Union Fairgrounds hosted the 28th year of the Maine Antiques Festival on August 7‹. Paul Davis assembled more than 200 exhibitors in the barns, sheds and tented fields of the old fairgrounds, where they were able to show their collections to the gathering of antiques collectors, homeowners and decorators.
Union, as the affair is best known, is where collectors come for the fourth sack back Windsor chair to complete their set; it is also where they find that covered vegetable dish in ironstone to complete their dining table setup for the holidays. There were quilts and coverlets and the beds to use them and all the tools for any kitchen in the last three centuries. It is where the antiques arrive fresh from attics, barns or even household collections to be dispersed to the willing buyers. In short, Union is one of the wells that produce antiques.
For example, Sheila and Dave Hatch were offering a large tent full of their inventory, which included a maple candlestand, a hutch table, a maple tilt top table on pedestal base, a sack back Windsor chair and lots more furniture. From nearby Damariscotta, they also had all the small accessories necessary for the complete country décor.
From Wilbraham, Mass., Doug and Linda Burr were mixing country furnishings with folk art pieces. In their collection this month was a child’s seesaw chair that resembled one of the largest slices of watermelon ever seen.
Cathy Consentino has been in the show for many years, hauling her collection of early primitive furniture, quilts and textiles and household goods from home in Timber River, New Brunswick, to the show.
Richmond House Antiques, Ashford, Conn., was selling its signature furniture, early primitive cupboards and accessories. Owners Karen and Edd Oberg were exhibiting in an oversize tent with some friends, where the collections flowed from one to the next. Country Squire Antiques, Seekonk, Mass., was also in that group and sold a large quantity of its collection over the weekend, including an early cannonball bed, a table and several smaller pieces. Others in that group included the Puchsteins from El Jobean, Fla.; Fishers Antiques, Fishers, Ind.; Mia Hudson Antiques, Franklin, Tenn.; A Bird In Hand, Florham Park, N.J.; and Joe Bennett and Max Hand.
The Puchsteins have been carrying less furniture to shows this year, going with small antiques that they can load into their motor home without a truck or trailer. Fishers Antiques brought furniture and some very interesting accessories. One of their pieces was a Rockingham-style cat, about life size, from Ohio. Hudson buys in England for most of her collection with a modest amount of furniture but a great deal of small pieces, which sold well for her.
Bennett from Greenville S.C., and Max Hand from Charlotte, N.C., have a collection of antique firearms, fishing tackle and early sporting gear along with a small collection of household items and early tools. Their sales were good, with many small transactions.
A Bird in Hand is a dealer in folk art, stoneware and Americana. At Union, dealers Ron and Joyce Bassin were buying almost as much as they were selling, with Grenfell hooked rugs being one of their favorite acquisitions.
Jane and Ed Carr are from Gorham, Maine, and almost did not make the show but recovered quickly enough that they were both in fine shape with a truckload of their signature antiques. Jane has been collecting hooked rugs for many years, usually in excellent condition and fresh. This summer she had a good selection and sold some fine examples. They also favor early cottage pine furniture and a collection of painted pieces, including a set of Sheraton-style cane seated chairs Jane said were from Maine, circa 1850.
Another Mainer, Harry Hepburn, from Harrison, was showing a Connecticut clock made by J.C. Brown of Forestville early in the Nineteenth Century. The case, in excellent original condition, was a very rare ripple case. Hepburn said he had repaired the clock a generation ago and it is still in excellent working condition.
Early American hardwood furniture is the focus for Martin Ferrick from nearby Lincolnville. He was offering two chests in mahogany in excellent condition.
Attending and exhibiting the show again this year from Russellville, Ky., was Ali Rickstrew, the Kentucky Sandpiper, showing art, folk art and early small antiques.
Rowable Classics, Thomaston, Maine, was offering a racing shell and early canoe that it had restored. The car that carried the dealers to the show was also restored, an early Austin estate wagon.
The show’s promoter and owner, Paul Davis, was an antiques dealer before he was a show promoter. This year, he finally had enough staff that he could exhibit some of his antiques as well. The display included several painted pieces, such as a Peter Hunt paint-decorated blanket chest and a painted step back hutch.
Davis’s show was again a success for the majority of the dealers. Held every year on the second weekend of August, look for it in this tiny village. For more information, www.maineantiquefest.com or 207-221-3108.
