Americana Week 2002
Antique events taking place in the Big Apple in second half of January, 2002, constitute, arguably, the most outstanding as will take place anywhere in the world all year.
One day, when a famous writer assumed his position in rear of the podium, he noticed that the huge amphitheatre was filled to capacity with wide-eyed apprentices. "So," he said, "I imagine you have traveled here purchasing tickets or paying high tuitions to learn my craft? You want fame? You want to know how to write novels and stories that people will read and speak of for years to come?" "Yes,"
the audience replied in unison. The speaker adjusted his microphone and peered down at the crowd. "Then …what are you doing here?" he snapped. "Why aren't you at home, sitting in front of your desk-writing?"
It's true. While information absorption is the best first step toward learning a desired skill, only hands-on experience can transform talent and knowledge into proficiency. This week's lesson is: Road Trip. Instead of reading about what-to-do when you attend an auction, I want you to attend one. In lieu of eyeing great antiques on the Roadshow, I want you to experience them, firsthand. Plan this trip promptly. Before you remember that you were supposed to make macaroni and cheese that week; or watch re-runs of Frazier, or postpone 1998s' vacation for yet another year. You and your friends are heading for New York City.
Antique events taking place in the Big Apple in second half of January, 2002, constitute, arguably, the most outstanding as will take place anywhere in the world all year. Internationally, it's known as, Americana Week. Comprehensive info and links can be found at the Maine Antique Digest website. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Winter Antiques Show (Jan 20-27) Hilton NY, 6th Ave (Ave. of the Americas) between 53rd & 54th. Described by the Wall Street Journal as a "museum where everything is for sale." 65+ of the world's most famous antique dealers specializing in everything from arms and armor to Art Nouveau. Six and occasionally even seven figure tickets with red dots on them are not uncommon at
this show. Admission $16 includes an award winning catalog with color photos. Hours: Daily: Noon to 8:30 p.m. Sundays & Thursday: Noon-6 p.m.
- Sotheby's Exhibitions (Jan 2-16) & Auctions (Jan 17-20, 24) 1334 York Ave. A series of outstanding sales featuring important
ceramics, American furniture & folk art & silver, primitives and old master paintings on the 24th, Admission free, catalogs app. $20+, Hours: daytime
- Christies Exhibitions & Auctions, Rockefeller Center, Jan 18-19: Americana & English pottery & pistols, Jan 22-24: European Furniture & Antiques, Chinese export porcelain, old carpets, etc.,
25th: old master paintings, 30th: fine jewels. Admission free, catalogs app. $20+, Hours: daytime
- New York Ceramics Fair (Jan 17-20) National Academy of Design, 1083 5th Ave, Lecture Series & 43 select International dealers offering ceramics, glass & enamels. Admission $15, Afternoon hours.
- Antiques at the "Other" Armory (Jan 18-20) 69th Regiment Armory, Lexington Avenue @ 26th Street, New York City, 100 dealers, misc. quality, Friday 11 am - 8 pm, Saturday 11 am - 7 pm, Sunday 11 am - 5 pm, Admission $12
- Outsider Art Fair (Jan 25-27) The Puck Building, Houston and
Lafayette Streets, With 34 international exhibiters, the premier art fair in the world devoted to outsider, self-taught, intuitive, art brut and visionary art. Afternoons, Admission: $15
- Swann Galleries Auctions, 104 E. 25th St. Jan 17: Books, Jan 31: old master drawings.
- Doyle Auctions, 175 East 87th St. Jan 23: European antiques & old
master art
- Antiques at the Piers Show, (Jan 26-27), Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 88 & 9012th Avenue @ 55th Street, New York City, 400 misc. dealers, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $12
If that's not enough for your artistic and creative palate, remember where you'll be; smack dab in the middle of the city with the largest concentration of fine antique shops and museums in the world. You don't have to buy a thing to learn plenty. More importantly, you'll be having a super time doing something few people would dare to dream of. "Don't sound like your everyday, normal kind of trip to me," Mr. Setinhisways, said. It isn't! Just remember what Oprah Winfrey's been telling you for years: "There you GO, girl." Guys like me will be going too! Macaroni and cheese can wait till February.
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