The results of the NYC Pier Antiques Show, November 14-15, 2015

Posted on November 16, 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.

There was quite a crowd at the opening on Saturday morning

The NYC Pier Antique Show ended yesterday, November 15, 2015, after a brief two-day run. Interesting things to report. 1. This may be the last Pier show. 2. Business was good. 3. We were robbed.

1. Management was unhappy that not enough dealers signed up in advance to exhibit at this November Pier show, so they are considering canceling it permanently. According to Katrina Canady, the show director, many dealers tried to get booths at the last minute for half price. They hoped the promoters would be desperate and agree to reduced rent. Katrina told me US Antique Shows does not discount booths and turned away many dealers. It’s my understanding that US Antique Shows will not hold a Pier show in November, 2016 unless they get tremendous interest from dealers well in advance. Contact them and let them know you want to exhibit next year or the NYC Pier Show will become a memory.

I also heard a rumor that the property that the piers occupy has been sold to a developer who will put up waterfront high-rise residential buildings. Unfortunately if that’s true, the show is toast, no matter what. It’s very difficult to get the truth, so if you know something for sure, let me know. Time will tell.

Saturday morning outside my booth

2. Attendance was strong at the opening on Saturday and business was really good. Sunday started off slowly and then got busier as the day progressed. We had a really good show except for #3 below. We sold items across the board, including French glass and Tiffany lamps and glass.

We sold this beautiful painting by American illustrator Frederick Stuart Church.

I solicited comments from several dealers and got the following responses. They are not representative of the entire show, but merely from colleagues who I know personally. Alan & Adele Grodsky, lamp and glass dealers, Davie, FL, told me “We did pretty well. The gate was good both days and we did business on both days. We hope they run the show again.” Steve Morrow, Steve Morrow Antiques, glass dealer, Hedrick, IA, wasn’t very pleased. “My show was just average, but the buying was good.” George Sorensen, George Sorensen Antiques, Minneapolis, MN, couldn’t have been happier. “My show was very good and busy.” Jeff Myers, Myers-Huffman Antiques, 20th Century decorative arts dealer, Chickaloon, AK, was singing the praises of the show. “Our show was great on Saturday. The crowd was good and we sold to new clients, including decorators and designers.” David Kozloff, Kozloff & Meaders, decorative arts & jewelry dealers, Pittsburgh, PA, told me “Our show was the same, consistent with other shows.” Bill Holland, Hollandarts.com, Louis Icart and Tiffany desk set dealer, West Chester, PA, was a happy camper. “Tiffany desk pieces sold well. We had lots of interest in everything. There were a lot of be-backs who actually came back. Business was better on Sunday.” Two dealers who didn’t fare well were Peter Boehm, Dualities, decorative arts dealer, Larchmont, NY. “My show wasn’t good.” and William Isen, The Great Dane Collection, art dealer, Philadelphia, PA. “Terrible. We sold two pieces to one person we already knew. There were no new buyers.”

This is very similar to the Gallé clematis blownout vase that was stolen at the show. I had just bought the vase the day before, so I don’t have a photo of the actual vase.

3. An organized group of thieves targeted the show and three dealers, including me, were hit. I lost three French cameo vases, Bill Holland lost a 10″ Tiffany Favrile glass shade, and another dealer lost a large Tiffany Favrile vase. The thieves were brazen and took items right out of the cabinets. The usual modus operandi is for someone to distract the dealer, one person to spot trouble nearby and one person to do the stealing. My guess is that at least three people were involved. We all reported the incidents to the police. Please be on the lookout for these items. There will be a reward for the return of the items and for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

Unfortunately poor security at the show was a contributing factor. None of the dealers knew thefts were happening until it was all over. At other shows in the past, there were security announcements. “Mr. Roberts, come to the show office”, or similar, was a code message to the dealers that thieves were operating on the floor of the show. US Antique Shows did not have such a system and needs to incorporate it into all of their future shows. It’s really easy and effective. Secondly, at 7 PM, when the show closed, the security staff was reduced drastically. Anyone could enter and exit the show openly with contraband and nobody would stop them. That’s exactly when the security should have been beefed up instead of reduced. US Antique Shows — you need to step up your security game!

Lastly I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to Parisians and to all the citizens of France. These are terrible times when ordinary citizens have to worry about their security. We have to do whatever is necessary to combat Muslim extremism before it spreads to still more cities, including here in the US.

I’ve listed many new items on my website and will continue to list many new (and great) items that I’ve recently purchased, both on our buying trip and elsewhere. We have a treasure trove of goodies, so please check my site often for updates.

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 results of the NYC Pier Antique Show, March 28-29, 2014

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Philip Chasen

The two indoor lines turned around the corner and extended outside

The outdoor section of the line

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.

Some of the French glass we have for sale. (That’s my son, Billy, in the back.)

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 afternoon outside my booth

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?

We sold this Tiffany vase at the show

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.

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.

The NYC Pier Antique Show opens tomorrow, Saturday, March 28, 2014

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Philip Chasen

We just arrived

Yesterday was the first day of setup for those willing to pay a little extra. Only a few dealers did, so the Pier was mostly empty, except for the union workers arranging the show. We only had a few hours in the afternoon, but without having to compete with other dealers, we were able to get a lot done in a short period of time. We’ll finish the job today and be ready for the mob that’s expected tomorrow, Saturday. The show will open to the public at 10 AM and continue until Sunday, at 6 PM. It’s short and sweet — no waiting for the results. Either you did well or not. Tune in on Monday for the results!

We made a lot of progress by the end of the day

We’ll next head to Chicago in a couple of weeks 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.

The NYC Pier Antique Show opens this Saturday, March 28, 2014

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Philip Chasen

The NYC Pier Antique Show will open to the public this coming Saturday, March 28, at 10 AM, and close the next day, Sunday, March 29, at 6 PM. It’s a popular bi-annual event attended by eager collectors, dealers and decorators, some from as far away as Japan.

We only have two shows left this spring, then a big break before our summer shows. After the NYC Pier show we’ll travel to Chicago for the Garden, Antique & Design Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL, April 17-19.

We’ll have this high-quality Daum Winter scenic vase at the show

We’re bringing an extensive group of American and French glass and lamps. The selection will be large, with outstanding examples by Tiffany, Daum and Gallé.

Thursday’s blog will be delayed to Friday, so I can write from the floor of the NYC Pier Antique Show. Next Monday’s blog will have the results of the show.

The results of the NYC Pier Antique Show, November 22-23, 2014

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Part of the very large crowd at the Saturday morning opening

The NYC Pier Antique Show ended its two-day run yesterday, November 23, 2014. Attendance was strong on Saturday, with a very big opening crowd that went all the way out the door. Sales started off nicely, but then fizzled out as the day went on. Several clients promised to come back on Sunday. Business must have been good as I personally saw many visitors walking out with purchases.

We sold this wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase at the show

There was no comparing the Sunday start to the Saturday start. Only a handful of people came. There’s no reason any show should open at 10 AM on Sunday. It took until 1 or 2 PM until a decent crowd showed up. An 11 AM start would benefit everyone, especially the dealers who can use an additional hour of rest. We made a few sales on Sunday, but not equal to the level of interest and questions. Not one single client from Saturday (and I thought some of them were really serious) came back on Sunday. Very disappointing. 🙁

My lovely daughter, Lauren, helped me at the show

Overall my show was successful, but far from exemplary. I’m grateful for the business we did, but disappointed it wasn’t a barn-burner (which it easily could have been). In asking around, I received the following comments. From Alan & Adele Grodsky, Cooper City, FL, dealers in lamps and glass, “We did OK, better than the last few shows.” George Sorensen, Minneapolis, MN, dealing in art glass, said “My show was average.” Mark & Marie Kaplan of M&M Antiques, Long Beach, NY, general-line dealers, were quite pleased. “Our show was excellent. Most of our business was on Saturday.” Not as pleased was Virgil Rogers, New York, NY, of Only Authentics, dealing in vintage handbags, “It was a mediocre Pier show. I sold an amount equal to the average Pier show. Expensive items were not selling.” Lastly, Robin Greenwald, Cleveland, OH, of Greenwald Antiques, general-line dealers, told me “We were only able to convert 10% of our serious interest into sales, but jewelry sold well. Overall our show was pretty good.”

I’ll be spending the next two months looking for treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. I’m flying out today to buy a French glass collection, which I’ll have home tomorrow night, if all goes well. The Florida shows begin with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2015.

The NYC Pier Antique Show opens this Saturday, November 22, 2014

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The NYC Pier Antique Show will open to the public this coming Saturday, November 22, at 10 AM, and close the next day, Sunday, November 23, at 6 PM. This is the second year that U.S. Antique Shows will manage it, having bought the show from Stella Show Management. It promises to be a good one, with 25 additional dealers.

We’ll have this beautiful Tiffany 18″ Tyler Scroll table lamp at the show

This will be our last show of the year, so we hope to make it a good one by bringing some fantastic new items. One is a Tiffany Studios 18″ Tyler Scroll table lamp. It’s one of 25, mostly Tiffany Studios, lamps we’ll have on display at the show.

Museum-quality Daum Nancy vase with applied cabochon-center daisies

Our French glass selection will be large, with some outstanding examples of Daum and Gallé glass.

After the Pier show, we’ll be buying treasures for our important Florida shows in January and February. I’m already flying out of town today to buy an outstanding French glass collection.

Tune in Monday for the results of the NYC Pier Antique Show!

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

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

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 NYC Pier Antique Show, November 23-24, 2013

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Philip Chasen

A line of taxis was dropping off early arrivals on Saturday morning

Part of the long line to get in on Saturday morning

I didn’t know what to expect from the Pier show this time with new promoters, but I was hopeful. Shows often get better, as the promoters usually increase the advertising budget and make other beneficial changes. Personally, my show was fine — much better than last March, and about as good as last November. Saturday was a good day, with moderately strong attendance, interest, and sales. Sunday was noticeably slower, with fewer people, fewer questions, fewer sales and less energy. Not what I predicted, but not a washout.

Harvey Fierstein

Harvey Fierstein stopped in for a few minutes on Saturday to inquire about a pair of Tiffany Studios root candlesticks (which unfortunately he didn’t buy). For those who don’t know, he’s a Tony Award winning Broadway star, and a gentleman. If you don’t recognize his face, you surely would recognize his very distinctive, gravelly voice.

The aisles were crowded on Saturday

In asking around about results, I received the following comments. From a dealer in American art pottery, “Unbelievable. The best show I’ve had here in years.” A dealer in lamps and glass remarked “OK”. A dealer in Art Deco glass and objects “OK. Good. Better than last year.” A general dealer, new to the show said “Pleasantly surprised.” Another lamp dealer told me his show was “horrible”. A dealer in furniture and bronzes said he “did well, including some major pieces”, and finally a dealer in silver told me he had an awful show — not enough dealers to draw any general conclusions.

It was busy in my booth most of Saturday

The transition to the new promoters was fairly seamless, with only a few glitches. I was told that many dealers who double-parked during the night on Thursday received parking tickets, something that didn’t happen in previous years. My observations were that Andrea Canady, the show manager, and her crew, did a fine job. Setup seemed to go as smoothly as it possibly could.

We’ll be busy buying for the next couple of months in anticipation of the important Florida shows, starting with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2014. We’ll end our winter schedule with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t do it again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return. It will immediately follow the important Palm Beach Antiques Show.

Fine Tiffany Favrile vase with applied handles, just in

U.S. Antique Shows buys three New York City antique shows from Stella Show Management

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Philip Chasen

The Pier show on a recent opening day

Irene Stella of Stella Show Management conceived of the idea of holding an antique show on New York City’s Hudson River, in a passenger ship terminal. The first few shows were so successful that management expanded the show to include two additional adjacent piers, and changed the name to the Triple Pier Antique Show. The demand from dealers to exhibit at the show was so great, that management further expanded the show to two consecutive weeks, twice a year. That went on for quite a while, until it was ultimately scaled back to one weekend, twice a year. Construction to some of the piers forced the show to be moved to the much larger Pier 94, just north of the original three piers, where it’s been successfully held for the last several years.

The line to get in was huge before a recent opening of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show

Fast forward to May 20, 2013, with simultaneous announcements from both Stella Show Management and U.S. Antique Shows, of the sale of three Stella New York antiques shows to U.S. Antique Shows, the promoter of the highly successful Original Miami Beach Antique Show. It marks the end of one era and the beginning of another in New York City antique shows.

A view of a section of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show

I’ve got mixed emotions. I’ve enjoyed working with the Stellas over the years, but also look forward to the changes new management will undoubtedly make. New blood is usually good for a show, e.g. the purchase of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show by the Palm Beach Show Group. They bought a good show and made it into one of the best shows in the country. Promotion of the show became job #1, which included a significant increase in the advertising budget. That was the start of a virtuous cycle where new buyers attended and new dealers were attracted. I wish U.S. Antique Shows, and its Director of Business Development, Andrea Canady, the same success with their new New York shows.

We’re back from our vacation/business trip, so that means two things. First, we have some great new French glass, which I’ve started to list on my website. The rest will be up within the next few days, so please check often. Second, I should have enough time to publish my blog twice a week, so check Mondays and Thursdays. We have no shows until late July, but please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Killer Daum Fall scenic vase, just in

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Gorgeous Galle fuchsia blownout vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: New York City Pier Show