Jan and John Maggs Antiques
Newsletter -- June 10, 2008
Volume 5, number 5
Since last month's newsletter . . . .
Whether or not it's a barometer of the antiques business, Brimfield was PACKED this Spring. Dealer's Choice had to be opened ten minutes early because the crowds were blocking the highway through town. Because we had just made two significant private purchases, we drove to the show on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday more from habit than from need and, as we would have predicted, bought very little. Nonetheless, the reports from sellers were generally quite positive, though we've not heard the same excitement from buyers we know.
A week later we were at Rhinebeck. Despite the perception of many sellers that the gate was lower than usual, most of our friends reported good sales. Although we sold no furniture, we had our best Rhinebeck in five years. The following week in the shop, our furniture doldrums enjoyed a reversal with the sale of five significant pieces.
Ferguson and d'Arruda's revamped and relocated Darien, CT show was, despite its beautiful setting in the shaded grounds surrounding Tilley Pond, not as well attended as one might have hoped. Whether it was the heat (near 100 degrees, culminating in fierce weather that closed the show half an hour early), or the stock market (set into another tailspin by an enormous increase in the cost of crude oil the Friday before), the show was generally flat, with some exceptions. Fortunately for us, we saw customers we've not seen since we dropped Wilton a few years ago and had a very pleasant day, made profitable by two very good sales. We plan to return next year and urge those within easy travel distance to come and enjoy this laid-back, quality antiques show.
We've just booked our Fall trip to England. We'll be in the United Kingdom in mid-October and expect our purchases to be in Conway in plenty of time for our Fall Gala on November 8 - 9.
SHOP HOURS
Our shop is open on most weekends of the year, but because we exhibit at a number of antiques shows, we are sometimes away. Click here to see our schedule for the next few weeks. If you would prefer to visit during the week, we will happily open our doors at any time. In either instance, a call ahead is advised.
UPCOMING SHOWS
July 12
Manchester, VT
* * * * * * * * * *
July 26
Rhinebeck, NY
Click here for our complete show schedule for 2008.
Featured Inventory
English and Continental furniture
American Furniture
Smalls
Antiques for the garden
Freebies
30 magazine sleeves - take 'em away
Or browse our current stock by clicking on any of the images below.
This Month's Feature
Our readers who enjoyed the 1873 diary of Jennie Williams will share our excitement in learning of a second diary, written in 1876.
Click here for this latest news.
Tales of the Trade
How an inquiry about The Magazine Antiques sent us to Virginia on a quest for new treasures. Click here for more.
Pippin's Page
This month we celebrate the second anniversary of Pippin's arrival in our home. Click here for "before and after" shots.
The Back Page
Click to visit the Jan and John Maggs Antiques website.
Links
Click for directions to our shop.
Click for links to all past issues of this Newsletter.
For additional links to businesses and places of interest, visit our Links Page.
Thanks for taking the time to read our little monthly. As always, we encourage you to e-mail any comments that might make the newsletter more useful to you. Just click the sign, or write to jmaggs@jmaggs.com.
And we thank you for being a customer.
John and Jan