Royal Trade Plaza was again the scene for more than 100 dealers during the Thanksgiving weekend to offer their fresh collections of antiques at the November 25 event. “Very well attended&• was how show promoter Nan Gurley expressed herself, adding, “The customers were there Christmas shopping, and generally the dealers were happy with sales for this day. With no early buying, shoppers came all day long with the feeling that the show didn’t get picked over in the first hour, but that there were great things there all day.”
Offerings comprised an assorted collection of mostly early American antiques. Keepers Antiques, Chichester, N.H., is a shop with several partners open on Antiques Alley, Route 4, with Austin’s Antiques, a group shop open every day. Inventory for the show included small things, such as several little artificial Christmas trees, vintage kitchen linens and pin cushions made in the form of small animals.
Bill Kelly, Limington, Maine, brought a large collection of furniture, including a painted tall cupboard in faded blue. The cupboard probably originated near Kelly’s home.
Another Mainer, R.C. Bowen from Kennebunk, was selling early stoneware. Dennis and Dad Antiques, Fitzwilliam, N.H., had its usual display of early earthenware, especially transferware. Sales were reasonably good, Dennis Berard said.
Ferguson & D’Arruda Antiques, Swansea, Mass., was here with a room setting of an early dining room or kitchen and had great sales. Tom D’Arruda reported that they sold an early worktable, almost 10 feet long, early into the show; a swing leg, drop leaf table in maple; an early lantern; a rocking horse that did not have a stand and more.
Another success story at the show was Michelle Genereux, trading as MG Art and Antiques, East Kingston, N.H. Her sales included a Nineteenth Century portrait of lady, a Masonic mirror, some early toys and models and more small antiques. In fact, Michelle reported, “This was my best Thanksgiving show there ever!”
Lynne Nelson, Lancaster, Mass., and Jennie Rice, Higganum, Conn., were sharing an oversized exhibit area with their collections of mostly smalls. Jennie sold well, with a demilune table going out early, along with an early and large dress form. Later in the show, she also sold several small items and a pastel portrait of a woman in the Nineteenth Century. Lynne was offering a collection of early lighting, including a pair of tin candle sconces.
Bob Snyder and Judy Wilson, Wiscasset, Maine, were showing an interesting collection of small antiques and collectables. Susan Heider of Bloomfield, Conn., was offering small art pieces, including her collection featuring silhouettes and several samplers.
Howard Graff has had a great fondness for folk art for many years; in fact he was among the founders of the folk art museum in New York many years ago. Now when he exhibits, he usually shows the art in common objects; at Nan’s show the offering from his collection included hanging a saw for decoration, whirligigs, primitive paintings and more.
Stephen-Douglas Antiques, Rockingham, Vt., was selling smalls and also some furniture this weekend. An early restored sofa went out, as did a cupboard and more.
Gregory Lovell, Hyde Park, Mass., was selling from his collection of early transfer ware, including some historical pieces. Bob Baranowsky, Rockfall, Conn., was showing his folk art and early furnishings, including his favorite piece, an eagle wood carving, circa 1918, with a 4-foot wingspan.
Nan Gurley has many shows throughout the year, including about one Sunday each month in the winter (January 1, February 3 and March 3) in Portsmouth for about 45 exhibitors at the Frank Jones Center. She also just announced her new show, Spring in New Hampshire at the Everett Arena in Concord, N.H., April 21. For details, call Nan at 207-625-3577.
