: Thanksgiving Weekend, November 26-28, for the 23rd consecutive
year was the time and the Williamsburg Marriott was the place for
an antiques holiday weekend at which the 25 assembled dealers
gave their own special thanks. Show promoter Bettianne Sweeney
had the word out for her show, which attracted about 1,500
visitors and saw good overall sales of fine antiques in the room
settings of the hotel's ballroom.
The offerings at this show, while not vetted, are tightly
controlled by the dealers and Sweeney to assure visitors that
they are really antiques not collectibles or reproductions. In
the recent past, some dealers have been told politely to remove
offending items, and others who perhaps do not know the
difference have not been invited back. This year's newcomers were
new only to this show, as each had ten or more years experience
in the trade. Among them they found good success in what one
dealer termed "a downer of a year selling antiques." She added,
"It was one of my best [shows] of the year, and I do many of the
really big shows in New York, Texas and more."
For many, this show has become a feature for their Thanksgiving
holiday. For example, the Longs, who are residents of local
community Kingsmill, have their adult children and grandchildren
visit for the holiday. Staff of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
also spent part of their weekend at the show and in some cases
spent more then just time. Ron Hurst, vice president of the
curatorial staff, was there and made one dealer very happy.
Sweeney has been selective in her choice of dealers. To be sure,
there is a wide selection of antique merchandise, but not an
excess of tabletop exhibitors. This selectivity has created great
loyalty among the dealers to her enterprise. Among regulars who
have been there since the early days are Robert Woody, now of
Pennsylvania, offering fine early silver, Josephine Hart
Thrasher, Alexandria, Va.; and jewelry and furniture dealers Judy
and Jerry Brill, Newport News, Va.
Ten-year veterans include McNeil and Reed, Delmar, Md., who
offered furniture and a vast collection of Rose Medallion china
dishes. Bill Shaeffer deals in exotic English porcelain.
In the Marriott lobby was an inviting exhibit from several of
the show's dealers. The table and chairs sold for around
$6,500.
Newcomer June Ainsworth from East Hampton, N.Y., specializes
in antique American folk art objects and small decorator pieces.
Susan Curan Wright, formerly of New York and now North Carolina,
offered textiles and small items made from vintage textiles.
Lucille and Charles Berg, Easton, Mass., said they had a good first
year experience with the sale of some furniture and vintage
Christmas paraphernalia.
Large booths filled with furniture were the offerings from
Beatrice Pearl Antiques, Mocksville, N.C., Edgewood Antiques,
Greenville, S.C., Period Antiques, Scottsburg, Ind., and Sharon,
Conn.'s own Easter Hill Antiques. Northumberland Antiques is the
business of Scott Cilley, Richmond, Va., and he, too, exhibited
early furniture. He did well enough at the show that he was
buying there to replace some inventory.
For next Thanksgiving, Sweeney plans to increase the show's size
with the addition of more ballroom space, allowing about 35
dealers. Even with the increase, she said she expects to be as
diligent in watching the quality of the antiques. For
information, 757-220-1299 or email .
