Start of Manchester, the show that was first in the week when it began 14 summers ago but now is the third to open, returned to its original home at JFK Ice Rink in the north of this historic industrial city. The show, now owned by Flamingo Eventz and managed by Tina and John Bruno, presented 27 exhibiting dealers on August 10 and 11, offering a good variety of antiques from America and England for their contribution to this famous New Hampshire Antiques Week.
Setup was temporarily complicated when a show decorator who was not ready to work on Monday morning claimed that his workers that were needed to erect the walls and bring electricity to the booths were missing. Eventually it was sorted out, and all the dealers were in their spaces late that day with sufficient lighting to see what they were selling.
Sales were reported by the participating dealers as “not bad” or “better.” Keith Fryling was pleased with the sales of traditional merchandise he and his wife, Diane, had at the show. From Green Lane, Penn., their sales included an early bucket bench in paint, a large hooked rug, the two oil on canvas scenic paintings on the back wall of their booth and an owl tree, a carved folk art piece displayed on a drop leaf table in the back of their exhibit.
Ralph Gallo considered the show “an opportunity to sell some extra antiques we have had. That was our goal and that is what we did.” Trading as Eclectibles, Gallo and his partner, Sheryl Jaeger, of Tolland, Conn., reported that their sales, while not record-breaking, included three small cabinets, and, as Gallo said, “a bunch of smalls.”
An early oil on canvas seascape was offered by Guilford, Conn., dealer Byrne Wippick. Unsigned and priced at $7,000, it was in excellent original condition and might be identified by experts by the style and execution of the work. Wippick’s sales included a knuckle arm Windsor chair, an Eighteenth Century mirror and some smalls.
East Berlin, Penn., dealer Brad Selinger is known for the exceptional small antiques he offers. At this show, he filled a large showcase and numerous display stands with his collection and also offered some early painted and paint decorated furniture.
Lee Hanes was reporting that he and his partner, Joyce Ruskin, sold several pieces of furniture and a large collection of smaller pieces. From Old Lyme, Conn., this was their first time to exhibit at the show.
Axtell Antiques, Deposit, N.Y., offered a wedding candelabra in early tin, which found a new home. From Baldwinsville, N.Y., James Lowery was offering his collection of early hardwood furniture. Witts End, also from upstate New York, was offering early painted and natural finished furniture. Historic paper and some weapons were offered by Scott Condello of The Sword and The Pen, North Wales, Penn.
Lori Frandino of Frandino Antique and Vintage Oriental Rugs was filling the back room of the ice rink with her rug collection. From nearby Walpole, N.H., she was able to spread out over a large part of the ice rink.
Fanshawe Blaine Antiques’ owners Victoria Block and Amanda Harman shop in England for much of their collection, which contains primarily small English antiques. Headquartered in Raphine, Va., along the Shenandoah Valley, they have begun traveling the eastern United States for shows. James Island Antiques, Charleston, S.C., was showing a collection of Jacobean furnishings.
After the show, Tina Bruno immediately began to build the show for next year, traveling to the shows in Madison, N.Y., to get the word out; she wants more participating dealers for next year. The facility has good space and good parking and by telling the public where the show is located, she believes that next year will be more successful for all. For information, www.flamingoeventz.com or 603-509-2639.
