: "I was very pleased for a first-time show," said Nan Gurley,
commenting on dealer response and visitor traffic at her first
Presidents' Day Weekend Antiques Show at the Royal Plaza Trade
Center on February 20. Never afraid to try a new venue for her
shows, Ms Gurley rented this site many months back, as it has
been a continuing success for her Thanksgiving show over the last
two decades. She said, "I took the chance and we had a terrific
gate, a few less early buyers and a lot more retail buyers
attended." She filled the exhibit hall with nearly 100 dealers
featuring early American antiques and primitives.
Sales were good, according to several dealers. Firehouse
Antiques, Galena, Md., reported good results with a broad variety
of antiques. I-deal Antiques, the business name for Bud Hughes,
New Market, N.H., was very happy to be there. From his exhibit
there were numerous sales, including some small woodenware
pieces, an early Shaker pulled yarn mat and a large pantry
cupboard.
John Anderson brought a New Hampshire-made continuous arm
Windsor.
Christine Tisdale brought to the show a small mull chest, one
probably used for cereal grains in the home. It appeared to have
been a countertop piece, but it might also have worked as a wall
hanger, made of pine with covered bins at the bottom and drawers
above. New Ipswich, N.H., dealer Estelle Glovey had an early
American-made Sheraton or federal-style chest of drawers. Judy
Brennan, Peterborough, N.H., said she and her husband, Joe, sold
well, with smalls such as household tools and lighting.
Some dealers have been at the business for nearly all their lives
and a show is just another day. Two such fellows are John
Anderson and Robert Hay. Mr Anderson has followed in his parents'
footsteps, becoming what in the antiques business is known as a
"picker." He will get a call to come to a house to buy "some
stuff," and he has a wealth of knowledge and can recognize the
really fine antiques. He then buys and offers his purchases to
other dealers with, as the expression goes, "money left in it,"
so even a dealer can buy from him for resale, although not
necessarily at a big profit margin.
Robert Hay, Plainfield, N.H.
Among his most interesting pieces was a New Hampshire-made
Eighteenth Century continuous arm Windsor chair for less than
$1,000. Mr Hay, from farther north in New Hampshire, often can do
the same; he offered numerous small items, a set of chairs and a
tall painted cupboard in his temporary shop.
Sandwich Glass candlesticks were Michael Rackis's specialty.
Shohola, Penn., dealer Michael Gagnon had a great yellow painted
cupboard. William Lary brought a tavern table from Dublin, N.H.,
in what was probably its first trip out of the state since being
made more than 200 years ago.
Ted and Carole Hayward, Richmond, N.H., trade as Yankee Smuggler
Antiques. In a postshow interview, Mr Hayward said they "did very
well, much better than we expected...furniture, smalls, very
well."
Ms Gurley said that for a first-time show her expenses were high,
but she was so pleased with the results she has already booked
for next year's Presidents' Day weekend, February 19. She also
has a series of shows coming up in Sturbridge, Mass., starting
May 12. For information, email nangurley@adelphia.net or call
207-625- 3577.
