• Most agreed that there was an exceptional amount of very good quality items this year. The reasons given were that,  "high end" is selling, and selling well.
• Furniture overall is still soft.
• The opinions on why high quality items were selling well mostly came in two categories. The first is that those with money in this tough economic season are looking to invest in antiques and art. I also heard many old school dealers pronouncing the "death of eBay" at least the antiques part of it and have opined that this is the main reason for the increase in quality items at this year's show.  Many believe that with eBay's new policies confusing and alienating so many, that antiquers are looking once again to market there better items at big shows. Some I talked to said they've seen an increase in quality items at other shows earlier in the year, and the same reasons were given.
• This year there seemed to be an above average amount of European and Canadian shoppers at the show, no doubt due to the value of those country's currencies versus the US dollar. One woman from London, filled 2 suitcases with $25,000 worth of Sterling Silver from one dealer. Suffice it to say that most of the foreign shoppers are not buying furniture, another kick in the head to the struggling antique furniture market at this show.
• Art, art, art. People were buying paintings, great US Art Pottery and other Object d'Art  in what seemed like record number.
• The market for good antique musical instruments appeared to be very strong.
• Early toy and games dealers were doing well.
• Anyone with good, unusual smaller items priced right, probably did well at this show.

Items and asking prices.

Here are a few things I found interesting and their asking prices. The dealers contact info appear next to the item if I was given permission to print that.

Wendy & Chuck LaVigna of Stone Cottage Antiques did well and had the following items for sale.
stonecottageantiques.net

A wonderful faded yellow painted primitive foot stool $165

Super pair of Torino mfg Chrome Retro Lamps $375


A large Petit Point of a Biblical? scene. $375


A dealer from Maine offered one of the nicest spool cabinets I've seen.
Belding Bros. 3 foot tall spool cabinet, $1500


George Clark spool cabinet $1495

The Great American Game an early tin Baseball Game by the Hustler Toy co. of Sterling Illinois. $295

There was a companion Football game priced at $295 as well

Antique Slot Machine $1500


Dennis Carlson Antiques of Moodus CT had a very interesting display which included the following

 A circa 1920s Mr Wood boat model $850

A fully working 3 foot long Railroad Steam Engine circa 1920s - $4250


From dealers who did not wish to have contact info published I found.

A Hurdy Gurdy cart fully working at $950


An antique motorcycle, (the dealer was not at the booth, and this item did not have a price tag

A miniature hand-made cupboard $475

A White's 4 gallon crock with cobalt blue floral decoration $485

Clark Jr Crock of NY also cobalt blue decorated  $475

An Oak bow-front curio cabinet with applied lions, $1295


What I took away from the show was this.

 

• Big Antique Shows are back.
• High end is selling.
• Art is selling.
• Smalls are selling if they are unusual.
• The foreign antiques investment market is aggressive and looking to buy good quality.
• Sterling and gold, name your price.
• Coins are selling.
• Don't talk about gas prices and don't talk about eBay.

Thanks for reading.
AW

For a complete 2008 Brimfield Shows Schedule click here.

I have an antique or vintage, incredibly detailed very beautiful Geisha dancer / performer. She is made of various materials, (I believe her face is hand-painted silk), meticulously attired and accessorized with fan, drum, pearl and coral necklaces, reddish gold hat, and white tabi socks -- they fit when they wear their sandals that have a split between the big and other toes. Layered over her elaborate gorgeous kimono is a gauzy painted fabric that ties in a bow in front.

She stands @ 22” H x 10” W. There are no markings I can see.

AW says: Thanks again for your appraisal request. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, when it comes to almost any of figurine, painting or any other type of art that has included in it a human form, look at the eyes. In this case, one needs only to look at the eyes of your doll to know she was painted and crafted by a master. Thanks for sending so many pictures, although I've only used 2 of them here, the others were helpful.


Date range: 1910s-20s

Retail value: $1800-$2200
(top price)

Wholesale value: $600-$900
(The midrange price you could expect to achieve at a well advertised live auction. The price that is most often realized)

Quick sale value: $400-$500
The price your likely to get if you have to sell your item immediately and your prospective customer is aware of this.

Common trade terminology: Antique Japanese Geisha Doll, Silk Geisha Doll, Hand Painted Geisha Doll

Nicknames or slang terms: N/A

In most cases, I believe it would be beneficial for your to give the prospective buyer a link to this page, and to bookmark it via your favorite bookmarking service.


Care and storage tips: Keep in even temperature and keep dry

To learn about my 100% guaranteed appraisals click here.