The Antiques Dealers’ Association of America is pleased to announce that noted scholar and author Wendell Garrett has been selected to receive the Award of Merit for distinguished contributions to the antiques industry. Wendell will be honored at a presentation ceremony and dinner on Saturday, April 17, at 8, during the Philadelphia Antiques Show at the 33rd Street Armory.
The Award of Merit is voted on by the membership of the ADA and the recipient can be a dealer, scholar, collector or any person who has made a significant contribution to the field of American antiques. Closing in on 50 years of activity throughout the Americana spectrum, Wendell has been involved with numerous publications and organizations. Born in 1929, Wendell received his undergraduate degree in American history in 1954. He entered the museum world and served as a Winterthur Museum Fellow from 1955 to 1957. Wendell completed his formal studies with graduate work in American History at Harvard University.
He began his long and distinguished career as an editor with his work as an assistant editor for the Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, published in 1961. After a few more John Adams-related projects, Wendell joined the staff at The Magazine Antiques in 1966. His talent was soon recognized and Wendell was named the magazine’s editor in July 1972. While serving in this position, Wendell was also involved in the publication of many scholarly endeavors.
Among his many credits are his work as co-author of The Arts in Early American History, 1965, editor of The Worlds of Thomas Jefferson, 1979, and intellectual history consultant to Charles Scribner’s Dictionary of American History. In 1990, Wendell was named editor-at-large at The Magazine Antiques and diversified his influence by becoming a consultant in the Americana Department at Sotheby’s.
Past recipients of the ADA Award of Merit have been Albert Sack of Israel Sack, Inc and noted Chinese porcelain dealer Elinor Gordon.
The Awards Celebration will be after the Philadelphia Antiques Show on Saturday and will feature cocktails and dinner followed by a variety of guest speakers and friends. The ADA Award of Merit is sponsored in part by Antiques and The Arts Weekly, The Magazine Antiques, The Catalogue of Antiques and Fine Art and Flather and Perkins Insurance. Seating is limited to only 300 persons and is expected to sell out quickly. The price is $75. A portion of the proceeds will be allocated toward a gift in Wendell Garrett’s name to a charity of his choice.
For additional information and reservations, call the ADA at 203-259-3844 or send your request to: Antiques Dealers’ Association of American, Inc, PO Box 335, Greens Farms, CT 06838.
The Antiques Dealers’ Association of America, Inc, was established in May 1984 and is celebrating its 20th Anniversary as a nonprofit trade association. Its major objective is to make more professional the business of buying and selling antiques. Membership is composed of professional antiques dealers who are dedicated to integrity, honesty and ethical conduct in the antiques trade. All members are required to guarantee their merchandise in writing on a sales receipt that must state approximate age, origin, condition and restoration, if any, of all pieces that are sold.
