Date: Fri 29-May-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Quick Words:

Chicago

Full Text:

Chicago International Antiques And Art Fair

(W/CUTS) - LB

By Susan & Al Bagdade

CHICAGO, ILL. -- The Chicago International Antiques and Fine Art Fair, the

Chicago International Antiquarian Book Fair, and Prints/Chicago '98 had its

debut at the Merchandise Mart on May 1-3.

Produced by the Merchandise Mart Properties and managed by Sanford L. Smith &

Associates from New York, this premier event brought together the most

distinguished arts and antiques exhibitors that Chicago has seen in a long

time. Chicago proper was definitely in need of a major antiques event, and

Sanford Smith had the vision to bring it to the Merchandise Mart, the world's

largest commercial building and a Chicago landmark.

An elegant preview gala benefiting the Women's Board of the Rehabilitation

Institute of Chicago included an extensive listing of Chicago dignitaries who

gathered to view and shop the show before it opened to the public. More than

1300 people attended the preview gala. Mimi Carr, speaking for the Women's

Board, said the charity cleared $175,000 after expenses from this

exceptionally successful event.

Educational programs were held each day of the fair for everyone from the

novice to the expert collector of antiques and fine art. Edward Reily Collins,

managing director of Hallidays Antiques, discussed "Fakes, Frauds and

Forgeries -- Evaluating English Antiques." William Adair, owner of Gold Leaf

Studios, discussed "The Framer's Art -- Understanding Antique Frames," and

David C. Bishop, owner of David C. Bishop & Co, Inc, discussed "Bring the

Outside In -- Conservatories and Garden Rooms."

The special loan exhibition was entitled "Selections from The Frame in

America: 1860-1960" and was organized by William Adair.

Select antiques dealers from the United States and abroad exhibited in Chicago

along with a group of exhibitors who are members of LAPAPA, the United

Kingdom's largest association of professional art and antiques dealers.

Smith felt that the fair went well for a first-time effort and plans to return

to Chicago next spring. "Certain details need to be fine tuned in conjunction

with the Mart," he said. "A better balance will be established between

antiques exhibitors and those showing paintings and prints. The book

exhibitors and antiques dealers will be positioned on the same side next year

to avoid the confusion that occurred. The entrance arrangements will also be

simplified."

Smith said that Twentieth Century material and paintings and prints sold well.

"Quite a few wood pieces were sold, too," the manager remarked.

Antiquariat Reingold Berg from Regensburg, Germany, reported, "People here

know what they want and we love that." The dealers were pleased to sell a set

of John Gould's The Birds of Great Britain early in the show.

Bauman Rare Books from Philadelphia reported having a good show. A rare signed

limited edition of Ezra Pound's Selected Poems was $3,500. A first edition of

The Catcher in the Rye was $3,000, and A Horse's Tale, a first edition signed

by Mark Twain, could be added to one's library for $5,500.

Gary Calderwood of Calderwood Gallery, Philadelphia, related that "he wanted

to do a show in Chicago for about ten years." He said it was a beautiful show

with a good crowd. He met some decorators and some new clients. Since

Calderwood is one of the leading Twentieth Century decorative arts galleries

in the United States, it only deals with a handful of people at this show

because of the specific nature of its merchandise. Although the dealer does

shows mainly for marketing purposes, he did have some good sales in Chicago.

Dealers from New York's Spanierman Gallery were "ecstatic with the show. ...

People kept commenting that this is the kind of show Chicago has been waiting

for."

The Smith Gallery, New York, specialists in American marine paintings,

American Western bronzes and American folk art, sold a Native American basket

collection from Maine dating from the 1800s-1930 to a collector in New Mexico.

It consisted of 62 pieces in sweet grass and woven varieties. Patricia Smith

related that she tried to bring specific Great Lakes pieces to appeal to local

collectors.

Early in the fair Roderic Haugh Antiques from Horwich, England, sold an

important mirror and had other possible sales pending. Drawing a lot of

attention was a circa 1745 rare George I Norfolk bureau with two short and two

long drawers and spacious writing area for $25,000.

Form 1900 from New York City sold a few pieces of Swedish ceramics and some

small furniture. The exhibitors would like to see additional Twentieth Century

dealers in the show next year. Show attendees were "not that familiar with

Swedish Twentieth Century ceramics, but they liked the style."

From Winnetka, Ill., Donald Stuart Antiques reported strong sales of smalls

including Chinese Export, two canary yellow children's mugs, a watch safe,

eight Bristol dark green glasses, and a French beadwork tray.

Poster America from New York City sold a Swiss 1953 Coca Cola poster by

Herbert Leupin during the preview. Freie Restauratoren Gesellschaft from

Steinheim, Germany, was exhibiting in its first antique show. The dealers are

experts in preservation of historical monuments and redevelopment of wood.

There was a lot of interest in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century American

folk art exhibited by Sidney Gecker from New York City. Although some good

items sold, Sidney said showgoers were surprised to see this high level of

folk art in Chicago.

No ceramics dated later than 1824 were among the beautiful English and Welsh

porcelains from Highgate Antiques of London. This was its first time showing

in the United States and the dealers found a lot of interest and enthusiasm

for their absolutely perfect ceramics. They showed New Hall, Derby, Worcester,

Bow, Chelsea, Spode, Bristol, Bourne, and Chelsea Derby.

Betsy Nathan and Alan Palmer from Pagoda Red of Chicago sold a traditional

1850 Chinese lattice bed suite in elm wood from the Shanxi province. They also

sold a very rare example of a bamboo moon gazing chair, circa 1880, from the

Henan province. This is the only Chinese reclining chaise. These dealers have

only been in business since November and were thrilled with the show, the

attendance, and their sales. They also featured Chinese advertising posters

from the early Twentieth Century.

Thomas French Fine Art from Fairlawn, Ohio, was very pleased with the

knowledgeable, buying crowd. Sales included a Frank Boggs oil painting, a

Lionel Feininger watercolor, lots of Japanese prints, and other prints and

paintings.

Poster dealer Nicholas Bailly from New York City had a good preview both

buying and selling posters. His "Josephine Baker" by Gaston Girbal was "on

hold" and sure to be gone by the end of the fair.

Another New Yorker, Jerome Spiller, showed art glass. "The crowds are terrific

for a new show," he said. Sales included a piece of Webb cameo plus some

smalls.

Barbara Bako from Akron, Ohio, was thrilled to be back in Chicago at a high

quality show. Her sales included English wall pockets, an Eighteenth Century

daybed, jewelry, porcelains, a Syrian partner's desk, a Biedermeier sewing

table, a pair of early Nineteenth Century architectural carved Chinese lions,

a pair of Chinese Export temple jars, an English lacquer etagere, and a pair

of American classical footstools. Barbara had a lot of buyers during the

preview and thought this "was a very upbeat crowd."

Edward Reily Collins of Hallidays, from Oxfordshire, England, sold some big

pieces of furniture and had a lot of interest in others. Since it was the

first time for this show and his first fair in the states, it was difficult to

know exactly what to bring. Collins said, "Chicago is the perfect market. The

people are in the mood, ready to learn and so nice. Now that we've established

a position, I believe next year we'll sell twice as much. This show will be a

great permanent fixture and we're already looking forward to next year."

Another first timer in Chicago was Julian Beck from Washington, Conn. He sold

an important painting by the French artist Clovis Francois Auguste Didier

entitled "La Journee d'Ete."

Leila Lyons of Lyons Ltd of Menlo Park, Calif., was delighted with the show.

Her excellent sales included a lot of first edition children's prints, much

early Chicago material, botanical and bird prints, and some natural history

pieces. She also sold some manuscripts with botanical borders.

From Chicago, Nancy McIlvaine of Portals, Ltd, said, "Chicago needs a good

downtown show. People are bringing everything from London and New York. They

need to see that they can buy it in Chicago. Shoppers should have confidence

in their own dealers, designers, and their own taste. The quality is

definitely here at this Chicago fair." She said there was an enormous turnout

and was pleased to hear that the fair may be a day longer next year.