitement! Eric will be at the Antique Trader Appraisal Fair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Antique Trader is giving a free antique appraisal to attendees of the Chicago Antique Market

Karen — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:59:13 GMT

Own an antique or collectible?
Of course you do!

Want to know its value?
Absolutely!

Come meet Antique Trader at Chicago's largest antiques and collectibles festival May 29-30! Every attendee to the Chicago Antique Market at the Randolph Street Market Festival will giving free antique appraisals at the inaugural Antique Trader Appraisal Fair. After shopping from aisles and aisles of more than 300 vendors inside and outside Chicago’s historic Plumbers Hall, regional and nationally-known antiques experts will answer your questions on family heirlooms and rare items from your collection.

Situated under the big top tent, every attendee is eligible for a free appraisal of an antique or collectible with additional appraisals (as time allows) available at $10 each. Appraisal fair hours are limited to 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 29 and from 11 to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 30.

Among the experts scheduled to appear:

* Mark Moran, appraiser and senior editor of Warman's Antiques & Collectibles 2011 Price Guide, 44th Edition antiques and collectibles books for Krause Publications and an appraiser for PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow.”

* Brett Benson owner of Jewel Sphinx Extraordinary Objects and Jewels

* Daryle Lambert, founder of the 31 Corp., and author of the book 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles.

Among the unique “show within a show” features at the Chicago Antique Market include:

* The Indie Designer Market, the lower level of Plumber’s Hall, features the hottest young designers creating avant garde and one-of-a-kind fashion, art and jewelry.

* The Vinyl Swap Meet, where thousands of collectible records from 45’s to LP’s, jazz to rock and show tunes are availabel to buy, swap or sell.

* The Fancy Food Market, offering all types of chocolates, cakes, breads, spices, olive oils, salsa to bring home or enjoy during the event.

More Info:

Chicago Antique Market at the Randolph Street Market Festival Saturday & Sunday, May 29-30, 2010

1350 Block W. Randolph Street & inside Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington Street, Chicago.

Free pickup and drop off from Water Tower Place, 835 N Michigan Ave.

Show hours

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 29
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 30

Antique Appraisal Fair Hours

1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 29
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 30

Tickets

$10, available at the gate or in advance online

Chicago Antique Market
312-666-1200
info@chicagoantiquemarket.com
www.chicagoantiquemarket.com

-Posted by Eric Bradley

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter HERE.
• Find us on Facebook HERE.
• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for ourFREE newsletters!
• Get more information on subscribing to Antique Trader HERE.

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.
• Enter the Antique Trader Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes HERE.

Blue & White Pottery Club to convene in June

Karen — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:49:03 GMT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Blue & White Pottery Club was founded in 1981 by a handful of Blue & White Stoneware pottery enthusiasts and collectors, principally in the Midwest. The Blue & White pottery interests include Blue & White, Uhl, Blue & Gray (Utica/Flemish), Sleepy Eye, Spongeware, Red Wing, and other stoneware. The Blue & White Pottery Club now has more than 300 members reaching from coast to coast and border to border.

The principal goals of the Blue & White Pottery Club are to share information, encourage learning, and foster an appreciation of the distinct history, wide variety, and increasing collectability of Blue & White Stoneware pottery. Equally important goals are the promotion and nurturing of friendships with fellow collectors and to further the equal opportunity for all to participate in new discoveries and exciting information about Blue & White pottery.

Attending the Club’s annual convention each June is a highlight of membership; this year it will be held June 10-12, 2010, at the Cedar Rapids Marriott in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. One of the highlights of the convention is the Club Consignment Auction consisting of approximately 120 pieces of premium stoneware including Blue & White, Sleepy Eye, Red Wing, Western, Whites Utica as well as others.

To join the Blue & White Pottery Club, a membership form can be found on their website at www.blueandwhitepottery.org and you will also find this years convention agenda along with more information about convention and the Blue & White Pottery Club.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter HERE.
• Find us on Facebook HERE.
• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• Get more information on subscribing to Antique Trader HERE.

Annual Antiques & Gardening at Bryn Du opens May 14

Karen — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:18:25 GMT

GRANVILLE, Ohio — Antiques & Gardening at Bryn Du will open its doors for the fourth annual event this Friday, May 14 at the historic Granville Mansion. Proceeds from the event help support the Bryn Du's restoration and preservation as a National Register of Historic Places landmark.

During the event Bryn Du Mansion's porches, walkways and lawn will be highlighted by a variety of garden art, statuary and plants. In addition, the Mansion, Carriage House and adjacent Field House will host antique dealers from more than a dozen states, according to Bryn Du Mansion Executive Director Bruce Cramer.

Photo courtesy Eric Miller.

It’s an event well suited for the historic property.

The 19th-century Federal-style estate has served as a community venue for educational and cultural meetings and antique and art shows, athletic and social gatherings, weddings, and polo matches since its creation in 2002.

A preview brunch is set for Friday, May 14 to open the show. General admission to Antiques & Gardening at Bryn Du begins Friday at noon and continues until 6 p.m. Saturday, hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Preview brunch admission is $20 and includes re-admission to the show throughout the weekend. General admission tickets are $8 and are also good for the duration of the event.

A short drive east from downtown Columbus, Bryn Du is located east of the Village of Granville at 537 Jones Road.

The Antiques Show (managed by Melrose & Duddy) bring 25 years of antiques show experience to Antiques & Gardening at Bryn Du and has successfully managed antiques shows since 2007. More information on The Antiques Show is available at www.theantiquesshow.com. More information on Antiques & Gardening at Bryn Du and Bryn Du Mansion is available at www.brynduantiques.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.
• Enter the Antique Trader Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes HERE.

Antique Trader Question of the Week: New, imported items

Karen — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:14:08 GMT

We at Antique Trader would like to know your opinion on the following:

What do you think about antique dealers selling new items at shows that are imported from overseas?

Send your replies to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or Letters to the Editor, c/o Antique Trader, 700 E State St., Iola, WI 54990.

Or, feel free to post a reply right here on the Antique Trader blog.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IVPDA online poster show a tour around the world

Karen — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:46:31 GMT

Who is The International Vintage Poster Dealer Association (IVPDA)?

According to their website, the IVPDA is a non-profit association that was founded in 1996 by a group of highly respected poster dealers from North America and Europe. It was created to inform and educate the public, collectors and other buyers and to help promote the appreciation of the wide variety of vintage posters from around the globe.

Why is the IVPDA is important? The Association, with more than 80 members, provides strict guidelines to ensure the authenticity of the posters they offer for sale and to promote ethical and fair business practices.

Buyers who do business (pleasure) with IVPDA dealers can do so with confidence.

But I digress ... the IVPDA is great and all, but I really wanted to tout their spring online show titled “Life is Beautiful,” which is part of a series of ongoing online exhibitions.

When you click through and visit their show (which can be viewed by clicking HERE or on the poster image above) be prepared to spend some time perusing and appreciating all the wonderful vintage posters on exhibit.

Many are beautiful, many are intriguing and thought-provoking ... take your time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fashion world icon leaves retirement to mentor vintage merchants and independent designers

Karen — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:08:27 GMT

CHICAGO — Recently retired from a long and distinguished career at Saks Fifth Avenue and not one to rest, industry icon Nena Ivon has taken on a new role in the world of independent design and vintage fashion. Ivon will serve as Fashion Director of Randolph Street Market. Her first task — helping independent designers and vintage merchants succeed at Randolph Street Market’s (RSM) Modern Vintage Chicago April 17-18, 2010.

“Today people are interested in buying things that are different and in being more individual in how they are dressing,” Ivon says describing the brilliance of bringing together independent designers and vintage dealers for the event. “The result is a uniqueness that can’t be found anywhere else — and everyone wants something they can’t get somewhere else. I’m here to help those who provide it.”

From New York to Santa Monica, vintage and independent designer markets are known as the best place to find the unique, and Ivon wants to help make Chicago’s vintage market the best. With a sizable industry already in place, positioning the RSM as a fashion destination with the city’s independent designers at the center of this push, doesn’t seem like too tall an order.

“I’m proud of Chicago, and I like to think of it as not only the heart of America but also the heart of America's fashion industry,” Ivon says noting that fashion tourists from around the world already frequently make their way to the city. “I’m in this position because I made it known that going to the Randolph Street Market is one of my favorite things to do in Chicago — and I want to share my enthusiasm.”

The longest-serving employee of Saks Fifth Avenue, Ivon has worked with dozens of top-name designers in the role of fashion director and manager of special events for the company. She also teaches three courses at Columbia College in Chicago including a history of modern fashion and fashion show production. That, combined with her new role as fashion director for Randolph Street Market, may seem like a lot to do in retirement, but taking on extra work is something Ivon is accustomed to.

“It’s just who I am,” Ivon says, happy she can turn her attention to independent design. “My goal is increased visibility for the clothing designers, to help them sell more.”

That help will come in the form of merchandising and promotion, and in reinforcing the show as a destination for unique design. To help accomplish that, Ivon says she’ll be working to leverage the city’s educational resources and even bring in top designers who can also benefit from the visibility at the market.

To some, the worlds of vintage fashion and new design might seem to be at odds, but Ivon says they make a perfect mix.

“A lot of people think you have to dress in vintage head to toe — you don’t,” she says explaining that the independent designers often cull vintage fashion.” Fashions always come back in new designs, she says, but come back in different ways. “Sometimes vintage can look dated, but the best stuff always looks good. Chances are if it looks dated, it wasn’t great design to begin with.”

Ivon says she’s been impressed by the quality at the Randolph Street Market but adds that sometimes good design isn’t all that’s needed to succeed. Part of her work is to instill the art of personal promotion.

“Designers can expect people to come to them — they usually won’t. Even established designers have to make the effort to promote themselves,” Ivon says. “Being visible and consciously promoting is what it’s all about…

“That, plus having fun, is why I’m here.”

About Randolph Street Market Festival

The Randolph Street Market Festival is home to the world-renowned Chicago Antique Market & Indie Designer Market and is the favorite destination for Hollywood set designers, as well as merchandisers, decorators, fashionistas and style setters from around the globe. This European-style indoor-outdoor market in the historic West Loop neighborhood features 200 select purveyors of high quality, beautifully-priced “finds” offering unlimited creative inspiration and hours of fun. For more information visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com or phone 312-666-1200.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What's with all the million dollar comics?

Eric Bradley, editor — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:35:59 GMT

It's enough to make Clark Kent smell a bigger story.

Yesterday a copy of Action Comics No. 1 sold to a private collector for $1.5 million at the auction website ComicConnect. This edition of Action Comics No. 1 is considered the Holy Grail among collectors because it features the first appearance of Superman and because it is one of the few remaining in such excellent condition.

The sale comes just two short weeks after two back to back comics sales rocked the collectibles world. In February, ComicsConnect sold a lesser quality version of Action No. 1 for $1 million. Three days later Heritage Auctions sold a copy of Detective Comics No. 27 for $1.075 million. That issue features the first appearance of Batman.

Until these sales, the highest amount paid for a comics was $317,000 for a copy of Action Comics No. 1.

So what's driving these high-flying prices? On the surface it looks like comics fans have decided to up the ante and put big money behind the best books out there.

It also looks like there's a bit of competition between auction houses to see who can lay claim as the seller of history's most valuable comic.

Caskey-Lees cancels New York International Tribal & Textile Arts Show

Eric Bradley, editor — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:23:16 GMT

Show promoters Caskey & Lees are citing rising rents and a lack of dealers as the reason behind canceling the New York International Tribal & Textile Arts Show which was scheduled for late May. The show is held in conjunction with major tribal and ethnographic auctions held every spring.

Founded in 1995, the New York show was an offshoot of San Francisco's famous Tribal and Textile Arts Show; the most recent of which was very well received when it was held in February.

The New York show was to be held in the Park Avenue Armory however by early March the show had but 24 dealers signed to its roster. In a letter to exhibitors, promoters Bill Caskey and Elizabeth Lees said they faced exorbitant rents set by the new ownership of the Park Avenue Armory.

"This was a an exceptionally difficult decision for us both, Caskey said in a news release to Antique Trader, "because we are serious supporters of the ethnographic and textile fields, have collected for decades, and have, over the past two years, re-designed and re-prices all our specialty shows to help delaers and collectors through this difficult economy."

The long term future of the New York show is unknown.

Other Caskey-Lees fairs planned this year include New York Arts of Pacific Asia, which opens March 24 on West 34th Street and the Los Angeles Asian and Tribal Arts Show in November.

-posted by Eric Bradley

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter HERE.
• Find us on Facebook HERE.
• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your very own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.

Unusual antique and vintage table lamps - Separated at birth?

Karen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:23:30 GMT

Those of you who visit this blog may get a little tired of me chatting about cool vintage lighting. Well, here's one more post on vintage table lamps you'll have to suffer through.

On my morning run around the Internet, I came across this neat little rusty vintage lamp. It's one of those odd items that makes you wonder about its original use.

The vintage metal table lamp features a scroll design and a pivoting bowl shade. It would look perfect in an industrial modern office, juxtaposed next to a sleek, chrome laptop.

In fact, this morning's little discovery reminded me of a French Art Deco lamp sold in January. I still haven't gotten enough of the vintage lighting offered at a recent 20th century decorative arts auction.

Although the rusty noggin found at Goodwill will probably end up selling for around $50, this gorgeous French nickeled brass and shagreen version brought brought $1,586 at Rago Auction.

Seeing them side-by-side it still makes me wonder: Separated at birth?

-posted by Eric Bradley

Chattanooga antiques market sees some promise

Eric Bradley, editor — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:10:56 GMT

I had the fortune to be interviewed by the Chattanooga Times Free Press last week for an article on the region's antiques trade. You can see the full article here. There is even a little audio on the definition of an antique.

The reporter, Tamara Best, did a great job in summarizing the businesses' ups and downs and even went the extra mile to add a few helpful hints from local shop owners and auctioneers. Some of the hints:

antique silver and oriental rugs are selling particularly well
utilize the Internet to sell
capitalize on social media
enhance their customer service, and
have a moderate rate of turnover

Each week I see more and more shop owners pop up on Facebook. This is a great way to generate some free publicity for your business.

What are some of the methods you are using to generate traffic, virtual or otherwise, into your shop? Feel free to share below.

-posted by Eric Bradley

Reward offered for trailer of antique furniture stolen in St Paul, Minn.

Karen — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:44:41 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Police are still searching for a 14-foot Pace trailer full of antique furniture that was stolen Dec 10 from the parking lot of J & E Antiques in St Paul, Minn.

The trailer held two reproduction mahogany Morris chairs decorated with full standing lions, two oak hall trees with bench seats, many Empire-style oak library tables, a library table with caning decoration and several display tables used for setting up at shows. The trailer also contained two sets of chairs, fishing tackle and an outboard motor.

A reward is offered and anyone with knowledge of the theft is asked to call 612-961-3401 or 612-708-3946. The theft is documented under St Paul Police Case #09-261-474; the trailer's license number is (Minn) CTA 2945.

-posted by Eric Bradley

Antique shows in the New Year

Karen — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:50:06 GMT

Did I make the same resolution last year? To get out and do more antique shop-hopping and attend more shows? I believe I did.

Seems like a good resolution to make, so I'll stick with that again this year.

Need to "scratch" that "antique show itch"? Check out these articles:

20-30-40 Glass Society of Illinois holding Depression Glass event

Spotlight to shine on vintage fashion at Arizona show

Boxborough paper show under new management

Indiana to host 17th annual Collectors Carnival

Iowa’s Antique Spectacular planned Feb. 12-14

Dealers from 12 states to attend Antiques in Charlottesville

Art Deco and Modernism light up San Francisco

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Antiques news you won't want to miss

Karen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:44:00 GMT

Click on the links below to read the articles:

Red Baron’s three-day fall auction a success

Dealers from 12 states to attend Antiques in Charlottesville

Audubon’s ‘Birds of America’ folio brings $272,000

Art Deco and Modernism light up San Francisco

Worthpoint, Heritage Auctions announce mobile phone applications

Original Frederick Remington plaster model will be sold in January auction

Archive of cigar label proofs among top lots in Dec. 3 map, ephemera sale

Carved box that consignor used for storage realizes $26,450 in Thanksgiving sale

Jumeau doll found in the Midwest brings $37,375

Visit www.antiquetrader.com for more news and features.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Suspect found in theft of antique whiskey bottle

Karen — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:20:11 GMT

Suspect found in theft of rare Ferguson Whiskey flask

SANTA ROSA – When a rare Ferguson Whiskey flask was stolen last April at the Santa Rosa Bottle Show, collectors were left frustrated and dismayed.

American Bottle Auctions had brought many of their rarest and most desirable bottles coming up for their spring auction for public display and soon after set-up, a rare coffin flask was missing. Collectors and dealers alike were left feeling that even a bottle show was now unsafe to present items for sale and for auction. That a person could just walk into a bottle show and steal something right off the table of unsuspecting victims left both the organizers of the show and participants with a feeling of dread.

Soon after the show, the same bottle (valued between $1,500-$2,000), right down to three very distinctive bubbles appeared on ebay, a well-known international auction site. It wasn’t long before various people began calling American Bottle Auctions informing them of a very similar bottle to the one stolen in Santa Rosa being sold on ebay. After contacting authorities in the Vallejo, Calif., police department, the seller of the flask was contacted.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for the suspect who is now awaiting an appearance before Vallejo County judges.

According to American Bottle Auctions, the theft at bottle shows is not a new thing; bottles have been missing from shows for years. A couple years ago at a show in Lodi, American Bottle Auctions lost a rare M.R. Sacramento soda bottle, which was never recovered. This time was different as a number of individuals came forward and helped the police in uncovering evidence that helped them find the right person.

This last weekend at the Auburn Bottle Show, a number of bottles were missing from tables. When presenting bottles at a show, make sure you keep an eye on your bottles at all times.
American Bottle Auctions set up a camera connected to a computer that records any movement at its table. This was most likely enough to fend off any would be thieves and it might be something to think about. Needless the company did not experience any thefts during the Auburn show.

The auction house is advising bottle dealers and sellers to pay more attention to their tables during events and looking out for our neighbor’s table. All it takes is a little extra precaution.

Santa Fe flea market launches Christmas Market

Karen — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:24:54 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. — The Santa Fe Traditional Flea Market, which ended its first summer season at Oshara Village with the snows of mid-November is launching a two-weekend indoor Christmas Market at El Museo Cultural, 1615 Paseo de Peralta on the Rail Yard. The first weekend will be held Dec. 12-13; the second weekend of the Christmas Market will be held Dec. 19-20.

The Christmas Market will feature gift-quality affordable antiques of all sorts including jewelry, furniture, textiles, clothing, and works of art, as well as traditional flea from grandma’s attic.

The hours of the Traditional Flea Christmas Market at El Museo will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Upwards of 70 vendors are expected to participate. Parking is free at the Rail Yard Underground Garage during this period, and the market is also free to the public.

“We reached an agreement with the El Museo Board at the beginning of the weekend,” Walt Borton said, “and notified our regular vendors by e-mail, and updated our Web site Sunday morning.” “We started taking reservations for space at 6 p.m. Sunday night,” he continued, “and by 9, after more than 40 phone calls, vendors from Denver, Albuquerque, Mountainair, Taos, as well as many of our Santa Fe regulars had booked.”

Just a few of the vendors already committed to the Christmas market in the first few hours are Santa Fe area Native American specialist Bud Callahan; jewelry designer Tom Dewitt; and antiques dealers Bill Hawn, Mary Kirst and Clarence Vigil.

Antiques dealer Lewis Bobrick is coming from Denver; fine women’s attire will be sold by Cynthia Williams of Albuquerque; and Ethnographic dealers already committed include Wilbur Norman, Robert Fiedler and Cecil Sanchez. Contemporary jewelry stylist Chanel Segura, bone and antler artist Ron Laerd and antiquarian book dealer Shirley Jacobson are also participating.

A regularly updated list of vendors will be added to the Web site, www.santafetraditionalflea.com.

The Christmas Market may evolve into a long-term Winter Market for the region’s fast growing and popular old-fashioned flea market. After the premier season of the Santa Fe Traditional Flea Market, during which the market grew from 24 vendors on July 12 to approximately 150 by Indian Market, leveling at about 100 through November, vendors asked market owners Cook and Borton to identify an indoor spot for the winter months.

“If the vendors, the public and the El Museo board find the Christmas Market a positive experience,” Borton said, “it is likely that the Santa Fe Traditional Flea Winter Market will become a weekend fixture on the Rail Yard until we can go back outside.”

At El Museo Cultural on the Rail Yard

WHAT: The Santa Fe Traditional Flea Christmas Market
WHERE: El Museo Cultural, 1615 Paseo de Peralta on the Rail Yard
WHEN: Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
CONTACT: Walt Borton, 505-982-2671 or walt@waltborton.com.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

It really is in the mail today ...

Karen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:34:35 GMT

... the newest edition of Antique Trader, that is.

Here's a look at the cover:

It looks great, doesn't it? And it's packed with antique news and features, too!

Visit www.antiquetrader.com for your antiques news fix.

Inaugural Baltimore Big Flea draws the crowds

Original York Antiques Show & Sale returns in January

Record number of bidders take part in poster sale

Japanese toys gross $700K in November auction

Rare diamond brings eight figures at Christie’s auction

Glass museum launches drive to clear mortgage

“American Pickers” coming to television

Art restoration company reveals $300K Duncanson painting

Greater Charlotte Show sells to Lydia Sullivan

Tiffany on Display: Colorado collector shares his passion with the world

... that's a lot of news, isn't it?! And that's not all of it, either!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Free download of Antique Trader Winter Traveler available

Karen — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:03:32 GMT

Hot off the production line, the new Antique Trader Winter Traveler has been uploaded to our site and is ready for all of you to download.

The Winter Traveler is a 24-page PDF with stories on antiquing destinations throughout the United States.

Some of the articles include pieces on the Scott Antique Markets, the Tucson Gem Shows, department store displays at the Smithsonian, and timepiece and Americana displays at the National Heritage Museum.

All of the links have been made "live," so all you have to do is click on the URL or ad and you will be taken to the respective Web site.

What an easy way to find out more about antique shows, malls, museum exhibits, and more ... they are just a click away!

CLICK HERE or on the cover image above to download the Antique Trader Winter Traveler.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Everyone likes shortcuts

Karen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:53:51 GMT

... especially if it's a legitimate shortcut.

So here are shortcuts to some of our latest antiques news articles and features:

Man turns childhood home into classy antiques shop

Talking Sports: A hobby is born during the Great Depression

Ask Antique Trader: Unusual adjustable slag glass lamp a real find

Don’t be a Duncan Pfool: Remember to use furniture's correct vocabulary

Postcard prices realized vary at auction

SOFA Chicago sees increase of ‘young collectors’

Vintage video game sells for $5,250

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

If you love unique then you'll love Chicago's Modern Vintage Holiday Market

Karen — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:24:20 GMT

Image Pilots, the producers of the Randolph Street Market Festival featuring the Chicago Antique Market and Indie Designer Market, is returning this year with the 3rd annual Modern Vintage Holiday Market.

This year, the Modern Vintage Holiday Market will be held indoors at the beautiful Beaux Arts Plumbers Hall, 1340 W Washington St for two days only Nov. 21 – 22.

Shoppers can kick their holiday shopping off to the right start with gifts in all price ranges, from pennies to thousands, available in a one-stop-shopping experience. Keepsakes range from embroidered hankies, sterling spoons and festive aprons, to estate jewelry, couture formal wear and crystal goblets. Independently designed handmade and preserved vintage ornaments round out the mix. This unique and beautifully-crafted mix of smartly priced vintage and modern goods makes for a unique one-stop shopping experience for seasonal shoppers looking for memorable and custom-made gifts.

The Sunday market hours have been extended and will now begin at 10 a.m. Regular market hours will be Saturday, Nov. 21 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is $10 ($8 in advance online), which includes a $10 shopping voucher if you spend $50 or more with any vendor. Student admission with valid ID is $5 and children under 12 are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.randolphstreetmarket.com. Free parking will be available in the Plumbers Hall parking lot and free gift wrapping and packaging will also be offered throughout the weekend. For additional information call 312-666-1200 or visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com.

-Posted by Eric Bradley

Free admission to antique show

Karen — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:23:46 GMT

I received this e-mail this morning for free admission to the Historic Alexandria Antiques Show.

It says pass along to a friend ... I'm going to pass it on to many — all of you! (Hey, it's worth a try, right?)

Click Here for Free Admission to the Historic Alexandria Antiques Show

This year's Historic Alexandria Antiques Show brings together 30 top-ranking antiques, fine art and jewelry dealers from around the US and abroad. You'll discover thousands of pieces of period furniture, paintings, prints, folk art, tapestries, textiles, carpets, lamps, ceramics, glass, jewelry and unusual decorative accessories, every one backed by a guarantee of authenticity.

The show takes place November 13-15 at the Holiday Inn Historic District. Hours of the show are Friday, November 13, 11 am-8 pm; Saturday, November 14, 11 am-6 pm; and Sunday, November 15, 12 noon-5 pm.

You and a companion can enter the show free of charge. Simply click here to print out your free pass. And be sure to forward this message to a friend!

Visitors to this year's Historic Alexandria Antiques Show can also receive free verbal appraisals of their treasures by antiques expert and professional appraiser Todd Peenstra.  Verbal appraisals will be limited to two items per visitor. It's a great chance to learn if you have hidden wealth.

The Holiday Inn Historic District is located at 625 First Street. Free parking is available. For more information and directions, click here.

Proceeds from the show benefit the Historic Alexandria Foundation.  Separate tickets are required for the preview party, November 12, 6:30 pm-9:30 pm, and for all other special events. More information is available at 703.549.5811.

— Posted by Karen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Nov. 7 LA gallery event to benefit Linda Blair's animal rescue charity

Karen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:14:52 GMT

LOS ANGELES - On Saturday, Nov. 7, Gallery Brown and internationally acclaimed pop artist Steve Kaufman will present "Art Goes To The Dogs," a benefit for film star Linda Blair's animal rescue charity, the World Heart Foundation. Blair will be present at the event, which will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the gallery, located at 140 South Orlando Ave., Los Angeles.

Steve Kaufman, "the former assistant to Andy Warhol," will feature all his colorful images including Marilyn, The Rat Pack and Michael Jackson, plus homages to Lichtenstein, Picasso, Dali and van Gogh. See these famous icons come alive on canvas.

The Linda Blair World Heart Foundation is a non-profit, 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused animals from the harsh streets of the Los Angeles area and the overcrowded and overwhelmed city and county animal shelters.

The fundraiser is open to all, and there is no charge to attend. The evening starts with complimentary valet parking, followed by cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction that will feature Steve Kaufman's 36-inch-tall RCA Dog, one of a limited edition of 20. Additionally, 10% of all show sales will go directly to the Linda Blair World Heart Foundation.

LA art fans won't want to miss this exciting opportunity to meet both Steve Kaufman and Linda Blair on Saturday, Nov. 7. For further information, call 323-651-1956 or visit the gallery's Web site: http://gallerybrown.com.

Visit Linda Blair's World Heart Foundation online at www.lindablairworldheart.org.

Another antique show in the Melrose & Duddy lineup

Karen — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:41:42 GMT

Good to see new antique shows in development:

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—Professional Antique Show Promoters Melrose & Duddy announced plans recently for a new show in Charlottesville, Va. Antiques in Charlottesville will be held Jan. 22-24, 2010, at the University Center Holiday Inn in historic Charlottesville.

“We are confident our brand of show is a great fit for the Charlottesville market,” says partner Jay Melrose. “We’ve already experience a lot of warm support and encouragement from the community and commitments from antique and art dealers from throughout the Easter Seaboard.”

Antiques in Charlottesville will join the All Saints' Antiques Show and Antiques and Gardening at Bryn Du (Columbus, Ohio) in the Melrose & Duddy repertoire. All dealers at Melrose & Duddy shows display fine art and antiques in walled room-like settings.

Melrose says Antiques in Charlottesville will feature the popular Designer’s Choice merchandise award program, ten-minute lectures and other attractions still being finalized.

More information about Antiques in Charlottesville is available on the Web at www.antiquesincharlottesville.com. More information on Melrose & Duddy is available at www.melroseduddy.com. Anyone interested in exhibiting at the show can call Jay Melrose at 330-519-5132.

Melrose & Duddy are advertisers with Antique Trader.

Antiques will be going on in Greeneville

Karen — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:48:32 GMT

Ya gotta love a free antique show! Mark this Tennessee show on your calendars:

The Tourism Department of the Greene County (Tennessee) Partnership has announced the date for the 5th annual Antique Appraisal Fair and Antique Show. It will be held Feb. 20, 2010, at Greeneville High School on Tusculum Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Local and regional antique shops will bring inventory to show and sell at the event. According to the press release, local museums and historical attractions will also be represented.

The event will feature certified appraisers that will assess the value of antiques brought in by the public for a fee of $5 per piece.

“This event was very successful in 2009 with more than 850 items being appraised and 4,500 in attendance. It is a great way to get the word out about the Antique Trail brochure that tourism has created and the proceeds from the event will go toward the printing and promotion of the piece,” stated Tammy Kinser, Tourism Director for the Partnership. “Antiquing is growing in popularity throughout the country and Greene County has a wealth of wonderful, quaint antique shops. We have also incorporated our great museums and historical attractions into the event to make tourists and local residents aware of the treasures that we have in our community.”

The Antique Appraisal Fair and Show won two prestigious awards in 2007 beginning with the Pinnacle Award for Peak Performance in Tourism by the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association and the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top Twenty Event for February.

For more information contact Tammy Kinser at the Partnership, 423-638-4111 or tkinser@greenecop.com.

Posted by Karen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Antique article shortcuts

Karen — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:57:56 GMT

Here's an easy way to get your antique news: click on the links below to read the articles:

Antique Trader breaks new ground with new “Collecting Depression Glass” online seminar

Portraits and pistols earn top prices at Garth’s

Liberace’s cousin’s estate draws standing room only

This Emilio Pucci designer dress with matching panties was sold at Liberace's cousin's estate auction in Wittenberg, Wis. Photo by Eric Bradley.

Brimfield completes Fiftieth Year Celebration

Jenkins Shows draws 20,000 for Springfield Extravaganza

Toy world mourns passing of Donald Kaufman

Depression glass collecting continues to evolve

Art Markets: Gallery label prompts investigation of attic find

Ask Antique Trader: Cheers! Robj liquor decanters worth $900

Posted by Karen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

JMK Shows to launch new Atlantic City Antiques and Collectors Show

Karen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:49:33 GMT

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – JMK Shows will produce a new “antiques and collectors” event in the Atlantic City Convention Center March 27-28. The show fills the void created by F+W Media’s September announcement it was canceling the long running Atlantique City Antiques & Collectibles Show. (Antique Trader is published by F+W Media).

The new event will be called the Atlantic City Antiques and Collectors Show. The two-day event will combine all the genres of antiques and collectibles in one location yet they will be separated within the venue. Antique furniture and furnishings in one area, toys and ephemera in another, vintage clothing will have its own designated section, as will fine art and dolls, etc.

“I am honored and welcome the opportunity to create, re-invent and re-brand an event of this caliber in Atlantic City,” JMK Shows manager Allison Kohler said in a news release.

JMK Shows runs a variety of antiques and home décor shows. Their antiques shows include the Morristown Armory Antique Show and the Birchwood Manor Antiques Show. The firm also manages a variety of doll and collectibles shows such as The Doll Show at Faileigh Dickinson University in Hackensack, N.J. and the Sarasota (Fla.) Holiday Antiques Show & Sale.

More information about the event is available at the JMK website at www.JMKSHows.com or by calling (973) 927-2794.

More antique news -

Karen — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:02:41 GMT

And more antique news

Africa, Oceania, Asia art showcased in LA show

Competitive changes at Nottingham Shows in U.K.

Puchsteins take over West Palm Beach shows

Antique Trader online conference Nov. 5 - the Webinar with Ellen Schroy on Collecting Depression Glass ... I'm looking forward to it!

Making shows fun again: Zurko Promotions combines ad show with Grayslake event

Chippendale tiger maple desk hits $41,400 at estate sale

Rosewood cylinder desk soars to $49,450 at sale of Kirkwood Mansion contents

Jeffrey S. Evans to sell important antique sewing collection

RIA rounds up nearly $8M in September firearms auction

Masterpieces of pin-up art in Dallas auction Oct. 27

Chamberlain’s All-Star Game uniform slams it in at $72K in Grey Flannel auction

Many of these businesses are paid advertisers in Antique Trader magazine.

From the Editor: Show changes span the world

Karen — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:53:44 GMT

This week’s issue is jam packed with show coverage, which I hope you will appreciate.

Especially notable is the topsy-turvy environment being created in the British antiques market (CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY). Promoters are working to build bigger and more sustainable shows. Both the owners of the famous Newark fair and the Arthur Swallow Fairs are changing venues and holding competing events on the same day. Time will tell whether the move will force one or the other out of business, or if the crunch just puts pressure on dealers stuck in the middle.

On our cover is an article on Zurko Promotions’ rebooted event in Grayslake, Ill. Owner Bob Zurko has been in business for nearly 40 years and it’s great to see him rolling with the economy by building a fun, new show. He had his dealers buzzing about the changes way back in July – which is always a good sign of progressive and out-of-the-box show promoting.

Enjoy!

Eric Bradley
Editor

Two more things

In honor of last issue’s feature on Woodstock collectibles, we have chosen a copy of Woodstock : Peace, Music & Memories (Krause Publications) as the grand prize for October’s Antique Trader Treasure Hunt. With more than 350 color and black and white photos, the book has personal recollections of the 1969 concert. To enter the sweepstakes, CLICK HERE.

The latest edition of our quarterly Antique Trader Traveler is now available as a free download. The issue is an excellent guide to autumn’s top museums, expos and antiques and collectibles events. Especially interesting is the feature on the recent renovations to Washington, D.C.’s Ford’s Theater, the engaging exhibits at the Museum of the Confederacy and the nation’s 650 Mile Yard Sale. To download the issue CLICK HERE.

SUBMITTING LETTERS

Letters to Antique Trader are appreciated and encouraged but cannot be responded to individually. If you are writing via e-mail, please do not use all caps and add the city AND state you live in. Send your letter to:

Mail: Letters to the Editor c/o Antique Trader, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54945

Fax: 715-445-4087

e-mail: eric.bradley@fwmedia.com

Okemo Antiques Show turns 16

Karen — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:31:40 GMT

It's nice to see shows hanging in there — especially shows that have been around for more than a decade and don't show any sign of giving up ... not only not giving up, but promising "to be the best ever."

I'm talking about the Okemo Antiques Show at the Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vt.

Pat and Don Clegg of East Berlin, Pa., who promote and manage the show as Abbott House Associates, established their antiques business nearly three decades ago, specializing in American painted furniture and related items, early textiles, early lighting and wildfowl decoys. They also exhibit at about 10 shows each year, one of which is the Okemo Antiques Show.

The Okemo Show is one of five shows that make up Vermont Antiques Week in early October each year.

Among the exhibitors at this 16th incarnation of the Okemo Antiques Show: Jeff Cherry and Kass Hogan (Cherry Gallery), Lewis Scranton, Tom and Bev Longacre, Mario Pollo, Chuck White and Lynne Weaver.

The details: The celebration kicks off with a wine and hors d'oeuvres preview party from 3-6 pm on Oct. 2. The show continues on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Additional information can be obtained by calling Abbott House Associates at 877-211-1877.

Hang in there!

Images courtesy Abbott House Associates.

Posted by Karen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Puchsteins take full control of West Palm Beach shows

Karen — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:21:21 GMT

Puchsteins take full control of West Palm Beach Shows

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Bill and Kay Puchstein have taken over as the sole owners of West Palm Beach Antiques Festival for the upcoming season.

The Puchstein’s purchased eight show enterprise from dmg world media last December in partnership with promoters Jim and Yvonne Tucker of Missouri. The Tuckers have decided the schedule of these eight shows was more than they were willing to do together with nine shows of their company, Antique Shows of Florida.

“The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival was much more than Yvonne and I had envisioned,” Jim Tucker said in a telephone interview. “We live in Missouri as our primary home with the nine shows concentrated in two and a half months, that’s enough.”

West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is the first weekend of each month, with their Spectacular in February hosting about 800 dealers.

The Puchstein's, who also live in Florida, also run a dozen other smaller shows through the winter months in the central region of the state.

The Puchstein’s website for details of West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is www.wpbaf.com and take calls at 941 697 7475. For their other shows go to www.floridaantiqueshows.com. The Tucker’s website is www.antiqueshowsofflorida.com or call them at 941 408 3576.

-By Tom O’Hara, posted by Eric Bradley

dmg world media sells AntiqueWeek, three others in deal finalized late last week

Karen — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:30:27 GMT

KNIGHTSTOWN, Ind. – In a deal finalized late last week, dmg world media sold its Knightstown, Ind., publications, including its flagship antiques and collectibles newspaper AntiqueWeek. Included in the sale are publications AntiqueWest, The Auction Exchange and Collectors News and Farm World, billed as “the largest farm newspaper in the Midwest.”

The new owner is MidCountry Media, Inc., which has ties to the Mayhill family who founded AntiqueWeek in 1968 and sold it along with its other titles to dmg in 2000. dmg world media is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc, one of the largest and media companies in the United Kingdom.

Talks of a sale surfaced in October 2008 when employees were informed the Indiana titles were under contract to be sold. Since then, dmg has steadily sold segments of its antiques and collectibles businesses.

It sold the London-based newspaper Antiques Trade Gazette in October 2008. In June it sold four of the biggest antiques and collectors' fairs in the UK. In July, dmg sold back the Florida show known as “Palm Beach - America's International Fine Art & Antiques Fair” to its original owners, the Lester family.

In the case of Antiques Trade Gazette, it was employees who purchased the publication. The UK fairs (Newark, Ardingly, Shepton Mallet and Detling) are owned by a group, which includes a former dmg executive who oversaw the original acquisition in 1994.

AntiqueWeek is a national publication with The Auction Exchange and Collectors News focuses on the Great Lakes region and AntiqueWest focuses on the West Coast.

dmg owns The Avignon (France) International Trade Fair, The Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, The Miami Beach Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, The New York Antique Jewelry and Watch Show, The Original Miami Beach Antique Show and the The Washington DC Antique, Art and Jewelry Show, which debuts Oct. 15-18.

dmg also publishes more than 40 related magazines, newspapers, directories and market reports and employs 700 people worldwide.

-posted by Eric Bradley

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Valuable marketing tool for dealers: hold a show before the auction

Karen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:31:16 GMT

This struck me as an innovative way to generate valuable pre-auction publicity, help educate the public and be a good citizen all at the same time.

Poster Auctions International and Long Island’s Cradle of Aviation Museum are teaming up to launch an exhibition of rare, early aviation posters. The exhibition, held on location at the museum opens tomorrow and runs through Oct. 18. The exhibition includes posters from private collections located around the world as well as the museum's permanent collection

Once the exhibit wraps up, the posters (not those from the museum's permanent collection) will be returned to Poster Auctions International in time for its bi-annual auction of rare, vintage posters on Sunday, Nov. 8.

What an interesting opportunity for both experienced and novice collectors visit a new museum to see a rare collection in one place at the same time. And what a savvy method to whet the appetite of poster dealers and collectors.

From the Editor: Haggling shouldn't end badly

Karen — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:41:01 GMT

Where has our summer gone? Too quickly our sand beaches have given way to the first glimpses of red leaves.

I certainly hope you enjoyed your summer. Here in Wisconsin where Antique Trader is produced our summers seem relatively short due to our three distinct seasons and bitter winters. The summer was packed with all the best the outdoor show and auction season has to offer.

It is always a good day when you can spend it walking and chatting with vendors and fellow collectors.

However, sometimes things overheard in a vendor’s booth don’t always put you in a buying mood. One instance in particular happened early in the summer and I have thought about it often on the trail.

A young couple was standing in a lovely flea market booth filled with a pleasing mix of both expensive and common glassware and porcelain. The lady spied a pair of candlesticks and picked one up. She motioned for her partner to move closer and check them out. The way they were chatting about the sticks and how they were looking at the details gave away the fact that they were not dealers. The way they were dressed indicated they had probably stopped by the flea after attending a Sunday service.

“What is your best price on these?” the young lady said holding the sticks up.
The vendor responded simply: “$40.”

“Would you take $35?” was the young lady’s response.

The vendor looked her in the eye and said loudly, “How do you expect me to make my rent if all you customers keep asking for more and more discounts? This business is hard enough.”

More than one pair of eyebrows was raised. Perhaps it was a rare bit of weakness on the vendor’s part, however the response was not what I’d expect from any business owner addressing a counter offer. Regrettably, the response is not rare.

More and more as I visit shops and shows, the rate of dealers and sellers complaining to customers about the current economic climate is reaching a fevered pitch. It’s as though shop owners feel obligated to inform their customers that they are no longer making any money at buying and selling antiques.

As we head into the fall and winter indoor show season, all buyers and sellers should understand the economic hardship is affecting both sides of a transaction. Buyers as well as sellers are feeling the pinch.

The flea market vendor insulted by the young lady’s counter offer could have politely responded: “Sorry, I’m going to try to get $40.” That would have sufficed.

We need every new collector or casual buyer we can get. Turning them off when they are young may eliminate a lifelong buyer from the marketplace.
And what fun would our summers be without flea markets?

— Posted by Eric Bradley

Feel free to send your comments to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or to Letters to the Editor, c/o Antique Trader, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54945.

Question of the Week: Favorite antique show features?

Karen — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:57:32 GMT

Question of the Week:

Many antiques and collectibles shows have added new attractions to appeal to a broader audience. What features do you like the most about your favorite antiques show?

Send your replies to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or to Letters to the Editor, c/o Antique Trader, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54945.

— Posted by Karen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter HERE.
• Find us on Facebook HERE.
• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your very own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Holt-Howard, Red Wing, toleware, the list goes on ...

Karen — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:34:31 GMT

It took me a while to get around to blogging about my weekend, but I'm finally here! (even though we're fast-approaching another)

I can only hope all of your weekends as pleasant as mine. Any time I can squeeze in a flea market over the weekend makes me happy ... especially if the market has a lot of dealers with a lot of great antiques.

We made it up to Zurko's Shawano flea market once again on Aug. 22, and what a great day. The weather was a bit cool, but the vendors were out in force. (Of all the times I've been up to the Shawano market, I think last Saturday's was the strongest showing yet.) I was tempted time and time again by crockery of various sizes and shapes, some cute Holt-Howard kittens (even though their noisemakers were missing), and beautiful cast-iron cookware ... some of it old, all of it cleaned and seasoned.

I don't know about any of you, but I prefer to cook in cast iron. And old, properly seasoned cast iron is the best! A few years ago I bought two fabulous bail-handled cast iron pots from my uncle, who was trimming down his estate. I cook in them every chance I get. When I use them, I always remember him and my aunt. I'm so very glad that I have something tangible and useful that I can remember them by.

Of course I had to stop and read through book titles at every opportunity, too ... you just never know what you'll miss if you don't!

Now if I can just get to Princeton and Columbus! (If you're ever anywhere near it, don't miss the Columbus Antique Mall ... but plan on spending a few hours there ... It's HUGE!)

Are there any antique shows in your weekend plans? Which ones? What's your favorite show ever?

— Posted by Karen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

F+W Media cancels March Atlantique City

Karen — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:31:18 GMT

IOLA, Wis. – Citing the opportunity to build its online collectors marketplace and launch a Midwest antiques event, F+W Media announced Aug. 19 the cancellation of its annual Atlantique City Antiques & Collectibles Show scheduled for March 27-28, 2010.

“Given the uncertainty surrounding the current economic environment, we believe it’s in our best interest not to produce the Atlantique City event next year and to notify the antiques and collectible community of our decision now,” said David Blansfield, President, F+W Media. “The resources within our Antiques & Collectibles team will instead focus on new opportunities within our changing marketplace, and we’ll engage with the community about these new initiatives immediately.”

All dealers who signed up in advance for Atlantique City will receive a full and complete refund of their deposit monies as soon as possible. Any questions regarding deposits should be addressed to Karen Thulien, Event Coordinator. She can be reached via e-mail at karen.thulien@fwmedia.com.

“There are immediate opportunities for us to produce events in the Midwest, closer to our core communities, as well as to continue to develop Collect.com and our Antiques & Collectibles Community online,” Blansfield added. “Our focus will shift to organically growing these new businesses.”

Key initiatives include:

• The launch of an antiques and collectibles show co-located at the Iola Old Car Show and Swap Meet, July 8-11, 2010. The Iola Old Car Show and Swap Meet regularly attracts nearly 100,000 attendees annually.

• Expanding Collect.com as a worldwide collectors’ marketplace including its comprehensive prices and research database powered by the Warman’s series price guides.

• Developing Collect.com Auctions as the premier source of sports, antiques, collectibles, entertainment and music memorabilia online auctions.

• Expanding Antique Trader magazine and AntiqueTrader.com through regional reports and market analysis while providing the latest prices and auction news.

Atlantique City, sponsored by Antique Trader magazine, was started in 1986 and quickly grew as one of the nation’s most diverse and largest indoor antiques and collectibles shows. Hundreds of the nation’s top dealers exhibited toys, advertising, fine porcelain, glass and lighting, jewelry and various collectibles.

Krause Publications purchased the show from founder Norman Schaut in 2001. The shows consistently offered as much in entertainment value as in buying and selling opportunities. Special features have included the Kennedy Collection, Miss America and Treasures from the Titanic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Dillsboro Antiques Festival cancelled

Karen — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:47:37 GMT

DILLSBORO, N.C. – Show organizers announced the Dillsboro Antiques Festival, scheduled for Sept. 19, has been cancelled. “We are disappointed the festival will not be held, but an insufficient number of vendors were able to commit to the show due to current economic conditions,” according to a statement released by Dawn Hummel, proprietor of the Olde Town Inn of Dillsboro.

“Although the antiques event is cancelled, there is still much to see and do in historic Dillsboro, and ‘Art in the Park’ at our award-winning Green Energy Park will be held on the 19th as scheduled.” More information about the show and the cancellation is available at www.dillsboro-oldetowne.com or by calling 800-962-1911.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

And more recent antiques-related headlines:

Karen — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:32:05 GMT

On Pawn Stars it’s all business (my favorite!)

Regional Roundup: East

NY State malls helping shoppers justify purchases

French doll shatters world auction record (still hot news)

Collector selling Archie #1 as marriage proposal looms - Tom Michael analyzes Archie through the years ... fascinating, in-depth analysis of the development of "The Mirth of a Nation."

AT Inbox: Reader seeks help identifying father's jardiniere

Ask Antique Trader: Driftwood furniture first popular in the ’40s

To pawn or not to pawn

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Antique headline shortcuts anyone?

Karen — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:24:44 GMT

Antiques trade mourns icon’s passing

Springfield Antiques Show turns great finds

Dealers show rare and unusual items at Nashville glass show

Antique show fund raiser earns nearly $4,000 for animal shelter- (I thought this was a great idea!)

All Saints Show highly praised by dealers

Baltimore Summer Show: Designed to dazzle

Guyette & Schmidt, Inc. summer decoy auction grosses $1.3 million

Hal Hunt to auction the contents of famous Alabama antebellum home Sept. 5

Historic rifle from the Battle of Little Big Horn offered at Kaminski’s August auction

Seldom-seen antique maps, atlases offered in Old World Auctions’ online sale

Here comes the 45th Epsilon Sigma Alpha Int'l antiques show

Karen — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:30:42 GMT

The public has been invited to the 45th annual antique show and sale at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 911 Searcy Way, Bowling Green, KY 42103.

The show will be held Sep. 11, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Sep. 12, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sep. 13, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

The event is sponsored by Alpha Theta #662 Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International.

Proceeds will be used for Community Projects and St. Jude Children Hospital. (Nice!)

Twenty to 30 dealers from several states will be present with an array of antiques, including furniture, glassware, silver, china, jewelry, linens and other fine antiques.

There will also be someone on-site for crystal, glass, porcelain and pottery repair and restoration.

The cost of admission is $5 for all three days and parking is free; also, food will be available.

The Web site is www.bgantiqueshow.com, but visit it with caution; when I tried to visit the site a warning popped up warning that the site may harm your computer.

Are Military Shows Your Mania?

Karen — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:24:06 GMT

From the Military Trader Web site (http://www.militarytrader.com):

Biggest military weekend of the year

No matter where in the U.S. you live, the weekend of Aug. 7-8 has something going on for military enthusiasts.

In Wisconsin, it is the annual Iola Military Vehicle and Gun Show featuring Old Working Wheels. Check out their web site at www.iolavms.com.

Further east, in Evansville, Indiana, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association is holding its annual international convention. Log onto MVPA.org.

In Toledo, Ohio, The Great Lakes Military Collectors Show is taking place. For info: www.mvpa.org/glmca .

Out on the east coast, the 13th Annual All-American Military Vehicle Show and Flea Market takes place in Webster, Massachusetts.

And in Montana, its the 54th Annual Original Missoula Gun Show at the Adams Center (www.hayesotoupalik.com).

Log onto www.militarytrader.com/events/ to find all the military shows in your neck of the woods.

Brimfield antiques shows owners headed to trial

Karen — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:25:03 GMT

It was reported this afternoon the owners of several Brimfield Antiques shows will take their suit against the village to trial. Town Meeting voters rejected changing the way emergency services fees are charged to owners, arguing the fees are the only way the village can provide such services and not go in the red.

More than 20 promoters run shows in May, July and September in Brimfield, Mass., along Route 20.

As first reported by The Republican, May's Antique Market, Inc., filed the original lawsuit in 2006. Owners claim the emergency services fees the town has collected from the 20 show owners have sometimes been more than $100,000 higher than the cost of police, fire and ambulance protection provided during the shows.

A second lawsuit seeking the overturn of the emergency services fees was filed in March by the owners of Mahogany Ridge, Shelton Antiques and The Meadows New England Motel & Antique Market.

Rare Delaware sampler at All Saints’ Antiques Show

Karen — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:57:44 GMT

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.— A rare New Castle County Delaware sampler will be offered in the booth of John Tompkins of Richmond, Va., at the 60th Annual All Saints' Antiques Show next week. The sampler was worked by Priscilla Talley of Talleysville, in 1839, when she was 15. A sampler is a piece of embroidery produced as a demonstration or test of skill in needlework.

"The quality of the composition and colors belies the fact that it was made by a young girl," says Tompkins. "It has the folky qualities of something made by a much more mature craftsman."

Tompkins explains that the pot of flowers with hearts, the strawberry border, twin squirrels roosters, are all motifs encountered in Delaware Valley objects of this period, but rarely in such lush abundance.

The sampler was discovered in Richmond, still in the home of a direct descendant.

"It was kind of an Antiques Roadshow moment," he says. "The owner brought me in to see some pretty average furniture, and here was this amazing object hanging on the living room wall."

The verse Priscilla stitched seems appropriate for a minister's daughter, although other young women wrought similar verses to:

"This work in hand my friends my have
when I am dead and in my grave
and when the work each time you see
I with my Saviour hope to be

The work I leave to those I love
when I have flown to world above
When all my sorrow will be ore
When friends will need to part no more"

"There are a great many samplers out there for sale," says Tompkins, "but it is rare to find one with such lush composition and color, and with a great history as well. There are many Pennsylvania samplers, but Delaware examples are rarely on the market."

Held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, the show will officially launch 6 p.m., July 29 at the preview party. Tickets to the preview party are $30, which offers unlimited attendance over the three-day show. The show will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 30 and July 31, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 1. Admission is $7.

The show’s sponsor, All Saints' Church, is the only church in Rehoboth Beach on its original site and maintaining its original design. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places it was constructed in the 1890s to meet the needs of a growing number of Episcopalians migrating to the area.

Show managers Melrose & Duddy bring 25 years of antiques show experience to the All Saints’ show and have successfully managed antiques shows since 2007.

Additional information is available on the web at www.rehobothantiques.com.

Photo courtesy Rehoboth Antiques.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Question of the Week: Tell us about your favorite rummage sale find

Karen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:16:18 GMT

Big or small – what is your favorite rummage sale or yard sale discovery?
Send the story behind your most memorable find by Labor Day, Sept. 7, and our judges will award the best story a copy of the 2010 Warman's Antique & Collectibles Price Guide, with bonus DVD.

Send your stories to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or to Found Treasure, c/o Antique Trader magazine, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54945.