“Why not make it an antiques weekend?” queried show promoters David and Peter Mancuso in their advertisements; “Take in the New Hope Antiques Show and stay awhile” they proclaimed. Their campaign was effective, as a large and anxious crowd was on hand for the January 17 opening of the two-day show.
The Mancusos took the time to list a host of shops in the area, starting with shops throughout Bucks County, down through the New Hope “corridor” and into town, as well as Lambertville, its artsy sister-town across the river in New Jersey. Interest was sparked and the New Hope Antiques Show and its 25 dealers reaped the benefits. Now in its 22nd year, this small show is down to earth with a good selection of merchandise offered primarily by local dealers.
Although the Mancusos had spread themselves thin promoting two shows over the same weekend †Peter was in New York City managing their Books at the 25th Street Armory show †David had things under control in New Hope, and the show came off without a hitch. The promoter commented that he was pleased with the size of the crowd at opening and he was brimming with smiles as piece after piece was carried out the door by satisfied customers.
Items seen around the floor ranged from a selection of Twentieth Century artworks to select silver and porcelains to country furniture. A nice tavern table was among the first items to be ushered from the floor of the show. Displayed by Chatham, N.J., dealer Mimi Gunn, the attractive piece was scooped up by a happy couple and slipped out a side door right after the show opened. Gunn’s booth proved once again to be a popular destination, and the dealer was busy making sales throughout the morning.
“Times have changed,” commented dealer Tom Martin, and so has his price structure. It was hard to say no to the reasonable prices the dealer was quoting, and numerous items sported sold tags right from the start of the show. Sales for the dealer actually began the night before the show opened. Martin received a phone call from another dealer and quickly sold a pair of Nineteenth Century coaching scene paintings that had been advertised in the promotional “special show section” that was published in the January 9 issue of Antiques and The Arts Weekly.
Sales continued for the dealer, with a large Clifton art pottery jardinière in a native American style, a large and ornate Sheffield silver plate covered dome, a carved farmyard scene plaque depicting Lincoln visiting the homestead and an eagle weathervane all finding buyers within 20 minutes of the show opening.
Scott Condello was busy with customers in his booth and items ranged from a folio scene of Appomattox to a selection of presidential memorabilia. Included in the assortment were several pieces of china used by President John F. Kennedy and the Kennedy family on the yacht Honey Fitz , a pair of cobalt goblets distributed as gifts from President Bill Clinton, a set of glasses etched with the presidential seal that were given away by President Ronald Regan and a stemmed cobalt goblet from President Gerald Ford. Perhaps in preparation for Lincoln’s birthday, the dealer offered a 13-star political flag marked “Lincoln & Union.”
Roger Winter featured a booth filled with formal English and Continental furniture; a hanging Welsh corner cupboard was among the first sales of the day. Highlighting the booth was a George I burled walnut secretary bookcase with swan’s neck pediment and mirrored doors, circa 1720. A large dining table with leaves was attracting attention, as was a French farm table that measured almost 8 feet in length and seated up to ten people.
David Pownall Willis was on hand with his usual assortment of silver and fine porcelains, including a rare Worcester two-handled pierced basket decorated with colorful floral sprigs. The dealer’s selection of silver was varied, with numerous periods represented. Items ranged from a circa 1725 porringer by Newport, R.I., maker Samuel Vernon to a Danish Art Nouveau silver compote with chased decoration by S&M Benzen of Copenhagen. Also offered was an important Judaica silver presentation goblet from 1894 with elaborate repousse and chasing.
Fitting for the cold snap that blanketed the Northeast over the weekend of the show, Gene Rappaport displayed a colorful group of early knitted wool leggings that made for a graphic and interesting display. Stoneware and redware were plentiful in the booth, highlighted by a Pennsylvania straight sided crock decorated in cobalt with a folky duck. Another unusual piece was a large jug, perhaps medicinal in nature, that was decorated with large cobalt letters “V.D.”
The next show on the Mancuso schedule is the Lawrenceville/Princeton Antiques Show, February 7 and 8. For further information, 215-862-5828 or www.mancusoshows.com .
