Setting up at the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, November 4, 2015

An overhead view of our expanded booth during setup

An overhead view of our expanded booth 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.


The Daum Nancy glass isn't all on the shelf yet, nor arranged, but here's a preview

The Daum Nancy glass isn’t all on the shelf yet, nor arranged, but here’s a preview

We are in Winnetka, IL this week to exhibit at the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show at the Winnetka Community Center. Yesterday was the first day of setup. Today we’ll finish in time for the preview party this evening. I’m not a fan of preview parties (as those who read my blog already know), but at least this one comes with good food and drink. I hope to sell something this evening, but the odds of that are very low. I’ll let you know in Monday’s blog.

Haig Mathew Klujian (right) of Mathew Klujian & Sons

Haig Mathew Klujian (right) of Mathew Klujian & Sons

The show is high quality and very diverse, so if you like antique shows, you’ll like this one. This is the only show left in the greater Chicago area in the fall. The only other one left is in April at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. Please make it your business to visit the show and show your support. Shows that don’t get support fail, so let’s try and prevent that. Please visit my booth, C20, and say hello.

One of the other rooms at the show

One of the other rooms at the show

winnetka-10-2015


I’ve been negligent adding new items to the website, but that’s already started to change. I’ve already listed a few items and over the next two weeks, I will 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.

pier-show-11-2015Next week we’ll travel back to New York for the now once-yearly NYC Pier Antique Show. This show has been around for decades and boasts a large, diversified group of dealers with everything from junk to great. You won’t want to miss it, especially now that it’s once a year.

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.

Lost Fabergé elephant discovered in British Royal Collection

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.


The first of the new items --  a great Martin Brothers double-face mug

The first of the new items — a great Martin Brothers double-face mug

Just back from Europe and trying to get my house in order. I’ve been negligent in adding new items to the website, but that’s about to change. Over the next two weeks, I hope to list many new (and great) items that I’ve recently purchased, both on our buying trip and elsewhere. We’ve acquired a treasure trove of goodies, so please check my site often for updates.

Thought you might like to read this interesting article about the discovery of a lost Fabergé elephant. Click Secret Object Hidden in Fabergé Egg Discovered in British Royal Collection – artnet News


winnetka-10-2015Next week we’ll travel to Chicago for the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show at the Winnetka Community House, November 6-8, 2015. We used to exhibit at shows in the greater Chicago area 4-6 times yearly. Most of them have disappeared, so we now only exhibit in Chicago twice a year, once in the fall in Winnetka and once in the spring at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Too bad, because we like Chicago and have lots of friends and clients. We’re really looking forward to seeing you at the show, so please visit us. You won’t have another opportunity until the spring, when we’ll be back for the Garden, Antique & Design Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL, April 15 – April 17, 2016.

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 Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, November 7-9, 2014

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.


The Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show finished yesterday, after a 3-day run from November 7-9. It was a strange show, that ultimately worked out. We’re very satisfied with our sales, most of which came from our three best clients. If we had to rely on sales to new clients, the show would have been a catastrophe. Each of you knows who you are. Thank you for your business and your loyalty.

The show started with a preview party on Thursday night. Of course we didn’t sell a thing. The good part was the plentiful, delicious food and the unlimited drinks. If we weren’t going to sell anything, at least we were well treated.

We sold this lovely Tiffany/Grueby lamp at the show

We sold this lovely Tiffany/Grueby lamp at the show

Friday was fairly tortuous, sitting for 8 hours, with very few people attending and very little interest. Nothing good happened until one of our best clients showed up at the end of the day.

Attendance improved a little on Saturday, but still not much doing until the other two best clients showed up. By the end of the day, we were having a good show.

Sunday afternoon in front of our booth

Sunday afternoon in front of our booth

Sunday was the busiest day, with good attendance, lots of questions and a few small sales to new people. It wasn’t our most remunerative day, but it was satisfying, nonetheless.

Overall, our results were light-years ahead of last year. Sales of French glass and Tiffany glass were best. We’ll be back next year, hopefully in a larger booth, as we were really cramped in this one.


kansas-city-11-2014This week we’ll be in Kansas City, MO, for the Kansas City Antiques Expo, at the Holiday Inn Exhibition Center, right near the airport. It’s a really quick show that opens this Friday at 10 AM and ends on Saturday at 6 PM. It’s our only show that isn’t open on Sunday (which I don’t understand and think is a mistake). The following week we’ll be in New York City for our final show of 2014, at Pier 94, for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog.

Click here to view our 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.

Setting up at the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, November 5, 2014

winnetka-11-2014My 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're about halfway finished setting up

We’re about halfway finished setting up

Yesterday was the first day of setup for the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show. We’ll finish today and open to the public this evening with a preview party. Whoop dee doo! Can you hear the excitement in my voice? I just love preview parties. I might even have sold something, at some time, at some preview party. I just can’t recall exactly when. :>(

One of the fine displays at the show

One of the fine displays at the show

We have a lovely end-cap booth that unfortunately is a little too small for us, so we’ve had to jam everything in and not display a number of items. I hope the show goes well so we can move to a larger booth next year. Not sure what to expect, as some years have been good and others not. Tune in Monday for the results.

Another of the fine displays at the show The show is very diverse, with high quality dealers from all walks. There are no junk dealers at all in the show, so it’s really worth a trip from anywhere in the greater Chicago area. Personally, I’ve brought an outstanding selection, which I hope you’ll come to see. You will not be disappointed!


Next week we’ll be in Kansas City, MO, for the Kansas City Antiques Expo, and then the following week in New York City for our final show of 2014, at Pier 94, for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog.

Click here to view our 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 results of the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, October 18-20, 2013

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 lovely wife is busy with her iPad

My lovely wife is busy with her iPad

I’m writing this blog at 2 PM on Sunday. As of this moment, the show is not going well, and will probably end with a break even result. It’s definitely not fun. Perhaps a white knight will come before the end of the day and change the result.

Some of the Tiffany glass on display in my booth

Some of the Tiffany glass on display in my booth

The show has been slow, with light attendance each day. The hours were unbearably long, starting with a preview party on Thursday night, followed by 23 hours open to the public, from Friday to Sunday. Some shows have shortened from three days to two days, just for that reason. Shortening the hours of a show forces people to come at the same time and adds a little excitement. It’s also far less stressful and costly to the dealers. I strongly suggest the promoters shorten this show to two days.

Some of the Daum vases on display

Some of the Daum vases on display

I haven’t had much luck transferring my many clients in the greater Chicago area from the defunct Arlington Racetrack show to the Winnetka show. I’m sure it would have gone better if more of them had shown up. The jury is still out as to whether we’ll return next year. We’ll make that decision later.

UPDATE. 5 PM Sunday. The show has closed. No white knight, but we made a couple of sales between 2 PM and 5 PM, so the show turned a small profit. A gentleman also brought in a Tiffany lamp that he may sell to me. If he does, the show will have worked out well.

Next month we’ll be working from home base, exhibiting at the NYC Pier Show, November 23-24, 2013. That will be our last show of the year, followed by the wonderful Florida shows in January and February.

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

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.

Setting up at the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show

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.

Our booth is taking shape

Our booth is taking shape

The Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show will open tonight with a preview party (whoopdee doo!). I’ve never been a fan of preview parties, but some are better than others, especially if the food and drink are good. I recall they’re pretty good in Winnetka.

Another exhibitor is putting the final touches on his booth

Another exhibitor is putting the final touches on his booth

We moved our booth (again!). Our new location is called an end cap (open on three sides), in a very good location. Last year we were in the gymnasium, that many people never found. Our new booth is a little small and cramped, but still nice.

winnetka-10-2013(4)

I hope many of our greater Chicago clients come and visit us at the show, especially since the Arlington Racetrack show is no more. We’ll see how the show goes and report about it in my Monday blog. The show looks great, with a nice variety of high-quality exhibitors. I’ve brought some really fine items that I’ve recently purchased, so I encourage you to come and visit!

Next week we’re off to Overland Park, KS to exhibit at the Overland Park Antique Show in the International Trade Center. The show will be open to the public from Friday, October 25th – Sunday, October 27th. It will be our first time there and hopefully it will go well. If it does, we’ll exhibit there again next summer, on the way to the Denver show, the following week.

Wonderful 12" Daum rain scenic vase, just in

Wonderful 12″ Daum rain scenic vase, just in

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 results of the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show, October 19-21, 2012

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.

A carving station served turkey and beef at the preview party

The Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show began with a preview party on Thursday night, October 18, 2012. If you read my blog regularly, you know what a fan I am of preview parties (NOT!). True to form, this one was the same as most of the others — well-heeled guests, out for a social event, not interested in buying. The good part was there was unlimited delicious food and drink. Two drinks and I didn’t care!

A view of our booth

Saturday, 3:40 PM. I’m sitting in my booth, bored out of my mind, sitting on a cushion because my rear end is flatter than a pancake. Attendance is light today, partly because the Winnetka Community Church held a well-attended rummage sale on the corner, so parking was a big problem. Second is the fact that we’re in the gymnasium, which is up a few steps and hard to find. Third is there just aren’t enough people attending. I think I’ll go for a walk and let Lia watch the booth for a while. I’m going nuts!

This beautiful Tiffany Dragonfly lamp, which was purchased at the show, is shown in situ in the home.

OK, I took a deep breath. Now I’m feeling better. Thank you for asking. The show is going well because of the sale of a Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp yesterday. Thank you to my new client. There have been very few sales up to this point, but it’s still been a success. I may have to rewrite my paragraph about preview parties. Apparently my clients saw the lamp at the preview party and came back yesterday to purchase it. I’m sorry, but you still cannot get me to like preview parties.

Sunday afternoon at our booth

Sunday, 4:25 PM. The show is just about over and I can declare it a success. Saturday was a tough day. Sat in the booth for 8 hours from 10 AM to 6 PM without making a sale. Attendance was light, so there wasn’t much activity to break up the day. Boring! Sunday was another story. Attendance was better, but not outstanding. The day was more interesting with old friends visiting, many questions asked and several sales made. Now if we only could have called in sick on Saturday, it would have been a roaring success!

This was our last Chicago-area show for 2012. We’ll be back for the spring edition of the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show in April, 2013. In the meantime, we’ll be exhibiting at the Morristown Armory in New Jersey this coming Saturday and Sunday. Hope you can visit us. We’ll have our outstanding new purchases on display.

Just purchased this incredible 12″ Schneider padded and wheel-carved Medallion vase

Click this link to view some of the new objects I recently purchased. I listed over 25 new items in the last two weeks. French glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I just purchased this rare, special Tiffany Studios red decorated Favrile vase

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 etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

Setting up at the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show, October 17, 2012

Our booth is a mess, but it will look great by the time the show opens to the public

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.

Finnegan Gallery has a beautiful display

Setup didn’t start too well at the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show today, October 17, 2012. When we arrived, our booth was supposed to be 20′ long, but turned out to be 17′. So after jumping through some hoops, we were able to get our booth increased to 19′. Not too bad, but it took half a day, so we lost a lot of time. We’ll still get it done on time for the preview party tomorrow night, but it would have been less stressful if things had gone as planned.

Jayne Thompson Antiques is almost finished setting up

The entire Winnetka Community Center is filled with top-notch dealers. There’s no one selling junk. That’s a problem at shows as some promoters are forced to fill their shows with less than the best dealers. We’re the only dealer at this show with glass and lamps for sale, but you may have a hard time finding us. We’re located in the gymnasium. It’s a complicated building, so you have to look around to make sure you didn’t miss anyone on two floors.There are lots of good dealers with paintings, furniture, silver and more.

Sandy from Deluxe has her usual fine display

The show starts to the public this Friday, October 19th at 11 AM, and ends on Sunday, October 21st, at 5 PM. There’s plenty of time to visit, see some gorgeous items for sale and consider making a purchase. There are no dealers from the Arlington Park Racetrack Show from last week, so if you visited that one, you’ll see a whole new selection.

This is the last time we’ll be exhibiting in the greater Chicago area in 2012. We’ll be back for the spring edition of the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show. Hope you can visit us in Winnetka this weekend. If you’re from the greater New York area, please come to see us next weekend at the Morristown Armory.

Just purchased this fabulous Daum fall scenic vase

Click this link to view some of the new objects I recently purchased. I listed about 25 new items in the last two weeks. French glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I just purchased this rare, special Tiffany Studios red decorated Favrile vase

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 etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

The results of the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show, October 21-23, 2011

Recently I’ve had more time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world. When there’s no one in my booth at a show, I keep busy by writing blog posts. So for the next few weeks, I will 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.

An extensive selection of Tiffany Studios Grapevine and Pine Needle desk accessories

It’s 5:45 PM on Friday, as I begin to write this blog post. Lots can change by the end of the show (and I hope it will), but here’s a bit of contemporaneous thought. The preview party last night was a party success and a business failure. The attendees were all friendly, curious and dressed to the nines. The staff did a great job. Nobody went hungry or thirsty with a plentiful supply of delicious food and drink. Sales were another story. As with most preview parties, most attendees were there for a good time. The antiques were just wallpaper.

Friday afternoon’s attendance was decent, but no serious buyers at all, except for two of my clients who had seen me the previous week at the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show. Compliment after compliment with no sales. Very nice, but man cannot live on compliments alone (a little chopped liver…maybe). Compliments + sales = good show.

Saturday afternoon in my booth

UPDATE: Saturday afternoon, 3:10 PM. Attendance has been decent so far today, but less than I thought it would be. Last night resulted in a few small sales, but none today. The operative phrase of the day was “just looking”. I can’t tell you how many people said that to me.

Sunday afternoon, 2:30 PM

UPDATE: Sunday afternoon, 2:30 PM. Started the day off with a nice sale from a client who came in yesterday. Then made another small sale later in the day. Attendance has been light to moderate. At this point, I’ve sold enough to probably try the show one more time. I would prefer a much more definitive answer — either I sell less and never come back, or sell more and definitely come back. Tune in later for the final update.

UPDATE: Sunday evening, 11:10 PM. Made another sale, so total sales wound up in a gray area. I’ve decided to try the Winnetka show one more time. Sales were in surprising areas — Louis Icart etchings, a Tiffany desk piece, a Quezal vase, and a couple of assorted areas. No sales in French glass or Tiffany glass and lamps. In asking around a bit, I didn’t hear of any dealer having an exceptional show. I did hear a few complaints.

Thursday’s blog post will be about the continuing problem with reproduction French cameo glass. Make sure you tune in.

A fine Martin Bros. grotesque vase from 1903

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update as often as I can. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and a very rare Louis Icart etching, Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Setting up at the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show, October 19-20, 2011

Recently I’ve had more time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world. When there’s no one in my booth at a show, I keep busy by writing blog posts. So for the next few weeks, I will 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.

Bill and Tony are busy setting up

The Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show opens tonight at 6:30 PM with a preview party. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am about that! (Make what you will of that comment.) There will be complimentary drinks and food, so at least that’s a consolation prize. If I sell anything, it will be a miracle, but miracles do happen occasionally.

One of the fine displays at the show

The show is beautiful and unusual. The building itself has many rooms, levels and twists and turns. Each room has dealers, so it’s a bit like walking in a maze, with delicious surprises at each turn. The quality exhibitors have art, furniture, Asian, ceramics, glass, Russian and everything you would expect at a good show. It’s worth a trip from almost any distance.

A magnificent Daum Nancy Fall scenic table lamp

Personally I’ve brought some amazing French glass that I purchased on a recent buying trip. I also have some fresh Tiffany lamps. Tiffany lamps have been strong recently, so I’ve been actively buying more.

I’ll post the results of the show on Monday.

A very fine display of Asian antiques

The hours of the show are Friday noon–8:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00–6:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00–5:00 p.m. There’s plenty of time to make your way here. Come in, introduce yourself, and let’s do some business.

This Galle vase has superb color.

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update as often as I can. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Melody Hour and Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com