Date: Fri 31-Jul-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DAVIDS

Quick Words:

Maine

Full Text:

Maine Show

w/cuts

BIDDEFORD, MAINE -- Summertime antiques shows in the northern regions of New

England have long possessed a mystique that collectors and dealers near and

far find irresistible.

Some would probably speculate that at least part of the allure is the crisp,

clean mountain air. Others would say it could be the pure sparkling water, and

still some might even go as far as claiming (applicable for the Maine show

only) that lobster, the most prevalent food consumed by show-goers, is an

antique-odisiac.

One thing is for sure, however: These shows attract huge crowds for their

weekday openings and buying is always at a frenzied pace.

The most recent event, and a prelude for other shows in the area, was hosted

by the Maine Antique Dealers Association. The shows attracts the best

exhibitors from Maine as well as a handful of select out-of-state dealers who

belong to the association.

The show, which is the longest running show in New England with folklore

dating its beginnings back to the 1930s, has been conducted for the past

several years at the spacious University of New England. Over the years it has

developed a true and loyal following attracting dealers and collectors from

throughout the Northeast and beyond. This year the line at the Maine Antiques

Dealers Association show began forming two hours prior to opening. By the time

the doors were opened nearly 800 people were ready to storm the floor.

Jeff Good, a Canterbury, N.H., dealer in hooked rugs and original surface

furniture, was first in line for the show, barely beating out Massachusetts

dealers Charles and Barbara Adams.

Within minutes of the show opening, sold tags began appearing all around the

floor with a good mix of smalls and furniture moving out of a large number of

booths.

One of the first items to be sold was an outstanding Empire stand done in

typical Maine style with vibrant yellow-orange tiger grain paint. The striking

piece was sold from a booth at the entrance to the main floor of the show from

the exhibit of Folklore Antiques. Dealer Tom Jewett said the piece had been

purchased from a Newport, Maine, home and had been in his private collection

for an extended period.

Also seen in this booth was a wonderful high-leg blanket chest with raised

panel construction in a dry blue/green paint. Above it hung a primitive New

England double portrait of father and daughter.

Other major pieces of furniture selling shortly after opening included a

country Chippendale slant-front desk in what appeared to be the original dry

finish from the booth of Gray, Maine, dealer Robert Foley. "It's an untouched

Eighteenth Century desk," said Foley, "with original brasses, original finish,

everything. I believe it to be coastal Maine," he said.

Just down the aisle a young couple was looking over a nice breadboard-top

one-drawer table with stretcher base in the booth of Yarmouth dealers W.M.

Schwind. The natural finish table with button feet was sporting a sold tag

moments later. Also attracting a great deal of attention in this booth was a

New Hampshire maple highboy from the Dunlap School. The impressive fan-carved

casepiece retained the original brasses and was marked on the back "AP 1790."

A set of six arrow-back chairs in black with gold stencil decoration in the

booth of Jane Brown was quickly graced with a sold tag, as was a Sheraton

table in the booth of Cheryl and Paul Scott. Also selling quickly after

opening was a small green-painted tavern table from the booth of Constance

Greer.

Other items of interest included a nice grain-painted slant-front desk flanked

by a nice banister-back armchair in the booth of Marie Plummer and John

Philbrick.

Wiscasset dealer Dianne Halpern offered a step-back cupboard in crusty

green/black paint filled with a good assortment of country smalls. Next to the

cupboard was a large, early covered splint Indian basket with vibrant red,

blue, green and mustard potato-stamped decoration.

Shaker items from Maine settlements were offered by DeWolfe and Wood, and

among the more interesting items was a collection of poplarware that had been

produced in Canterbury. DeWolfe explained that Sisters Lillian Phelps and

Bertha Lindsay had made a wide assortment of wares, and among the items he had

for sale that were produced by the Sisters was a selection of sewing boxes,

pin cushions and trays.

Steven Rowe offered a selection of Federal furniture, and several of the

pieces moved from his booth shortly after opening including a large cheval

mirror and a server. A nice, folky, large three-masted schooner weathervane in

old white paint from Bath, Maine, was the forefront of Priscilla Hutchinson's

booth.

Pam and Martha Boynton offered a couple of impressive pieces of country

furniture with a pencil post bed in dry red paint being the centerpiece. Off

to the side was a six-drawer bracket-base tall chest in the original red

stain. Pam Boynton boasted that the important chest had come "directly from a

New Hampshire house."

Keeping with Maine tradition, Jon and Carla Magoun offered a grand selection

of backwoods wares. Their booth was bustling with activity with numerous sales

being made as the show opened. Of interest in their booth was an early pair of

gloves with black bear fur tops, a neat collection of splint pack baskets,

fishing creels, and, naturally, an early hatchet or two.

At the opposite end of the show, and the opposite end of the antiques

spectrum, was Charlotte Goos, who offered a refined line of silver and silver

plate. Among the items of interest were several Tiffany pieces including a

large tray. Goos also offered an extremely unusual silver-plate tea service in

a Georgian style with extensive repousse work.

The Maine Antiques Dealers Association show is steeped in history and filled

with quality merchandise. For those who missed the outing this year, fret not.

MADA will host Antiques Coastal Maine, an indoor/outdoor show, on Wednesday,

September 2. For information, contact Neville Lewis at 207/354-8055.