The Wilton Antiques Show: Smaller, But Still Stylish

WILTON, CONN.

: Bigger is not always better and sometimes more is too much. This line of thinking may very well been factored into the decisions made by the Wilton Historical Society for its March edition of the Wilton Antiques Show. Noticeably succinct and with a broader variety of merchandise, this show was well received when it took place in the Field House over the weekend of March 11 and 12.

Smaller in scale with the entire exhibition area in the second room having been eliminated, the show proved to be pleasing and popular with both those in attendance and the dealers. And, for the third year in a row, the early buyer's opening was once again nixed, something that also proved popular with everyone, except the society's board of trustees who have noted a decline in revenues.

The Wilton show seems to be returning to its roots, not necessarily through its own volition, but through an adjustment period that is both a reflection of the market in general and the buying trends of the local populace. At one point, as Wilton climbed the ladder on its way to becoming one of the premier Americana venues in the country, it was a major destination and, more importantly, it was one of the only major shows to take place in the month of March.

Over the years the Triple Pier Show moved its dates from February into the month of March and is now competing head to head with Wilton on the same weekend. The Connecticut Spring Antiques Show moved from April to March, eventually settling on a date the week before Wilton.

Still a proving to be a hot spot for Americana enthusiasts, a large, loyal crowd that shops Wilton was on hand for the show, some waiting in line for more than two hours for the privilege of rushing onto the floor first. The old guard was buoyed by a "new" crowd, unfamiliar faces that came out and bought. Many felt the gate was off, a sentiment echoed by show manager Marilyn Gould, yet numerous dealers reported strong sales and good activity.

"We did embarrassingly well," stated Cheryl Scott as the first day came to a close. The Hillsborough, N.H., dealers got the show off to a brisk start with a large tiger maple mirror selling off the rear wall right off the bat. A cross-stretcher tiger maple table was next to go and that was quickly followed by a large copper and zinc banner weathervane that measured almost 5 feet in length.

"One couple just happened to see it in our booth, the other couple came because they had seen it in our ad in The Bee's show section," stated Paul Scott. "The two couples were standing on opposites sides of the vane looking it over, kind of like a Mexican standoff, and all of the sudden the people that had seen it in the ad said 'We'll take it.'" The dealers also reported selling a couple paintings, another table, a chest and another weathervane before the day's end.

"There was a flurry of weathervanes sold within the last two hours of the show," commented Gould, including a fish weathervane sold by Norma Chic, Autumn Pond Antiques, Bolton, Conn., within a half an hour of closing on Sunday afternoon. The dealer stated she was pleased with the show with a couple of other notable sales including a nice Eighteenth Century table and a delft plate.

Newburgh, N.Y., dealers Dan and Karen Olson reported that they "had quite a good show. There was an engaging and enthusiastic group there and we sold quite a few bigger ticket items," he said. Returning to Wilton three years ago after an absence of ten years, the dealers reported good sales throughout the weekend including a New England grain decorated bookcase, a country Queen Anne tavern table, an Eighteenth Century Chippendale clerk's desk in the original blue and a pair of portraits attributed to Noah North. Numerous smalls were also sold, including an impressive tin tea caddy in yellow paint. The dealers also reported a follow-up sale with a late Eighteenth Century chair table being purchased the week after the show.

"Things went well at the Wilton show," commented Betty Berdan, Newsom & Berdan, Hallowell, Maine. "There was a lot of interest in decorative objects, especially pieces that would stand by themselves." Among the sales noted by the dealers were hooked rugs, baskets, an early New Hampshire candlestand, paint decorated chairs, a hanging wall box and quite a few smalls.

West Chester, Penn., dealer Charles Wilson Antiques and Folk Art also reported a good show with the sales of a Fiske sulky, horse and driver weathervane with a nice patinated finish, some trade signs, eight different figural cast iron pieces for which the dealer is so well known, a pair of early miniature wall paper boxes and wooden carved rooster.

Books on antiques were selling very well from the booth of F. Russack Books, especially the three featured tomes for which the authors were on hand for a book signing. Jonathan Rickard was kept busy signing copies of his new book, Mocha and Related Dipped Wares, Steven Powers was signing his book, North American Burl Treen, and Richard Pierce was not only signing his book, The Stars and Stripes, Fabric of the American Spirit, he was also attending a booth dedicated to an assortment of early flags that coincided with the impressive special loan exhibit at the Wilton Historical Society.

Russack commented, "When I run out of bags and credit cards slips, it's usually a good sign and I had to go scrounge up some of each." Of those in attendance, the dealer commented, "The folks who were there were the 'right' sort of folks."

Steve Corrigan, Stephen-Douglas, Rockingham, Vt., was another that made sales right from the start of the show. It was not long after opening that the dealer was busy rearranging his booth after a large apothecary chest in early paint had sold. The dealer escorted the piece safely from the show and oversaw the loading process into a car awaiting its arrival at the curb.

"Wilton is a wonderful show with a wide range of antiques - high end to midrange - a fun show," commented Robesonia, Penn., dealer Greg Kramer. "We sold a candlestand, a Windsor chair, early American glass, a game board and other painted country items - the majority of sales being small showcase items across the boards. Anyone or anything may be at Wilton!!!" he said.

Paintings proved to be popular in Wilton and boasting a successful show was The Cooley Gallery, Old Lyme, Conn., with Joe Newman running the booth. Newman stated that "the people that were there seemed ready to buy. We sold an important view of Cos Cob painted by Elmer MacRae from the porch of the Bush-Holley House, as well as a lovely Carleton Wiggins pasture scene and an Oscar Anderson painting of Gloucester harbor. In all, it was one of our stronger Wilton showings, and we're already looking forward to next year," he said.

"We sold a terrific tiger maple candlestand, a rare piece of stoneware with triple bird decoration, some good coin silver and a lot of smalls," commented Lorraine German of Mad River Antiques, North Granby, Conn. The dealer also had a whimsical trade sign in bright yellow paint leave the booth shortly after opening. "We did do pretty well at Wilton; the people who came through our booth were enthusiastic and knowledgeable," she said.

Ceramics dealers Bill and Terry Kurau, Lampeter, Penn., were also pleased with the show and called it a "beautiful show that is appreciated by those who attend." The dealers reported sales of "several historical Staffordshire platters including a 'Landing of Lafayette' and 'Capital Washington."' Other sales recorded included a pearlware basket and tray, a selection of copper and pink luster decorated Staffordshire, and a group of cup plates. One out of character item seen in the dealers' booth, a circa 1810 flintlock rifle that was made in New Haven, was also sold.

"We had a very good show," commented Tom Jewett of Jewett-Berdan, Newcastle, Maine. "We sold a great Nineteenth Century advertising sign, a server, an architectural fragment off a house, two paint decorated boxes, two important folk art miniatures, a hooked rug, redware and several other smalls." The dealers noted a smaller gate that usual and commented, "The fact that the Pier Show was going on the same time and the fact that kids were on school break were cause for a lower gate. No one can fault Marilyn for her hard work and advertising, it was just the wrong time for the show and with half of Wilton being gone on vacation, it makes it difficult."

While the town of Wilton is filled demographically with the perfect type customer to support a serious show, Gould and the society have their hands tied as far as getting the facility during a time period that school is not on vacation. "During Spring Break, Wilton empties out," commented a frustrated Gould, "and that effects attendance." Grabbing the bull by its horns, the show manager commented that next year's show will not be taking place in March.