The idea evolved from a meeting of dealers displaced when London-based organisers Brian and Anna Haughton were forced to cancel New York’s top fair because its regular venue, The Seventh Regiment Armory, was being used by emergency services, and the alternative venue of Sotheby’s on York Avenue proved unsuitable.
Clinton Howell, the English furniture specialist, was among the first to suggest such a dealers’ initiative and it was rapidly taken up by seven or eight others until by the end of last week, 24 Haughton exhibitors were taking part. The shows are coordinated by Andrew Chait of the Chinese works of art specialists Ralph M. Chait.
All the galleries will simultaneously hold a reception from 5 to 9pm on the evening of Thursday, October 18 where they will present the stock specially bought for the Haughton show. Maps marking the locations of all participating dealers will be available at each gallery. Then, from October 19 to 23, the galleries will welcome visitors with extended opening hours. Mr Howell, for example, will be open from 11am to 7pm but the hours may vary in different galleries.
It is hoped that the dealers and collectors who had planned to visit the fair will still come to New York and hopefully business will be done. Mr Howell told the Antiques Trade Gazette: “We have some spectacular pieces and hope to help reinvigorate life in New York City.”
Among the dealers participating are Blumka, Cora Ginsburg, Hyde Park Antiques, Jill Newhouse, Shrubsole, Vandekar, Frederick Schultz and Doris Wiener.
• The Triple Pier Antiques Show has been forced by events to move to the Javits Center for one big weekend on November 17 and 18. Dealers booked for the original November 10 and 11 weekend are being polled on their ability to change to the new dates.
Now New York dealers put on their own shows
MORE than 20 of New York’s top dealers who had signed up for the cancelled International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show are holding special selling exhibitions in their shops and galleries from October 18 to 23.
