Tolland Antiques Show - For The Uninitiated, The Show Is A Must

TOLLAND, CONN. - "I had to restock today. I sold a tavern table, a Sheraton drop leaf in old red, and a really good Eighteenth Century New York State corner chair in original paint," said a delighted Jim Murphy of J&J Murphy Antiques, Newtown, Conn. That was the theme of all the dealers interviewed at the very popular 39-year-old show in western Connecticut. It was booth after booth of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century American country furniture in good paint - Windsors, Queen Anne side chairs, highboys, fantastic period accessories - it was all here.

It is no wonder that the Tolland Historical Society has to keep a waiting list for all the dealers who want to exhibit at the show. Antiques dealer Cheryl Wakely said, "I am so glad I brought some spare things to restock my booth. I have sold artwork and good smalls." Joseph Collins of Cobalt, Conn., had a crowded booth full of period Eighteenth Century and earlier furniture, artwork and accessories, including a terrific santo in period paint. Said Mr Collins of the show, "It's at the buyable level." Antiques dealer Derek Pulito, Kensington, Conn., had sold an American drop leaf table, a Queen Anne chair and a snake cane.

Holden, Mass., dealer Peter Davidian showed an early Eighteenth Century American blanket chest with rosehead nails that had panels formed by incised lines and was divided by two deep and different shades of red. It had been found in an estate on the North Shore of Massachusetts and was priced at $2,200.

Bob Thayer, whose business is now located in Lime Rock, Conn., had a terrific miniature Chippendale arm chair in original old surface, which he had priced at $1,350. Hollis Broderick, Portsmouth, N.H., had a pair of English delftware plates, circa 1760, priced at $950. Beverly Jadus from East Berlin, Penn., had an Eighteenth Century raised panel cupboard in her booth, as well as a period portrait of a woman. Vermont antiques dealer Joe Martin said the show had been "just great" for him and his partner, Suzanne Bruckner. Martin had a mint painted Shaker rectangular basket on feet, as well as some period toleware and a multicolor hooked rug. Martha Perkins had a large assortment of period American Nineteenth Century patchwork quilts, as well as a primitive Nineteenth Century American portrait of a young girl in a light green dress.

One dealer who was exhibiting at this venerable show said, "The people who manage the show are open to suggestions." After the show, Kathy Bach, show manager and a member of the Tolland Historical Society, said, "We have already had a postshow wrap-up meeting, and are making special plans for our next year's show, which is our 40th anniversary." About this year's show, she said, "We are all smiles."

The Tolland Historical Society has reason to be pleased. This show is bucking a trend that says shows are getting increasingly tougher, in terms of business for the dealers. The gate at many shows seems to be shrinking. Not here; the gate never stops and there are new collectors, as well as the seasoned professionals one expects to see at every show. "Our customers are loyal," said Ms Bach.

Indeed, at the show, a brand new collector was seen purchasing a period American Eighteenth Century Windsor chair from dealer Penny Dionne of Willington, Conn., obviously a first-time purchaser, asking questions about how to treat the surface of the chair, which retained its original paint. This is a positive trend for the antiques show business, which in some quarters has seen an erosion of fresh buyers.

For the uninitiated, the Tolland Antiques Show is a must. It is filled with top quality, period American things, good paintings, silver, prints, terrific accessories, pottery and folk art. It is stylish, colorful and successful.

For information, 860-872-7716.