From my few words to dealers, it seemed that things weren't so great in terms of sales last weekend at the Gramercy Antiques Show. One dealer had been coming for more than ten years, but this was probably the worst. This informal survey was confirmed by the fact that I was there twice, probably for some four hours and didn't notice anyone leaving with anything.

If you read Maine Antiques Digest, you might notice some bargains going through auction. One example in the most recent issue is a Philadelphia Chippendale Chair, estimated at three times its selling price. A Belter table, one that would hve brought $20,000 or more a few years back, went for $8,000.

That the mid-market isn't good isn't news. Now it seems even the high-end isn't so hot. Take for example the recent news from Sotheby's.

Have antiques just fallen out of favor? Perhaps for now. I do think low to mid-range buyers are squeezed in places like New York by housing costs. The trendy glass condo look has encouraged shopping at Ikea rather than a flea market or antique shop. At the mid to high end, especially in terms of American antiques, there's just not a good feeling about the country and its heritage right now, and aside from the economy, that's not helping. But as JP Morgan noted long ago about markets, whether they be finance or antiques, they will fluctuate.

The Gramercy Antiques Show provided my first experience at a New York show. The show provided a lot more eclecticism than I am used to. I'm not sure if this is a recent trend in New York, or if it's always been more diverse in its merchandise. While shows in the Mid-Atlantic Region have been trending to a wider mix of styles, booths with no distinct period or style seemed to outnumber those with a narrower focus. I do suspect that those who decorate a period home with period furnishings, or even decorate exclusively in a specific period are lessening. Ten years ago, I know the shows in the Mid-Atlantic would have far more early-American and classical booths than they do today, and I suspect they started dissapearing from New York shows before then.

The other phenomena is the diverse population at a New York show. While still largely and older white crowd, there was more diversity than would be in an Ohio show. More, because of the diverse nature of the city, New Yorkers are exposed to a variety of cultures and their decorative arts and are more likely to collect a diverse range of objects. I should mention there are more European dealers in New York than would be at a Mid-Atlantic show, although they focus on decorative arts more than furniture.

The economy of course is a bit of a bear right now, and Helaine Fendelman, Hearst Publishing Columnist, Estate Advisor, Author & Collector spoke to that effect during her tour/talk. Fendelman quoted the recent New York Times Editorial by Warren Buffet saying "Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful." She also referenced the newfound green nature of an antique, and encouraged consumption during the downturn in the hopes that a parian here, a budda there would jumpstart the economy.

I didn't leave with anything, but I did enjoy pondering a number of items at the show and just might be there again tomorrow.