My booth at the Merchandise Mart Show, April 29, 2010

The Merchandise Mart Antiques Show opened tonight with a preview party. Attendance was good, with well-dressed attendees, many dressed to the nines. As is usual, preview parties are not for business, but rather for socializing. Tonight was no different. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago was the charity that was the beneficiary of the evening’s giving. There seemed to be little interest in antiques, except from a couple of serious clients, who would have made purchases even if there were no preview party. (A big thank you to them.)

The Merchandise Mart Antiques Show preview party, April 29, 2010

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I’m not a fan of preview parties. But since I have to attend many of them, I know the good ones. So how does the Merchandise Mart preview compare? Very well, thank you. The food was generous and very tasty, the bars well-stocked and unlimited. So, if I must attend a preview party, at least let it be a good one.

I’m optimistic that business will be good at this show. The antiques market is quite solid at the moment, based on business at shows, but more importantly at auctions. The auction business has been really solid for quite a while. The Mart show ends on Monday, so I’ll post results on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

I’ve taken a lot of time to add new items to my website. 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.