We hear two interesting perspectives on the Miami Beach Antique show and the state of antiques.

First, from Joshua Cohn of New Barrington, Massachusetts.
I agree with the previous email and believe that Paula Ellman speaks for more than just herself when she says the show was good this year. Although there were less dealers as a result of cutting the section that contained new jewelry and gemstones and a loss from those who dropped out, this did not hurt the show. In fact, from the customers we spoke with it was an improvement….they were all glad to see the new goods go and felt the show quality was up from past years. So there seems to be two conflicting vantage points on the show this year. In comparison we didn’t speak to anyone, dealers or customers, who felt the show at the airport was any good for quality or sales and was not up to par with the Beach show.
From our perspective the number of people attending the show was up from past years and they were buying. Every day except Monday there was a steady volume of people floating about and the interest level was good. There were clients in from all over the US, Europe and South America. Overall, most of them I spoke with had made more than one purchase.

I think we all need to take a step back and look at sales outside our niche markets. We are all concentrated on glass sales, but that is one small part of the market as a whole. There were many dealers who I know at the show which don’t sell glass and they too faired very well….most having shows on par with past years which were good.

One trend I have noted in sales at shows and otherwise is the quality of what is selling. High end items always get interest and sell. The items that are not selling at the moment are the low to mid range pieces. Price is always a factor, but there is no interest in a lot of these items at all. Good Steuben in this range doesn’t even seem to turn heads at the moment, customers pass it and similar merchandise over. Hopefully as times improve, which I too think they are, the general buying public will free up some funds and start collecting again on a more regular basis.

Next, from Dick Stark of Bethesda, Maryland

Even with the reduction, the show is overwhelming. It is exhaustive and beyond what the average person can handle in a visit. It also hinders making that isolated rare find. It seemed more of a jewelry show than art and antiques…..there should not be a concern over reduced participation. I’d love to see it reduced further. I purchased seven items but it took an effort….