Shoppers Fill Parking Lots Early At Brimfield Antiques Market

Brimfield, Mass.

:Brimfield's first session of 2010 — the outdoor antiques and collectibles megamarket collectively entering its 51st year — drew hoards of shoppers to the mile-long stretch of Route 20. By 9:30 am on May 11, most of the parking lot entrances sported "Full" signs and droves of people were out combing the free fields for treasures before the first paid show of the day, Dealer's Choice, opened at 11 am. Actually, Lori Faxon, co-owner of the show, was forced to open the gates at 10:50 am because the gathering crowd was so thick on Route 20 that emergency vehicles could not get through.

Tuesday's action began at the crack of dawn, a chilly one, as many of the so-called free fields opened. With names like Crystal Brook, Mahogany Ridge, Quaker Acres, Central Park, Midway and the Meadows, these fields were already being combed by intrepid early shoppers, some using flashlights to examine the merchandise. Michael Seward of Pittsford, Vt., started his day at 5:15 in the Vermont tent at Green Acres and by 6:15 he was already writing up his fourth or fifth sale, a nice Queen Anne tea table. Greg Hamilton, a Vermont dealer from Vergennes, proclaimed the day "great, so far," toting up sales of silver, paintings, watches and a Tiffany pitcher. Pike, N.H., dealer Josh Steenburgh was also busy with his collection of Modern furniture, accessories and industrial pieces.

Later in the day, as the sun began warming things up, the excitement was palpable as throngs began lining up for the shows that are only open on Tuesday — Dealer's Choice and Brimfield Acres North. Dealer's Choice, owned by Tom and Lori Faxon, was going "gangbusters," according to Lori, who added that she was seeing an "incredible response" on the part of her dealers and that there was a "lot of energy" on the field. There was also much to see and acquire.

A phalanx of carved Northwest Native American figures was displayed on the tables of Tom Delach's space. The Columbus, Ohio, dealer had signed pieces from tribes such as the Tlingit and Kwakiutl and with prices ranging from $200 to $2,400.

"It came out of Lancaster County," said Kelly Kinzle, the New Oxford, Penn., dealer, of an unusual carved footstool in the shape of an expressive lion's head. Made in the 1920s, the piece had been crafted by woodcarver and craftsman Joseph Gerlitke for the Old Lancaster County National Bank, marked with this information on the bottom, along with the phrase "in possession of his relative's pattern."

At 1 pm, the crowds shifted to Brimfield Acres North across Route 20, which show manager Colleen James reported was "a full field" of dealers — so much so that she and Bob Hapfe had to open an additional four rows to accommodate the dealers. Just before the show opened, some were still putting the finishing touches to their al fresco tableaux while processing the show office information presented over the loudspeakers that "town permits are going up to $35 from $25 starting with the July show." This development is a result of an out-of-court settlement reached between Brimfield antiques show operators and town officials in March that abolishes emergency services fees, but allows the town to increase the vendor permit fee to adjust for the funds that it is not going to be charging to the owner-operators. Another day in the life of an antiques dealer.

Wednesday

Wednesday started off soggy with a steady rain falling at 6 am as promoter Marie Doldoorian opened the gates to the public at the New England Motel. A huge crowd was on hand, and shoppers rushed the field in typical fashion, with many making tracks for the three large pavilions that grace the property. Doldoorian added some features to the show this year, including a 40-by-60-foot tent with cement floors that provided a safe haven for textile dealers. The show's newest feature, "sizzle vintage," a tent filled with vintage men's and women's fashions, was well received. Dealers reported good sales throughout the morning and buyers were seen scurrying about, packing bagged purchases into larger bags and then even larger bags.

Heart-O-The-Mart promoters Don and Pam Moriarty were ready for the umbrella-toting crowds as they drifted down the street from the New England Motel starting around 8 am. With all of their dealers in place and set up, most under the shelter of tents, the show was stormed by a huge crowd at the 9 am opening. The rain relented just prior to opening, turning to a steady drizzle that would continue to dissipate throughout the morning. Utilizing entrances around the field, management gets the crowd into the show quickly and buying was rapid-fire for the first hour as shoppers moved at a quick pace. Midcentury items, especially furniture, seemed to be popping everywhere, industrial items were also selling well, pottery of all sorts and country furniture, which has grown scarce on the field, was also moving.

Just prior to noon, the field at Hertan's was jammed with people just biding their time and waiting for the opening bell to ring. The rain had all but stopped, although many of the dealers still opted for the safety of a canopy. Those with walled canopies had already set up, although their merchandise was concealed and strict marching orders were in place from management regarding "no selling" before promoter David Lamberto rang the starting bell.

Audibly clear all around the field, the bell finally tolled the start of the market and tent sides were torn down quickly. Others started unpacking in a brisk fashion, with buyers standing three and four deep around their tables. A large stoneware jar by Crolius was an early seller at one booth, a red painted jelly cupboard in another and an Adirondack table and chairs sported a sold tag elsewhere.

Thursday

Thursday morning is a little less hectic for shoppers, with the opening at May's being the main attraction of the day. The crowds still start shopping early, with some predawn activity noted, but the main focus for buyers is to get into line at May's. The crowd began forming by 7:30, and as the 9 am opening time drew near, the crowd stretched in either direction down Route 20 for at least a 100 yards. Then there is the crowd that lines up on the other side of the street — the gate crashers — that continue the 20-plus-year-old tradition of blocking automobile and truck traffic on Brimfield's main thoroughfare as the show opens its gates. Many buyers seem to have benefited from a winter-time regiment of speed-walking as they prepared for Brimfield, as shoppers seemed to be moving about the field at an extra-quick pace.

Strong selling was noted on the field and the crew of porters was being kept busy moving large items to and fro.

Friday

Brimfield's original market, J&J, opened to find several hundred people crowded around the main entrance by the new 8 am start time — two hours later than past years — and a long skinny line of people snaking out from a side entrance adjacent to May's parking field. The lines had started forming by 7 am.

As buyers waited for the gate to open, conversations centered on which dealers one was heading to first and Brimfield experiences of yore, such as the man who tried to hop the creek outside J&J's gate and landed in the middle.

At the magical hour, a well-executed system was in place as a pair of young ladies took money and stamped hands at one end, while at the gate, buyers walked through, hands held high, displaying their stamps to the gate attendants.

Inside, booths were ready as buyers rushed in. Near the front entrance, Main Street Antiques, Kent, Conn., offered up a sea of textiles, mostly in whites and creams artfully piled on tables, while across the way, Mia Boldsen of The Stockkeeper, Littleton, Mass., ably assisted customers — from a teenager looking for a prom dress to women looking for a piece of vintage clothing to complement their wardrobe. In business for two decades, Boldsen has been showing at Brimfield for four years now and her booth was well-stocked with handbags, shoes, coats, dresses and more.

In the booth of David Zabriskie, Lake Placid, N.Y., a folky red trade sign "Boucherie" caught the interest of several buyers, while a choice assortment of decorative smalls — the focus of the booth — was pleasing. He and partner Madeleine Killeen did well earlier in the week on another field, selling furniture. "Absolutely like the old days," she said, noting they had tremendous interest in their merchandise and saw great crowds.

A pair of brightly colored, lifesize nutcrackers bade welcome to the booth of The Welcome Traveler, Meriden, Conn., among other such interesting offerings as a railroad crossing sign, a Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros Circus poster and a collection of pedal cars.

Backward Glance, Westwood, Mass., featured children's books and games of local interest, such as an early Milton Brothers baseball board game (made in Springfield, Mass.) to a Parker Brothers two-sided football/baseball game that was made in Salem, Mass. The dealer's collection of advertising tins and other country store wares made for a fine display.

Antiques at 114, Woodstock, N.Y., featured a Nineteenth Century rosewood desk, an unusual lamp with depictions of a 1907 Packard and Rolls-Royce on the lampshade. A large framed poster, "Moulin de la Galette," sold early in the show.

Standouts at Just Jane's, Springville, N.Y., included an auction bill mounted on part of an old barn door that was for a March 1929 auction conducted by Fred Klinkman Sr, and a chainsaw-carved satyr in cedar done by artist Hobart Reta as a self-portrait using the artist's face on the figure.

Maria's Pond Antiques, Pattersonville, N.Y., showed a lovely and ornate French clock made in Autun, circa 1820s–1840s, and an eye-catching New York State optical trade sign in the form of oversized glasses, circa 1840s.

Other highlights spotted on the field here included a large pair of wagon wheels held upright and connected by a large birch log, an 1880s Seth Thomas "Mercury" marbleized clock and a hand loomed Adirondack camp rug, measuring more than 8 by 10 feet.

Brimfield will return July 13–18. For more information, www.brimfieldshow.com or call the local Chamber of Commerce at 413-283-2418.