The Concord Armory in this historic Massachusetts village was the scene for more than 40 exhibiting dealers and hundreds of shoppers on December 11 and 12, at the Concord Holiday Show, managed by New England Antiques Shows. Filling the show with dealers who emphasized their collections of small antiques, show manager Marvin Getman said he “was thrilled with the response †within the first hour over 400 shoppers were admitted.”
By Saturday afternoon dealers were also pleased with their results. William H. Lorne Antiques, Manchester, Conn., specializes in transfer ware dishes, which were selling well. Bill Lorne, the owner, said he sold several pieces of furniture, “I was pleased and surprised because I didn’t bring much [furniture] but I sold three pieces as well as the dishes!”
Sales for White Orchid Antiques, Media, Penn., were also good in small things †Christmas shopping, according to co-owner Linda Roberts. “We sold a crèche, jewelry, some early dishes, including Haviland, and other smalls,” she said.
Donna Kmetz said that wall hanging art was selling well at her booth. She and her husband David were offering paintings ready to hang, both early work and later pieces most from listed artists, from their Douglas, Mass., collection. In fact, she said, “We didn’t bring enough to fill the holes left when we sold things; we did well!”
A large part of the exhibit from Maria O’Brien, Marblehead, Mass., and Debra Queen, South Dartmouth, Mass., was Christmas decorations. Together they offered more than a dozen well-decorated Christmas trees with a backdrop of a hooked rug showing a Christmas season scene.
Filling an oversize exhibit space in the back corner was Chestnut Hill, Mass., dealer Nancy Steinbock with her extensive collection of early and antique poster art. Anne Hall Antique Prints, Sturbridge, Mass., had good sales according to Anne’s husband Mark. Dennis Chrin, Partridge Hollow Antiques, Milton, Vt., said the show was one of the best he has had in a long time. “One customer came in and bought three complete sets of sterling silver flatware,” he said, and there were many other sales of silver.
Missing Pieces Antiques was showing all small pieces, but featured especially small framed silhouettes and samplers. The owner, Marilyn Porter of Natick, Mass., was offering these and also articles from her inventory of jewelry, household décor objects and some early Christmas decorations.
Susan Gower is the third generation in her family to be selling sewing notions. Her grandmother was operating a shop in Barrington, R.I., many years ago under the name Thrifty Dry Goods. Gower, now calling the business Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods, does a variety of shows, including most of Getman’s. Here she said sales were good, selling the little objects for stocking stuffers.
While small antiques and collectibles were dominating the look of the show there were several collections of furniture in room settings or with other antique merchandise. Steven J. Rowe Antiques, Cornish, N.H., was showing a room filled with early furniture and accessories.
With a Regency banquet table marked sold, William and Ann Nickerson were offering a full room, including a hutch and corner cupboard. The Orleans, Mass., dealers are frequent exhibitors at Getman’s shows.
Leslie Lorant, general manager of GPSF Antiques, was showing some furniture and home décor accessories, as well as smalls. From Glenham, N.Y., he said sales were primarily the little things.
Sandy Jacobs brought an early tall case clock with wooden works in a grain painted case from his Swampscott, Mass., home, along with more furniture and smalls. Peter Murphy, West Roxbury, was showing his furniture, early porcelain dishes and even a ceramic tile fireplace surround.
A striking collection of early ivory was Jim Dolph’s. From Durham, N.H., he said he was having “a good show.” Trading as JSD Antiques, Dolph filled showcases with carved figurines, some in ivory and also some in porcelain, most from Asia, as well as snuff and pill boxes, netsuke and other interesting small objects, all from the Nineteenth Century or before.
New England Antiques Shows, holds many shows throughout the year. It will be back to Concord in early May, but its next show is at Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, Mass., January 15 and 16. For more information, www.neantiqueshows.com or 781-862-4039.
