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July 2020 VADA News
As we enter another month of Covid-19, more shops are re-opening and some online sales events have been scheduled. Please note that all shops are following Covid-19 restrictions requiring face masks and social distancing. Please check with shops for information on other restrictions they may have. Tom Baker reports that DIG Antiques has added new shops and continues to add them, now totaling 63. Dig Antiques also hosts an online show every few months. For more information check out their website www.digantiques.com. Ian McKelvey and Kris Casucci of Flying Pig Antiques have moved their monthly Tailgate from Massachusetts to the Flying Pig Antiques shop. The next scheduled Tailgate is July 23rd, Flying Pig Antiques, 867 Route 12, Westmoreland, NH. Flying Pig also maintains an online presence for its dealers on Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/flyingpigantiquesnh. The Vermont Antique Mall at Quechee Gorge has re-opened, 10am to 5pm daily. It is located at 5573 Woodstock Road, Quechee, Vermont. The Waterbury Flea Market re-opened on June 20th following Vermont restrictions on masks and 6-foot social distancing. The Flea Market is located at Farr’s Field, 1901 US Route 2 West, Waterbury. It is open every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 7am to 5pm. Kyle Scanlon has resumed in-person estate sales while also continuing to hold online estate sales. For information about upcoming sales, visit the website www.vermontestateservices.com The Antiques Marketplace in Lake George re-opened June 3rd. It is open daily, 10am to 5pm, and is located at 650 State Route 149, Lake George, NY. The memorial service for Mary Fraser, who died in March, was to be held June 13th, but it has been postponed to sometime in the fall because of Covid-19 restrictions. The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association wishes everyone a good summer and that you all stay safe and well during these difficult times. Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com June 2020 VADA News Some good news! Shops and antiques centers have reopened or will soon reopen in Vermont! Safety guidelines are being followed with masks and social distancing required. The following are some of the shops now open: Five Corners Antiques, Essex Junction; Stone House Antique Center, Chester; Hogback Vintage Antiques, Johnson; Stone Block Antiques, Vergennes; Vintage Inspired, Burlington; Antiques Collaborative, Quechee; and Windham Antique Center, Bellows Falls. I suggest you call ahead to check on hours and days open. If you have news of a shop reopening or if you have decided to open a shop in your barn, garage, or wherever, please contact me so I can let others know. Thank you for supporting shops and dealers with your purchases. All of us in the antiques community are saddened by the cancellations of so many shows because of Covid-19. The creativity and resiliency shown by antiques dealers, show promoters, auction houses, and estate sale dealers has been nothing short of remarkable. In a short time, virtual shows, online auctions and sales, and new platforms for selling on Facebook, Etsy, and Ruby Lane have sprung up. The love of buying and selling antiques is still alive and well and finding new outlets until all the shows are back. The 58th Island Antiques Show and Sale in South Hero, scheduled for July 10th and 11th, has been cancelled. We will all look forward to attending the show in 2021. The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association show committee met on May 26th and decided that the show scheduled to take place during Vermont Antiques Week in October will be held online rather than as scheduled at Magic Mountain. The following letter is from Trish Koptiuch and Kyle Scanlon, co-presidents of VADA and members of the show committee. Dear Vada Members, The VADA Show Committee has been communicating regularly regarding the scheduled Antiques Week show at Magic Mountain. After much consideration by the Committee we are excited to announce that we are currently working on a plan where the VADA show will be continuing in an online-only format. This decision was based on a few key factors: -The health and welfare of all those involved, many of which are in “High Risk” groups should the contract the illness, -The success of online “virtual” shows that have taken place in the past month -The possibility of investing money and time into a “in-person” show at Magic Mountain, only to have to cancel it at the last minute. As many of you know, the outlay of money for a show is spent on advertising and securing a facility. Should VADA plan a show and have to cancel it after paying expenses, and reimbursing dealers, it would create tremendous financial hardship for the organization.
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September 2019 VADA News
Fall is in the air—cooler mornings and evenings and lovely days. October is Vermont Antiques Week—5 great shows all in one weekend, October 3rd through the 6th! The shows are filled with great antiques from dealers from all over the country. The shows for Vermont Antiques Week kick off with the Weston Antiques Show, Weston Playhouse, Park Street, Weston. Preview, Thursday, October 3rd, 5pm to 7pm, $75 per person; Friday and Saturday, October 4th and 5th, 10am to 5pm, $10. Okemo Antique Show, Okemo Lodge, 318 Mountain Road, Ludlow. Preview October 4th, 2pm to 6pm, $15; Saturday, October 5th, 10am to 3pm, $10. Black River Antique Show, Ludlow Community Center, 37 South Main Street, Ludlow. Preview Friday, October 4th, 7pm to 9pm, $15; Saturday, October 5th, 10am to 3pm, $8. Antiques at Stratton Mountain, The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association Show, Stratton Mountain Base Lodge, 5 Village Road Lodge Road, Stratton. Saturday, October 5th, 8am to 5pm and Sunday, October 6th, 11am to 3pm, $10. Antiques in Vermont, Okemo Lodge, 318 Mountain Road, Ludlow. Sunday, October 6th, 8am to 2:30pm, $10. For more information on all the shows, including places to stay, restaurants, and area attractions, please visit www.vermontantiquesweek.com Our featured dealers of the month are Toni and Gregory Prince, The Horse and the Bear Antiques, Norwich, Vermont. Both Toni and Gregory were exposed to antiques at a young age—Toni’s father had a Rare Children’s bookstore in New York City and Gregory’s grandfather collected museum quality pewter and silver, pieces of which are now at Deerfield in Massachusetts and the Hogg Museum in Texas. Toni began collecting antiques while she and Gregory lived in Amherst, Massachusetts in the late 1980’s when Gregory was president of Hampshire College and she had to furnish the 5-bedroom college president’s home. The first antique she bought was a gift for Gregory’s inauguration as college president--a large, painted platform rocking horse that resided in the front hall of the house until he retired and they returned to their home and farm in Vermont. Toni’s love of horses and antiques continues to this day. Toni has a riding school, The Prince and the Pauper, at their farm where she has 40 students. She and Gregory do nearly 100 percent of the care of the farm, leaving one to wonder when she has time for her antiques business! Toni has been buying and selling antiques since the 1990’s, doing many shows and maintaining a booth at the Antiques Collaborative in Quechee, Vermont. In addition, she occasionally holds an Antiques Only Barn sale at the farm. Gregory is an enthusiastic supporter of both the antiques business and the farm while also pursuing his own work as an educational consultant, traveling several days a week. Toni never buys anything to sell that she wouldn’t have in their own home or collections. She especially looks for unusual items to sell. Their own personal collections range from pond boats and Grenfell rugs to old copper and silver and books. Toni has her father’s entire First Edition Winnie the Pooh signed by both Milne and Shepherd. They also collect large platform horses, small pull toy horses, doll houses, and other child related toys. Toni is always looking for other “collections” to start! Toni and Gregory share the experience of being dealers and love what they do whether it is doing shows or working on the farm. They have no current plans for retiring! They are lucky in that both their grown children have a love for antiques and are collectors themselves, ensuring that at least some of their collections will someday be passed along. They enjoy doing small local shows like the Norwich Antiques Show where people with children can come and interact with the dealers and where hopefully an interest in antiques may be passed along to the younger generation. You can visit with them at the Norwich Antiques Show as well as other shows. The Fifteenth Annual Norwich Antiques show is Saturday, September 14th, 10am to 3pm on the grounds of the Norwich Historical Society, Main and Elm Streets. In addition to wonderful antiques, there is great food, live music, and a raffle. There are two new features this year, “The Doctor is In”, expert advice on the care and repair of antiques, 11am to 1pm; and Informal appraisals by Andrew Katz, Windham Antiques Appraisal Services, 1pm to 3pm. Plan to stop by for a full day of antiquing fun! Have a wonderful fall and enjoy your antiquing wherever it leads you. Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com August 2019 VADA News
I hope that everyone has had a great summer and enjoyed some antiquing on the way! Lots of great shows coming up this month and throughout the fall. By now many will have shopped the wonderful New Hampshire Week shows and gone home with many treasures. Looking forward to October, there is Vermont Antiques Week, October 3rd through the 6th, featuring 5 great shows in one weekend with dealers from all over the country exhibiting quality antiques! The 15th Annual Norwich Antiques Show is on September 14th from 10am to 3pm. It is held on the beautiful grounds of the Norwich Historical Society at the corner of Elm and Main Streets in Norwich, Vermont. All proceeds go to the Historical Society. It’s a wonderful show featuring dealers from all over New England and New York offering formal to country furniture and accessories. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under admitted free. Informal, Antiques Roadshow-style appraisals will be offered in the afternoon. In addition, there will be delicious food on offer as well as live music throughout the day. VADA welcomes another museum as a member—the Sullivan Museum and History Center at Norwich University, 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, Vermont. OUT-OF-STATE dealers please note that the Vermont State Tax Department has issued a directive that all out-of-state dealers shopping in Vermont must have or obtain a sales tax number in order to be exempt from paying Vermont sales tax on purchases. Please go to https://www.myvtax.vermont.gov/_/ and submit the required information. Many already know Pam and Steve Regan of Nutting House Antiques, New Paltz, New York, but for those who don’t, I’ll introduce them as the featured dealers of this month. Pam and Steve have each been in the antiques business for over 40 years, the last 14 together. Their shop, Nutting House Antiques, is located at 199 Plains Road, New Paltz, New York. They have a website www.nuttinghouse.com and do about 5 shows a year. The shop is only open by appointment, 845-255-2050, 802-779-2609; email pamelaregan52@yahoo.com Pam and her late husband, David, had a shop in Brandon, Vermont for many years, and Pam continued to do shows after his death. It was at one of these shows, the Rhinebeck Antique Show, that Pam met Steve. Pam’s daughter, Sara, was helping to set up and she introduced Pam and Steve after first asking him if he was married or if he had a girlfriend. When he said “no”, she then proceeded to ask him if he would like to meet her mother! Shortly after, Pam and Steve met again, and the rest is history! Who EVER said shows aren’t fun and full of surprise treasures??!! Pam is a special education teacher as well as a hooked rug restorer. She also professionally mounts hooked rugs and other textiles. Steve has been involved in the auction business for many years as well as being an antiques dealer. They both love the antiques business. They see themselves as custodians of the things they sell and enjoy meeting and getting to knowing the people they sell to from all over the country. They specialize in country Americana, folk art, garden ornaments, hooked rugs, and whatever strikes them as interesting or unusual. For their own collections, they like painted country furniture and accessories and of course, hooked rugs and textiles. Be sure to look for them at the Antiques at Stratton Mountain Show, Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th . Please contact me if you have news of your business or shop events. Happy antiquing! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com July 2019 VADA News
Summer weather has finally arrived and it’s time to enjoy all the wonderful outdoor antiques shows! I was recently up in Maine for the Wells Antiques Show and Sale— a great show in a lovely setting. The weather was beautiful for most of the day. There was a good crowd and what appeared to be many happy buyers and dealers. Quite a few Vermont dealers were exhibiting and all those I spoke to were having a good show. If you’re going to Brimfield in July, be sure to visit the dealers in the Vermont Tent in Green Acres Field. New Hampshire is hosting two shows in July-- the 44th Annual Fitzwilliam Historical Society Antiques Show and Sale on the Commons on July 20th; and on July 27th, the 52nd Annual New London Garden Club Antiques Show and Sale on the New London Town Green. Plan to attend and visit with the many Vermont dealers among those exhibiting. Both shows are open from 9am to 3pm. The Waterbury Flea Market is open every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, now through October 28th , 7am to 4pm. It is located at Farr’s Field, 1901 US Route 2 West, Waterbury. It’s not too early to start making plans to attend the 5 shows of Vermont Antiques Week, October 3rd through the 6th! Autumn is a lovely time to visit Vermont and antique while enjoying the fall foliage. If you would like to know more about all the shows, visit www.vermontantiquesweek.com. There you will find all you need to know about the 5 shows as well as information about the area including lodging, restaurants, and local attractions. Enjoy your summer and have fun antiquing! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com June 2019 VADA News Good crowds and good sales at Brimfield amounted to a successful show for dealers in spite of the rain and mud on opening day. After all, as they say, “that’s Brimfield”! Hopefully this bodes well for the upcoming antiquing season for both sellers and buyers. The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association held its annual meeting at the Middlebury Inn on May 28th. We’d like to welcome three new members: Michael Pheffer, Two Sides of a River Antiques, New London, New Hampshire, 18th through early 20th century furniture, folk art, stoneware, primitives, and appropriate country smalls; Toni and Jim Stoma, Latcham House Antiques, Waterville, Ohio, 18th and 19th century furniture, textiles, folk art, lighting, and related accessories; and Gregory Lovell, Gregory Lovell Antiques, Hyde Park, Massachusetts, 18th and 19th century English porcelain, transferware, Staffordshire, pearlware, and other interesting ceramics. VADA always welcomes new members—for information on membership, contact Jeff Noordsy at jeffnhol@shoreham.net. Our mission is to promote the antiques business in Vermont and that of our member dealers. As noted in last month’s news, Brian Bittner will step down as president in the fall. We thank Brian for serving as president of the association and for the work he has done while president, including redesigning the website and dealer directory, as well as setting up and maintaining the VADA Facebook page. Kyle Scanlon and Trisha Koptiuch will share the responsibilities of president. Kyle and Amie Scanlon have been conducting estate sales for about nine years through their company K. C. Scanlon: Estate and Consignment Sales, Essex, Vermont. Kyle’s grandparents were among the founders of VADA so Kyle comes by his love of antiques quite naturally—his first antique purchase was a 10 foot sailfish at auction when he was 9 years old! Kyle also exhibits at a number of antiques shows during the year. Trisha Koptiuch, Osgood Hill Antiques, Essex Junction, Vermont, deals in 19th and 20th century artwork and 19th century furnishings, pottery, and silver. Trisha can be found at one of the many antiques shows she does, including Brimfield and the VADA show at Stratton Mountain. The show committee for Antiques at Stratton Mountain/The Vermont Antique Dealers’ Association Show also met. If you are interested in information about the show, contact Lori Scotnicki at lscotnicki@gmail.com Barb Johnson, Pewter and Woods Antiques and Tom Baker, Baker and Co. are having their annual Spring Open House and Sale at the Lake event on Wednesday, June 12th, 9am to 3:30pm. Barb and Tom have been saving their new finds for the sale in addition to offering some reduced prices on some old finds! The address is 51 Algonquin Road, Enfield, New Hampshire. For more information contact Tom at 831-818-8809. There are always lots of delicious refreshments too! Contracts for the 15th Annual Norwich Antiques Show have been sent out. The show will be held on Saturday, September 14th, 10am to 3pm on the grounds of the Norwich Historical Society, corner of Elm and Main Streets, Norwich, Vermont. This event is one of just a few remaining volunteer run shows with all proceeds going to the Norwich Historical Society. Admission to the show is $5. For more information contact Gail Torkelson at 802-649-1787 or at gail.torkelson@gmail.com. It’s a wonderful little show in a beautiful setting. The 57th Islands Antique Show and Sale in South Hero, Vermont is Friday, July 12th and Saturday July 13th. Hours are Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm. There will be 21 dealers exhibiting and appraisals by Rene Vallee for $5 per item on Saturday, 10am to 12pm. The show is held at the Folsom Education and Community Center, 75 South Street, South Hero. Admission is $3 donation to C.I.D.E.R. (Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources, Inc). All proceeds help to support C.I.D.E.R. to provide resources and assistance for older adults and persons with disabilities who live in the five rural towns of Grand Isle County. Our condolences to the family and friends of Justin Cobb, III who died on April 21th. Upon retirement, Justin turned his lifelong love of the sea and a fascination with history into his business, Captain’s Quarters Antiques which specialized in maritime art and folk art. He was a familiar face at antiques shows throughout New England. Wishing everyone a great summer and lots of antiquing! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com May 2019 VADA News
The Vermont Maple Festival Antiques Show in St. Albans on April 27th and 28th was well attended with good sales reported by dealers. It’s a great little show and if you missed it this year, be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s show. This month’s featured dealer is Gary Briggs from Lunenburg. Gary says he has antiques in his DNA! His mother is a dealer and has had an antiques shop in her home for the past 50 years. Gary went to his first auction at age 7 where he bought a small bamboo stand for 25 cents and sold it years later--after it had appreciated in value for more than his initial investment of 25 cents! Gary has a shop in Lunenburg, Twin Oak Antiques, and also has space at Thos. Bartlett Antiques in Chichester, New Hampshire as well as a Facebook business page www.facebook.com/twinoakantiques. In addition, he does a handful of shows every year including the Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association show, Antiques at Stratton Mountain, and the Woodsville Antiques Show, Woodsville, New Hampshire. Gary is also the co-owner of Aunt Sadie’s Candles in Lunenburg. The candles are sold in retail stores and through catalogs throughout the US and Canada. www.auntsadiescandlesonline.com. Every dealer has at least one funny story to relate and Gary’s might sound familiar in that it chronicles the path many of our sales take from dealer to dealer. In 2015 he bought a box lot of vintage clothing and included was a box of 15 vintage bathing caps from the 50’s in their original packaging. The caps had big flowers and were in wonderful vibrant colors. Think Esther Williams for those old enough to remember her! Gary carefully removed them from their packaging and displayed each one on a plain white Styrofoam head. He took them to the Woodsville show and sold them during set up to another dealer but asked if he could keep them in his booth as they were so eye catching. The dealer wanted to sell the bathing caps so they were repriced. The show opened at 10am and within ten minutes the caps were resold to another dealer who also let Gary keep them in his booth, repriced once again. They were then resold at around 2pm to a dealer who took them to the textile show in Sturbridge before Brimfield opening where they sold to a New York decorator. Who knows where they are today???!!! Great story! Gary loves what he does and has fun doing it. Discovering the history of what he sells and the people he meets at shows and in his shop is his favorite part of being a dealer. Like many of us, he is a collector. Some of the things he likes to collect are Adirondack cabin and camp antiques and one-of-a-kind “oddities”, folk art, early wooden signs, and Lunenburg and Old Man in the Mountain memorabilia. Don’t forget to attend the VADA annual meeting and luncheon on May 28th at the Middlebury Inn. You can pay for the luncheon at the meeting but please let Brian know if you do plan on attending bittnerantiques@gmail.com . If you’d like to pay in advance, please send a check for $20 to Judd Gregory, PO Box 65, Dorset, VT 05251. There will be a meet and greet at 11:30 followed by lunch and a general meeting and a “Show and Tell” with an option to sell/buy so please bring something to share with the membership. Dues were due in January—if you haven’t paid them, please do so as soon as possible in order to be included in the Directory and listed on the website. Mail your dues to Judd Gregory. We urge all members to attend the annual meeting if possible as this is your association and best functions if all the membership participates. I am including an email that Brian sent to me. Dear VADA Member, I am writing to let you know of my plans to resign as President of VADA later this year. I have enjoyed filling this role and plan to continue to serve on the board. I no longer have the time to devote to this position that it deserves. I informed the rest of the board of this decision at the end of 2018. As of yet no one has volunteered to fill the position. I am hopeful that one of you may consider. The ideal candidate would have an interest in directing the association through the next 2-3 years and availability of time and energy. Please let me or another board member know if you are interested. And please plan on attending our Annual Meeting at the Middlebury Inn Tuesday May 28th, 2019. We are also always looking for more involvement on any level. If you would like to consider a position on our board or a subcommittee, please let us know. Sincerely, Brian Bittner 802-272-7527 www.vermontada.com Have a great spring! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com April 2019 VADA News
Spring has yet to make an appearance in Vermont! The only sign that spring is coming is that maple sugaring has begun, but even that has been delayed because of all the snow and cold weather. The 53rd Vermont Maple Festival is April 26th through the 28th in St. Albans. There are many festivities throughout the town and fun for the whole family. Also included as part of the city-wide event celebrating Vermont’s maple syrup harvest is the Vermont Maple Festival Antiques Show, also in its 53rd year. The show opens on Saturday the 28th, 10am to 5pm and continues Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. The antiques show features a great variety of antiques, including country, primitives, folk art, sporting antiques, and chocolate molds and silver items. The show is at the St. Albans Educational Center, 169 South Main Street (exit 19 off I-89). The Vermont Maple Festival is a non-profit group whose objectives are to contribute to the educational and promotional aspects of the maple industry. Stone House Antique Center in Chester is having its 6th Annual Garden Party April 27th and 28th, 10am to 5pm, to celebrate spring and antiques. Stone House is located at 557 VT Route 103 South. It’s always a fun day with much a great variety of antiques, much good food, and a chance to meet many of the dealers. The Waterbury Flea Market opens April 28th and continues every Saturday and Sunday through October 28th, 7am to 4pm. It is central Vermont’s longest running outdoor flea market. It is located at Farr’s Field, 1901 US Route 2 West in Waterbury. We offer our condolences to Clayton and Kate Pennington and their families and friends on the death of Sally Clayton Pennington, on March 21st. She and her husband Samuel Pennington founded and began publishing the Maine Antique Digest in 1973. Vermont Antiques Dealers' Association Annual Meeting: The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association annual meeting will be held on May 28th at the Middlebury Inn in Middlebury. The Executive Board will meet at 9:45 after which there will be a Show and Tell program, followed by the General Meeting and lunch. Everyone is invited to bring an item for show and tell—it has been a lot of fun at past meetings and generated interesting discussion. The cost of lunch is $20 per person and if you wish to pay in advance, please mail your check made out to VADA to Judd Gregory, PO Box 65, Dorset, VT 05251. Also please email Brian bittnerantiques@gmail.com if you plan on attending as we need to inform the Inn on the number of people to expect for lunch. Everyone is encouraged to attend as it a great way to make your voice heard and to meet your fellow dealers. Wishing everyone a wonderful spring! Vesta Urband (vkurband@gmail.com March 2019 VADA News
Greetings from snowy Vermont! Winter weather can be a problem for shows but luckily that wasn’t the case this year for the 42nd Annual Cabin Fever Show and Sale in Quechee, Vermont. It was a lovely but cold day, and in spite of terrible driving conditions including snow and icy roads on Friday, dealers were able to arrive safely for set up. It is always a nice little show and this year was no exception. There were some new dealers and many familiar faces as well. Looking ahead to April, the 53rd Vermont Maple Festival Antiques Show and Sale is going to be held on April 27th and 28th in St. Albans at the St. Albans Town and Educational Center. The show opens Saturday, 10am to 5pm and again on Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. This month Holly and Jeff Noordsy are our featured VADA dealers. They have been active members of VADA for many years and Jeff is currently Vice President, Membership. Jeff and Holly are probably best known for selling bottles, glass, and ceramics but they also deal in other antiques especially those with painted surfaces and unique craftsmanship. They met while both were attending Middlebury College in Vermont and discovered a mutual interest in American history and the material culture of the 18th and 19th centuries. Unlike many college students, they began attending tag sales and estate auctions and used their finds to decorate their dorm rooms. Their interest in antiques was further fostered while Jeff was working a summer job for a Middlebury graduate who specialized in buying and selling antique building materials acquired through disassembling 18th and 19th century structures. His employer had been an avid bottle digger in the 70’s and his tales served to pique Jeff and Holly’s interest in antique bottles. They quickly began actively searching for and buying bottles and decorated stoneware. After graduation Holly worked in local museums, including the Sheldon Museum, the Shelburne Museum, and the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum; and Jeff continued work as a carpenter and contractor. They set up at their first show in 1993 and were quite successful and by 1997, they were doing so well that Jeff was able to become a full-time dealer and a year later Holly joined him selling full time. Holly and Jeff currently have two websites www.jeffnholantiquebottles.com and www.noordsyantiques.com. They do a number of shows, including the NHADA show during New Hampshire Week and the VADA show, Antiques at Stratton Mountain, during Vermont Antiques Week. They also do the ADA show and some of the Peter Mavris shows in New Hampshire during the winter. The major bottle shows they do are held in Baltimore, Maryland and in Keene, New Hampshire. Jeff and Holly both love being dealers and enjoy researching and learning the history of what they sell and the thrill of finding a unique piece, never knowing what may turn up. They continue to collect bottles, especially labeled Vermont bottles and other objects of local interest such as Addison County redware. One of the difficulties facing the antiques market is attracting a younger audience. Both Jeff and Holly feel that shows are still relevant in the age of internet selling but that shows must change to better fit the times. Younger people and others often seem less interested in the historical background of a piece than they are in the visual appeal of the piece. Perhaps dealers might need to present objects in such a way as to be visually appealing first and then engage the mind. I think that after this winter, most of us are now ready for spring and are looking forward to the new season of antique shows. Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com February 2019 VADA News
This has turned out to be some winter here in Vermont and elsewhere! Lots of snow and freezing temperatures. Best way to fight those winter blues and cabin fever is to get out and antique! VADA members Bonnie and Dave Ferriss of Lake Luzerne, NY have been selling antiques and doing shows since the 1970’s. They have a booth at Stone House in Chester and at the newly renovated Flying Pig Antiques in Westmoreland, NH. Some of the shows where you can see them are Brimfield and Rhinebeck and at one of the shows during Antiques in Vermont and New Hampshire Week. They started in the antiques business as many do--they were frequent attendees at antiques shows and finally a dealer suggested they should consider getting a resale number and start selling as well as buying. So, long ago, in 1973, that’s exactly what they did and have enjoyed every minute of it. They have been members of the Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association for many years. They remember the first time they set up at a show/flea market which was about a half hour from their home. As Dave tells it, they put some stuff in the back of an old baby blue 1960 pickup truck and off they went. While at the market, some kid was racing up and down at great speed on the main road. Another dealer at the show who sold early tools saw this and ran out into the middle of the road, shirtless and waving a huge broad axe at the kid while cursing at him as fast as the kid was driving! It made quite a sight and luckily no one was axed or killed! Just another fun day at a show! By the way, Bonnie and Dave did sell two bowback Windsors that day and were thus hooked forever! They deal primarily in folk art, which they also collect, and country, architectural, and garden antiques. When asked what they love the most about the business, they both agree that it’s the hunt for antiques and the friendship family of fellow dealers. They feel as many dealers do that the market has changed dramatically. They also feel that the more interesting, unusual, and higher quality pieces will eventually attract an audience that may never have paid much attention to collecting. Dealers can encourage these new collectors and educate them to understand that antiques are lasting as opposed to newly manufactured items from Ikea and such. Fortunately, there does seem to be an increase in a younger audience at some shows. If you haven’t sent in your VADA dues, please do so. Dues letters have been sent out and if you haven’t received one, please contact Brian Bittner at bittnerantiques@gmail.com or Jeff Noordsy at jeffnhol@shoreham.net Enjoy the rest of the winter and as always, would love to hear from you! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com 2019 January VADA News
Happy New Year! Hard to believe that the holidays have passed and we’re into another year! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is ready for some antiquing! Mark your calendars for the 42nd Annual Cabin Fever Show and Sale coming up on February 16th. This is a great show and a wonderful way to spend a Saturday in the middle of winter. This year’s show features 28 exhibitors offering a nice variety of antiques. The show is located at the Mid-Vermont Christian School, 399 W Gilson Road, just off Route 4 in Quechee, Vermont. Show hours are 10am to 3pm and admission is $10. Stone House Antique Center in Chester holds a Dealer Day the first Tuesday of every month. It’s a lively affair with many dealers there to answer questions, and there is always a great array of goodies to munch on while you browse and shop. Stone House is located at 557 Route 103, Chester, Vermont. It is open 10am to 5pm daily. In addition to Dealer Days, Stone House also hosts many Open House Weekends throughout the year. Montpelier Antiques Market continues its ongoing market January to April. The schedule for the remaining markets is January 27th, February 19th and 24th, March 10th and 24th, and the last market is on April 14th. The market is held at the Canadian Club, 414 E Montpelier Road, Barre, Vermont. Hours are 8am to 1pm. Early buying is at 8am, admission $5; regular admission at 9am is $2. Dues letters will be sent out this month to the VADA membership. Please send your dues to Judd Gregory, PO Box 65, Dorset, VT 05251. If you did not receive a letter, contact Brian Bittner at bittnerantiques@gmail.com. If you would like to join the Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association or would like information, contact Jeff Noordsy at jeffnhol@shoreham.net. As always, I welcome news of your shop, shows, and other antique events. Have a wonderful new year and hope you find a treasure or two along the way! Vesta Urband vkurband@gmail.com |
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