Saturday afternoon in my booth

I’d like to explain how we arrived at the results for this show, starting with the preview party. Don’t get me started on preview parties, or I’m likely to tell you how they are a waste of a dealer’s time; how I feel used because preview parties are not for selling but for the promoters to have a social occasion; how hot the room was, and what a bad mood I was in during and after the party. But since you didn’t get me started, I won’t mention it.

Friday was the first day of the show. Luckily the room had cooled down, so the temperature was comfortable for most of the day. Our room was in a corner of the building, so I think many of the attendees never even made it to our room. Attendance was light, mostly single older women, who did not seem to be interested in purchasing anything. And guess what? They didn’t. Friday was a long day from noon to 8 PM, with nothing of significance happening the entire day. It’s tough sitting there all day, waiting for something to happen, and trying to relieve the boredom. Someone remarked that this is a weekend show, meaning that attendance and action should get better on Saturday.

The weather was cooperative on Saturday — chilly and raining a little — perfect weather for an indoor activity, like visiting an antique show. Attendance did pick up significantly, with mostly couples. By the middle of Saturday afternoon, I hadn’t sold a single item. I broke the ice with the sale of a book. OK, at least the ice was broken. Next a decent sale, but to a client of mine, not a new one from the Winnetka area. Finally, later in the day, more of our clients showed up and purchased several items. Sooo, a decent day as far as sales, but not a good one for the show, because these were already my clients. As of Saturday afternoon, we weren’t coming back to the show. Not to mention the unnecessarily long day from 10 AM – 6 PM. Six hours would have been plenty for the public and kind to the dealers.

I expected equal attendance on Sunday, but I suspect it was a little lighter than Saturday. Didn’t know what to expect. I thought we could sell from zero to a more substantial number. What did happen was a couple of decent sales to new people — just what the doctor ordered. So now we’ll probably come back to try the show one more time, if they change our booth location to a more central one.

Argy-Rousseau moth paperweight

Interest and sales were mostly items from the cabinets — no lamps or artwork. The only exception was the fabulous Ernst Wahliss sculpture of three witches on a broom, that I was showing for the first time. My clients were thrilled to get it and I was thrilled to sell it — it’s fragile and very difficult to transport and set up.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. I’ve listed another ten items in the last couple of days, including art pottery. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com

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