The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 21-25, 2010
The Original Miami Beach Antique, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, opens to the public this Thursday at noon and will continue until Monday, January 25, 2010. It’s a huge show that attracts both exhibitors and attendees from all over the world. There’s always a lot of action, with millions of dollars of merchandise changing hands. Many dealers save their best items just for this show. Give yourself at least two days to see everything.
It’s nice to be able to exhibit at two shows in the same city, back to back. In Miami, it’s almost like exhibiting in two different cities. First comes the Miami National Antiques Show at the Miami Merchandise Mart near the airport. This year the show went well, even with light attendance. That show mostly attracts locals, with a few travelers arriving early to shop the show, before the big show the following week at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The Convention Center show is much bigger, with many more exhibitors and attendees. The merchandise is all fresh to the new arrivals and that’s very important. It’s also a big advantage to be able to divide the travel costs over two shows. And what’s better than being in Miami for two weeks in the middle of the winter?
The level of competition amongst dealers buying from each other during setup is a good indication of business in general. This year the dealers seemed more restrained than in recent years. Plenty of items changed hands, but not with the usual level of intensity. I personally walked the entire show several times and didn’t buy as much as I usually do. However, I do expect that the show will be good this year, based on the level of interest from the attendees at the Miami National Antiques Show.
News of the results early next week.
I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.
Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.
Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com