Tag Archives: Pasadena Antiques Show

Goodbye, Los Angeles

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Sorry for the posting delay until Tuesday, but my laptop computer blue-screened, so I had to wait to return to New York to finish the post on my desktop computer.

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.

Saturday afternoon at my booth

It’s 5:30 PM on Saturday afternoon, as I compose my preliminary draft of Monday’s blog post. As of this minute, the title is Goodbye, Los Angeles. That could change by the end of the day on Sunday, and I hope it does. The Pasadena Antiques Show has been busier than last week’s Redondo Beach Antiques Show — more people, more questions, more sales, but not enough to warrant returning to Southern California. The total of all sales, as of this minute, is not enough to cover our expenses, let alone make a profit. If this were a local show, it would be fine, but the expenses of transporting our inventory from the East Coast to the West Coast are such that we need to do more business.

Defense of the Homeland, one of several Louis Icart etchings sold at the show

I’m writing this paragraph on Monday night and unfortunately the results did not allow me to change the title. We did some business on Sunday, but not enough to come back to Southern California in the foreseeable future, and that’s a shame. It was fun going for vacation for a week prior to the two shows in Southern California, with its glorious weather, but it wasn’t meant to be. Next summer we may return to do a show in the Midwest in July and also Birchwood Manor in New Jersey. Every year I have to adjust the calendar by deleting some shows and adding others. C’est la vie.

I tried to convince this visitor to the show to make a purchase, but had no luck

We’ll be back in New York for a week before we head to Chicago to exhibit at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show in Rosemont, IL. We’ve got so many clients and friends in Chicago, that it’s always a pleasure. The following week, we’ll be in Baltimore for the big, important Baltimore Summer Antiques Show. That’s one you shouldn’t miss. It’s huge and filled with some of the best exhibitors in the country (and the world). It’s worth a trip from anywhere. Visitors fly in from Japan, Europe and South America, as well as every part of the US. Baltimore is a fun city in the summer, so make your plans to visit. You’ll thank me.

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 15 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The results of the Redondo Beach Antiques Show, July 27-29, 2012

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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.

We had a big mess during setup, but the booth looked great when it was finished

I’m sitting in my booth on Saturday at 2:30 in the afternoon. My rear end is flatter than usual and I’m about to crawl out of my skin. Sometimes that’s the life of an antiques show dealer. I had hopes that this might be a decent show, but as of this minute, it doesn’t look likely. If the show ends poorly, we will not return to Los Angeles for our usual two summer shows (that includes the Pasadena Show next weekend). We’ve exhibited at the Los Angeles Antiques Show a couple of times at the Barker Hangar. That was a busier show, so we might return for that one. The problem is that it’s very expensive for an East Coast dealer to exhibit on the West Coast. We have to sell enough to make it worth our while. If it turns out to be a losing proposition, we have no choice but to give up the show. Each year, the results have gotten weaker in Los Angeles, so we’re probably better off doing shows closer to home. I hope to write a different ending to this story, but that’s the situation this minute.

Some of the fine objects on display at the show

Sunday, 7:05 PM PDT. The show is over and I’m reflecting on the results. There were more people today and one good sale. Two total sales for the entire show. That’s pretty awful, but both were good, so it wasn’t a disaster. Also, two separate people came into the show today and sold me some very nice items. Eventually I’ll sell them and earn a profit, so all in all, the show wasn’t terrible, but certainly not good either. I’ll postpone my decision to exhibit at my usual two summer shows in the greater LA area until after this week’s show in Pasadena. If it goes well, we’ll try Southern California one more time. If it doesn’t go well, we’ll stop exhibiting at these two shows. Tune in next Monday for the verdict. I’ll also post a blog this Thursday.

A wonderful Tiffany Studios counterbalance floor lamp with 10″ green Favrile shade, carved with two dragonflies — sold at the show

We’ll be exhibiting at the Pasadena Antiques Show this coming weekend, August 3-5. If you missed the Redondo Beach Antiques Show, please try and visit us there.

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 15 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The results of the Redondo Beach and Pasadena Antiques Shows, July 29 – August 7, 2011

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The summer show season has started. The last two weeks we exhibited at the Redondo Beach Antiques Show and the Pasadena Antique Show. Next week, we’ll be in Rosemont, Illinois, for the Chicago Summer Antiques Show. Since I have less time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world, I am posting new blog entries once or twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. 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.

Looking down my aisle at the Pasadena Antique Show on Saturday afternoon, 4:30 PM

I’m writing this blog on Saturday afternoon, August 6, 4:15 PM. As of today, the show is going poorly, but more than a few shows have been saved on Sunday. (I’ll add to this post if it happens.) This whole trip to Southern California has pretty much been a waste of time, energy and money.

My booth at the Pasadena Antique Show

Last week we exhibited at the Redondo Beach Antiques Show. The show has gotten quite a bit smaller from the first time we exhibited there. A large part of the show used to be outdoors, but last week there were only a handful of outdoor exhibitors. It’s part of a larger problem with antique shows. Too many of them are shrinking. Many exhibitors have chosen to stop exhibiting, either because they weren’t doing well or because they were getting too old. In addition, there aren’t enough young dealers and collectors to replace the aging ones. The show wound up being neither a money maker nor a money loser. In dealer’s lingo, we bought our way out of the show. The translation is that we didn’t sell enough to make any money, but we bought some items that will yield profits down the road when they are sold.

Another view of my booth at the Pasadena Antique Show

The Pasadena Antique Show is a more established show. It took place at the newly renovated Pasadena Convention Center. It looks like an official antique show, but it too is substantially smaller than it used to be. Attendance was decent, but not great. Interest and sales were poor, but in walking around, many dealers were making sales. It wasn’t our turn.

I’ve met some great clients at these two shows in the past and it’s possible I’ll meet others in the future. I’m not giving up yet on these shows and Southern California in general, but I may if they don’t improve. I’ll keep you posted.

Very rare Louis Icart etching entitled Mardi Gras

Check out my new acquisitions. I just listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps. I also listed some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Miss America and Mardi Gras; a gorgeous Daum Nancy pink floral vase; several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Soon I’ll be listing a wonderful Tiffany Studios 7-light lily lamp with beautiful shades and a fine patina. Also coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Results for the Pasadena Antiques Show, August 6-8, 2010

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The Pasadena show is all packed up on Sunday evening, August 8, 2010

What a difference a show makes. Two weeks later, in basically the same city, Los Angeles (Redondo Beach vs. Pasadena), the tenor of the show completely changed. Attendance wasn’t significantly improved from Redondo Beach, but the show looked and felt different. There was lots of interest in different categories of items and selling was more broad-based. I can call this show a good one, not a lucky one (read my previous blogs for a more complete explanation.) Gross sales were lower, but selling more items to more people felt better.

Pairpoint rose puffy table lamp

Interest was good in French glass including R. Lalique, Pairpoint and Tiffany lamps, and pottery, including Newcomb College. Many collectors were asking intelligent questions about a whole host of collecting categories. It felt like a normal show in normal times.

Now I’m more upbeat about the upcoming shows in Chicago and Baltimore. I believe business is a bit tougher in California than it is in the rest of the United States, but I’ll be able to give a more definitive answer in a few weeks. I especially want to thank my loyal clients, who buy from me repeatedly.

I recently added over 10 Galle vases to my website, 7 Tiffany lamps, 1 Grueby vase, 1 Newcomb vase, Daum Nancy glass and a fabulous Burgun & Schverer internally decorated vase. This coming week, I’ll be adding many new items. Please take a look. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your comments or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer you in a future blog.

Setting up at the Pasadena Antiques Show, August 4, 2010

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The Pasadena Exhibition Hall, part of the Pasadena Convention Center

The Pasadena Exhibition Hall, part of the Pasadena Convention Center

The Pasadena Antiques Show is being held at the Exhibition Hall of the Pasadena Convention Center. It underwent a multi-year, multi-million dollar renovation and is now a completely modern exhibition hall.

First day of setup at the Pasadena Antiques Show, 8/4/10

First day of setup at the Pasadena Antiques Show, 8/4/10

The first day of setup went smoothly. We finished most of the work and should have no problem in finishing the setup tomorrow. The display is beautiful and includes some really exceptional table and floor lamps, as well as a great selection of Tiffany glass and desk pieces, French cameo glass and various fine objects in a host of categories.

I walked around and can see that it will be a quality show. It’s not large by Miami or Baltimore standards, but it’s very good quality and worth a trip from anywhere in the greater Los Angeles area. If you missed us at the Redondo Beach Show, now is the time to pay us a visit before we leave the West Coast and head east to shows in Chicago and Baltimore. The show will be open from Friday to Sunday, August 6-8, 11 AM – 7 PM on Friday and Saturday and 11 AM – 5 PM on Sunday. You won’t be disappointed!

I recently added over 10 Galle vases to my website, 7 Tiffany lamps, 1 Grueby vase, 1 Newcomb vase, Daum Nancy glass and a fabulous Burgun & Schverer internally decorated vase. This coming week, I’ll be adding many new items. Please take a look. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your comments or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer you in a future blog.

Results from the Redondo Beach Antiques Show, July 23-25, 2010

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Tiffany Studios 12-light lily floor lamp

Tiffany Studios 12-light lily floor lamp

It was a good show. It was a bad show. Attendance was fair at the show, with a bunch of questions, lots of compliments, and very few sales. Until Sunday afternoon, the show was going poorly. Many of the dealers were also complaining (but a few weren’t). Enter my loyal client who was looking at an important lamp since Friday. After a bit of negotiation, the sale was made. Good show.

So why was it a bad (lucky) show? A good show is one where business is composed of many sales that add up to a good total. A lucky show is one where few sales add up to the same good total. I’d much rather have a good show than a lucky one. It’s very stressful to sit at a show for many hours without making a sale. Good shows are fun and not stressful.

Thanks to all my loyal clients. You know who you are. Without you, business would be very difficult at this time, so your loyalty is especially appreciated.

We’ll be back in the Los Angeles area in about 10 days for the August 6-8, 2010 Pasadena Antiques Show. If you missed us at Redondo Beach, we’d love to see you in Pasadena.

I recently added over 10 Galle vases to my website, 7 Tiffany lamps, 1 Grueby vase, 1 Newcomb vase, Daum Nancy glass and a fabulous Burgun & Schverer internally decorated vase. This coming week, I’ll be adding many new items. Please take a look. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your comments or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer you in a future blog.

The summer antique show season is about to begin in Denver, July 16-18, 2010

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Spring is always a slow time for antiques and antique shows. There just aren’t any good shows, so I redirect my attention elsewhere, but not too far astray. Mainly I spend the time trying to acquire wonderful new items for my summer show schedule of five shows — Denver, Redondo Beach, Pasadena, Chicago and finally Baltimore.

A rare Tiffany Studios tripod 10 inch Linenfold floor lamp

A rare Tiffany Studios tripod 10 inch Linenfold floor lamp

I’ve really succeeded this time. I’ve been lucky to find several fine Tiffany Studios floor lamps, including rare examples with unusual bases and fine Linenfold or Favrile glass shades. And how about a superb 18″ Tiffany Studios Belted Dogwood table lamp?

A rare and very desirable Daum Nancy Blackbird vase

A rare and very desirable Daum Nancy Blackbird vase

I always try to carry a large selection of the finest French cameo glass, which I’ve been able to add to with some recently acquired beauties. You can view photos on my website of much of the great Gallé, Daum Nancy, and pate-de-verre glass.

The Denver Antiques Show, July 16-18, 2010

The Denver Antiques Show, July 16-18, 2010

My first show this summer will be in Denver, July 16-18. I hope everyone comes out to support the show. I exhibited there last summer for the first time and had a pretty good show — good enough to return in the fall. Unfortunately that didn’t go well. This third Denver show will be the test — best of three. Two good shows and I’ll be back. Two bad shows and goodbye to Denver. Over the years, I’ve had to eliminate many good cities from my schedule because I couldn’t do enough business to make them worth my while. Gone from my schedule are San Francisco, Indianapolis, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, New Haven, Hartford, Sarasota, Houston and others. Too bad, because I really like some of those cities, especially San Francisco and Houston.

The week after Denver, we’ll be at the Redondo Beach Antiques Show, just south of LA. One week off and then back to the same general area — Pasadena. A couple of weeks off and then on to Chicago and finally Baltimore over the Labor Day weekend. Try to make the time to come and see us when we get to or near your city. Some of the shows are worth a trip from anywhere. For a complete list of my shows, please click on the following link. Philip Chasen Antiques show schedule.

I just added over 10 Galle vases to my website, 7 Tiffany lamps, 1 Grueby vase, 1 Newcomb vase, Daum Nancy glass and a fabulous Burgun & Schverer internally decorated vase. This coming week, I’ll be adding many new items. Please take a look. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your comments or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer you in a future blog.