: 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."'
Otto and Sue Hart, Arlington, Vt.
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.
Chuck White, Mercer, Pa.
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.
