: It is a relatively short jitney ride from the Atlantic City
Convention Center - the site of the Atlantique City antiques show
- to the Trump Taj Mahal casino. So, naturally, thoughts of
Donald Trump, the popular NBC reality television show The
Apprentice, success and money came to mind on the weekend of
March 26-27 at Atlantique City - the incredibly popular,
successful and money-making event in the world of antiques.
Show manager Ted Jones acknowledged that this year the show was
not adversely affected by world events. Also, happily, a number
of attendees (500 to be exact) availed themselves of the free
appraisal booth staffed by the nation's top antiques experts.
Another big draw - for furniture dealers and customers alike -
was the show's offer of free furniture delivery within a 200-mile
radius. And Jones added, "A lot of highly carved oak furniture
sold. There was a huge amount of furniture delivered to the New
York area and, specifically, Long Island."
And getting back to Donald Trump - he recently asked an aspiring
candidate for the second season of The Apprentice, "Do you
love your job?" The candidate hesitated and then answered, "I
love the people I meet." Trump then fired back, "I asked you, Do
you love your job? If not, then get another one."
The real estate tycoon would not have had to ask the
approximately 1,000 antiques and collectibles dealers at the
Atlantique City show if they loved their jobs. Their passion for
the "product" they sell, their enthusiasm and their willingness
to share their expertise were all evident walking around this
101/2-acre event.
Appropriately, the booth of The Silver Butler, Philadelphia, was
overseen by a former Wall Street stockbroker and a former lawyer,
who both decided in the prime of their careers to pursue an
occupation that they loved - antiques.
Ready to trade fine silver instead of stocks and subpoenas,
dealers Gil Hahn and Tim Kiser compared the antiques show patrons
to the casino crowd: "They arrive with money in hand and are
eager to spend it." But instead of taking a chance at the
roulette wheel, it was a "sure bet" when showgoers acquired a
tangible treasure from The Silver Butler. Selections included a
Navarre pattern sterling tea set by Watson for $6,000, a sterling
silver turn-of-the-century English plateau for the banquet table
at $7,500, a Lancaster Rose sterling silver pattern hot water
kettle by Poole for $4,750, and a turn-of-the-century Gorham
sterling silver water pitcher, pair of gravy boats and salt and
pepper at $7,500. Hard to find in such a complete state was a
silver plate punch bowl set by International Silver Company in
the "Vintage" pattern that included punch bowl, 12 cups, ladle
and tray, $1,950.
Ebullient dealer Michael Flitterman from Aunt Pittypat's,
Chester, N.J., offered praise and respect for the exquisite
craftsmanship seen on his furniture pieces. In fact, only ten
minutes into the start of the show, Flitterman reported the sale
of an Art Deco bedroom set. Sold signs were also visible on a
Victorian mahogany armoire with an unusual double drawer base, an
early Twentieth Century miniature solid mahogany chest-on-chest
that was designed to be used as a jewelry chest and a
turn-of-the-century Rococo Revival flame mahogany full-size bed.
Flitterman pointed to the "free furniture delivery" signs that
graced his and other furniture dealers' booths, and added that
this money-saving perk is a big plus for the customers and
tremendously helpful for dealers, too.
Sunday morning shoppers could still acquire a twin pedestal sold
mahogany carved and banded dining room table for $2,495, a flame
mahogany dining room table with two leaves that opened to 91/2
feet for $2,695, a circa 1890 intricately carved sideboard for
$1,895 and an oval inlaid French table for $795.
A J&E Stevens Boy Scouts of America bank, circa 1910, was
priced $22,000 at Toys of Yesteryear, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Thanks to exhibitor Laurel Carlson McKinney, who raced to the
show from Indianapolis, Ind., an 1896 high fashion ensemble
returned to its East Coast roots. Created by the French couturier
Madam Drevet in her New York dressmaking establishment, the elegant
pieces made for Mrs Campbell, a resident of Lebanon, Ind.,
consisted of a skirt, bodice, cape, hat and shoes. It sold, along
with a letter from Madame Drevet, thus securing the provenance of
the ensemble for generations to come.
Hans and Mary Krogh from Taneytown, Md., who exhibited a
selection of Danish and Biedermeier furniture, reported that they
were off to Sweden on another buying trip only two days after the
show concluded. Along with sales, which included Biedermeier
furniture, the Kroghs also noted that Royal Copenhagen pieces
left their booth for new surroundings. Among the furniture
decorating their space was a circa 1870-1880 Biedermeier chest of
drawers ($2,500), a circa 1860 Danish mahogany corner chest
($2,750), a circa 1910 Swedish elm kneehole desk and a circa 1880
Danish walnut chest of drawers with a serpentine front and bun
feet.
In a booth riddled with bold red sold tags, Edmondo Crimi from
Best of France, Lambertville, N.J., said his major sales included
a very rare Art Nouveau armoire, six antique bronzes in both
classical and romantic designs and monumental garden fountains,
including one with Grecian maidens at the base.
Along with the monumental, miniatures (such as vintage toys) also
captured the attention of showgoers. A European dealer returned
home with a Bing ocean liner that he secured at the booth of
Bertoia Auctions, Vineland, N.J. Also making its way to other
waters was a Bing live steamship in mint condition that was sold
with its original box. Other forms of early transportation that
also made quick exits included a European tin motorcycle and a
German Marklin car.
Toys are also a serious and exciting business for Ray Haradin
from Toys of Yesteryear, Pittsburgh, whose booth display included
still and mechanical banks, Britains and dime store soldiers and
turn-of-the-century American toys.
As the publisher of the collectors journal Old Toy Soldier
and as secretary of the Mechanical Bank Collectors of America,
Haradin is yet another dealer who truly exemplifies the credo
that passion equates with success. Some of his fine offerings
included a circa 1910 Boy Scouts of America bank by J&E
Stevens ($22,000), a circa 1890 zoo bank by Kyser & Rex
($3,850), an Ives & Blakeslee and Co. clockwork mechanism
circus rider parlor toy (with provenance to the circus rider
Barney Barenholtz), and a circa 1915 American bell toy of the
Happy Holligan's soapbox derby by N&N Hill Brass Company
($3,400).
"This is the only show that I exhibit at," said George Havriluk
from Erie Street Antiques, Hoboken, N.J. He added, "The free
furniture delivery is a big incentive." His spot at the show's
entrance gave him a good pulse on the gate. On Sunday, he
reported, "It was a great gate!" His selections included a
Victorian Renaissance Revival marble-top walnut table with
incised carving and gilt and ebonized trim that was attributed to
Allen and Brothers of Philadelphia; a circa 1865 J.E. Caldwell
& Company (Philadelphia) elaborately carved rosewood clock
with winged claw feet; a 1943 Gibson (model L-7) original-finish
guitar with flamed sides and back; and a 1922 Martin guitar
(model 0-21) with a rosewood back. His cased glassware selections
included Egyptian crackle by Durand.
Dealers Edward and Patricia Seidel from Lewisburg, Penn., made it
enjoyable to look at early laundry equipment, such as pressing
irons and washboards. As Ed Seidel pointed out an unusual circa
1850 stove ($595) that was designed to heat up pressing irons, he
mentioned that the Swedish company, Husquarna, is still in
business today. But keeping pace with consumer needs, it has
evolved from manufacturing "unnecessary" laundry appliances to
the marketing of chainsaws and tractors. The Seidels also
displayed a 1904 sample-size Mother Hubbard washboard for $895.
A collection of yellowware included a hard-to-find, circa
1900-1920 pitcher and bowl ($1,295), a lion mold ($695) and a
yellowware inkwell that was complete with its original lids
($295). In great condition was a German graniteware kerosene lamp
with a delicate floral design.
John C. Van Doren, Stockton, N.J.
Fifteen-year exhibitor Charlene Upham from Mardela Springs,
Md., showed a grouping of American art pottery that included Ohio,
Fulper, Hampshire, Jugtown and Owens. Complementing the pottery was
a signed Gustav Stickley V-back design chair with its original
finish ($1,150), a 1911 Louise Orwig oil painting and a pair of
Arts and Crafts leaded glass lights with both stained and slag
glass ($4,500).
Greeting show attendees at the entrance of CS Expressions from
Red Bank, N.J., was a pair of Nineteenth Century hand carved oak
monks ($10,500) that undoubtedly were also attention-getters when
they flanked the entrance of Schaffer Brewery in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Filling out the booth was a mid-1800s royal court scene tapestry,
a Victorian fire screen, a Victorian settee with paw feet, three
pastel portraits, with one signed and dated 1858 ($4,350), an
Arts and Crafts tall-case clock and a John Callow (1822-1878) oil
painting of sailboats in turbulent waters ($4,750).
David Anthony Antiques from Richmond, Mass., reported interest in
all categories, and sold Steiffs, dolls and holiday items during
the course of the show.
The next Atlantique City show will take place October 16-17. For
information, www.atlantiquecity.com. or 800-526-2724.
