Review and Photos by Tom O’Hara
WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OHIO — Don Scott produced the second edition of his new Scott Antique Market at the Fayette County Fairgrounds with dealers exhibiting in the air-conditioned buildings, barns and tents June 24–26. As a new summer show, Don and his crew are building the market for dealers, bringing many from Scott’s successful Atlanta show while also attracting local exhibitors.
The customers are largely from Ohio and nearby Kentucky so far, as the show launched this spring so Scott said word is just getting out about all the antiques available here. He dubbed this edition a success in the building effort for his new venue with good dealer participation and customer support.
Sales were, according to several reports, best in late Nineteenth Century oak furniture. Tom and Kris Bireley, dealers from Churubusco, Ind., for example, sold an entire dining room ensemble. The sale included a round oak pedestal table, a set of six press backed oak chairs and a server also in oak, all to one customer. All the pieces were in excellent condition, along with more offered by the Bireleys, including several Hoosier kitchen cupboards and sideboards.
B&N Antiques, Cheviot, Ohio, offered many Connecticut clocks dating from about 1825 to 1890. The dealer’s sales in them are usually good after being restored to good working order as these were, selling from $350 to as much as $700.
Pottery, crocks and jugs were the primary sales for James Wilder Antiques. The Cincinnati, Ohio, exhibitor was also showing antique firearms and some late Nineteenth Century furniture. “For a first time doing the show, it was not bad, and I’ll be there in August,” Wilder said. His impression was that it will take some time for the customers to get used to the show and what is offered.
Morphy’s Auctions, Denver, Penn., was exhibiting, with team member Brian Estepp holding down the fort. The sales were smalls, focusing on early toys, advertising and collectibles, but Brian was also there to publicize Morphy’s upcoming sales of firearms and toys.
Big Creek Antiques is the partnership of Chris Warne and Larry Lewis and based in Clay City, Ky. This weekend only Chris was at the show, bringing a large van full of early Americana, including art, furniture and home furnishings from Appalachia, circa 1800–50. The booth’s back wall was a hand sewn quilt, white with red snowflakes pattern, pre-1900, affordably priced. He sold the small apothecary chest as his last sale before going home; it was from about 1850. Several Nineteenth Century paintings also sold.
Green’s Antiques, Springfield, Ohio, specializes in Nineteenth Century furniture and selling here were late Victorian oak and maple furniture, including pieces for the kitchen and dining room. The dealers also offered painted furniture.
Steve Cordes, Latrobe, Penn., specializes in Hummel figures and created a 30-foot-wide display with more than 800 examples of the charming little figurines.
Rounding out the show offerings were a large outdoor shuffleboard game at Collected Over Time, Thornville, Ohio; workbenches and worktables at Huntsburger’s Antiques, Orrville, Ohio; and Malverne, N.Y, exhibitor Aidan’s Antiques featured early antique inkwells and perfume bottles.
This year’s remaining shows will be August 26–28 and September 30–October 2. The pattern will be the fourth weekend of the summer months.
Scott was also touting the available food service. “We have just tremendous food vendors at this show, they make the day a real pleasure for the shoppers. Lots of variety and reasonable prices add to the day’s fun for all,” he said.
Scott believes the show at this facility will eventually become a family shopping weekend. He noted that on offer all summer are VIP passes offering free admission. For additional information, www.scottantiquemarket.com or 740-569-9700.