The Big Antiques Events In New Hampshire

Climaxing one of the greatest weeks of the year in American antiques was the 56th Annual New Hampshire Antiques Show in Manchester, NH, August 8-10- 2013. It is the exclamation mark for a week of antiques shows and markets held in the area for which everybody who is anybody in the field show up to sell, buy, and socialize. 

Enthusiasm for antiques shows in recent times may have dimmed somewhat in other places, but not here. Lines start early for every event, with dealers, collectors and antiques aficionados as excited as ever about what treasures they will find.  

An interesting detail, which may not be new this year, is that free admission is offered to anyone under 30. Blanche Greenstein, my partner, tried desperately to convince the ticket takers that she was qualified, but they seemed skeptical and grabbed her $15.00 anyway. Seriously, all of us dealers hope that genuine under-30's will get more excited about collecting, and join us in this colorful and endlessly fascinating world of American antiques.

Amy Finkel, the knowledgeable proprietor of M. Finkel & Daughter, Philadelphia PA, has always added expertise - and glamour - to the antiques world. Her historic samplers and needlework and antique furniture are well known to be first rate. And so is her taste in rugs, as seen in her booth at the recent New Hampshire Antiques Show. WOODARD WEAVE "Hamilton” runners, edged with black binding, serve as the perfect background for exhibiting her outstanding collection.

A Tour of The Metro Antiques Show in NYC January 24-27, 2013

The Metro Show was a dazzling and impressive event beautifully staged by top dealers from nearby as well as faraway places. Full of energy and creativity provided by the knowledgeable, enthusiastic specialists in art and antiques, this event is a welcome breath of fresh air, replacing the show formerly sponsored by the Museum of American Folk Art. The show has come into its own under the guidance of a professional team of organizers, retaining the best of past shows plus making new additions and greatly expanding the antiques and art show experience. Each of the various January show events in NYC has its own distinct, unique look and feel - this one is up there with the best.

The antique world's answer to Hollywood glam couples, Tim & Pam Hill,  Hill Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan, welcomed a fellow (former) Midwesterner to their outstanding gallery. Among the rare and intriguing pieces featured are a delightful painted carved folk art figure standing near an amazing pair of  carved limestone lions, circa 1870, from Southern Indiana.

Items that are guaranteed to make one smile are always a treasure to discover at antiques shows.  Also in the booth of Hill Gallery,  Bill Rauhauser's 1960's photograph entitled "Stone Burlesque, Woodward Ave, Detroit" is one of the funniest yet endearing images we have seen in along time.  

Stephen Score, sporting his all-checked ensemble, announced he had just returned from the Czech Republic. We quickly recovered our composure and admired the exciting late 19th-Century one-of-a-kind "Circles" quilt, a universe of appliqued and embroidered round motifs.

Jurassic Park was not nearly as intriguing as the enchanting booth of Il Segno Del Tempo of Milan, Italy

 whose mind boggling exhibit was both amusing and amazing.  When a dealer with imagination and a quirky eye puts together a collection of such unusual items, one is transformed way beyond the ordinary - exciting, oddball objects like a giant vintage black telephone, industrial lighting fixtures artfully hung from the ceiling to form a diagonal line, large metal letters which once lit up (and could again) to advertise "Service", an enormous carousel figure looking somewhat prehistoric - a wonderland of surprises.  Each item, some of rather humble origins, reflects the care with which it was chosen, and somehow conveys a positive message of simple, unadulterated cheer. 

Amy Finkel, the eponymous proprietor of  M. Finkel & Daughter, Philadelphia, PA, seems to have discovered the fountain of youth.  It seems like we have known Amy for many years, but looking at her today, that's impossible. Maybe being around all that school girl needlework keeps her looking like a vivacious recent graduate.  One of her numerous sold pieces was an outstanding New Jersey Sampler by Kiziah Sharp, 1825, Burlington County, complete with family history.

Jeff Bridgman of Jeff Bridgman American Antiques American Flags,  has raised the bar of historic, patriotic textile collections to extraordinary heights.  His lavish exhibit was museum-like, except better because the items were all for sale.  Detailed research information accompanies each piece, such as the elaborate silk banner with George Washington's famous "Prayer at Valley Forge" with gilded text and spectacular bullion trim in mint condition.