The summer show season will end with the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair this week, Thursday, August 25 – Sunday, August 28. The fall season will begin with the AVENUE show at the Park Avenue Armory on Thursday, September 22nd. Since I have less time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world, I am posting new blog entries once or twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. If you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.
Sunday afternoon, about 2 PM
What a difference a day (city) makes! (Click this link to sing the song along with me and Dinah Washington.) The difference between Southern California and Rosemont, IL, is much greater than the 2000 miles that separates them. Changing cities from Pasadena to Rosemont felt more like changing decades, not cities. Although attendance wasn’t great, those who did attend were serious. Most of the dealers I spoke to were very pleased with their results. Personally, I had an excellent show, with the most interest and sales in Tiffany lamps and French cameo glass — the same areas that have been strong for a long time. One furniture dealer told me he didn’t do well, but that seems to be a trend that is continuing. Buyers prefer newer designs, by artists like Sam Maloof and George Nakashima. Their works continue to sell well, especially at auction.
My booth at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show
Serendipitously, the ANA annual coin show was held at exactly the same time as the antique show, in the same building. Most coin dealers I know are bored with coins, but they love antiques. They visited the antique show and made more than a few dealers happy. Next August, the ANA show will be held in Philadelphia, but the following four years, the ANA show will be held in Rosemont. Rosemary Krieger, the promoter of the antique show, told me that she has linked her show dates from 2013 – 2016 to the coin show. It’s a great idea and all the exhibiting dealers will benefit. For those dealers who have stopped exhibiting in Rosemont in August, I suggest you change your minds and try it again. You missed out on a good show this time.
The Baltimore Inner Harbor at night
Now we’re on our way to Baltimore for the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show. It’s the biggest and the best show of the summer, and one of the best of the year. First, it’s huge. Second, it’s deep in quality. Third, it’s held at the Baltimore Convention Center, in the heart of the Inner Harbor — a great area for restaurants, shops, museums, hotels, and the National Aquarium. Buyers fly in from all over the world, including Japan and Europe, to attend this show. If you were hesitating, don’t. Make your plans and come. The show is open from this Thursday, August 25th, at noon, to Sunday, August 28th, at 6 PM. (The Yankees will be in town and you can see them against the Orioles in Camden Yards, just a couple of blocks away.)
Killer Tiffany Studios 7-light lily lamp with great shades and patina