A visit to the Antiques at the Armory Show, NYC, January 25, 2013

A big event in antiques and the arts week in New York City is opening day at the Antiques at the Armory Show near Gramercy Park. This Stella managed winter extravaganza did not disappoint. Always exciting and energetic, the event was jammed with visitors from all over the country, eagerly checking out the fantastic line-up of wares from some of the highest quality dealers in the business. This show differs from many others in that it has elegance, charm, and glamour at, if you look carefully, affordable prices. Here are some of our favorites.

I ordered a pastrami sandwich at this booth before I realized I was in the stall of old friend, dealer Victor Weinblatt.  Victor always manages to come up with wonderful Americana objects, especially his trade signs in old paint that offer sheer delight.

The textiles in Michelle Fox's extensive collection never fail to cause a stir, particularly with her patriotic items including historic flags and antique quilts, all in pristine condition.

Celebrating her birthday today, Country Living magazine columnist and appraiser Helaine Fendelmen chose a festive venue well suited to an expert in all things antique and art, the booth of Scott Bassoff-Sandy Jacobs Antiques. Left of Helaine is her husband, the famous vintage necktie collector, Burton, and to the right, a big admirer of both Fendelmans for four decades(!),  Partner Blanche Greenstein was behind the camera for this tour.

OK, so you wanted to be in shoe business? Sorry, couldn't resist, but this giant shoe in beautiful blue paint, presumably a trade sign for a shoe store, was irresistible in the booth of our old friends, Judy and Jim Milne, NYC.

Two killer hooked rugs and an architectural bird house in old white paint were just part of the knockout display presented by Jewett-Berdan Antiques, New Castle, ME.  

An outstanding collection of Grenfell hooked rugs were featured in the booth of  Robert Snyder-Judy Wilson, Wiscasset, ME. Music provided by antique figural andirons at bottom right. For more information on Grenfell mats, see Silk Stocking Mats written by our old friend, Paula Laverty, whose husband, Bill, is known for his superb taste in serious classic bow ties.

A striking Art Deco-style 4-panel screen painted by renowned painter and architect Richard Haas in 1983 becomes a chic abstract architectural element in the treasure filled booth of our pals, Joan and Harvey Weng.