The results of the AVENUE Antiques at the Armory show, September 22-25, 2011

The view from my booth on Sunday, 2:20 PM

I have less time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world since the fall shows started, so 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.

After an early sale on Friday, Tony had time for a nap.

It’s 2:45 PM on Sunday and as of this moment, the show has not gone well. Gross sales have barely exceeded expenses. If I had elected not to do the show and instead stayed home and intentionally smashed a vase or two, I would have been ahead of the game. I would have saved six days of work, which included setting up the show for a day and a half, and 31½ hours of exhibiting over four days. That doesn’t count employees, gas, parking, tolls and various other expenses.

Just purchased -- a rare and fine Daum blackbird 3¾" vase

It’s a shame, because it’s a very nice show. Show management has been very friendly, helpful and professional. The show looks great. My booth location is perfect. Everything was in place to have a good show, but it didn’t happen. If expenses had been low, the results would have been acceptable, but they weren’t. I needed to sell twice as much to break even and more than that to earn anything. The purpose of exhibiting at a high-end show is to find clients who I couldn’t find otherwise and that didn’t happen either. Most of the few sales that I made were to existing clients.

Wayne Newton

A few famous people came through the show. Barbara Streisand attended the preview party. Wayne Newton was in and liked a Pairpoint puffy. His wife quickly put a stop to that. Jaclyn Smith was in and said hello.

In asking around, most of the dealers I spoke to were disappointed with their results. Two dealers I spoke to were very pleased. One glass and lamp dealer told me he had a very good day on Sunday when he sold a couple of lamps and had a wonderful show. One of the best dealers in the show said he sold an expensive painting on Sunday, so he ended up with a good show.

In October, we’ll be traveling to Chicago for the Arlington Racetrack Antiques Show and the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism show. We have wonderful clients in the greater Chicago area, so we’re looking forward to being there.

The best Daum scenic blownout vase

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update often. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Melody Hour and Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The AVENUE Antiques at the Armory preview party, September 21, 2011

Setup on Tuesday

I’m writing this blog post while sitting in my booth at the AVENUE Antiques at the Armory preview party. I haven’t had much time recently to write a Thursday blog, but I do now.

24 hours later

It’s interesting to compare the preview parties of different antique shows in different cities. The biggest similarity is that most of the attendees are not interested in purchasing antiques. They are there for the event — to see and be seen. It’s a nice social event where you get free food and liquor. Many times they benefit a charity. The part I haven’t figured out is how they benefit the exhibitors. Occasionally I will make a sale at a preview party, but it’s the exception, not the rule.

Barbra Streisand in my booth

Attendance at this party was outstanding. I haven’t seen so many well-to-do, well-dressed people in one place at the same time, in a long time. I didn’t recognize most of the people, but you could tell that many were wealthy and/or powerful. Barbra Streisand was here, but she didn’t purchase anything. I wish the attendees were more of a buying crowd, but unfortunately total sales for the party were $325.

Part of the tremendous crowd

For exhibitors, this is a very expensive show. I will have to sell quite a bit just to cover my costs. I have no idea how it will go, but I have my fingers crossed. If I do well, I’ll try it again. If not, goodbye to the AVENUE show. I’ll let you know the results on Monday.

The best Daum scenic blownout vase

Check my website daily this week. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Melody Hour and Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The AVENUE Antiques at the Armory show opens this Thursday, September 22, 2011 and runs until Sunday

I have less time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world since the fall shows started, so 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.

The AVENUE show will be open September 22-25, 2011

The AVENUE Antiques at the Armory show is one of New York City’s finest antique shows. This will be my first time there. I visited the show last spring and it looked great. Check back on Monday and I’ll let you know how I did. In the meantime, I’ve got my fingers crossed.

A killer Daum fall scenic boudoir table lamp

If you follow my blog, you know that we’ve been working hard to bring you the finest selection of antiques we’ve ever brought to a show. Some of the new items that we’ve just acquired are a great selection of Tiffany lamps, including a Dragonfly, a Tulip, a Pansy and a 10-light lily.

A rare and very fine Daum swan tumbler

In French glass, we’ll be bringing the best Daum boudoir lamp ever; a Daum scenic blownout vase; a gorgeous Gallé blue floral vase and several wonderful miniature Daum vases, including a rare rain scenic.

A Gallé floral vase with extraordinary color

The show opens on Wednesday evening, with a preview party (always my favorite, UGH!). The one at the LA Antiques Show was good, so maybe I shouldn’t be such a skeptic. There will be plenty of competition at the show, so hopefully there will be enough motivated buyers to go around. Wish me luck!

The best Daum scenic blownout vase

Check my website daily this week. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Melody Hour and Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com