Country Antiques Alive & Doing
Well at Antiques Week in NH!

by Cheryl York-Cail

   I’m happy to report that the country segment of the antiques market in 1999 is healthy and going strong despite recent reports to the contrary voiced by another New England trade paper. Although the article in question said that country was dead except at the high end, I saw plenty of great country at the shows during Antiques Week in New Hampshire, and not all high end!  Furthermore, the writer of this other article attributed the demise of country to the baby boomer generation! Again my opinion differs! The post war generation was well represented among both the country dealers setting up at these shows and the collectors shopping the shows.

    The three shows that I personally covered for the Gavel: Midweek, Riverside, and the NHADA Show were all vibrant colorful events featuring many of the country’s top dealers.  Among the ‘’hot’’ items at these shows were hooked rugs, folk art, signs, and of course old paint!

    There were two important changes to mention. Riverside returned to its original home at the Manchester Armory this year under new management. Linda Turner of Forbes and Turner took over from Apple Hill Promotions. Sharon Kace, one of the former promoters of the show, continues exhibiting at Riverside under the trade name “Klassic Kace.” Kace confided that it was a nice change to be an exhibitor rather than be the promoter with all of its responsibilities.

   While Sharon Kace and Apple Hill Promotions played a large role in the development of NH Antiques Week, Linda Turner certainly seems up to the challenge of her new show. Turner is an experienced promoter who is producing seven shows this year; next on her busy schedule is the highly respected Antiques at Hildene Show on Sat., Sept. 25 at Hildene Meadowlands in Manchester Village, VT.

    The other change is actually more of an innovation. Frank Gaglio of Barn Star Productions, the promoter of both Midweek and the Picker’s Market had arranged for both of his shows to be broadcast live on the internet! People from all over the world could view the shows in real time, and actually buy items over the internet. We in the antique trade might deal with old items, but our marketing tools are certainly becoming state of the art!

    However, the most important news from this year’s events: Another New Record was set at the NH Antique Dealers Association Show. Each year customers vie with other to be the first though the door at the 10 am Thursday opening. Every year the line forms earlier and longer. This year the earliest customer lined up at 11:30 am on Wednesday! Every year we ask: “How can you top this show, this year?” But every year this show sets a new record. Who knows when the line will start forming in the year 2000!