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.

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The NYC Pier Antique Show ended its two-day run yesterday, March 29, 2014. Attendance started out strong on Saturday, with two lines extending outdoors. Interest and sales were both good, with Saturday’s sales alone easily exceeding all of last year’s March show.

The show was noticeably smaller, with the rumor going around that there were 100 fewer dealers. It was quite evident walking around, but it was still a very nice show. I assume many dealers didn’t come back because they did poorly last year. That was certainly the case for me, but it appears that last year was a fluke. I’m guessing that part of the reason dealers did well this year was because the public’s spending power was spread over fewer dealers.

Sunday started out like a ghost town, as one would expect at 10 AM. In fact the attendance didn’t pick up noticeably until 2:30 PM and then it wasn’t as busy as Saturday. Why the promoters insist on 10 AM – 6 PM on Sunday is beyond my comprehension. 11 AM – 5 PM would result in the same business for all the dealers and a much needed rest on Sunday morning. At a minimum, the hours should be 11 AM – 6 PM. Six hours are more than enough, but seven hours seem like a reasonable compromise. Dealers, speak up if you agree with me. US Antique Shows, are you listening?

In asking around, I solicited the following comments. From Ron Greenwald, Greenwald Antiques, Cleveland, OH, a decorative arts dealer, “Our show was OK. Yesterday was exciting. Sunday was uneventful. We equaled our expectations.” Adele and Alan Grodsky, lamp and art glass dealers, Cooper City, FL, told me “The show was OK. We sold lamps and Tiffany art glass. We’re pleased with our results.” Bill Holland, hollandarts.com, Icart and Tiffany desk set dealer, West Chester, PA, was disappointed. “Fair, C-. Last year was better. I was disappointed with buying from other dealers because there were fewer.” Jeff Meyers, decorative arts dealer, Chicaloon, AK, was pleased. “The show was very good. There was a lot of interest in modern glass, especially Murano. I was happy the way the show turned out.” George Sorensen, George Sorensen Antiques, art glass dealer, Minneapolis, MN, commented “It was an average Pier show. I’m satisfied.” Ed Hill, Any Antique Will Do, silver and gold dealer, Hopkinton, RI, said “We did well. We equaled our expectations.” Virgil Rogers, Only Authentics, handbag dealer, New York, NY, was satisfied. “It was a little above average for the spring show. I’m pleased.” Personally our show was head and shoulders better than last year, so we’re pleased.

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Next we’re off to Chicago for the Garden, Antique & Design Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL, (a north suburb of Chicago), April 17-19, 2015. We’re down to only two shows in the greater Chicago area, so don’t wait for the Merchandise Mart or the Navy Pier. They don’t exist anymore. Come and visit us in Glencoe or you’ll be out of luck until we return to Winnetka in the fall.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.