Kuku Antiques, Nyack, N.Y.
Harry Greenburger, Riverdale, N.Y.
Lost City Arts, New York City.
Vintage Radios, Long Island, N.Y.
NEW YORK CITY – The Triple Pier Expo, run by Stella Show Management, was held for two consecutive weekends, November 11 and 12 and November 18 and 19, and featured 600 exhibitors on the Hudson River Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 88, 90, and 92.
The aircraft carrier Intrepid served as an appropriate backdrop to Pier 88, which presented Twentieth Century rdf_Descriptions from the 1920s to the 1970s. Included were examples of Art Deco, Moderne, industrial design, Fiesta, chrome, luggage, costume jewelry, hats, bags, shoes, linens, Bakelite, radios, toys, furniture, paintings and prints, Italian glass, perfume bottles, and kitsch.
Stella show manager Joan Tramontano, a 10-year veteran of the Pier Expo, replied the show was “an outstanding success, with the opening gate at pier 88 on Saturday morning, absolutely incredible.” She added, “The line went out the entrance, down the stairs and continued to pier 90; the aisles were impossible to navigate and the energy in the place almost lifted you off your feet.”
There were plenty of happy dealers and certainly grateful buyers who look forward to the diverse collection of rdf_Descriptions available. Tramontano stated she “saw a surge in vintage clothing probably brought on by the trend in Seventh Avenue designers creating retro looks and further noted, “furniture was a sell-out at many booths with dealers restocking overnight and having repeat customers awaiting them during Sunday’s buying frenzy.”
20th Century Scandinavian Design, New York City, brought a large assortment of ceramics and glass created by all the masters- Wilhelm Kage, Berndt Friberg, Eva Staehr-Nielsen, Stig Lindberg and Axel Salto.
James Elkind of Lost City Arts, New York City, carried a diverse mix of rdf_Descriptions-Alvar Aalto stacking stools, Plycraft chairs, vintage lighted globes, chrome tables and buffets- all presented in an expansive booth.
Continuing down pier 88, Jim Meehan from RadioArt, Centerbrook, Conn., specializes in Catalin radios and Twentieth Century design and had an incredible display of vintage radios
Olde Good Things, New York City, an architectural salvage company specializes in antique and architectural artifacts including original hardware and doorknobs, mantels, doors, iron, lighting, bronze, brass, columns, corbels, stones, stained glass and doors. The collection at the pier show attracted many buyers and Barbara MacRae, replied the pier show was brisk and
Pier 90 featured Decorative Arts and Americana, including furniture, architectural artifacts, Arts & Crafts, primitives, folk art, posters, rugs, quilts, tribal arts, toys, games, dolls, advertising, World’s Fair memorabilia, books, maps, post cards, and Native American rdf_Descriptions.
Pier 90, the first one to open, filled rapidly with those seeking Americana, garden antiques, quilts and other fabrics, advertising rdf_Descriptions, and on and on. There is really no end to the variety on this pier, be it a large papier-mâché reclining bulldog or a large tramp art mirror. Among the carvings was a small white painted and decorated carousel horse, a fish weathervane with white painted surface, a small wooden Indian with no paint, and several decoys including a large swan.
One booth featured a cottage bed heaped with heart and star decorated pillows, while another showed an early American flag with the stars in circles. The American flag was also the subject of one of the many quilts displayed.
The buyers on this pier all seem to be in a great rush. In the first place, there is much territory to cover and many times the competition is right on your heels. And of course, there are two more piers with equal numbers of exhibitors. The look is not the same, but one never knows when an interesting piece of Americana is going to slip in with a collection of Twentieth Century clocks and radios, or be displayed on top of formal furniture.
Pier 92 showcased Classical antiques and included Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century formal European furniture, art glass, porcelains, silver, timepieces, paintings, lamps, lighting, clocks, Oriental works, bronzes, and estate jewelry.
Pier 92 gave designers and buyers the chance to find classical antiques, formal furniture, clocks and lighting. Lawrence J. Zinzi of Bronx, N.Y. carried a large collection of Tiffany lamps and vases that varied in detail. Examples included a rare Nautilus desk set lamp, floor models, and a bamboo candle lamp with matching Favrile shade. Zinzi stated, “I had a fine show and made many new contacts, I felt the gate was down but I always sell well at the Pier Show.”
Cindy Charleston of The Charleston Gallery, Lambertville, N.J., replied, “We had a great show, traffic was brisk and we did well.” Cindy operates a joint booth with White Orchid of Malvern, Pa. with Howard and Linda Roberts and specializes in the Fine Arts aspect while the Roberts, decorative and collectible.
Cindy added, “Collectible sales were down due to eBay and other online auctions but the decorative market is strong and there was much interest in these rdf_Descriptions and also in watercolors and engravings.”
The Triple Pier Expo did not disappoint and it is no surprise the enthusiasm generated in a strong market presented by 600 experienced dealers. The feedback and praise recited by all involved ensured the Triple Pier Show should continue for some time. Stella Show Management is to be applauded for the show, its success and continued reputation in presentation of fine antique shows.
