Newsweek magazine had listed North Hunterdon High School in Annandale as one of the nation’s top schools. This was fitting, for this school of smart students and staff was also the site of smart dealers with their quality antiques – and patrons with their wise purchases – at the Antiques in August show.

How apropos that as former teachers (turned show promoters, antique center owners and dealers), Joyce and Don Coffman selected this outdoor venue for their annual event, which is also a benefit for Hunterdon Helpline.

A family affair, from left: Phil, Marty and Don Coffman.

The Coffman family does its homework when it comes topromoting this show. To augment their print advertising campaign,Mr Coffman told this reporter that they have a 5,000-customermailing list. He added, “We have a knowledgeable and happyclientele who attend this show each year, and this makes it greatfor the exhibitors, too.”

On Sunday, August 21, instead of concentrating on lesson plans, Mr Coffman (along with his son Phil and daughter-in-law Marty), was focused on floor plans as dealers from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut entered the grounds at 6 am to swiftly set up their country and primitive merchandise before the 8 am start.

For patrons, their education began in the booth of Lin’s Quilt Source from Bristol, Conn., at the entrance of the show. Included in her dazzling display of quilts was one museum quality selection that not only warmed the body but had a story to warm the heart, too. Executed by Oregonian Estelle Bowley in the 1880s, this basket of flowers quilt was donated by the family to a Quilts 4 Cancer auction. With intricate workmanship that included stuffed appliqué detail and a whimsical swag and wine bottle border, Lin noted that Estelle was “as fine as piecer as she was a quilter.” This unique textile was offered to showgoers for $4,295.

Patrick Murray, Brick, N.J., offered this jelly cupboard in original mustard paint. Draped over the cupboard door is a dated 1846, Emmaus, Penn., multicolored coverlet by Fehr & Keck ($445).

“The dealer quality was good. The sales were good. Andjudging by the number of customers that drove their vehicles ontothe field, furniture sold, too,” observed Mr Coffman.

One of those furniture pickups belonged to exhibitor Patrick Murray from Brick, N.J., who sold a mustard painted blanket chest and green painted farm table. The Murrays also sold a turn-of-the-century pond boat.

First-time exhibitor Evelyn Gordon was parting with some merchandise from her personal collection. She told us, “I am very pleased with my sales today.” Two blanket chests and a general store apothecary with dovetailed drawers were just some of the items that decorated her Pittstown, N.J., home before finding their way onto the field. Decorative items and stoneware all proved to be popular with Evelyn’s customers.

Bob Lutz and Ellen Katona from Greenwich, N.J.. sold a multi-drawered chest that was dovetailed and constructed of cherrywood. They also found a new home for a rarer covered bridge doorstop, and a number of smalls.

As a show exhibitors since 1986, Chris Kempa and Perry Ford from Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., have a good pulse on the Annandale customer. “It’s a consistently good show. We notice a number of repeat customers who attend this show to both learn and purchase, and they will spend the money,” they said. “The dealers offer a wide price range of merchandise, and customers can always find something nice that has true age.”

Early in the show exhibitors Marsha and Carl Batts from Mount Laurel, N.J., sold a good heart-shaped tramp art box with drawer, a paint decorated bench and a circa 1920s handmade wooden pickup truck from an old general store in Alloway, N.J.

Schoenhut animals aplenty could be captured in the booth of sisters Tempe and Tori Hill from Morris Township, N.J. Entertaining patrons was a circa 1918 cow at $425, a circa 1918 rhinoceros, $385, a performing elephant with its original head tapestry, $195, a circa 1925 all-original ringmaster, $325, and an all-original, bisque head, lady circus rider at $425. A 1920s handmade house model that was used as a feather tree holder, $685, reminded shoppers that it is never too early to plan for Christmas.

This 1930s folksy ship model ($695) complemented the 1938 oil painting of a tug boat ($425) above it, in the booth of Tempe and Tori Hill, Morris Township, N.J.

Jonas Ewing and his father Richard from Bethlehem, Penn.,also reported sales that included cast iron Hessian soldierandirons, a painted wall box, a Harrisburg, Penn., bakery box, abench and lots of smalls.

Kingston, N.J., exhibitor Marty Greenberg, who along with his wife Joann sold two,1880s, hand-forged iron gates said, “They were large and heavy. Too bad they weren’t sold by the pound!”

“Brass was a big seller for us,” reported Helen Bryan. Along with her husband Larry, the Princeton, N.J., couple sold a matching set of five English candlesticks, English transfer ware and a brass caldron. “We packed the caldron at the very last minute!” Helen added.

Don and Joyce Coffman can be reached at 413-637-3580 or www.coffmansantiques.com.