The results of the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair, April 11-13, 2014

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Philip Chasen

There was a long line of cars to get in on Friday morning

The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair was held this past weekend, April 11-13, 2014, under the management of Stella Shows. The weather was considerably improved over last year, with mild temperatures in the 60s and 70s and not too much rain. You might remember there was terrible flooding last year at this time.

At times it was busy in the booth on Saturday

This year our booth was an end cap in one of the permanent buildings, Nichols Hall. It made a big difference, as we didn’t have to worry about the weather, the humidity, and the shaky floors of the tent. Attendance was strong on Friday at the opening, but it didn’t help business. Most of the attendees were women gardeners, more interested in the gardening section of the show. By the afternoon, the crowd had changed and we did some business, including some new clients. Saturday was better, with business from our existing clients and a new one. Attendance and interest was off on Sunday, but we did a little business. Overall, the show was fine — not a barn burner, but certainly worth the time, expense and effort. We’ll be back next year.

The last show of the season will start in 10 days, at Chicago’s Navy Pier. It will be the first time in Chicago for the Palm Beach Show Group, but if history is any indication, the show will be a good one. The Palm Beach Show Group knows how to promote a show, so there will be plenty of advertising, publicity and free tickets. I’m sure attendance will be great and hopefully sales will be commensurate. The show opens with a fabulous preview party on the night of Thursday, April 24th, that I just can’t wait for. (Somebody should create a new symbol to indicate sarcasm. Wouldn’t that be cool?) The show opens to the public on Friday, April 25th at 11 AM and continues until Monday, April 28th at 4 PM. This is one show you will not want to miss, with some of the country’s most important exhibitors. It will take the place of the Merchandise Mart Antique Show, which closed.

This rare R. Lalique blue Piriac vase is a recent purchase

Click here to view my new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps

Lamps sell well at Cottone’s Fine Art & Antiques Auction, March 29, 2014

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Cottone Auctions held a Fine Art & Antiques sale on March 29, 2014, with stellar results. The offerings were eclectic, so I’ll only cover the lamps.

Fine Tiffany Studios 20″ Daffodil table lamp, Cottone lot #248

Top lot of the lamps went to #248, a Tiffany Studios 20″ Daffodil table lamp, estimated at $35,000 – $45,000. It sold for $49,500, near the high estimate, including the buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 10″ Favrile table lamp, Cottone lot #260

A Tiffany Studios Favrile glass table lamp brought a strong price. It had a pretty 10″ King Tut decorated shade on a very simple base. Estimated to sell for $5,000 – $8,000, it easily exceeded its high estimate to sell for $12,400. My guess is that someone wanted the shade for a better base, perhaps a floor lamp.

Handel Jungle Birds boudoir table lamp, Cottone lot #260

A nice Handel boudoir lamp with jungle birds sold for a strong $5,600, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $4,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You can choose the categories at the top of the page.

Remember the Antiques and Garden Fair at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL, opens this Friday, April 11, at 10 AM, and closes on Sunday, April 13, at 5 PM. It’s a lovely show that you’ll be glad you attended. We’ll have our new purchases from our European buying trip for sale at the show, as well as some great domestic purchases. Tune in Monday for the results of the show.

This rare R. lalique blue Piriac vase is a recent purchase

The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair opens this Friday, April 11, 2014

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair in Glencoe opens this Friday, April 11, 2014, at 10 AM, and continues until Sunday, April 13, 2014, at 5 PM. It’s a fun show you’ll be glad you attended, with a great variety of plants, garden items and antiques. The weather is forecast to be much better this year than last year when we had flooding from the extreme rain.

This is the first show for our Tiffany 17″ Dragonfly

We recently went on a European buying trip and purchased some lovely glass. Additionally, we were able to buy some great items domestically. We’re going to have all of them for sale at the show, including Daum, Gallé and Tiffany glass; several nice Tiffany lamps, including a gorgeous 17″ Dragonfly with the most beautiful purple bodies, blue wings and turquoise jeweled eyes; several new Icarts, including Sheherazade, Sapho and Sofa, and lots of other items, too numerous to mention.

We’ll have this wonderful, rare Daum vase for sale at the show.

Last year we exhibited in one of the tents, which was quite challenging. The weather was a huge problem, with all of the rain and humidity, but the biggest problem was the shaking from the wooden floors of the tent. This year we’re in one of the permanent buildings, in a larger booth, so our display should be fabulous. If you’re in the greater Chicago area, this is one show that’s worth the trip. Please stop in, say hi, and take a look at our great items, all for sale!

Make sure you tune into this Thursday’s blog about some great results at Cottone’s recent sale. Next Monday’s post will let you know the results of this Botanic Gardens show.

This rare R. lalique blue Piriac vase is a recent purchase

The results of the NYC Pier Antique Show, March 29-30, 2014

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM in front of my booth

This was the second time the NYC Pier Antique Show was conducted under the management of U.S. Antique Shows. Last November’s show was decent for us. This one was worse than last March, when we had a bad show. Ugh! I have a couple of possibilities of selling some important items after the show is over, but I never count my chickens until they’re hatched.

Saturday was a rough day. Attendance was moderate, interest was fair, and sales were nowhere to be had. Strange. Last March was awful, followed by the November Pier show, which was significantly better. I never used to notice a substantial difference between the fall and the spring shows, but it seems to be coming clear. Regardless of the season, New Yorkers are tough. I guess they’re jaded, because so much is available. There are many shows, shops and auctions. Most of the time I’m happy to exhibit in other cities where the folks are more interested and appreciative of the efforts made to come to their city.

Attendance was pretty light at 3:30 PM on Sunday

Sunday wasn’t much better. There were fewer people, but slightly better interest. We ended up having a poor show that didn’t even cover our expenses. On the plus side, we bought a few items during setup from other dealers that should give us a decent profit when they’re sold. So if we look at the total picture, eventually it won’t be a losing show.

I was an unhappy camper this time, so I didn’t ask too many people for their results. Here’s what I saw and heard. An art dealer did very poorly and left the show early. From a lamp dealer “Not very good.” Another lamp dealer told me he sold a lamp at the last minute, so he made a profit. A Midwest general dealer said he had a fine show and hoped to do as well in Chicago in a couple of weeks. And finally, a California dealer in carnival glass and Hummels told me he made money. It was his first time at the show.

This rare R. lalique blue Piriac vase is a recent purchase

Next up will be the Chicago Botanic Garden Show in Glencoe, IL, April 11-13. It will be our second time there. Last year we exhibited in one of the many tents erected for the show. It was really tough, with the weather and shaking lamps and showcases. This year we’ll be in one of the permanent buildings, in a large booth. It should be nice. We’ll have our new purchases from our European buying trip for sale at the show, as well as some great domestic purchases.

We'll have this wonderful Le Verre Francais pitcher at the Chicago Botanic Garden Show

The NYC Pier Antique Show opens this coming Saturday, March 29, 2014

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The NYC Pier Antique Show opens to the public this coming Saturday, March 29th, at 10 AM and continues until Sunday, March 30th, at 6 PM. The show is located at Pier 94, W.55th St. and the Hudson River. Since the show is only two days long, the action happens faster than at longer shows. It’s great for the dealers – two days and the results are in. The show is very diverse with items ranging from vintage clothing, jewelry, collectibles, silver and Asian, to the best French and American art glass and lamps (me!).

There was a big line out the door before opening last year

Buyers travel great distances to visit the show from as far away as Japan and Europe. We’ve also sold to Americans from all over the US. Not many shows are worth the trip from almost anywhere, but this one is. My booth is near the entrance, so you can’t miss me. Please stop in and introduce yourself.

Gallé blownout vase — one of the great new items we’ll have at the show.

I’m bringing the new items we bought on our European buying trip, as well our great selection of French cameo glass, Tiffany glass and lamps and much more. Make plans to visit the show and play in the Big Apple. We did our part. We just saw Denzel Washington in “A Raisin in the Sun” and it was great!

In front of our booth last year

This Thursday’s blog will be about the great results of the art glass sale at Woody’s Auction this past week and next Monday’s post will report the results of the show.

Click here to view my site and look around. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add new items including Tiffany vases and lamps, and French cameo glass by Galle, Daum Nancy, Argy-Rousseau and A. Walter. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show.

The results of the Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21-23, 2014

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Grove Park Inn

The Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference ended its 27th edition yesterday, after a three-day run from February 21-23, 2014. Personally, our show was very mediocre. We made expenses and a ham sandwich, but not much else. We did enough business for a local show with low expenses, but not for a long-distance show with higher expenses. Based on the wonderful response from the public, it should have been a great show, but it wasn’t. We haven’t exhibited at Grove Park Inn since 2010, so I think the public wasn’t prepared for us.

It wasn't as crowded on Saturday afternoon as it was on opening day, Friday

This show is different from any other we do. It’s contained within the grounds of the beautiful and historic Grove Park Inn, so the audience is captive. The attendees are self-selected, highly motivated, enthusiastic and appreciative. Most of them have registered in advance and many have flown or driven large distances. That’s a big difference, as most of the shows we do are local. We’ve received more compliments from the public than at most other shows, but as much as we appreciate them, they don’t pay the bills.

We sold this beautiful Amphora Allegory of France vase at the show

Here is another important difference. The hours of the show are wonderful — five hours on Friday, starting at 1 PM, six hours on Saturday, starting at noon, and finally five hours on Sunday, starting at 11 AM. That’s more than enough time for the public to view everything and make up their minds, plus it’s great for the dealers. Some shows have 10-hour days — good for beating a dead horse.

This great Argy-Rousseau Poppy vase is a recent purchase

We get a one month break now until our next show, the NYC Pier Antique Show, March 29-30, 2014. That’s always fun and exciting, so make your plans to come to the Big Apple. In the meantime, we’ll be out and about looking for more treasures to offer for sale.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

The results of the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, February 15-18, 2014

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Preview night in front of our booth

The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show ended yesterday, after a four-day run from February 15-18, 2014. The preview party was held on Friday night and unfortunately we had to suffer through it. Attendance was moderate, with some interested clients, but no sales. What else is new? Apparently all the A-list Palm Beachers were at another party — the Heart Ball at The Breakers. Oops!

There were times when it was busy in our booth

Personally we had a very good show, better than our other two Florida shows, but with its own unique set of highs and lows. Set-up was very aggravating as we had no electricity for most of the time. Repeated attempts to have our electricity hooked up only resulted in increased frustration, even though we had properly placed our electrical order well in advance of the show. Then we had a client purchase a Tiffany lamp on Monday, only to call on Tuesday to cancel the sale. Ugh!! But even with these foibles, we’re very pleased. We sold fewer items than in Miami Beach, but better items, so total sales were up.

Attendance was down from last year, through no fault of the promoter. When do you see billboards on the side of the road announcing an antique show? When do you see full page ads in newspapers? The Palm Beach Show Group knows how to promote a show. Other promoters could take a few lessons from them. Lower attendance did not hurt our show, as the right people showed up. My guess is that many people were stuck up north because of the severe weather. Jeffrey Purtell, the well-known Steuben dealer, paid for a booth at the show and couldn’t make it. He got stuck in New Jersey on the way down. Sorry, Jeff, I feel bad for you. If you read my blog, you’ll remember that we almost got stuck up north four years ago during a nor’easter, but did manage to make it to the show. (Click here if you want to read about that adventure.)

This great Argy-Rousseau Poppy vase is a recent purchase

As you read this, we’re racing up to Asheville, NC for the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference this coming weekend, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t exhibit again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

Setting up at the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, February 13-14, 2014

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Philip Chasen

This is what our booth looks like during setup

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. My next post will be on Wednesday, not Monday, to coincide with the end of the Palm Beach show.

Cohen & Cohen have a beautiful display

We’re in the process of setting up the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show. The show is gorgeous, with unbelievable displays, white carpeting, flowers and no overhead lights — great for a lamp dealer like me. The public will love what they see. There are important dealers here, who exhibit at very few shows each year.

Daniel’s Antiques has a wonderful, unusual display

The preview party is tonight. I’m looking forward to it. (NOT!) It’s rare that I make a sale at a preview party and it’s my belief that preview parties steal the thunder from opening day. But there’s no convincing show promoters that they don’t accomplish much, if anything, so I’ll just keep bitching on my blog. I’ll report next Wednesday on the results of the show and the preview party. Wish me luck!

A.B. Levy has a beautiful booth

It’s not too late to visit the show, as it ends next Tuesday. It’s a great show, worth a drive or a flight from anywhere. Did I mention the temperature is forecast to be 75° to 80° for the next 10 days? Please introduce yourself to me when you arrive.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

After the show, we’ll leave Palm Beach quickly and head to Asheville, NC for the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t exhibit again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return.

This great Argy-Rousseau Poppy vase is a recent purchase

The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show begins this Saturday, February 15, 2014

Posted on February 10, 2014 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. My next post will be this Friday during set-up at the Palm Beach show (up by noon). The following post will be next Wednesday, not Monday, to coincide with the end of the Palm Beach show.

In front of our booth

The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show opens to the public this Saturday, February 15, 2014, at 11 AM, and continues until Tuesday, February 18, 2014, at 6 PM. Prior to the Saturday opening, there will be a preview party on Friday evening — boy, oh, boy! My favorite! Does the sarcasm come through in print? :>(

The aisles were jammed

This is the one show of the year that reminds me of shows from 25 years ago. Attendance is unbelievable, with packed aisles. Unfortunately for the dealers, many of the people are just there for a good time, and a good time it is! The quality of the items on display in Palm Beach is always spectacular, with the best dealers from all over the world. And it’s better than a museum, because you can touch the items and get answers from experts. It’s no wonder that so many people enjoy attending a good antique show with no intention of purchasing anything.

M.S. Rau of New Orleans will be one of the high end dealers at the show

The public needs to realize that there would be no show if everyone were just looking. An antique show is a business, the same as any other business. Those businesses that don’t turn a profit fail. It’s really amazing to me how many people don’t understand that. I’ve been asked the following question more than a few times. “Are these items for sale?” Yes, they are, and I’d love for you to purchase one of them!

You have a promise from me. If you visit the show, you will not be disappointed! It’s a great show, worth a drive or a flight from anywhere. Did I mention the temperature is forecast to be 75° to 80° for the next 10 days? Please introduce yourself to me when you arrive.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

This great Argy-Rousseau Poppy vase is a recent purchase

The results of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 30 – February 3, 2014

Posted on February 4, 2014 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. There will be no Thursday post this week because this post was published on Tuesday.

There was a good crowd on line at the opening on Thursday

The Original Miami Beach Antique Show ended yesterday, after a five-day run from January 30 – February 3, 2014. Opening day attendance was up 20% over last year and overall attendance improved.

We sold this important Daum blackbird vase at the show

Personally our show was mediocre, compared to last year. We sold plenty of items, but the average selling price was down, resulting in lower gross sales. Of all of our categories, French glass sold best.

Some of the beautiful Tiffany and Pairpoint lamps for sale in our booth

In asking around, I got the following comments from dealers. “Much better than last year” from a southern dealer in general antiques; “As good or better than last year” from a dealer in Asian antiques; “I’m very pleased” from a dealer specializing in Austrian Art Nouveau and Deco; from a dealer in 19th Century decorative arts “7 on a 1-10 scale, but happy with what we did”; from a California decorative arts dealer, “Business was brisk, but off 20% from last year. It’s still twice as good as any California show.”; a perfume bottle and Art Deco dealer commented “Just OK. I’m seriously thinking of not coming back next year.”; from a dealer in painted lamps “OK. Not a bang-up show”; “Not over the top, but OK” was the comment from a dealer in minerals and Lalique glass; “I had a good show, better than last year” from a dealer in silver; and finally “Better than last year” from an Argentine decorative arts dealer.

Next year’s show will start on a Saturday and run through Wednesday. Not sure why, but that’s what’s planned as of now. The show will close at 10 PM on opening day, instead of the usual 8 PM, to give religious Jewish vendors a chance to sell on Saturday after the Sabbath ends. The new days and hours will be strange, but I don’t think they will hurt business. The following year, 2016, the show returns to the normal Thursday opening.

We’ll have this great Daum scenic blownout vase at the Palm Beach show

We’re off to the Naples area for a few days of R&R before we get to Palm Beach for the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, starting on February 15. While we’re in Naples, we’ll check out the Naples Art, Antique and Jewelry Show. If we like what we see, we’ll exhibit there next year. We’ll end our southern swing with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago but couldn’t exhibit again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return.

Andre Gisson painting with rare balloon subject matter

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Antique shows

The results of the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair, April 11-13, 2014

Lamps sell well at Cottone’s Fine Art & Antiques Auction, March 29, 2014

The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair opens this Friday, April 11, 2014

The results of the NYC Pier Antique Show, March 29-30, 2014

The NYC Pier Antique Show opens this coming Saturday, March 29, 2014

The results of the Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21-23, 2014

The results of the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, February 15-18, 2014

Setting up at the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, February 13-14, 2014

The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show begins this Saturday, February 15, 2014

The results of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 30 – February 3, 2014