Best crowds at New York fair that’s so good they hold it twice

High-priced items in all categories were selling quickly, although if any area was weak it was furniture.

The American trade were not buying in quantity but decorators are slowly returning with members of the profession from Texas and California
making the show a bonanza for a number of standholders.

Well-heeled New Yorkers were spending heavily on Art Deco jewellery and both women and young men were keen on period clothes.

Interest in the latter was fanned by the fact that the NBC Channel 4 weatherman was kitted out in vintage fashion when reporting live from the show.

Deco continues in demand but a notable success in a very different area was the collection of 20th century military binoculars brought to the show by Paul Manning from Kerhonkson, New York. He sold them all at prices from $4000 to $30,000.

As expected, they were a hit with locals keen to maximise the panoramic views from their apartments, but they also
went to buyers from Idaho, California and Houston.

Another New York State dealer reported: “The customers were buying mostly pretty and expensive smalls.”

There were exceptions, however, including a $40,000 bronze and a $100,000 painting.

At the Triple Pier Antiques Show next March, the organisers, Manhattan-based Stella Show Management, will introduce a new section devoted to antiques for home restoration featuring stock such as architectural items, doors, bathroom fixtures, flooring and stained glass.