Richard Fuller, Royalton, Vt.

Review and Photos by Tom O’Hara

SCHOHARIE, N.Y. – Schoharie Central School was filled to overflowing with 87 dealers March 18-19 as the doors opened to a good crowd for the spring edition of the Schoharie Antiques Show. At opening, the aisles quickly filled with shoppers perusing and buying early American antiques.

George Johnson Antiques, Montpelier, Vt.

Exhibitor Richard Fuller was offering a room setting that could easily have been the kitchen of his Royalton, Vt., home 250 years ago. There was a William and Mary gate leg table in the center, a chair from the Eighteenth Century, several small cupboards of similar vintage and the appropriate accessories.

Hirsh Antiques, Pleasant Valley, Conn., started selling in the first minutes of the show, with some smalls and textiles going quickly. His scrub top table with breadboard ends was getting a good deal of attention, as was a set of arrowback Windsor side chairs.

Dave and Bonnie Ferriss, Lake Luzerne, N.Y., sold a 100-year-old set of Punch and Judy puppets as the show began. Dressed in silk, they were showing a little of their age, but still had wonderful form.

The Sherwoods, Cambridge, N.Y., were featuring interesting furniture but also had rag dolls and the accoutrements for them, all handmade at least 100 years ago.

Cocoman Antiques, Glenmont, N.Y., specializes in choice smalls and at this show brought early Nineteenth Century framed silhouettes, several examples of unusual earthenware and scrimshaw.

Hirsh Antiques, Pleasant Valley, Conn.

The Squires Tankard, Franklin, N.Y., specializes in textiles. Among early sales was a red and white cotton quilt with a unique pattern, one the dealer said she had not seen before; neither had the customer – likely why it sold so quickly.

Celine Blais and George Johnson, Montpelier, Vt., were featuring toys and games. Celine sold several sets of dominos as the show opened, while George was busy packing decorative signs for another customer.

Ruth Anne Wilkinson, volunteer show manager, said Saturday’s attendance topped 1,200, with Sunday close to that, making for a solid gate. The show benefits the Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association, which supports two museums and education programs in the village. A fall antiques show is in September at the railroad station. Watch for advertisements or visit www.schoharieheritage.org for more details.