Nobody could have asked for a better opening for its outdoor antiques show season, according to Cord Shows. The May 26 Memorial Day Antiques Fair at Lasdon Park and Arboretum opened with a long line of eager customers and remained busy until closing time. “It seems that we break attendance records each year,” noted Vivien Cord, “and this spring’s show remained true to form with just under 2,000 people attending.”
The event was conducted as a benefit for the Glass House Fund at Lasdon, a Westchester County-owned park, and a significant amount was raised for this soon-to-be-built greenhouse.
With temperatures just right and gas prices seemingly not a factor, 70 dealers displayed merchandise in ample booths. Apparently, the things that were selling the best were those that could be used and serve a function in the home rather than items to add to a collection or merely for decoration.
After a long day worrying that he would have to return home to Denville, N.J., with a full load, Robert Schicke told Cord and her partner Ed McClure in the waning hours of the show that he had just sold his giant dining room table with all of the eight chairs, plus most of the other major pieces of oak furniture in his booth. Elaine and Jerry Berman of Guilford, Conn., offering 1950s kitchen and barware, had a booth so packed for the entire day that they probably should have handed out numbers. They had a hard time keeping up with sales, and noted that most of them were for multiple items. Their colorful merchandise seemed to be just what the customers needed to give them a lift.
Reporting “record sales” were Jon and Nancy Kugelman of West Hartford, Conn. Dealing in American and European prints and kitchenalia from 1885 to 1935, they were happy dealers as they left the field. Connie and Steve Brown of Norwalk, Conn., reported that although it was not as good as the prior year, they had a good show offering quilts, linens and painted furniture from a booth decorated mostly in pink. They sold a set of wrought iron outdoor furniture, among other items.
Seen carrying lots of furniture for customers were Darte Asbell from Boyertown, Penn., and Mark Ridgeway of Mahopac, N.Y. Alice and Fred Reinhardt, Woonsocket, R.I., dealers offering merchandise from furniture to farm tools, reported “an amazing number” of sales in all price ranges.
Obviously pleased, Anne and Mark Marsh of Danbury, Conn., yelled out to McClure as they passed him taking down signs after the show, asking him to save their same spot for next time. Also happy with sales were Arline and Bob Kimerling from Ridgefield, Conn., selling high-end jewelry and decorative items, and Michael and Malka Weinstein from Binghamton, N.Y., who always bring an entire store of jewelry with collections of everything from cameos to filigree.
Dealers return to Lasdon Park for the 24th year on Monday, September 1, Labor Day. For information, www.CordShows.com or 914-273-4667.
