Jan Whitlock Named To New York's Winter Antiques Show

CHADDS FORD, PENN.

:Chadds Ford dealer Jan Whitlock, a specialist in American textiles and folk art, has been named to the 2006 Winter Antiques Show in New York City, increasing to 19 the number of Winter Antiques Show exhibitors who deal largely or exclusively in American material.

Best known for American hooked and shirred rugs, embroidered blankets, quilts and homespun fabrics, Whitlock is one of three newcomers to this year's fair. She joins David Wheatcroft, a Westborough, Mass., specialist in American folk art, and Charles Pollak, a New York City dealer in American furniture. Wheatcroft and Whitlock formerly exhibited at the American Antiques Show, organized by the American Folk Art Museum during New York's January Americana Week.

"It all happened very suddenly," confessed Whitlock, reached by phone late last week. "I had a call from the Winter Antiques Show's executive director Catherine Sweeney Singer inviting me to join. I couldn't say no. The Winter Antiques Show gets 25,000 visitors each year and reaches an international audience. I'm thrilled to be joining such an outstanding roster of exhibitors."

Whitlock is replacing Barry Friedman, a New York dealer in European avant-garde fine and decorative art who is on leave from the show. William Guthman, a dealer in American Indian art and historical Americana, and Gary Young, a dealer in English furniture and accessories, are retiring from the fair.

Whitlock's inventory complements that of the show's other textile specialists. Cora Ginsburg, LLC, is well known for European and American costume and needlework. Stephen and Carol Huber feature samplers and silk embroideries.

Whitlock's booth will be in the corner to the left of the show's entrance. The Pennsylvania dealer plans to display Morgantown, W.Va., cobalt-decorated stoneware against a backdrop of indigo-resist fabric. American yarn-sewn and shirred rugs, a Nantucket blanket chest, and a decorated fireboard formerly in the collection of Harvey and Isobel Kahn are likely highlights. The dealer is also considering bringing toile, for many years a staple of the late Elinor Merrell's display.

The Pennsylvania dealer also exhibits at the ADA-Historic Deerfield Antiques Show, the Delaware Antiques Show, Mid*Week in Manchester, and the Connecticut Spring Antiques Show. A former textiles designer and merchandising executive, she began collecting antique textiles 30 years ago. She has been a dealer since 1999.

In all, 74 exhibitors from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Belgium and France will participate in the 52nd Winter Antiques Show, which will open with a benefit preview for East Side House Settlement on Thursday, January 19. The show continues through January 29 at the Seventh Regiment Armory at Park Avenue and 67th Street.