The almost complete results for The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, April 26-29, 2013

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Philip Chasen

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, 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.

We received many compliments

It’s Sunday afternoon as I write this blog. The show continues today until 6 PM, and then finishes tomorrow, Monday, at 3 PM. Monday is usually a complete washout, so I don’t see any reason to delay my post until Tuesday. If anything significant happens on Monday, you’ll hear about it on Thursday.

The show started last Thursday with a very well attended preview party. Amazingly, business was good at the party, but only to my existing clients. If there were no party, they would have made the same purchases the next day. Attendance was fairly light on Friday, as the party stole much of the thunder of opening day. It continued only at a moderate pace for the entire show.

Important Daum farm scenic vase, sold at the show

Personally, my show went well, but not as I would have guessed. My best client, who I had hoped would be a substantial buyer, bought nothing. Luckily, other clients stepped up to the plate, so we’re pleased with our results. As expected, most of the action was in French glass and Tiffany lamps and glass.

In asking around to a handful of dealers, I heard the following comments. An Art Nouveau dealer, new to the show, was very pleased with his results and is looking forward to next year’s show, while a Tiffany dealer, not new to the show, reported disappointing results. A majolica dealer said she had a good show. Among general dealers, one was very happy and another unhappy. A dealer in general merchandise and jewelry said he brought less this year, but sold more jewelry. An art dealer told he made only two sales and broke even. A silver dealer was pleased that his results were much better than last year, and finally a furniture/Americana dealer was very unhappy with his results. Overall I heard more good reports than bad.

Gorgeous Gallé fuchsia blownout vase, sold at the show

Many of the dealers at the show are up in arms about the proposed Navy Pier show by the Palm Beach Show Group. PBSG intends to hold a show the same weekend as the April, 2014, Merchandise Mart show. Not sure why PBSG wants to do that, as there isn’t enough buying power in Chicago to support two major antique shows at the same time. We’ll see what shakes out.

No shows until late July, but we’re still very much in business. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair opens to the public this Friday, April 26, 2013

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Our booth is almost set up

The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair will host a preview party tonight, April 25, 2013, and then open to the public tomorrow, Friday, April 26, 2013, at 11 AM. It will continue until Monday, at 3 PM.

One of two Norman Rockwell paintings on display at M.S. Rau of New Orleans

The show looks fabulous, with the usual coterie of important national dealers. There have been some dealer changes, as always happens, but the replacement dealers are all from the A-list. The show is classy, fun, intimate,and crowd-pleasing. If you’ve never visited this show, it’s worth a trip from anywhere.

Best of France has a few unique items

I made a few inquiries about the future of the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair. Management told me the rumors of the show’s demise are untrue. They will be passing out renewal contracts on Saturday. So I stick by my opinion that the arrival of a new antique show at the Navy Pier in April, 2014, the same weekend, is a big mistake. I hope the Palm Beach Show Group will reconsider, and change their dates.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

Big goings-on at the greater Chicago antiques shows

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Philip Chasen

I completed all my plans for three back-to-back greater Chicago area antique shows in April, which included non-refundable airline, hotel and car reservations. Serendipitously, I found out that the first show, the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show, had been cancelled. I really don’t know what I would have done if I had shown up to Arlington Racetrack and found out there was no show. Mixed emotions — sorry the show was cancelled, but relieved I had enough time to change my plans.

Next, I found out that the long-time director of the Chicago Merchandise Mart Antiques Show, Laurette Lutiger, left the Mart to work for another show promoter, the Palm Beach Show Group, promoters of the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show and the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show. I wish her the best of luck in her new job.

So now our show schedule in Chicago begins with the Chicago Antiques & Garden Fair at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL. It will be our first time there. Hopefully the show will be good for us, so we can make it a regular show on our schedule. We have many clients in the greater Chicago area, so if a show fails, we need a replacement. We’re bringing an impressive group of items that will be shown for the first time in Chicago, including Tiffany lamps and glass and French cameo glass by Gallé and Daum. Please visit us at the show. It opens to the public on Friday, April 19th, at 10 AM, and continues until Sunday, April 21st, at 5 PM. Click here for more information about the show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile red Tel-El-Amarna vase

I recently listed over 15 new items, including several Tiffany lamps and vases, as well as two fine Grueby vases. Click here to view the Tiffany lamps for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Fine Galle Plum blownout vase, recently purchased

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

This superb Galle fuchsia blownout vase has great color and just arrived

The results of The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, April 27-30, 2012

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Philip Chasen

The Merchandise Mart show didn’t end until Monday, so this week’s blog was postponed until Tuesday so I could report final results. Consequently, there will be no Thursday post this week.

Tiffany 20-inch diameter Lily Pad table lamp, sold at the show

This was an interesting show. There were substantial differences between my expectations and the results. A few weeks ago at the NYC Pier Show there were lots of new people and real action that I thought would carry over to the Chicago Mart show. But it didn’t. New York seems to have recovered from the recession sooner than Chicago. There were fewer people attending than some past years and many dealers saw less business. Here are a few results.

Our booth

Personally, my show was superb — the best show I’ve had at the Mart. Sales were best in Tiffany lamps and glass, Daum Nancy French cameo glass, Icart etchings and illustrator paintings. American art pottery was slow, as well as some of the other usual suspects, like art glass shades. Most of my business came from my very loyal clients (thank you, thank you, thank you). I was gratified to see some interest and sales coming from new blood.

Lia's got a few minutes to knit during a slow period at the show

In asking around, I heard results from “poor” to “great”. What I did notice is that many of the dealers who did well are good business people. They know what to buy and how to sell. The merchandise doesn’t jump off the shelves into the client’s hands — it has to be sold. That doesn’t mean being unscrupulous, it just means convincing a client that they would be better off buying than not.

It's time to start packing up and go home

OK. Here’s some of the scuttlebutt. One silver dealer did very poorly — not sure if they even opened their books. Another silver dealer did fairly — they made their expenses and a little bit more. A major diversified dealer told me he covered his expenses (very high because of a huge booth) and earned a little because of a big jewelry sale. Another diversified dealer did very well — they have great items and know how to sell. A dealer in Russian items only did OK. A dealer in furniture and bronzes was contemplating not returning until he made a major sale on Monday. I’m happy to say he’s returning. I did hear of a few dealers who did poorly and will not be returning. A first time diverse dealer at the show who sells a lot of jewelry was one of the people who told me his results were “great”. You know he’s coming back.

Our next show won’t be until July, but we’ll still be very much in business (except for a two week well-deserved vacation). Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A wonderful Martin Brothers stoneware face jug

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair preview party is tonight, April 26, 2012

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Philip Chasen

Lia is setting up our glass and ceramics

Setup went well at the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair. We doubled the size of our booth, so we had lots of space to properly exhibit our special selection of lamps, glass, ceramics and paintings. You’ll have to come in person to see the completed fabulous display.

The Best of France has a great display of furniture and bronzes

The show is about 10% larger than before, with several exhibitors on the north side of the show floor, where previously there was no one. I walked the entire show and was blown away by what I saw.

Toulouse Antiques has fantastic paintings and 19th Century antiques

I assure you, this is one show you shouldn’t miss. The exhibitions are very high quality and very diverse. Almost everything that could interest you is on display. The show opens to the public this Friday, April 27th at 11 AM. The preview party is tonight, to invited guests. The show is killer, so make sure you come!! Then come to my booth and tell me I was right.

John Atzbach Antiques has fabulous Russian Imperial antiques

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A wonderful Martin Brothers stoneware face jug

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair opens this Friday, April 27, 2012

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Philip Chasen

The Chicago Merchandise Mart is located downtown, on the river, a few blocks from Michigan Ave.

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair opens this Friday, April 27th at 11 AM, and continues until Monday, April 30th, at 3 PM. It’s Chicago’s best antiques show and one of the best in the entire country. The quality is very high throughout, with many of the exhibitors displaying at very few shows. Some of them will travel from around the world to exhibit at this show. It’s an opportunity to see amazing exhibitions that exceed the quality and breadth of many museum’s collections.

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago will benefit from the preview party on Thursday night, April 26th. They treat people with a variety of diseases ranging from cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury to arthritis and chronic pain. Most of you know I’m not a fan of preview parties, but this one is a cut above many of the others. The Merchandise Mart treats its dealers well, unlike some other promoters. There’s plenty of food and drink for everyone. All you get at some other shows is a clear plastic box with a half sandwich, a cookie and a few grapes. I’m not joking and I’m not exaggerating. It’s shameful.

One of two Tiffany Studios 10-light lily lamps I'll have at the show

I’m bringing a fantastic assortment of Tiffany Studios lamps and glass, French cameo glass by Daum Nancy and Emile Gallé, stoneware by the Martin Brothers, superb American illustrator paintings and a large collection of Louis Icart etchings, including some very rare ones.

Fantastic original oil painting for the 1934 movie poster of East River

The show is worth a trip from anywhere, so walk, drive, fly, or do whatever it takes to visit. Chicago weather at this time of year is usually fantastic, with tulips in bloom on Michigan Avenue, although they may be finished this year because of unusually warm weather in March.

A wonderful Martin Brothers stoneware face jug

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Results of the Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show, April 29 – May 2, 2011

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Saturday afternoon in my booth

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show ended on Monday, May 2, 2011. Many of the dealers were pleased with their results, but a few were not. Following is some of the scuttlebutt.

An important Art Nouveau dealer is not returning because he did not do enough business after having exhibited at the show twice. An important dealer of Art Nouveau, 19th century and Asian antiques only had a fair show, mainly because he sold Chinese antiques to Chinese dealers. (The Chinese market is red hot because of the new wealth in China. Chinese buyers are repatriating fine Chinese antiques.) A dealer in Russian antiques only had a decent show. A dealer in French furniture and bronzes did very well, exhibiting for the first time at the show. Another dealer who deals in general, but fine antiques, did very well. An important dealer in general, but fairly unique items, only had a fair show. Another who deals in mainly 19th century fine antiques and art only had a fair show. An English dealer of silver had a very good show. A domestic dealer of silver had a barely passable show. An English dealer of ceramics and other objects barely made expenses. (Last year was much better for them.) Finally several dealers in Asian antiques did well.

One of the fine sold Daum Nancy vases -- "Rain"

Personally, my show was very good. I have to thank all of my loyal clients, who made a point of visiting my booth and purchasing from me. Interest and sales were best for Tiffany lamps and French glass by Gallé and Daum Nancy. I was disappointed that few of my sales were to new people, but thankful for the good show.

Where else but my blog can you get such accurate information about a show? NOWHERE! Most people who write about antiques have an agenda, but I don’t. I’ll tell you like it is. So have you told one of your friends to read my blog? Send them the link. http://blog.chasenantiques.com

So what was the consensus? Many dealers did OK, some did well, and others only had fair shows. I didn’t hear from a single dealer who had a great show. The best I heard was “pretty good”. Business was solid, but not ebullient. Overall, there have been better years, but almost every dealer is returning, with the exception of a few. So that means they think Chicago is a good city to exhibit and the Chicago Merchandise Mart is a good venue to exhibit. The Mart does a really fine job of making the dealers feel like they’re important. Kudos to the staff of the Merchandise Mart.

A Tiffany Studios 7-light lily lamp, similar to the one that I will be getting soon with a fine patina

I’m in the process of acquiring some wonderful Tiffany Studios lamps — a 7-light lily with beautiful shades and a fine patina, a 20″ Dragonfly and a 16″ Poinsettia. I should have them reasonably soon, so email me if you’re interested and I’ll send you photos as soon as they’re in my possession.

Check out my new Tiffany, Daum, and Gallé acquisitions. I just listed a couple of important Tiffany vases, straight from a private home. I also listed about ten Daum and Gallé vases plus about 10 Tiffany Pine Needle and Grapevine desk pieces. I’ll be listing even more Pine and Grapevine pieces within the next few days. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show preview party, April 28, 2011

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Results of the show Tuesday afternoon, as the show ends Monday, May 2.

My booth during the preview party

I started writing this blog from my booth at the preview party of The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show. I’m glad to say that I couldn’t finish writing it there because it was fairly busy later in the evening. At first there were quite a few people, but very few questions and little interest. Things picked up during the latter half of the party, resulting in a couple of sales and one item on hold. Pretty good for a preview party. The preview party in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago was also good. To the credit of the Merchandise Mart, the food and drink were excellent and plentiful, as always.

Some of the unique items in the booth of M.S. Rau of New Orleans

This is really a show you should make the time to visit. There are very few shows in the US with the same quantity and quality of dealers. M.S. Rau of New Orleans has an enormous booth filled with one-of-a-kind rarities. Green River Stone Co. has wall plaques of river animal and plant fossils over a million years old, removed directly from the river. The diversity of dealers in this show is wonderful, from Asian to art to Chanel purses to silver. There are no junk dealers in this show.

Green River Stone Co. fossils

You’ll surely like what I’ve brought, including many items which will be exhibited for the first time; European ceramics by Clement Massier, Dalpayrat, Zsolnay, and Amphora; Daum vases including a very rare and fine mushroom example, Galle vases and Icart etchings. I hope you come and visit. The hours are Friday 11 AM – 7 PM, Saturday 11 AM – 7 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 6 PM and Monday, 11 AM – 3 PM.

One of the fine new Daum Nancy vases I will be exhibiting for the first time.

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show will be open from April 29 – May 2, 2011

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Philip Chasen

The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show, April 29 - May 2, 2011

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show will open to the public on Friday, April 29 and remain open until Monday, May 2, 2011. If you only attend one antique show a year, this is the one you were waiting for.

The show is everything you would want from an antique show — it’s elegant, it’s moderately large, it has world-class exhibitors. What else? It’s in downtown Chicago, conveniently located a few blocks west of Michigan Ave, right on the river. It’s spring, so the weather will be near perfect, with fabulous floral displays around the city, especially the tulips on Michigan Ave. You can eat at some of the best restaurants in the world and shop in some of the best stores.

A superb Daum winter ewer that I'll be showing for the first time

Convinced yet? Some of the exhibitors exhibit at very few shows, so you’ll have one of the rare chances to see them. For example, M.S. Rau of New Orleans exhibits at this show and usually bring incredible items, including paintings by Norman Rockwell and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Many of the exhibitors are international, from England, France, Italy and Turkey.

Fantastic bronze grouping in the booth of Greenwald Antiques

Greenwald Antiques has one of the most fantastic items I’ve ever seen at a show. It’s an amazing 6 feet long, gilded bronze grouping of horses and a chariot by the French sculptor E. Picault, given as a gift by the citizens of a town to the local sheriff in England in 1880, with the original presentation plaque, marble base and hand-carved furniture base. It’s a show-stopper.

The show begins on Thursday evening with a preview party. I’m not a fan of preview parties, but the last one in LA was good. Maybe one day I’ll change my mind about preview parties. In the meantime, I’ll appreciate the good food and drink.

Another of the fabulous Daum vases from my buying trip

Personally, I’m bringing some of the finest items I’ve ever shown. We will have an incredible 18″ Tiffany Studios Peony table lamp with superb red flowers plus another dozen Tiffany lamps, including four floor lamps. We’re just back from a European buying trip, so we’ll have some great Daum & Gallé glass that will exhibited for the first time.

I’ll post results on Tuesday, because the show ends on Monday.

Results of the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show, April 1-3, 2011

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Setup is just beginning on Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show ended yesterday, April 3, 2011. Most of the dealers I spoke to were quite pleased with their results. One dealer who sells furniture sold quite a few pieces. Another who sells jewelry and diverse objects told me he sold a bracelet for $100,000. (I can’t verify that information, so my best guess is that he sold an expensive bracelet, but who knows the price.) I didn’t hear a single complaint from any dealer, except one, and it wasn’t really a complaint. He was just disappointed. The problem was that he’s too specialized and very few buyers showed up for his specialty.

A few of the lamps on display in my booth

Personally, the show went well for me, but with few sales. Based on the number of bona fide buyers who showed up, I should have had a really great show. Too many potential buyers were right on the fence and decided not to make a purchase. It could easily have gone the other way and then I would be raving about my great show. Oh well! I really would like to rave about my great show, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Some of the Daum Nancy glass on display in my booth.

Interest and sales was greatest in Tiffany lamps and glass. French glass was quiet at this show, but not otherwise. The French glass market, mainly Gallé and Daum Nancy glass, is quite active. Each show has a personality, depending on who shows up. This time the Tiffany buyers showed up.

It’s sad to see that the show is shrinking. There was the bare minimum number of dealers for a show. Unfortunately, if the show shrinks any more, there won’t be a show. I’m hoping that the dealers who did well will tell their friends to exhibit there the next time and the show will expand. There are so many good buyers in the area, it would be a serious shame if the show were to close. Are you dealers reading this? Call Shawn Hastings and sign up for the next Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show in October. (618) 444-2803. Unfortunately I won’t be at Arlington this coming October because it conflicts with the Fall edition of the Merchandise Mart Antiques Show in downtown Chicago. They’re the same weekend. Bummer! I would love to exhibit at one show and then do the other show the following week. I hope that Shawn can change his dates.

Merchandise Mart Antiques Show, April 29 - May 2, 2011

We’ll be back soon in the Chicago area for the Spring edition of the Merchandise Mart Antiques Show. It will start on Friday, April 29, 2011 and end on Monday, May 2, 2011. Before then we’ll be exhibiting at the Los Angeles Antiques Show at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Air Center, April 14 to April 17. Then we’re going on a buying trip, so we should have some very fine new items for the Merchandise Mart Show, especially French Cameo Glass. Make the time to come and visit the show. It’s one of the best in the entire United States, so it’s worth a trip from anywhere.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: Merchandise Mart Antiques Fair

The almost complete results for The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, April 26-29, 2013

The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair opens to the public this Friday, April 26, 2013

Big goings-on at the greater Chicago antiques shows

The results of The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, April 27-30, 2012

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair preview party is tonight, April 26, 2012

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair opens this Friday, April 27, 2012

Results of the Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show, April 29 – May 2, 2011

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show preview party, April 28, 2011

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show will be open from April 29 – May 2, 2011

Results of the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show, April 1-3, 2011