: Nan Gurley's Sturbridge Americana Antiques Show is, in her words,
"building into a high-end Americana show in its own right."
Conducted by her at the Sturbridge Host Hotel's exhibition and
conference center, the show has been scheduled on the Thursday of
Brimfield week for the last three years. Now, with 68 dealers at
the most recent event on May 12, she said, "It is not really a
part of Brimfield, but it does profit by being on when the people
are there." She added that the dealers attracted to her show
prefer an indoor venue to exhibit their collections.
Ms Gurley has been producing antiques shows in Northern New
England for more than 20 years and has created a following of
exhibitors who offer "Americana," as she calls it. In her shows,
the dealers typically themselves are collectors of objects that
were unique to America prior to the Civil War in all cases, and
prior to the War of Independence in most. Iron implements from
Sharon, Conn., circa 1750, or Shaker boxes from Enfield, N.H.
circa 1825, are typical; furniture made by the user in colonial
times or a signed piece from Rhode Island or New Hampshire; all
these and more are typical antiques to be found at her shows and
they were in Sturbridge in May.
Otto and Susan Hart, Arlington, Vt.
Newsom and Berdan from Hallowell, Maine, are well known for
their collection of early American folk art, which Betty Berdan is
quick to exhibit and sell. For Sturbridge, she had some well-made
and colorful quilts, an early game table and more. Next to her was
James LaFurgy, also from Hallowell, with a similar collection. Greg
Smart is from Ellsworth, Maine, and he seems to find more of the
early folk art pieces that were just functional when they were
created. He featured several hooked rugs and a pair of large
braided rugs.
Jim and Judith Murphy are Newtown, Conn., residents who collect
primitive furniture and accessories. Mr Murphy's day job is as
newscaster covering the Connecticut state house, and so antiques
are an outlet for him. As with many dealers, the shows are a way
for them to keep building on their collection, as well as having
the working holiday. Glen and Jenni Rice moved to Higganum,
Conn., from California just a few years ago, and their most
important collection is stoneware. Here, they were exhibiting
more than a dozen pieces of the highest quality, along with some
country-style furniture.
There was a pair of American-made Chippendale style-side chairs
offered by Wiener-Juckett Antiques from Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Howard Graf, Colt Barn Antiques, Townshend, Vt., was offering a
variety of early iron implements for kitchen and fireplace. Ester
Gilbert was offering a mix of furniture and small accessories,
and Susan Gault came with numerous hooked rugs, in addition to a
collection of early household and kitchen objects.
Michael Malloy, Dunbarton, N.H.
Antique furniture was the principal attraction in Michael
Malloy's booth. He had a large collection of softwood pieces,
including a child's bed with large head and footboards. Nearby was
Firehouse Antiques of Galena, Md., with an eclectic mix of useful
antiques and folk art.
Visitors to the show were an anxious and aggressive group,
including many dealers who came for that special piece that they
could resell. Nan Gurley shows are known as the source for "the
great stuff just out [on the market for sale] for the first
time," according to an ex-California couple.
The show will be repeated on each Thursday of Brimfield week
later this summer - July 7 and September 8. For information,
207-625-3577.
