Setting up at the NYC Big Flea Market, September 24, 2015

Posted on September 25, 2015 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.

I’ve got the whole crew setting up our booth

Yesterday was the first day of setup for the NYC Big Flea Market at Pier 94. The first day went smoothly except for getting to the Pier. Unfortunately we got stuck in traffic due to the Pope’s visit, so we were delayed starting. After that, everything went well. We should have the booth looking great for the Saturday morning start.

Another view of the setup in progress

Last year we met quite a few new people at the show. Even though the venue is the same as the November Pier Antiques Show, the promoters use different advertising and publicity, attracting different people. Hopefully the same will happen this year and we’ll make sales to new clients (but all old clients are welcomed and encouraged). The show opens at 9 AM on Saturday and closes at 5 PM on Sunday. The Pope will be gone by Saturday, so traffic should be back to normal. Hope to see you there!

We’ll have this great Daum Nancy Winter lamp at the show

Tune in Monday for the results.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

The NYC Big Flea Market opens this weekend, September 26-27, 2015

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Philip Chasen

The NYC Big Flea Market will open to the public this coming Saturday, September 26th, at 9 AM and close on Sunday, September 27th, at 5 PM. The show is an offshoot of the DC Big Flea Market by promoter D’Amore Promotions. It will be held at Pier 94, 54th St. and the Hudson River, on Manhattan’s West Side. This is the same facility where the customary Pier Antiques Show takes place twice a year in November and March.

Last year on Saturday afternoon in front of my booth

Last year was the first time for the show and it worked out well for us. Attendance was good, interestingly with mostly different people than the usual Pier Antique shows, probably due to the different advertising and promotion. That’s a good thing. I don’t want to see the same people in the same facility in September and again in November. Last year we made some nice sales and had a profitable show.

We’ll have this fabulous B&S Orchids vase at the show

We’re bringing a really great selection of American and French glass and lamps by Tiffany Studios, Daum Nancy and Gallé, to name just a few. It will be worth your time and effort to visit this new and different show. Many of the dealers don’t ordinarily exhibit in New York, so the displays will be totally different.

Thursday’s blog will be delayed until Friday, so I can post from the show floor and next Monday’s blog will have the results!

In the more sad news category, I learned of the death of Don Williams, veteran antique show dealer, who passed away on September 16, 2015. I tried to find an image of Don, but he was old school, so he’s not on the Internet. He was a gentleman and will be missed.

The results of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 20-23, 2015

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Philip Chasen

There was a pretty good crowd at the opening on Thursday

It’s Saturday night as I begin to write this blog. The show has gone very well to this point. We did solid business each of the first three days of the show and are hoping to end with a bang, not a whimper. French glass and American lamps sold best.

Sunday afternoon in my booth

Saturday morning I gave a PowerPoint presentation on French cameo glass to the Open Salt Collectors of the Atlantic Region (OSCAR) and Central Atlantic Salt Collectors (CASC), which I think was well received.

We sold this beautiful Gallé blownout Fuchsia vase at the show

Attendance at the show has been steady and interest has been terrific. Lots of questions and lots of be-backs. Sales in our booth are well ahead of last year, but behind two years ago. 🙂

Update, Sunday 6 PM. The show has closed and Sunday was a bore. Attendance was off and interest was way down. We did make a couple of small sales to add to our fine show, so we’re more than pleased, but we did end with a whimper. 🙁

I asked around and got the following comments from fellow dealers. David Kozloff and Mark Meaders, general line dealers from Pittsburgh, PA, said “We’re satisfied, but it’s not like the old days.” Joe DelGuidice, general line dealer from Royal Oak, MI, told me “Not very well. Not like the usual. No retail, just dealer business.” Bizarre Bazaar of New York City commented “It was good. We’re happy we came back to exhibit. We haven’t been here for years. We’ll be back next year.” Matt Baer of Marvin Baer’s Ivory Tower, dealers in Asian antiques, Ridgewood, NJ, were pleased. “Sales were good. Traffic was steady throughout the show except Sunday. We did about the same as last year. The buyers were knowledgeable and interested. We thought the gate was up.” George Sorensen, French cameo glass dealer, Ham Lake, MN, was happy. “It was a good show. I did better than last year.” Steve Morrow, art glass dealer, Hedrick, IA, told me “It was another nice show. I did well with a knowledgeable crowd.” Ron and Robin Greenwald, decorative arts dealers, Cleveland, OH, said “We did fine. We were surprised that some things we thought would sell didn’t, but others we thought wouldn’t did.” Jack and Thea Ophir, Ophir Antiques, Tiffany dealers, Englewood, NJ, were disappointed. “We had a fair show. We sold a Majorelle salon set, a Tiffany lamp and a few Tiffany perfume bottles, but we didn’t do as well as last year.” John Atzbach, Russian arts dealer, Redmond, WA, commented “We did well, better than last year”. Finally three dealers who didn’t do well declined to comment, rather than have their names associated with negative comments.

nyc-big-flea-9-2015 Our next show will be The Big Flea Market at Pier 94 in New York City, September 26-27. Last year was the first time for this show and it was good. The attendees were completely different than the established Pier Antique Show that takes place in November and March each year, making it a totally different experience.

Setting up at the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 18-19, 2015

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Setup was just beginning

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show begins today, August 20, 2015, as you read this post. Setup went smoothly and the booth looks great.

I just bought this large, killer B&S internally decorated vase with orchids

I was able to purchase several wonderful Daum, Gallé and B&S vases during setup, which I’ll have at the show. Early buying is one of the advantages of being an exhibitor, which sometimes can make up for a poor show.

Another of the wonderful items I purchased at the show

I’ve got my fingers crossed that the show will go well, but it’s not up to me. I did my best to gather the finest items. Now it’s up to the public. Tune in Monday for the show results.

On a sad note, I have to report two deaths. James (Jimmy) Roush, 70, and Sig Monroe, 77, both of cancer. They will be missed.

Our next show will be The Big Flea Market at Pier 94 in New York City, September 26-27. Last year was the first time for this show and it was good. The attendees were completely different than the established Pier Antique Show that takes place in November and March each year, making it a totally different experience.

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show begins this Thursday, August 20, 2015

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Last year in our booth

The much anticipated Baltimore Summer Antiques Show is finally upon us, opening to the public this Thursday at noon and continuing until Sunday at 6 PM. It’s one of the largest and best shows of the year. Think of it as the Miami Beach show of the summer. Both exhibitors and attendees come from all over the world, including Europe, South America and Japan. If you’re just a mere 3000 miles away, it’s not too far.

We’ll have this rare Daum Nancy Rooster vase at the show

There’s still plenty of time to make arrangements to visit the show. I like to use Hotwire for the best deals on hotels. I just checked a 3-day stay in the Baltimore Inner Harbor area (right by the show), starting on Thursday and departing on Sunday and found a 4-star boutique hotel for $73/night. It doesn’t get any better than that. So what’s your excuse?

You can even get a free ticket to the show by clicking on the image above. First locate the Enter promotional code, which you’ll find just above the Order Now button. Then enter the code PBSG15 in the box. Hit Apply and then register. You’ll receive one free ticket to the show.

Inside the National Aquarium

Some of you may remember the unrest in Baltimore a few months ago. You don’t have to be concerned as it’s totally quiet now and never was near the Inner Harbor in the first place. Be calm and you’ll enjoy the show and Baltimore. There are great restaurants, Harbor activities, street performers, stores, and the National Aquarium. Come to the show and let me know what you think.

Thursday’s post will be from the floor of the show and Monday’s will have the results. Tune in again.

Setting up at the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 22, 2015

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Philip Chasen

We were just getting started

Yesterday was the first day of setup for the Denver World Wide Antique Show. Everything went very smoothly. We finished about 60% of the work, which will make for an easy day today. Our booth is unusual for us, because it’s double wide, meaning we have an entrance on two aisles. We’ll get everyone coming and going.

These two fine Daum Nancy vases are just in

I bought one very fine Daum Nancy Fall vase at the show and just received a great Daum Poppy vase that was shipped to me. They are only the tip of the iceberg. We’ll have a fabulous display.

The lamps are all set to accept the shades on Thursday

The show opens to the public this Friday at 10 AM and continues until Sunday at 4 PM. Hope to see you there.

The Denver World Wide Antique Show opens this Friday, July 24, 2015

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Philip Chasen

The Denver World Wide Antique Show will be held in the Expo Building of the Denver Merchandise Mart

The Denver World Wide Antique Show opens to the public this Friday, July 24, 2015, at 10 AM, and continues until Sunday, at 4 PM. The show is held three times per year, but we only exhibit in Denver in the summer.

Sunday afternoon at our booth last year

The show is medium-size — just right for the Denver market. The quality is better than you might expect for a local show. Don’t expect a flea market with a lot of junk. If you’re anywhere in greater Denver area, you should visit, as you won’t be disappointed. My display will be top-notch and many others will be too.

Tiffany Studios 22-inch Nasturtium table lamp

We’ll have a large selection of Tiffany Studios lamps, including a 22″ Nasturtium. We’ll also have a fine selection of Pairpoint puffy lamps, including an Apple Tree. Our French glass collection will be second to none and will include extensive examples of Daum Nancy’s and Gallé’s works. Tiffany Favrile glass will be well-represented, as well as fine examples of glass and pottery by Loetz, Quezal, Rookwood, Newcomb and Amphora, and others too numerous to mention.

We’ll have this rare Daum Nancy blackbird vase at the show

Thursday’s blog will be from the floor of the show and Monday’s blog will have the results.

U.S. Antique Shows announces free admission to the November 2015 NYC Pier Antique Show

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Sunday afternoon outside my booth at the Pier Antique Show this past March

U.S. Antique Shows, the promoters of the NYC Pier Antique Show and the all-important Original Miami Beach Antique Show announced free admission to the NYC Pier Antique Show this November 14-15. It’s an interesting experiment. Attendance will surely increase, but not necessarily with the right people. Here’s the way I see it. On the one hand, there’s a possibility that someone who attends the show will make a purchase, even if they hadn’t intended to in the first place. That’s the good part. On the other hand most of the additional attendees will be there to have a good time or get a free appraisal. It’s better than a museum. You can touch the items and ask questions of real experts. Excuse me if I sound a little cynical, but I didn’t pay good money to exhibit at the show and spend my time giving free appraisals to non-clients. Antique shows are a business. Dealers need the limited time to make sales to bona fide clients. If the dealers don’t sell enough to cover their time and expense, they won’t be back.

The aisles were jammed at the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antiques Show.

The Palm Beach Show Group essentially does the same thing, but with a twist. They charge admission to their shows, but they give away so many complimentary tickets that most people don’t pay. Attendance is usually quite strong in Palm Beach and some of the additional attendees turn into buyers. I’m hopeful the experiment at the Pier will be a success. I applaud U.S. Antique Shows for at least trying a ballsy move to revitalize the show.

Attendance was good at the Pier Show at the opening last March

U.S. Antique Shows is also involved with a project called Antique Young Guns USA, a special program to encourage young professionals to enter the antique marketplace. Goodness knows we need more young people involved.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. There’s lots more coming in in the next couple of weeks, including two important Daum Nancy Blackbird vases, two large Tiffany Favrile Jack-in-the-Pulpit vases, two Gallé Magnolia vases and lots more. Keep checking my site, as I will be updating it daily. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

The results of the Garden, Antique & Design Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Illinois, April 17-19, 2015

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Philip Chasen

We sold this important Gallé Lake Como vase at the preview party

The Garden, Antique & Design Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden ended yesterday after a 3-day run from April 17-19, 2015. The show was jammed with people every day, starting early and easing up as each day went on. Attendance was much stronger than previous years, partly due to the beautiful weather, but that couldn’t have been the only explanation. This was the first year the Botanic Garden took over management of the show from Stella Show Management. They must have done something right.

The aisles were packed at 1 PM on Friday

The preview party was held on Thursday night. You know I’m not a fan, but this one was mostly tolerable. The guests and dealers were treated equally to unlimited good food and alcohol — a biggie in my book. Some other promoters treat the dealers as second-class citizens. Attendance was excellent, with most people dressed to the nines. One of my best clients came to the preview party and made a major purchase, but I can’t chalk that up to a preview party sale because if they had come the next day, they would have made the same decision. I did however make one additional smaller sale. If the party had ended at 9 PM, instead of 10 PM, it would have been ideal.

We sold this fine Tiffany Studios 16″ Daffodil table lamp at the show

Most of our regular clients came to the show and almost every one of them made a purchase. That was great, but it was also very important to find new clients. Luckily, we did — not many, but enough to make a difference. We had a great show. Tiffany lamps and glass and French glass sold best. A big thank you to each of you who made it happen.

Framont, Greenwich, CT

In asking around, I received the following comments. Bruno Francois, Framont, an art dealer, Greenwich, CT, told me “I did OK. Attendance was good at preview and the guests were interested and engaging. Most of my sales were from the the preview, including some good ones.” Sue Brown, a dealer in quirky jewelry from the past, London, England, was unhappy. “We did poorly. There seemed to be a lack of knowledge and finances. We were very disappointed.” At the other end of the spectrum was Rosemary Schorr & Barry Dobinsky, Schorr & Dobinsky, French garden dealers, Bridgehampton, NY. “Excellent. Super! We nearly sold out. Our best show here in a dozen years.” Sandy Berman, Deluxe, 60s-80s jewelry, objects & furniture dealer, NYC, commented “Business was slightly better than expected.” Virgil Rogers, Only Authentics, handbag dealer, NYC, said “I did OK. Not fantastic, but OK. For a show in the suburbs of Chicago, it was good. They like Chanel more than Hermès”. Ron & Robin Greenwald, Greenwald Antiques, decorative arts dealers, Cleveland, OH, were satisfied. “Our show was OK, twice what we did at the NYC Pier. We sold from furniture to silver to jewelry.” And finally, my neighbor at the show, Zane Moss, Zane Moss Antiques, English furniture & accessories dealer, NYC, told me “We did OK. Sold some furniture, porcelain and paintings. This was our first time here and we were pleasantly surprised.”

We won’t be back to the greater Chicago area until our Winnetka show, November 6-8, 2015. In the meantime, we’ll be traveling in Europe and getting ready for our next show, the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 24-26, 2015. We’re sure to come up with some goodies, so keep an eye on my site for the latest additions. I’ll always be in touch, so please don’t hesitate to email or call.

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.

The Garden, Antique & Design Show opens tomorrow, Friday, April 17, 2015, in Glencoe, Illinois

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Philip Chasen

We were half finished at this point

Yesterday we started setting up the Garden, Antique & Design Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. The show opens tonight with a preview party and then to the public tomorrow, Friday, April 17, 2015 at 10 AM. It will continue until Sunday at 5 PM.

One of the dealers in the garden section of the show

This is the first year the show will be under new management. For many years it was under the umbrella of Stella Show Management. I don’t know whether they left voluntarily or not, but the new promoters are the Chicago Botanic Garden itself. They’ve made quite a few changes, including not inviting some dealers back. I’m not sure how they decided but I know at least two dealers who were denied contracts who should have returned. The vetting seems to have raised the level of quality, which can only be a good thing. There were also some changes to the Garden section of the show.

The daffodils are in bloom

Personally setup went well, but could have gone even better. We were allowed to start setting up on Tuesday but didn’t know. It certainly would have taken the pressure off. The booth looks great — filled with the finest selection of French and American glass and lamps that we’ve ever offered. Please take the time to visit the show. You’ll love my booth and love the show!

These stupendous Gallé vases are just in

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Antique shows