The Heritage Antiques Show, May 21 and 22, was curiously successful, according to several dealers in a late Sunday discussion. “Saturday was the first good weather day of the year, so attendance was light, but those who came were dedicated to buying something, and Sunday there was a light misty rain early and overcast so attendance was up and we sold even more,” so said a member of the group summing up results for the weekend. It was not a record-breaker, but sales were pretty good for most exhibitors.
Fran Cotumaccio sold several pieces of furniture, including a small marble top stand, a trade sign and many smalls. From nearby Manhasset, N.Y., she has been a regular at this show for several years now, and while last year’s sales total was higher, this was a profitable total for her again.
Jean Herlihy, on the other hand, practically sold out of antiques over the two days. Her best sale was an early hutch table, but there was more furniture, small antique accessories and textiles, as well.
White Orchid Antiques, Philadelphia, showed a postmaster’s desk. From northern New England, possibly New Hampshire, said owner Howard Roberts, it was mahogany over pine and dated to about 1790‱800. In excellent condition, the Sheraton-style piece had all the cubby holes for sorting the mail.
Tatyana Grenkov from Stony Brook, N.Y., had two early samplers, both with Long Island provenance. The smaller one was only about 8 by 10 inches, with stains from the wood backing but in otherwise very good condition and priced at $225. It was dated 1808 and signed Lucinthia Cones with the alphabet, flowers and numbers and a simple stitch border. The larger one, 16 by 12 inches and priced at $439, was in similar condition and signed “Hutchinson wrought in the twelfth year of her age July 4 1838.” It featured three alphabets, a house, trees and borders.
Robert Kissam, also known as Toby, was exhibiting, as well as managing the show. His specialty is his collection of early Long Island and New York City maps. For the show, he had on display about 25 framed examples, all offered for sale, as well as a collection of early furniture.
Tom Thomas of Hands All Around, Port Washington, N.Y., specializes in pond boats, and at the show he was selling from his extensive collection of dozens of the models, as well as other nautical antiques.
David J. Ramsey and Christmann Zulli are consummate collectors, and on this weekend they brought a pair of full-size Nineteenth Century Staffordshire dogs, King Charles Cavaliers, for $285; an early Regina drum music box for $375; an oil on canvas still life done in the early Twentieth Century, $225; and an early iron stone object, which they are still researching. “We’ll get back to you on that one,” Ramsey said.
There was an early corner cupboard in Barbara Peter’s exhibit. From Sayville, N.Y., she said she found it locally. Clearly a repaint, the piece featured a cornice with early dentil and crown molding, and the hinges were early H-L iron. It was priced at $1,200.
“Victorian and Art Nouveau jewelry was selling well through the weekend,” said Steve Fishbach of Great Neck, N.Y. A regular at this show for many years, he said he was pleased with his sales total.
Long popular on Long Island is summer furniture, whether wicker, wood or wrought iron, and this show had several dealers with diverse offerings from the past in these wares. Great Neck dealer Mary Ross filled her exhibit area with century-old wicker. Her personal favorite was the flower back armchair, but an ensemble of chairs and tables was also drawing customers.
Stephanie Granberg from Huntington showed her collection of white plank porch furniture and accessories. By Sunday morning, she said it had been depleted enough that she was resetting the exhibit with more merchandise.
Marty Fribush was showing early art, including a pair of oil on canvas portraits by an American listed artist. Fribush is from Port Washington, N.Y., and trades in fine art and art pottery.
Most dealers at this show have been exhibiting for many years because they have fun, sell well and support the Huntington Historical Society. Toby Kissam serves as the show manager without compensation and has done so for many years. For information, www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org or 631-427-7045.
