Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: DAVIDS

Quick Words:

Maven

Full Text:

Maven New Years Day Show

(with cuts)

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS. -- New Year's Day is one filled with rituals,

resolutions and tradition. One longstanding tradition for many in the antiques

community has been spending the better part of the day browsing the aisles of

Maven Company's annual New Years Day Show at the Eastern States Exposition

Hall. The show attracts thousands on opening day, and even those fighting off

hangovers from an overzealous New Years Eve seem alert as Maven's owners

Richard and Beverly Robbins open the show for buying.

This year's event seemed to have larger crowds than usual, perhaps due to a

spat of nice weather, but most probably the result of a well earned reputation

which the show has garnered as a fertile buying ground over the past 11 years.

Ticket holders began forming lines a few hours prior to the time the show

opened; by opening they filled the large entrance area inside the building,

overflowed into a foyer and spilled out into the parking lot where the line

extended for quite a distance. The same was true for a second entrance at the

rear of the hall which facilitates getting the large crowds into the hall in a

rapid manner.

While little seemed to have changed during the most recent outing of the

popular show from a layman's view, dramatic behind-the-scenes changes were in

the works. Almost coinciding with the opening of the gate on New Years Day,

papers were being signed which transferred ownership of Maven Company from

founder Richard and Beverly Robbins to an enterprising trio: NewMart

Promotions, which is owned by Newman and Carol Chittenden and Martin Fasack.

Will this annual New Years Day tradition fall by the wayside?

"Not a chance," according to Dick Robbins, who added he will continue to be

involved in the shows, yet will forfeit the daily grind associated with them.

"It's time to relax," said the new Florida resident. "We will no longer be

bound to our office five days a week and then at the shows on weekends, but we

will certainly remain an active part of the shows." As a fitting tribute to

the Robbinses, the show will continue to be promoted under the Maven name with

Fasack assuming the role of president and Newman Chittenden vice president.

This year's event offered a wide variety of merchandise with accessories

making up the main thrust of the show. A few booths presented good selections

of furniture including a wonderful assortment of oak displayed by Kendrick's

Collectibles of Belfast, Maine. Among the offering was a nice pedestal base

dining table with leaves, which was flanked by a set of pressed back chairs.

Desks, beds, dressers, vanities, curios and assorted tables also filled the

booth to capacity.

New Milford, Conn., dealer Karen Reddinger displayed a wide assortment of

unusual smalls. Also featured in her booth was a good selection of reverse

painted lamps including a Pittsburgh lamp with Indian encampment shade and a

nice Jefferson landscape.

Lynn Ugolini offered a nice selection of decorative accessories including

several pieces of Royal Vienna, a pair of Carlsbad cobalt urns, and a

selection of Wavecrest boxes.

A booth filled to the brim with colorful quilts was presented by Lin's Quilt

Source of Bristol, Conn., with an outstanding floral applique Pennsylvania in

brilliant reds and greens at the entrance to her display.

William Beaupre, who was exhibiting with Michael Melitto of Boston, Mass.,

offered a neat 1940s store trade stimulator in the form of a marching female

band leader decked out in red, white and blue garb. The composite figure

advertised Yankee Cigars, which at the time were selling for a price worth

marching for: five cents apiece.

Arlene Johannets, of Ar-Jo Antiques in Beacon, Conn., displayed a variety of

porcelains, yet the mood of the booth was shifted from serious to fanciful

with the selection of Steiff animals which ranged in size from small bunnies

to large tigers and alligators.

Bright colors emanated from the booth of Brooklyn, Conn., dealers Cobweb

Corner as they featured graniteware in a dazzling array of colors. Bowls,

pots, pans, kettles, coffee pots, plates, pitchers and various other

utilitarian containers appeared in reds, yellows, greens and blues.

Upcoming events for the Maven Company include the two February events at the

Stratford Armory, Stratford, Conn. On February 13 and 14, the Stratford Armory

Antiques and Collectibles Show will be presented, and on February 27 and 28,

the Vintage Clothing, Jewelry and Textile Show. For further information

contact the Maven Company at 914/248-4646.