Snow Spurs Sales at Stella's Pier Show

NEW YORK CITY

:It was a wonder that anybody was willing to brave the elements for the final days of Americana Week, especially in light of the overzealously forecasted "Blizzard of 2005." Yet brave it they did, despite the fact that the National Weather Service and news media were forecasting a huge snow storm "headed our way" on Friday, January 21.

After hearing the horrific forecasts predicting huge accumulations of snow, many dealers participating in Stella Show Mgmt Co.'s Pier Show expressed grave concerns about the effect the storm would have on their ability to travel to and from the show. "A handful of elderly dealers called in and cancelled at the last minute," stated Irene Stella, and there was serious doubt being expressed throughout the Piers as to whether anyone would even come, let alone buy.

The worry proved for naught for the majority of the dealers and overall spirits seemed to be high early on Saturday morning. Optimism spread as news circulated throughout the Piers about a long line forming more than an hour and a half prior to the opening. The throngs of dealers who were participating in other shows in the City were mingled among the regular cast of Pier shoppers in line. As the Piers opened to the public at 10 am, New Jersey collector Ronnie Newman was, as usual, one of the first to head up an extremely long line at the traditional Americana Pier, Pier 92.

As buyers charged into the show, red dots began appearing all around the floor. "They rushed by snapping things up," commented one dealer, "then as time wore on and no sign of snow was seen through the windows, people bought more methodically." While all were anxious to take a look around the Americana laden Piers, virtually everyone kept a watchful eye toward the skies. A couple hours later the first flakes were spotted and by 3 pm, with a heavy snow falling in Manhattan, the Piers were emptying out.

Casey Hall of Urban Country, Santa Monica, Calif., had a nice near life-size wooden carving of a nun. Preshow, the dealer joked that they were praying to the icon throughout the morning for no snow. Their prayers seemingly went unanswered until Hale explained, "All prayers are answered, it is just that sometimes the answer is 'No."'

Frederick Balling was another on the floor who was not letting the storm dampen his spirits. Balling claimed to have what would ultimately prove to be the most popular item on the floor amidst his varied assortment of Adirondack and camp materials - a pair of snowshoes. The West Cornwall, Conn., dealer, operating as The Fishing Room, said with a laugh, "People have been claiming that I keep raising the price as the storm gets closer."

Another dealer to be sporting the right stuff for the storm was Upper Black Eddy, Penn., dealer Leanne Lipson with her offering of a futuristic aluminum tubular sled from the 1940s. The dealer also offered an interesting pair of aluminum skis complete with aluminum bindings.

The guys at HG Limited, Riverdale, N.Y., put their keen eye to good use once again and offered a stunning display of simple utilitarian objects that when grouped together took on an extremely pleasing look. "We are always working to reinvent the market," they commented in regard to their eclectic and graphic offering of wire light bulb protective coverings for drop lights.

Georgetown, Ind., dealers Parrett/Lich had a strong patriotic theme going in their booth. The dealers offered an eye-catching child's slide that had been painted red, white and blue. Also offered was an oversized mailbox in the form of an Uncle Sam's hat with a large hand attached as a handle.

Susan Stella's booth was attracting a great deal of attention as the dealer filled one entire wall with a vibrant Pennsylvania appliqué quilt. A small sawbuck table, Windsor side chair and a cute arrow weathervane rounded out the display.

Wiscasset, Maine, dealers Robert Snyder and Judy Wilson were just down the aisle and their attractive booth was also getting lots of attention. One corner of the booth was devoted to animals with a large wooden penguin standing in front of two Scottie dogs. "Its kind of hard to find the big ones," said Mr Snyder of two sculptural canine pieces. "They were advertising pieces for Black and White Scotch from England," he said. Above the pair was a large hooked rug that kept the animal theme alive as it featured a Jack Russell Terrier. The dealers also offered a prime selection of Americana highlighted by a wonderful picnic basket in red, white and blue paint and a rare stoneware gemel double jug with cobalt decoration.

Otto and Sue Hart, Arlington, Vt., also focused on an animal theme at the front of their booth with another large wooden penguin attracting attention. A large carved stork with a baby swaddled in a flag dangling from its beak was another crowd pleaser, as was the stuffed kitty playfully batting some twine.

Michael and Sally Whittemore devoted one wall of their booth to fishing with a large lure trade sign claiming the limelight, also noteworthy was a striking wooden slatted panel in bright yellow paint decorated with a school of carved and painted fish.

Sunday saw a light snow falling in the area and the crowd was slower than normal; however, those that trekked out into the powder-covered Manhattan streets were serious buyers. Many reported making good sales throughout the day. As is always the norm, many dealers were ecstatic with more than one commenting that it was "the best Pier I have ever done," while others just sighed.

The Piers will return in all their glory over the weekend of February 12 and 13, and again on March 19 and 20.