Please note that I am permanently changing Thursday’s post day to Friday.
My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Fridays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Friday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.
A view of the west side of the convention center, looking north
Last month I visited the Miami Beach Convention Center to check on the progress of the construction. I wanted to get a first-hand impression to form my own opinion. I’m feeling better now. It looks to me it will be completed in time for next year’s Original Miami Beach Antique Show in January, 2019.
The construction on the Washington Ave. (east) side of the building is ahead of the west side.
Construction on the west side of the building was taking longer because it was completely razed and rebuilt. Construction on the east side (Washington Ave.) was closer to completion because it was only renovated.
The northwest corner of the building. I don’t know what that circular structure is.
I spoke to a construction worker onsite who told me plans were to complete all the construction by August. That would seem to leave a cushion of time for unexpected delays until the show in January, 2019. I’d like to believe it to be true. I don’t think the temporary relocation of the show to the Miami Dade Exposition Fairgrounds was a good thing. It seemed to take all of the excitement and pizzazz out of the show.
Looking east at the west side of the building. The old parking lot is on the left.
It will be nice to be back at the Convention Center for next year’s show. Got my fingers crossed.
Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.
We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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 revived Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart opens to the public next Friday, May 19th. I was quite sad when the original show folded a few years ago, as it was always one of my favorite shows. The new edition will have a new promoter, Dolphin Promotions, headed by Rosemary Krieger. There hasn’t been an antique show in downtown Chicago for several years, so I’m hoping this one will be met with a lot of enthusiasm. The show runs from May 19-21, 2017, with a preview party the night of the 18th.
During the filming of a BBC series entitled Britain’s Lost Masterpieces, a painting attributed to a minor Renaissance painter was determined to be a genuine masterpiece by the master Raphael. It’s an interesting story. Click 
Our next show will be the eagerly anticipated Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 25-28, 2016. It’s the best show of the summer and maybe now the best of the year (with all the changes coming this winter in Miami). People fly in from all over the world to attend, including from as far away as Japan. If you haven’t yet visited, you should. It’s big, with some of the best national and international dealers. You’ll also enjoy Baltimore. Hope to see you there!
During the taping of an episode of Antiques Roadshow, expert Stephen Fletcher of Skinner Auction, Boston, MA, gave the good news to a guest of the show. He told the guest his vase dated from approximately 1900 and was worth $30,000 – $50,000. The only problem was that he was wrong. A high school student had made it in 1973 as an art project. Ouch!! For the AOL video of the story, click