The kicker phrase above the Rhinebeck Antiques Fair logo boasts, “Since 1976,” but it is a far different show than the event that debuted at Bard College nearly 30 years ago with just 60 dealers and a suggested $2 donation as admission. Today’s Rhinebeck show assembles upward of 200 exhibitors from across the United States, Canada and Europe and attracts crowds numbering in the thousands for two days at the Dutchess Country Fairgrounds. Observed one exhibitor at the most recent fair, “Dealers are complaining that they can’t find any good stuff – that’s because it’s all here.”

Rhinebeck certainly showcases a dizzying variety of merchandise. Inside the four large exhibition halls used for the spring and fall events, visitors can browse attractive room settings showcasing the wares of some of the best dealers in the business. In the background, Bruce Garrett, the show’s promoter, and his staff see to it that both exhibitors and shoppers have a seamless, enjoyable experience – from dealer pack-in to loading customer purchases to dealer pack-out – so that everybody looks forward to Rhinebeck.

And following the Memorial Day weekend show conducted May 28 and 29, many dealers were looking fondly backward over the two-day event as well.

“We had the best Rhinebeck we have had in several years,” said Ellen Katona and Bob Lutz, antiques show promoters from Greenwich, N.J., who also show early Americana and folk art. “Our preshow sales were great and also sales after the show opened. Even Sunday was a good day. We sold a total of 31 items, including a rooster weathervane, porch railing, nine good doorstops – a record for a single show – a small tap table in original blue, barn lanterns, etc.” The selection of cast iron doorstops the pair displayed was varied – everything from a terrier, horse, parrot, windmill, covered wagon, elephant, sheep to floral and cornucopia motifs.

Sales on Saturday were so good for Sue Edgerly and Barbara McLean of Kent and Madison, Conn., respectively, that for the first time ever the dealers, who specialize in country, textiles and white ironstone, found themselves driving back to Kent on Saturday night to pick up additional merchandise to replenish their booth. “The show was very good for us,” said Edgerly. “We sold a lot of smalls, including a large amount of ironstone, and I sold a big piece – an early Twentieth Century painted cupboard from Pennsylvania – on Sunday.”

Gateway to Tibet, Phoenicia, N.Y.

Garrett said he believed his organization did an extremelygood job of getting people to the show. “Saturday was a constantcrowd, up from the fall,” he said. “And sales broke a record – upby 20 percent with regard to the items that we handle as they goout the door. People seemed to be spending money, and we also saw alot of smalls going out. Sunday was typical, a little slower, butstill a good crowd.”

“I had a great show. I’m very pleased,” said first-time exhibitor Carolyn Wilson of Mendon, N.Y. Wilson, who brought an eclectic mix of folk art and Americana, has been in business about ten years, but only recently began her quest to join the Rhinebeck dealer roster. Her advice: “Be persistent.” At her booth one could find such quirky items as “Chuck,” a jaunty folk art figure crafted from metal lathe chuck parts, or a more refined set of six Bunney & Gold prints from 1801 depicting six different fish and the type of lure or angling equipment used to catch them. Also on display was a carving of a man by Victor Colby, Cornell University emeritus professor of art, best known for his sculptures of natural and mythological creatures. As for sales, Wilson said she sold a lot of smalls and is looking forward to the July Summer Magic show.

Wilson’s persistence in getting onto the Rhinebeck dealer roster is easily eclipsed by that of Jay and Sydelle Livingston. The dealers, who show at the Antique and Artisan Center in Stamford, Conn., have been at it much longer, they said. “Rhinebeck has always been one of our favorite shows to attend as potential buyers, long before we were antiques dealers,” said Jay Livingston. “When we began our business, 12 years ago, we applied to Bill Walters, the show promoter at that time, hoping to participate in ‘The Rhinebeck Experience.’ It has taken all this time to finally achieve our goal.”

The Livingstons brought an eclectic array of garden and architectural merchandise, including a wall sculpture made from metal roofing material in an urn form with great oxidation from weather and time, 1930s split reed tiger rattan seating, a French garden chair, circa 1920, and giant clam shells that could be used for planters. “Saturday’s gate was strong, filled with people all day long, while Sunday was much slower,” said Jay Livingston. “There was considerable interest in a number of our items, including several giant clam shells, a large painted tole wall sculpture and a beautiful split reed rattan set. Some of these may be purchased and used by a movie set designer on an upcoming project. The same person bought a steel and glass medical cabinet, which she is turning into a bar. We are returning this summer and look forward to the fall show as well. “

June and Charles Bertini, a pair of “corporate refugees” from Park Ridge, N.J., operating as Ackerson Homestead Antiques, were also new to the spring show, having previously participated in the summer show with their stock of American Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century furniture, which includes both country and formal. Charles Bertini is a survivor of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. “After that,” said June Bertini, “we both decided to take the time to do the things we really enjoy.

“We had a very successful show,” she continued. “We saw a large and bustling crowd on Saturday, somewhat fewer on Sunday, but what was most notable was their enthusiasm on both days. There was a lot of interest in antiques in all price ranges and visitors were carefully reading descriptions and asking good questions. We met some wonderful people. Also, there seemed to be a renewed interest in furniture.”

In addition to several smalls, the Bertinis sold four major pieces, including a circa 1830 Lancaster Penn., two-part Dutch cupboard with an original red wash surface, a Hepplewhite chest of drawers attributed to the workshop of Michael Alison, a federal gilt convex mirror, and a circa 1900 Uncle Sam wagon. “The show is the most professionally organized we have ever experienced,” said June Bertini. “The porters, the office staff, and of course, Bruce himself, were very helpful and personable. Our grade for them all is A+++.”

Louis J. Dianni, New York and Florida.

Another relatively recent show addition is Bob Baker ofPoverty Hollow Enterprises, Redding Ridge, Conn. Baker brought hisEnglish country look to Rhinebeck, first with the one-day SummerMagic show, then again in the fall of 2004. “I had a terrificshow,” reported Baker of the most recent event. “The crowds werethere all day Saturday, and Sunday was busy, too, although my bestsales were on Saturday.” Baker said he was working so hardthroughout the show that he really did not have the time to gaugebuying activity around him, but in checking with dealer friendsafter the show, he said most of them did well.

“Most of my sales were to new clients,” said Baker, characterizing shoppers as a mix of homeowners and homeowners-with-decorators-in-tow. Baker meticulously arranges Eighteenth, Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century English furniture and accessories, including paintings and prints, into eye-catching tableaux of English country life. “I sold across the board – everything from an Eighteenth Century Welsh cupboard to paintings, prints and smalls.” Pleased with this show, Baker said he is really looking forward to the July show, which he said is “fascinating” to do. “If I were a consumer, I’d make a point to attend the summer show for the additional dealer mix,” said Baker.

New faces at Rhinebeck also included Jim and Gloria Hagadone, Charlottesville, Va., who as a last-minute fill-in for another dealer who could not attend the show came with their Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century furniture and accessories. “We had an okay show. There was a terrific crowd, we thought, but not a lot of serious buyers of authentic antiques,” said Jim Hagadone. Hagadone said that he and other antiques dealers wonder what is becoming of the business. “Do we buy later things – 1950s and ‘loft items’ to please the public or do we try to educate them about the importance of early craftsmanship in the US and Europe?”

Such craftsmanship was clearly evident in some of the items displayed by the Hagadones, such an Eighteenth Century child’s ladder back high chair with rush seat, unusual arms and centuries-old wear on its rungs, and an Eighteenth Century Lancaster, Penn., corner cupboard in an old blue-gray and a rich red interior. Circa 1750-90 was an early stretcher base worktable of pine, walnut and maple with breadboard ends from North Carolina. “It was a fun show with a great promoter and staff,” said Jim Hagadone.

One of the characteristics of the Rhinebeck show that appeals to Aarne Anton of American Primitive Gallery, New York City, is its attraction to many Hudson Valley artists, designers and decorators, who appreciate the nontraditional edgier art and antiques that turn up there. Anton artfully mixes folk art, sculptural, utilitarian and carnival pieces into a showcase where, defying logic, an 8-foot Nineteenth Century shoulder-carried Shaker seed planter converses with a one-of-a-kind female nude sculpture he found at Brimfield, Mass., about 20 years ago that incorporates the workings of a 1960s vintage telephone.

“The Rhinebeck show went well and was enjoyable as usual,” said Anton, who was in his third year here – he participates in the spring and summer shows. “The spring weather, the holiday weekend and the mix of antiques dealers seemed to attract a lot of antiques buyers. I sold a number of folk art pieces, including a rocking horse, a carved head, an iron snake and a large leaping deer arcade target. I bought a number of sculptural utilitarian objects and sold early iron Conestoga wagon pieces from the Sorber collection and some pieces with mask images.”

Ronnie & Guy Weil Antiques, New Hope, Pa.

American country always vastly outnumbers any of itsinternational cousins at Rhinebeck. Two of its practitioners, Janeand Phil Workman from New Boston, N.H., brought Eighteenth andNineteenth Century painted furniture, accessories and folk art tothe show. “The gate was good,” said Phil Workman, who with wifeJane was participating in his seventh year at Rhinebeck.

The Workmans’ staple merchandise was represented by a cat’s paw hooked rug from the 1930s with beautiful shapes and colors and a strong border and a horse vane, circa 1900, in original condition. A little more out of the ordinary for them was a structural carousel ornament of a lion’s head in original paint that they had acquired from a collection. A Nineteenth Century New England sorting table in deep Prussian blue with straight legs also added drama to their booth.

Specializing in high country and Americana since 1984, the Olsons, Daniel and Karen, from Newburgh, N.Y., showcased a country clock from Cairo, N.Y, with wooden works, circa 1825-30, an Eighteenth Century Chippendale four-drawer cherry chest and an interesting sewing box from the early 1800s depicting the virtues of sobriety, among many other items.

“A large gate of engaged, knowledgeable and enthusiastic customers were in attendance from start to finish. It was a good show,” was how they characterized the most recent show. Among their sales were nine pieces of furniture, including the Eighteenth Century Chippendale four-drawer cherry chest, a cherry Chippendale side chair, a Bergen County, N.J., step back wall cupboard, three Windsor chairs and an Eighteenth Century tilt-top mahogany tea table. Sales of smalls included historical Staffordshire, woodenware, early glass, painted tin, marked Benningtonware, stoneware and brass candlesticks.

“Rhinebeck, as always, was a wonderful experience from start to finish,” said Sandy Klempner of Canaan, N.Y., a dealer specializing in folk art, painted furniture, architectural items and vintage textiles. “Bruce Garrett and his team make setting up a pleasure with unbelievable organization, smiling helpful faces and continual thoughtfulness, like free refreshments throughout the load in time. The gate was very, very strong, with a steady flow of people and sales from opening until closing on Saturday.

“While Sunday was, of course, slower, there was still a good amount of traffic and many additional sales. As this is a favorite show for me and most dealers, fabulous one-of-a-kind pieces are saved for it, and the crowd showed their appreciation with significant purchases made throughout the day. Early sales for us ran the gamut from Modern to colorful to garden, with the sale of a striking leather settee by Mario Bellini, a large pair of colorful carnival game toss panels, an apple green Nineteenth Century bench with tulip cut outs, a bird bath and set of urns.”

Asking Jonathan and Iris Oseas of Van Deusen House, Hurley, N.Y., “What’s new?” invariably draws the same dry response, “Nothing, it’s all old.” The Ulster County antiques dealers have been doing every Rhinebeck show since its inception at Bard. Jonathan Oseas specializes in antique tools and Iris Oseas is a knowledgeably source for country and formal furnishings, early porcelain, glass and paper ephemera.

A new item in her portion of the booth was a pair of Bennington Parian sewing accessories, circa 1847-1859, that she had found, first thinking that they were small bowls. Research showed her that they were actually a type of pincushion. “It’s a real sense of discovery,” she said. Her husband pointed out an early Nineteenth Century hand forged adze that was probably used for scooping out chair seats.

Overall, the Oseases reported “a good show, but less than the spring show last year. When we did our books, our retail sales far outnumbered our dealer sales, which is quite unusual for us. The lower dealer sales accounted for our lower sales total. We were pleased with the sale of an early Nineteenth Century transfer washbowl, which will be used in a period washstand. Platters are found, but bowls in good condition are rare. Tools, as usual, were good sellers. A handsome Stanley mason’s level, purchased by a mason contractor, is destined for display in the business office. We will be back in July.”

Village Braider, Plymouth, Mass.

“The show went well for me,” said Joseph Collins of Cobalt,Conn., whose eclectic booth was crammed with recent finds. In thecorner, for example, was a wooden tree and vine pattern for makingsand molds for cast iron hitching posts that he had discovered inNorwich, Conn., and nearby was a folk art model airplane similar invintage to the Spruce Goose. “I had 25 sales,” said Collins.”They ranged from a pair of cement seagulls to an EighteenthCentury Connecticut tea table. It’s easy to do business atRhinebeck. They always turn out a buying crowd. The customers cameto stay at the show a long time, and they made several trips aroundthe floor because there were so many wonderful things to see.”

That was true even when no sales were to be made, according to Elizabeth Kelly of Gateway to Tibet, Phoenicia, N.Y. “We enjoyed the event. There was a good crowd on Saturday. Although we did not sell anything, our display was admired by many,” she said. She and partner Gala Geru Khamba created an attractive showcase of wall hangings, brass figures, oil lamps, chests and hard carved items. “Few people have exposure to Tibetan antiques,” said Kelly. “We did meet some interested parties and hope to do business in the future.”

According to Garrett, who routinely surveys dealers about their experience immediately after the last item goes out the door, 77 percent of those responding to his questionnaire reported having a “good to excellent” show. “That’s in line with our usual results,” he said. “I would say it was typical to above-typical.”

Rhinebeck’s Summer Magic, set for July 23, will again give everyone a chance to sample the “Rhinebeck experience.” The one-day show, which utilizes just the three main exhibition halls at the fairgrounds, has a smaller roster of dealers and the one-day-only format promotes an air of spontaneity and whimsy not seen in most of the so-called serious indoor shows. For information, 845-876-1989 or www.rhinebeckantiquesfair.com.