Thomas Forshee Antiques.
The booth of Solomon Suchard.
The 42nd Annual Hinsdale Antiques Show
HINSDALE, ILL. – Now in its 42nd year, the Hinsdale Antiques Show and Sale held at and to benefit the Community House concentrated its efforts this year on spotlighting the outstanding quality antiques and fine art offered by the 24 participating exhibitors. In past years, the show has been associated with a theme conjuring up some far off place in time, but this year they focused on antiques and art for the four days of the show, September 7-10.
Since the Community House is undergoing renovations and additions, the exhibit space was configured a little differently this year. A significant and welcome change in the preview party called “A Toast to The Antiques” featured cocktails and numerous buffets set-up throughout the show in preference to the seated dinners of the past shows. Exhibitors were pleased to have those in attendance on the floor to shop the show all evening instead of having the guests seated in the tent for a long dinner. This change proved successful since there was a lot of buying during the preview, which is a change from past shows.
Another welcome change was the elimination of the lecture/luncheon, replaced by the Designer Show Tour. Four well-known designers, Janie Petkus, Jack Kreitinger, Mary Anne Herring and Suzy Stout toured the show with groups and provided tips for decorating with antiques. This sold-out event brought 160 eager antiquers into the show early Friday morning.
Four hundred volunteers worked on this event to raise funds vital for the programs provided by the Community House. A professional appraiser assisted committee members and dealers in tag verification to maintain a quality of excellence and assure the accuracy of the descriptions of rdf_Descriptions for sale. Attendance was definitely increased this year, and many dealers reported strong sales.
Six new exhibitors set-up at Hinsdale this year along with 18 returning dealers. Neil Zuehlke and Lakeshore Antiques from Milwaukee, Wisc. had a lot of interest in their furnishings and sold two drop-leaf tables, a chest of drawers, a country stand, a two-drawer stand and some ceramics during the active preview.
Olivier Fleury, Inc. from West Chester, Penn. had “sold” tags on a wonderful French shaving stand, a chest with a marble top, a great wine table and a clock before the conclusion of the preview evening. Measurements were also going out, and he had a lot of interest in his beautiful French furniture, Quimper and other French faience’s.
Ted Fuehr of American Spirit Antiques from Shawnee Mission, Kan. showed excellent American furniture, sets of leather books, weathervanes, spatterware and oil paintings. Early in the show Ted sold a card table, two weathervanes, leather books a pair of candlesticks and spatterware. He had serious interest in his highboy and some additional furniture.
Excellent quality Majolica is the province of Linda Ketterling Antiques from Toledo, Ohio. Lots of small Jones and Minton examples sold early in the show. Two eye-catching examples were Wedgwood trout platters, one with a turquoise background, and the other with the rare yellow ground.
This year Graton and Graton from Highland Park, Ill. related that they were selling illuminated manuscripts from the Thirteenth to Sixteenth Centuries after the designers focused on that aspect of their exhibit. They also had a series of very important antique maps showing the exploration of the New World. One that was done in 1550 was not too long after Columbus’ voyages. They were all very fine engravings; one was from Basle and the others from Holland and Flanders. These very decorative and historically important maps done in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries are featured in all books on the mapping of America.
Newcomer Elizabeth Bradley Antiques from Milwaukee, Wisc. had outstanding English Staffordshire ceramics. She was pleased with the interest in Hinsdale and sold a pair of Staffordshire cows during the preview evening. A very rare piece was a Staffordshire red and white spaniel covered tobacco jar dating circa 1850 that was tagged $1,850.
New to the show this year was Wellesley House, Ltd. from Lake Forest, Ill. Sterling silver was selling very well at this exhibit including tons of napkin rings, card cases, salad servers, an epergne and a cakestand. Two pairs of brass candlesticks went to new homes, and there was serious interest in an important pair of sconces. Numerous antiquers were pleased to see this new dealer added to the Hinsdale show.
From Lebanon, Conn. Robert Burrows was also making a first appearance in Hinsdale. He said “there was a great turnout and unusual active preview buying.” A secretary sold along with two tables before the conclusion of the first evening.
Whitehall at the Villa from Chapel Hill, N.C. started the show selling a lot of smalls including some jewelry and an important pair of Nineteenth Century delft faience vases made into lamps. They had a wonderful mix of furniture and accessories that always sell well in Hinsdale.
Lyons Ltd. Antique Prints from Menlo Park, Calif. felt “the show was very up beat this year. The committee really turned the show around with its focus on antiques. The designer tours were well attended, and there was real activity on the floor.” Lyons sold first edition children’s prints, botanicals, early views of Chicago and some architectural drawings to both new and old customers.
French paintings from the Brittany region have been added to the exhibit of Solomon Suchard Antiques from Shaker Heights, Ohio. Blake and Monica Kemper were selling lots of French faience, especially Quimper. Numerous collectors were seen walking out of the show with their distinctive shopping bags.
Wine related wares and silver were selling well for William Blair Ltd. from New Orleans, La. Furniture measurements were being taken, and pieces were sure to sell before the conclusion of the show.
Eve Stone Antiques Ltd. from Woodbridge, Conn. had an exquisite exhibit of copper molds, measures and pots, brass candlesticks, wooden snuffboxes, Dutch tobacco boxes, brass boxes, fireplace equipment, sconces and lighting devices.
First timer Dana Kelly Oriental Rugs from Lexington, Ky. was exhibiting in the Chicago area for the first time. Many rugs were out on approval when we visited with him. He was pleased with the show and the good crowd at the preview.
Mary Bresan from Strafford, Penn. had an eclectic look this year and by Friday she had sold a pair of rattan chairs, an inlaid table, a pair of French garden chairs, an Empire mirror, brass lamps, some trays, Chinese ceramics parrots and additional smalls.
Shaeffer’s Antiques from Glyndon, Md. was in Hinsdale for the first time with excellent Prattware, creamware, lustreware and Staffordshire figures in addition to other fine ceramics.
James McIlroy of Scottish Art Heritage from Glasgow, Scotland always has a great outing in Hinsdale, and this year was no exception. At this year’s event, more classical Old Master type paintings were selling rather than Impressionist style paintings. Several dog paintings sold early in the show, and there was a lot of interest. On Sunday, one buyer bought four paintings.
Fraida Aland from Rare Finds Ltd. of Northfield, Ill. was busy selling bamboo furniture, mirrors, fireplace equipment, trivets and tons of other English accessories. There was always a crowd in this exhibit.
This year Isaacs Gallery from Louisville, Ky. was the only jewelry dealer. Selling well were large solitaire diamonds, earrings, Eighteenth Century silver, intaglio crystals, retro gold and platinum to both new and repeat customers.
The last newcomer was M. McAlister Antiques from Nashville, Tenn. showing Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century English furniture boxes and miniature chests, ceramics and samplers.
