Allied Commander General Dwight Eisenhower examines Nazi-looted paintings found in a salt mine. Standing behind Eisenhower is General George Patton, who had resisted the MFA&A.
IOLA, WIS. – In a move that brings the world’s largest indoor art, antiques and collectibles show into the fold of the world’s leading publisher of hobby periodicals and books, Krause Publications of Iola, Wis., has purchased the Atlantique City Megafairs of Atlantic City, N.J.
“This show has been called the ‘Greatest Antiques Show on Earth,’ and we are excited to have it join Krause’s line of shows,” said Roger Case, president of Krause Publications. “Megafairs have become a great tradition within the industry, and we plan to use our antiques expertise and show production experience to take this cornerstone event to the next level.”
The 15-year-old event, founded by Norman Schaut in 1986, has offered spring and fall Megafairs since 1995. Each show fills the Atlantic City Convention Center, some ten acres in size, with thousands of antiques and collectibles enthusiasts and dealers from across the United States and around the world.
Schaut, a former New York advertising agency executive best known for Mr Whipple’s Charmin squeezing, will continue his association with the show as promotion and marketing manager.
“Krause Publications’ organization is ideally suited to continue the growth of the show,” said Schaut, president of Brimfield Associates. “From my vantage point, the future of ‘Atlantique City’ is brighter than any of us can imagine.”
Ted Jones, publisher of Krause’s Antique Trader division, will assume management of the show in addition to his other duties. In 1999, Krause Publications acquired the Antique Trader Publications group, based in Dubuque, Iowa. The addition of the “Atlantique City” show is a natural extension of Krause’s interest in the antiques and collectibles marketplace.
Krause publishes more than 50 magazines including Antique Trader Weekly, Collector Magazine and Price Guide, and Warman’s Today’s Collector. Among the 750 books it publishes are the Antique Trader and Warman’s price guides. The company’s show division currently produces shows for the sports, knife, coin, and collectibles hobbies.
“Atlantique City” will present its 25th event October 20-21 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Among the dealer displays will be rdf_Descriptions of antiquity spanning every category of collectibility including furniture, jewelry, pottery, china, glassware, vintage fashions, toys, books, comics, clocks, ephemera, folk art, and hundreds more.
Over the years, the Megafairs have consistently offered as much in entertainment value as they have in buying and selling opportunities. The show’s special features have included the Kennedy Collection, Treasures from the Titanic, A Marilyn Monroe Fantasy, An Olympic Centennial Celebration, The History of Monopoly, and a Miss America Panorama including the first crown from 1921.
