Pound Ridge Historical Society Antiques Show

BEDFORD, N.Y.

: - The 29th Annual Pound Ridge Historical Society Antiques Show on November 22-23 may have the aura of consistency for having been around for so long, however, in 2003 there was consistency and freshness.

This year's new show manager, Martin Greenstein, promised more than 50 exhibitors and he delivered. Actually, more than 60 dealers set up for the show, which took place in the Fox Lane High School on Route 172. There were signs everywhere, leaving no doubt as to where the Pound Ridge Historical Society Antiques Show was.

Upon Saturday's opening, a steady stream of buyers came through the gate. It was not a mad dash, but a constant flow. People were not in a hurry. It was Indian summer outside and the mood was blissful. Inside, the show was inviting. The spaces were wisely used. With dealers set up in a broad hallway and two gyms, customers could meander to their hearts' content.

J Gallagher, specialists in fireplace accessories, brought several nursery fenders in various widths and heights. Named because they are meant to keep crawling and toddling children away from the flames, nursery fenders are also practical for folks who have fine oriental carpets near the fire. One 60-inch nursery fender had nice swag detail. Ruth Gallagher was very pleased it was not raining. Because they were set up in the hallway, light came through the booth's wallpaper in back of the fireplace mantle they had set up, giving it a warm glow -- happenstance, but effective just the same. The Gallaghers brought an attractive Hepplewhite chest of drawers, and other furnishings and accessories to round out their booth.

Stanley Rinehart, Rinehart Antiques, Katonah, N.Y., had a handsome English burl elm bookcase cabinet with three glass doors over three cabinets. "I think a decorator is going to buy it -- several took pictures," said Rinehart after the show. In the first hour of the show he sold two mahogany canopy twin beds. He also sold an eight-foot-long red leather bench in one piece of buffalo hide, and several smalls. "I am happy with the gate, the money I made and I'm pleased with the show management." Rinehart also brought a wonderful four-foot-long tiger maple tavern table from New England that he had found in Pittsfield, Mass. Under $10,000, the table had peg construction and original surface.

Ile de France, Marblehead, Conn., specializes in kitchen and wine antiques. If you had the room, you could have purchased a rustic antique wine scale designed to sell portions of wine from a huge barrel that would be suspended by the scale. There was also an antique wooden grocery store counter that had to have been at least 12 feet long. The front edge had a lip to keep stacked produce from spilling off the edge. Kitchen copper and cupboards and glass gave the booth a warm look. Riverboat lanterns, perhaps from some Parisian barge, added appeal, too.

Ferndale Antiques, Greens Farms, Conn., had a booth full of precious curiosities, namely brass figures and scrimshaw. Dealer Bill McGrath has been collecting scrimshaw for 40 years. He had several excellent examples on whales' teeth. He also sold stone carvings, doorknockers, corkscrews and other smalls. If you were looking for an unusual walking stick, Ferndale Antiques had plenty.

Amy Parsons Quilts, Bedford, N.Y., brought several attractive crib quilts as well as other types of quilts. She displayed a large blue and white crib quilt from circa 1930 that had white stitching on blue and blue stitching on white. It featured a Dutch girl with a windmill.

APN Trading Corp, Bayshore, N.Y., had a diverse booth of international antiques from Peru, Mexico, Indonesia and China. They brought an attractive Indonesian room divider known as a gebyok that had Dutch Colonial and Chinese influence. Carved out of wood, it was painted in soft reds, greens and gold and dated to the turn of the century.

B&B Imports, Madison, N.J., had some singular architectural elements, like the large English leaded glass window, circa 1900, for $295 and the eight-light French wrought metal chandelier with old green patina. Dealer Ann Bonanno of Chatham, N.J., a direct importer from Europe, had bought the chandelier for herself, and later discovered that it required a nine-foot ceiling. It needs minor restoration and rewiring for the United States. Bonanno also brought a lovely Kashmir box in papier mache, circa 1890. After the show she said, "We sold a beautiful bow front chest and several unique accessories, including a wonderful tureen and several pieces Spode Italian blue. We always are pleased with that show -- it is a very good venue. People seem to enjoy it and Martin did a very good job."

Frank Oppel, Stamford, Conn., was selling interesting and attractive vintage maps of Fairfield and Westchester County towns, Block Island, Nantucket, New England, etc. Oppel also sold some vintage prints. Beverly Fine Art, set up in another area of the show, offered a huge selection of vintage prints in many categories: botanical, birds, cities, sporting, Native American, you name it.

The new mix of high-end and lower-priced merchandise allowed for different sized wallets, one of Martin Greenstein's goals. There were familiar faces for those who shop many shows in the tri-state area, but there were also folks who you do not run across that often at shows. There were dealers from New York City, Boston, Keene, N.H., Madison, N.J., but there were "local" people too, from Fairfield and Westchester counties.

Shoppers and dealers were not the only ones who benefited from the show's new energy. Joyce Butterfield, chair of the show for the Pound Ridge Historical Society for the past eight years said, "This year Martin has made it easy." She credited his organizational skills and energy. In the past the show has attracted about 40 to 45 dealers, and Butterfield was pleased with the increased participation. It used to be that volunteers would supply and staff the concessions. This year Greenstein brought in a caterer, setting those volunteers free to help in other areas, like putting together the 40-page show booklet.

The Pound Ridge Historical Society just finished remodeling its 20- by 30-foot museum, and also updated office equipment and computerized its archives, which are in the basement. Funds raised from the show will go toward replacing the capital that was used for those projects, and toward the many programs and house tours the society offers the community.