If one had to sum up the Cold Spring Antiques Show edition on June 8, diversity would be the word likeliest to spring to mind.
A diverse group of dealers, made up of longtime favorites of the show as well as new faces, offered everything from furniture to stoneware, advertising and coin-op to textiles, glassware and china and more. Despite the affluent reputation of Westchester County, the show’s merchandise seemed priced to sell. Indeed, items and money began changing hands up and down the aisles shortly after opening.
Show promoter David Cook, who began the show 12 years ago, seems to have hit upon a winning formula and is blessed with spectacular scenery with the show set on the banks of the Hudson River.
In keeping with its Sunday-only staging, the show does not attract a huge crowd pressing at the gate. Instead, buyers stroll in after making the rounds of church, a coffee run or whatever their typical Sunday morning routine dictates.
Much ado is made about weather when talking about the success of antiques shows, but the intense heat wave that blanketed the area that weekend just goes to prove that serious antiques buyers do not care about weather. The buyers here surely felt the heat, but the buying opportunities could not be passed up.
Among the choice maps and prints at Maile Allen, Colonia, N.J., was a French map of the Mississippi River area titled Les Costes Aux Environs de la Rivier de Misisipi: Decouvertespar Mr. De La Salle en 1683 , by Nicholas de Fer for Geographe de Monseigneur, circa 1701; and a hand tinted lithograph of the USS Constitution , W.L. Wyllie, published May 1, 1924.
Tandem Antiques, Jefferson, N.Y., attracted many buyers into its booth with its selection of primitives. The husband-wife dealers have been doing this show for about eight years.
Russ Nielsen, Port Chester, N.Y., had on display an interesting Morse Navy diving helmet from World War II.
Efram Berger, Monroe, N.Y., is known for doorstops and the collection he offered at the show included a prime Aunt Jemima, circa 1930s, an Amish man and woman and other interesting forms.
Typewriter Jewelry, Hawleyville, Conn., featured its handmade sterling silver creations using old typewriter keys to fashion pendants, cufflinks, bracelets and more. The dealers also specialize in advertising and coin-op, which they prominently featured in back of their booth in the field pavilion.
Rugs Below, New York City, showed a variety of Oriental rugs, including a sublime Heriz tribal rug from Iran perfectly suited for a hallway.
Of The Earth, Blairstown, N.J., had a pleasing selection of stoneware, including a five-gallon Winchester & Davis Wholesale Wines & Liquors jug with fine decoration. A small grouping of ironstone accented with cobalt and orange hues made a charming display.
Besides a stunning example of Murano glass, Christina & John Antiques and Collectibles, Pelham, N.Y, offered an American adding machine patented August 7, 1912, that could still compute.
Harry Brewster Antiques, New Windsor, N.Y., displayed a 1923 Princeton cloth banner, a variety of ephemera, and had several works of art from the late Miguel Ferreiro Paz on offer from the artist’s wife, who is moving out of the country. The sculptures, mostly from found wood, were intriguing.
Jane Ashton Antiques, Lawrenceville, N.J., offered a gorgeous flip top game table in mahogany, an unusual oversized bench with a single-board top, circa 1910; an and 1870s trundle bed in original condition.
The show will return next year on Sunday, June 14. For more information, www.ColdSpringAntiqueShow.com or 845-265-4414.
