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DEALERS HAPPY AT PEABODY ESSEX SHOW

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By Bob Jackman

SALEM, MASS. -- On Thanksgiving weekend, eastern New England was treated to

the 26th Peabody Essex Museum Antiques Show. Twenty-eight prominent New

England dealers presented attractive booths packed with fine antiques.

One thousand enthusiasts poured into Friday's gala preview party. The show

continued to be well attended during the two days following and most dealers

reported good or excellent sales.

Scattered among the collectors attending the preview were major dealers such

as Robert Trent of Wilmington, Del. All exhibitors reported that previewers

were highly enthusiastic but sales varied greatly from booth to booth. Joyce

Ruskin of Hanes and Ruskin, for example, enjoyed "a good preview...selling

ceramics."

American Decorative Arts of Canaan, N.H. posted the most preview sales. "This

year has been better than usual. I've had 15 sales tonight," said Richard

Vandall. At the 9 pm closing, Alexander Westerhoff stated that he had no

preview sales, but that he was still negotiating. Fifteen minutes later, he

reported selling three major pieces of furniture.

The deep support for the Peabody Essex Museum as a community cornerstone has

coalesced into a skilled volunteer staff to assist the show. One member of the

entertainment committee, who passed hors d'oeuvres at the preview, commented,

"I enjoy spending time in the galleries of the museum, some of which were

donated by family." Several members of the staff returned over the weekend to

make major purchases.

For 25 years, patron contributions have helped defray the costs of the preview

party, and thereby have generated a larger profit to benefit the museum. This

year promoter Christine Vining announced, "For the first time, the preview

party has been totally underwritten, and that support has come from a single

source: Ron Bourgeault of Northeast Auctions. In addition to producing more

profits from the party, the extra funding has also enabled us to get solid and

taller walls, fascia board for all booths, and other improvements."

Preparation for the show began on Tuesday when staff cleared museum exhibits

from four rooms at the northeast corner of the museum. On Wednesday morning,

staging crews mounted show walls to create individual room settings. Some

dealers set up their booths on Wednesday, while other waited until Friday.

For the weekend, dealers in three rooms universally reported good to excellent

sales, while in the fourth room, dealers had more scattered sales.

Art dealer Palmer LeRoy reported that his first Peabody show was very

successful. "Oils on canvas that we've sold include a Richard Haley Lever, an

Arthur Lindquist, a Hatfield, and a portrait. We've also sold a number of

watercolors, and each day we have sold a number of graphics. Each day has been

progressively more busy," he said.

The show's other fine art dealer, John Curuby of The Vault, also sold across

the board. "We have been pleased with our paintings sales, but the unknown

element was the Marian Rich portion of our exhibit. For three days her photos

stimulated interest, and now as we're closing suddenly three have sold. Great

closing."

Asian arts dealer Judith Dowling of Boston reported, "Sales are better than

last year. I am encouraged by the rising interest in Japanese flower baskets.

In addition to increased sales, there have been many more inquiries. Many

shoppers have indicated they will visit my shop on Charles Street when they're

in Boston."

Kevin Clark was another dealer who anticipated the show would generate further

sales. He commented, "We've done very well. We're very happy. We opened a shop

in Salem several months ago, and this show has helped us reach local

collectors. Sales have been very good, but the biggest benefit could be shop

sales in the winter months.

Cushing, Me. dealer Neville Lewis said, "This is always a wonderful show, and

this year has been very good for us." Randall Decoteau of Warren, Mass.,

volunteered, "It's been a strong show, even better than last year. I sold a

chest yesterday, and three paintings have sold. People seem to like my

selection of glass."

A new exhibitor this year was Lisa Freeman. She and husband John Fiske operate

Fiske and Freeman Antiques of Belmont, Vt., and Lisa also publishes the Green

Guides to Antiquing. "It's a very attractive show and a unique setting. We're

satisfied with sales and hope to return," she said.

While the most successful exhibitors seemed to be David Good of Good and

Hutchinson and Alexander Westerhoff, most dealers found the show to be a

financial success.

Skinner's Inc. sponsored a fund-raiser on Saturday evening, which helped to

boost late afternoon attendance and sales. During the final hour of the show,

hors d'oeuvres and beverages were offered to late shoppers, invited guests,

and exhibitors. That was followed by a one-hour slide lecture presentation by

Skinner's art expert Colleene Fesko. Her insightful and witty presentation,

"Painters of the North Shore," was warmly received by an audience of 100

enthusiasts.

Later, Annie Barton of the museum staff commented, "The attendance for

Colleene's talk was about twice that at similar museum events. It closed the

evening on a strong note."

Developments from the 1992 union of the Peabody Museum and Essex Institute

continue transforming East India Square. Several months ago the staff

completed the merger of the Peabody Museum's Stephen Phillips Library and the

Essex Institute's James Duncan Phillips Library. The merged facility is now

known simply as the Phillips Library of the Peabody Essex Museum. Its

collection includes over 400,000 volumes and over a mile of manuscript

material. The 1850s buildings which house the collection have been splendidly

renovated and are themselves artifacts of their period.

For researchers the Phillips Library is a "best buy" at a major private

library in North America. A $40 annual membership entitles one to library use

as well as unlimited visits to the museum and its historic houses. The

library's collection is of national stature in the areas of maritime history,

genealogy, China Trade, Asian arts, American decorative arts, and photography.

The Rockport line of the commuter rail has a depot within walking distance of

the library and museum.

Admission to the antiques show also included admission to the museum, and most

guests toured the museum. The public responded enthusiastically to the current

exhibition, "Capturing Poseidon." Over one million of the museum's marine

photographs were examined to arrive at the final 100 images that capture

moments of maritime history around the globe.

As they wandered the gallery, visitors seemed to respond to the photos which

triggered their internal interests and experiences. It was unusual to hear

such an extensive vocal interaction among both friends and strangers.