Videographer: Scott Shactman
Editor: Alison Harder

WorthPoint – Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Videographer: Scott J. Shactman
Editor: Sharon Levy

WorthPoint – Discover Your Hidden Wealth

WorthPoint – Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Videographer: Scott J.Shactman
Editor: Sharon Levy

WorthPoint is getting to be a regular fixture at Brimfield, the thrice-yearly outdoor antique fair along Route 1 in Brimfield, Mass. With about 5,000 dealers set up in tents about a half a mile on either side of this otherwise rural country road, there is much to see. Dan Borsey, “The Man in the WorthPoint Van,” provides another glimpse at the treasures offered by one of the dealers, Sunnybrook Antiques, located at The Meadows, one of the dozen or so independent “shows” at Brimfield.

Jim and Jill Elias, proprietors of Sunnybrook Antiques of Swedesboro, N.J., are experienced auctioneers and appraisers who have been setting up in Brimfield since 1974. “We like to invite people in to see our merchandise; it’s like inviting them into our home. We meet a lot of wonderful people who become our repeat customers,” Jill says.

As auctioneers and appraisers for the past 30 years, the Elias’ have seen quite a number of great items come and go through their auction gallery. At Brimfield, Jim featured a series of hand-painted “Gone with the Wind”-style electric lamps. “The lamps are from the 1940’s. They are electrified copies of the oil lamps of the 1800s that were made to look like the oil burners. To me, they are just beautiful decorations for the home.” These hand-painted electric lamps have had an auction value from $75 to $200, depending on condition and style as found in WorthPoint’s Worthopedia.

Sometimes finding unusual items in the homes is not so unusual at all. However, where you find them sometimes is. Take these complete ladies dresser sets—in green silk and mother of pearl frame around a circular mirror—for example. “It has the original frames, the picture frames, the comb, right down to the earrings,” Jim says. “They had eight of these stacked under the eaves of the house.” They were all found in their original 1940’s era boxes, completely unused. Each of them are still in their original bright, vibrant color that includes the brush, comb, nail clippers, perfume bottles, powder jars, and atomizers, a complete 14-piece beauty set packaged in an art Deco style. WorthPoint’s Worthopedia shows a similar version selling at auction for $176 in 2004.

Another interesting find is an early 20th century mantel clock by Winterhauer of Germany, known for its quality movements. Manufactured during a 35-year period, the company produced the wind up clock in wood as a decorative piece in the traditional low-swept style common for a clock featured on a fireplace mantel. The first traditional mantel clock was developed in France in the middle of the 18th century and were characterized by the lack of a carrying handle. The mechanism of this particular clock is in complete working order. “They typically bring from $400 to $4,000 on the internet,” Elias says.

The couple also has a very large collection of late 19th to the early 20th century glassware, china, porcelain, books and reverse painted picture frames available at their outside booth at The Meadows during the antique season at Brimfield, Massachusetts. So visit them when you can.

Watch a video featuring Jim and Jill Elias at Bromfield here.

Tom Carrier is a general Worthologist, with an expertise in a wide variety of subjects.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Brimfield – my pretty goofy set-up where I signed copies of my book. (Can’t complain. It went very well and I ran out of books very early.)

Special thanks to WorthPoint, a website for collectors and antique experts, who came and chatted with me and video-taped a brief discussion on my snowman collection and my insights. I’m sure I could learn alot from them but since we’re on the subject I’ll just touch on the subject before I go in-depth in a later post.

The way I see it, there’s really two divisions of snowman collecting; kitsch, which makes up 35% of all church sales and then there’s collectibles like Christmas ornaments from the ’50s and earlier and paper goods (like old book illustrations dating back to 1790′s, postcards from turn of the century and trading cards from the 1880′s and such). Of course there thousands of other materials to find a snowman on but it’s case by case as to whether the item would enhance your collection. The world’s largest collection is in Germany and made up of about 11,000 items. But my smaller collection of 800 is far more historical and interesting because of the much better kitsch-to-collectible ratio. Anyone can amass a large snowman collection strolling through any flea market on a given Sunday morning. More interesting is finding examples of the snowman in less common scenes (eg. a HTL, hold-to-light postcard of Santa Claus driving an automobile and running over a snowman) or depicted in a more serious way (no Frostys). In other words showing the snowman more as a form of folk-art and less a salesman for clothes or toys (unless the product is something unusual, like this asbestos ad). Some good examples from my own collection can be seen on top of my writing blog. Happy searching and please feel free to ask me any questions as I am a certified snowman expert.

Videographer: Scott Shactman
Editor: Alison Harder

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Videographer: Scott Shactman
Editor: Alison Harder

WorthPoint – Discover Your Hidden Wealth

At my three stints at Brimfield this year, I found myself collecting something other than my favorite baseball cards. I collected a bunch of great people who matched my enthusiasm for collectibles—and then some.

Who wouldn’t have been excited sharing a booth with the one and only “King of Pop Culture,” Gary Sohmers, famous appraiser for the popular PBS “Antiques Roadshow”? What a gracious neighbor and such a positive presence at Brimfield.

The show was a bit slow as far as Brimfield goes, but that’s to be expected with hurricanes on the way, school starting and gas prices soaring. As always though, the porters were moving furniture, people were pulling wagons, and everyone was smiling.

Me and Auctionwally, antiques and collectibles guru

I was extremely lucky to meet a lot of industry specialists. Walt Kolenda, also known as Auctionwally, was great to talk with and incredibly knowledgeable on industry-related subjects. Listen to Wally’s interesting and informative interview with WorthPoint CEO Will Seippel.

And then there was Chris McCallion, who with his own money from selling antiques and collectibles, produced an indie film about younger generations getting into the business and heading to, you guessed it, Brimfield. Chris’s movie premiered in Brimfield. I counted 90 or so dealers watching this flick, including Wally and me. The movie was a hit in my opinion, and that seemed to be the vibe from the other viewers, as well. Chris can be reached at reachtroll [at] yahoo [dot] com. Drop him a note to learn the whens and wheres of the film. You’ll want to see it. I’ll keep you posted on the progress and status of Chris’ movie, so stay tuned.

Woodworking envy

Another new friend was dealer Jamie Hanks from Elk Horn Antiques in Michigan. Jamie is a dealer in fine furniture, and what intrigued me was his ability to refinish desirable, but off-condition pieces in his own studio. I have to admit to being a little bit envious of Jamie’s knowledge of woodworking. The ability to transform an otherwise beat-up piece of furniture into something beautiful and functional is truly a special feeling and also a great conservation measure. Why buy particle board at Wal-Mart when there are plenty of solid items to be had for better prices? Nice work, Jamie!

Jill and Jim Elias of Sunnybrook Antiques and Estate Auctions in Swedesboro, N.J., were a very pleasant reminder of why we all go to Brimfield. Their hospitality and expertise were phenomenal, and the quality of their wares reflects years and years of doing what we all love. I want to really thank these folks for working to get younger people involved in the industry. Jill and Jim have sold antiques to the younger generation at their cost in order to promote more interest. So kudos to these great folks for wanting this business and its traditions passed down. We need more of this in today’s market.

18 days in collectibles and antiques heaven

I’m not exaggerating when I say my 18 days in Brimfield this summer was an experience of a lifetime—the buying, selling, networking and most of all, appreciating. I am a hard core in this business and consider myself a very lucky man to participate in the way I do through my job.

I am the stereotype of a young digital-revolution “pup” as the older dealers call me, but if I have anything to do with it, we will pass these treasures on when it is our turn. People my age may not be renting the booths like older dealers, but we are finding new and innovative ways to buy, sell and trade antiques and collectibles.

My hat is off to all the dealers and interesting collectors that I met in Brimfield. I would also like to thank the field owners and the Brimfield committee for making this another great season. If you have never been, put it on your calendar. This is the premier show of the industry in many ways. To quote my friend, Gary Sohmers, “Welcome to the dance.”

See you in May 2009, live from the Brimfield, the place for antiques and collectibles.

For more stories on Brimfield, go to our special features page .

WorthPoint—the premier Web site for art, antiques and collectibles

A Cornucopia of Collectibles at Brimfield

At Brimfield, WorthPoint’s Tom Carrier discovers you can get almost anything you want in the way of collectibles and antiques: from old newspapers to adjustable dress forms. Buyers show off their treasures.

Amazing finds at Brimfield

Brimfield is a mecca for dealers and fans including WorthPoint’s CEO and founder, Will Seippel, a lifelong collector. In this video, Will walks around Brimfield sharing his experience as a collector and dealer and finding treasures including Edison Cylinders, state license plates and a phonograph from the Sonora company, which his grandfather owned.

A Dealer’s Point of View at Brimfield

We call Dan Borsey, Dan the man in the WorthPoint van because he’s traveling up and down the East Coast attending antiques and collectibles shows and events. In this video he he heads out into the fields at Brimfield to talk to buyers and sellers and to get a feel for what’s happening in the antiques and collectibles world. Antiques dealer Ron Cioe from Waterhouse Antiques is interviewed.

Curious Finds at Brimfield

With more than 5,000 dealers, the fields at Brimfield have antiques and collectibles for everyone. As a collector and former antiques dealer, WorthPoint’s Founder and CEO, Will Seippel, enjoys walking through the shows at Brimfield looking for bargains. In this video, he finds unusual and curious collectibles that provide a glimpse into our past.

Furniture Finds at Brimfield

Will Seippel, has been a collector most of his life. He put himself through college buying and selling antiques, and there are few things he enjoys more than hunting and gathering collectibles and antiques at Brimfield. In this video he finds a New England work table, a Victorian walnut bed and smaller items including Victorian drawer pulls.

More Flags at Brimfield

Worthologist Tom Carrier is WorthPoint’s resident flag expert. At the Brimfield antiques and collectibles shows, he finds what he is searching for—some fascinating flags. Tom interviews Rae McCarthy from R&R Collectibles in East Hampton, Mass.

An Indentured Servitude Contract at Brimfield

WorthPoint’s Tom Carrier finds a unique English document from 1799 for an indentured servant and interviews Paul Norton from Hartco Trunks in W. Hartford, Conn.

Hertan’s Antique show at Brimfield

Brimfield’s Antique and Flea Market is actually more than tweny separate antique shows. Hertan’s has one of the best settings and high quality items for sale. Worthologist Thom Pattie interviews David Lamberto, owner and operator of Hertan’s Antique Shows.

For more WorthPoint videos on art, antiques and collectibles click on the word “Video” in the brown bar at the top of the page or use this link More WorthPoint Videos.

If you have a video about Brimfield’s antiques and collectibles, that you would like to add to this list, please contact us at news [at] worthpoint [dot] com.
We are always searching for good video stories about antiques and collectibles. If you are going to have something special or a good story to tell at Brimfield in May 2009, send us an email News [at] worthpoint [dot] com.

What’s a good story? Take a look at some of the videos below, and you’ll see some of the stories we’ve produced at Brimfield.

WorthPoint – the premier Web site for art, antique and collectibles

As hoped for, Chris McCallion the producer of Mothballs had a full tent for the Brimfield premier of his feature film about the antiques trade called Mothballs.
I’m not a movie critic but I know what I like and the flick was a lot of fun, it kept everyone in the tent laughing and at times, shocked them.
The antiques dealers stereotypes in the movie were nailed by Chris, as I looked around at the people watching the movie I saw them reacting wtih agreement and beaming amusement.
The story takes place in Brimfield itself, it’s a comedic and at the same time accurate look at our business. How can you go wrong when you have an Alien, a little person, a kangaroo and a magic box?
I don’t want to give too much about the story away because Chris hasn’t actually released the film for distribution yet, but I bet that when you see it you recognize most of the characters in the story as those you see every day in flea markets, antiques shows and auction halls throughout the country.
What we saw last night, was a rough cut, Mr McCallion hopes to have the final version out soon. Once the final cut is ready I hope to have some available at auctionwally.com
All of the dealers were happy to see one of our own aspire to such heights and were delighted to see a movie about our line of work. It’s about damn time we get a little attention!
Chris’s Mothballs movie wasn’t the only class act of the night though. There are some people who should be thanked for their generous spirit. Here’s who they are and how they helped.
Worthpoint.com provided the screen
The extra large viewing area was provided by the two dealers inQua Quaker Acres, booths 14&15 of the show,
Brain Harvey has booth 14. He makes the coolest bird houses I’ve ever seen. They are fashioned out of automobile license plates. Each is numbered and Brian has a network of people who call in when birds arrive in spring and are thus registered with an address!
He makes them to order and will build one out of license plates from your home state.
If your a bird watcher why not give Brian a call at (207) 369-0237
Thanks to Brian, we had a comfortable place to sit, free popcorn and pizza!
From Mason-Dixon Memories -1-860-388-3137
Booth 15 was Jim from Jim’s Cartoon Glasses and Related Items a Divisioin of Mason-Dixon Memories. Jim has an awesome selectionof cartoon items.
He’s in Old Saybrook, CT at 1-860-388-3137 or 1-860-388-2867. Whether your looking for Looney Tunes or Sylvester & Tweety, I’ll bet Jim has it. Give him a call.
Thanks to Jim as well for the space, popcorn and pizza as well!
When my friend, Dan Borsey from Worthpoint.com heard about the movie, he generously donated the use of the Worthpoint extra large display screen for the viewing. Without it, the tent full of us would have been huddled around a 22 inch screen trying to see and hear.
These are all people who had a long hard work week, and yet jumped at the opportunity to help a fellow dealer turned movie producer. I was proud of us all!
If you visit Brimfield in May of 09, please take a minute to seek out these people and shake their hands.
Maybe I’ll see you then!
The distribution details for the film haven’t been worked out yet, but Chris has promised to give me a heads up when they are ready, and I’ll pass along the information in this column and at Auctionwally.com

Here are some tips and suggestions for buyers and dealers at Brimfield that might make the event more prosperous and enjoyable.

While you are at Brimfield, stop by and see the WorthPoint team in Gary Sohmers’ Wex Rex booth in The Meadows.

Buyers

The Brimfield Antique and Flea Market Shows is one huge event made up of 21 independent antiques and collectibles shows (sometimes called fields). The show runs September 2-7. You can find all of the shows listed in WorthPoint’s Events section or scan the list below.

Tips for Buyers

Check out prices before you go

If you know what you want before you go, check out what similar items have been selling for by clicking on Prices in the brown bar at the top of the page.

Comfort

• Check the weather report before you go.

• Wear comfortable shoes.

• Take some wet wipes. It gets dusty.

Be Prepared with the Right Tools

Thom Pattie, WorthPoint’s chief Worthologist, suggests taking a loupe, a type of magnifier, at about 10X. “A loupe will make it easier to look at items very closely to gauge age and condition. With a loupe, you can easily determine if a piece of art is an etching or a print. It’s also handy for seeing silver marks and other details,” Pattie said. (See Thom Pattie’s blog Tools of the Trade for more suggestions on small items to carry with you to Brimfield.

Also take a small pad of paper and a pencil, in case you want to jot down where you found something and head back there later.

Food

Both Dan Borsey (aka Dan the Man in the WorthPoint Van) and Thom Pattie say the Caesar Salad in the food area directly across from Central Park is really good.

Pace Yourself

When we asked Worthologist Tom Carrier for his suggestions on how to shop 5,000 dealers in six days, he came back with a succinct answer. “Don’t even try.” Carrier suggests that you pace yourself and be selective. “With 5,000 dealers, no one can see everything. Make a plan. Decide if you want to look for furniture, for example, or if you want to browse a couple of shows a day.” Tom also suggests using an online list of dealers in each of the show areas to narrow down your options and plan where you want to go.

What to Buy?

Finally, what should you buy? Thom Pattie offers some general advice.

“Buy things you like especially if you are buying to resell. That way if you don’t sell it, you can enjoy what you have,” Pattie tells buyers.

Be Nice to the Dealers

Save yourself some hassle and possibly some dollars. When I was at Brimfield, I overheard more than one dealer suggesting that you catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar.

Additional Tips from Dan Borsey

Dan Borsey has been to all three Brimfield shows. His top three tips for working the fields at Brimfield are:

1) Don’t buy the first one you see.

2) Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk a lot.

3) The early bird gets the worm! Dealers wait for the official open to “pick” the fields. Don’t be afraid to race them for the best items.

If you’re a Brimfield veteran, please share your suggestions, tips and advice for buyers by clicking on the words, “Add new comment” in the left column.

Dealers

• Please check your listing on the Events section of this site, and update any information. Consider adding a comment to your listing telling potential buyers what they can find in your field. You must be a member to add information to the site. Membership is free.

• You can subscribe for a relatively small fee and post items in the classifieds. Click on the tab “You deserve the best . . . Upgrade to Platinum” in the right column to subscribe at the gold or platinum level.

• Yes, you can advertise on this features page as well as other pages on the WorthPoint site. Contact the sales department at sales [at] worthpoint [dot] com.

• If you have a story or an item that you think the collecting community would like to know about, or other suggestions, please e-mail us at news [at] worthpoint [dot] com.

Brimfield Shows (Fields)

Brimfield Acres North
508.754.4185
413.245.9471
OPEN: Tue, Sat
(Tuesday 1 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. one-day shows)

Brimfield Barn Antique Market
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(7 a.m.)

Central Park Antique Shows
413.596.9257
413.245.4674
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6 a.m.)

Collins Apple Barn
413.245.3948
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Crystal Brook
413.245.7647
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Dealers Choice
OPEN: Tue
(Tuesday 11 a.m. one-day show)

Faxon’s Midway
508.347.3929
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(7 a.m.)

Francesco’s
413.245.4640 or 413.245.6691
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(9 a.m.)

Green Acres
Open: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6 a.m.)

Heart-O-the-Mart
413.245.9556
OPEN: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(9 a.m.)

J & J Promotions
413.245.3436 or 978.597.8155
OPEN: Fri, Sat
(Friday 6 a.m./Saturday 9 a.m.)

Hertan Antique Shows
860.763.3760
413.626.0927
OPEN: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Wednesday noon/Thursday — Sunday 6 a.m.)

Mahogany Ridge
413.245.3182
413.245.7220
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

May’s Antique Market
413.245.9271
OPEN: Thu, Fri, Sat
(9 a.m.)

New England Motel & Antique Market
508.347.2179
OPEN: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6 a.m.)

Quaker Acres
413.245.6185
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Shelton Antique Shows
413.245.3591
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Sturtevant’s
413.245.7458
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

The Meadows Antique Shows
413.245.9427
413.245.3215
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6 a.m.)

Useful links:

Be Prepared for Brimfield – Weather Report

Google Map Brimfield, Massachusetts

Bill Simonic’s very handy online guide to everything you want to know about Brimfield including lodging, dining, shops, services, the Brimfield show, general information, dealers information, a map of the show and a show schedule.

An online list of dealers and you can also download a pocket guide for Brimfield

Here are some tips and suggestions for buyers and dealers at Brimfield that might make the event more prosperous and enjoyable.

While you are at Brimfield, stop by and see the WorthPoint team in Gary Sohmers’ Wex Rex booth in The Meadows.

Buyers

The Brimfield Antique and Flea Market Shows is one huge event made up of 21 independent antiques and collectibles shows (sometimes called fields). The show runs September 2-7. You can find all of the shows listed in WorthPoint’s Events section or scan the list below.

Tips for Buyers

Check out prices before you go

If you know what you want before you go, check out what similar items have been selling for by clicking on Prices in the brown bar at the top of the page.

Comfort

• Check the weather report before you go.

• Wear comfortable shoes.

• Take some wet wipes. It gets dusty.

Be Prepared with the Right Tools

Thom Pattie, WorthPoint’s chief Worthologist, suggests taking a loupe, a type of magnifier, at about 10X. “A loupe will make it easier to look at items very closely to gauge age and condition. With a loupe, you can easily determine if a piece of art is an etching or a print. It’s also handy for seeing silver marks and other details,” Pattie said. (See Thom Pattie’s blog Tools of the Trade for more suggestions on small items to carry with you to Brimfield.

Also take a small pad of paper and a pencil, in case you want to jot down where you found something and head back there later.

Food

Both Dan Borsey (aka Dan the Man in the WorthPoint Van) and Thom Pattie say the Caesar Salad in the food area directly across from Central Park is really good.

Pace Yourself

When we asked Worthologist Tom Carrier for his suggestions on how to shop 5,000 dealers in six days, he came back with a succinct answer. “Don’t even try.” Carrier suggests that you pace yourself and be selective. “With 5,000 dealers, no one can see everything. Make a plan. Decide if you want to look for furniture, for example, or if you want to browse a couple of shows a day.” Tom also suggests using an online list of dealers in each of the show areas to narrow down your options and plan where you want to go.

What to Buy?

Finally, what should you buy? Thom Pattie offers some general advice.

“Buy things you like especially if you are buying to resell. That way if you don’t sell it, you can enjoy what you have,” Pattie tells buyers.

Be Nice to the Dealers

Save yourself some hassle and possibly some dollars. When I was at Brimfield, I overheard more than one dealer suggesting that you catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar.

Additional Tips from Dan Borsey

Dan Borsey has been to all three Brimfield shows. His top three tips for working the fields at Brimfield are:

1) Don’t buy the first one you see.

2) Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk a lot.

3) The early bird gets the worm! Dealers wait for the official open to “pick” the fields. Don’t be afraid to race them for the best items.

If you’re a Brimfield veteran, please share your suggestions, tips and advice for buyers by clicking on the words, “Add new comment” in the left column.

Dealers

• Please check your listing on the Events section of this site, and update any information. Consider adding a comment to your listing telling potential buyers what they can find in your field. You must be a member to add information to the site. Membership is free.

• You can subscribe for a relatively small fee and post items in the classifieds. Click on the tab “You deserve the best . . . Upgrade to Platinum” in the right column to subscribe at the gold or platinum level.

• Yes, you can advertise on this features page as well as other pages on the WorthPoint site. Contact the sales department at sales [at] worthpoint [dot] com.

• If you have a story or an item that you think the collecting community would like to know about, or other suggestions, please e-mail us at news [at] worthpoint [dot] com.

Brimfield Shows (Fields)

Brimfield Acres North
508.754.4185
413.245.9471
OPEN: Tue, Sat
(Tuesday 1 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. one-day shows)

Brimfield Barn Antique Market
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(7 a.m.)

Central Park Antique Shows
413.596.9257
413.245.4674
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6 a.m.)

Collins Apple Barn
413.245.3948
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Crystal Brook
413.245.7647
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Dealers Choice
OPEN: Tue
(Tuesday 11 a.m. one-day show)

Faxon’s Midway
508.347.3929
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(7 a.m.)

Francesco’s
413.245.4640 or 413.245.6691
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(9 a.m.)

Green Acres
Open: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6 a.m.)

Heart-O-the-Mart
413.245.9556
OPEN: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(9 a.m.)

J & J Promotions
413.245.3436 or 978.597.8155
OPEN: Fri, Sat
(Friday 6 a.m./Saturday 9 a.m.)

Hertan Antique Shows
860.763.3760
413.626.0927
OPEN: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Wednesday noon/Thursday — Sunday 6 a.m.)

Mahogany Ridge
413.245.3182
413.245.7220
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

May’s Antique Market
413.245.9271
OPEN: Thu, Fri, Sat
(9 a.m.)

New England Motel & Antique Market
508.347.2179
OPEN: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6 a.m.)

Quaker Acres
413.245.6185
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Shelton Antique Shows
413.245.3591
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Sturtevant’s
413.245.7458
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

The Meadows Antique Shows
413.245.9427
413.245.3215
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6 a.m.)

Useful links:

Be Prepared for Brimfield – Weather Report

Google Map Brimfield, Massachusetts

Bill Simonic’s very handy online guide to everything you want to know about Brimfield including lodging, dining, shops, services, the Brimfield show, general information, dealers information, a map of the show and a show schedule.

An online list of dealers and you can also download a pocket guide for Brimfield

While you are at Brimfield stop by and see the WorthPoint team in Gary Sohmers’ Wex Rex booth in The Meadows.

Buyers:

The Brimfield Antique and Flea Market Shows is one huge event made up of 21 independent antiques and collectibles shows (sometimes called fields). The show September 2-7. You can find all of the shows listed in WorthPoint’s Events section or scan the list below.

Tips for Buyers

Check out prices before you go

If you know what you want before you go, check out what similar items have been selling for by clicking on Prices in the brown bar at the top of the page.

Comfort

• Check the weather report before you go.

• Wear comfortable shoes.

• Take some wet wipes. It gets dusty.

Be Prepared with the Right Tools

Thom Pattie, WorthPoint’s Chief Worthologist, suggests taking a loupe, a type of magnifier, at about 10X. “A loupe will make it easier to look at items very closely to gauge age and condition. With a loupe, you can easily determine if a piece of art is an etching or a print. It’s also handy for seeing silver marks and other details,” Pattie said. (See Thom Pattie’s blog Tools of the Trade for more suggestions on small items to carry with you to Brimfield.

Also take a small pad of paper and a pencil, in case you want to jot down a note where you found something and head back there later.

Food

Both Dan Borsey (aka Dan the Man in the WorthPoint Van) and Thom Pattie say the Caesar Salad in the food area directly across from Central Park is really good.

Pace Yourself

When we asked Worthologist Tom Carrier for his suggestions on how to shop 5,000 dealers in six days, he came back with a succinct answer. “Don’t even try.” Carrier suggests that you pace yourself and be selective. “With 5,000 dealers no one can see everything. Make a plan. Decide if you want to look for furniture for example, or if you want to browse a couple of shows a day.” Tom also suggests using an online list of dealers in each of the show areas to narrow down your options and plan where you want to go.

What to Buy?

Finally, what should you buy? Thom Pattie offers some general advice.
“Buy things you like especially if you are buying to resell: that way if you don’t sell it, you can enjoy what you have,” Pattie tells buyers.

Be Nice to the Dealers

Save yourself some hassle and possibly some dollars. When I was at Brimfield, I overheard more than one dealer suggesting that you catch more flys with honey than you do vinegar.

Additional Tips from Dan Borsey

Dan Borsey has been to all three Brimfield shows. His top three tips for working the fields at Brimfield are:

1) Don’t buy the first one you see.

2) Wear comfortable shoes, you will walk a lot.

3) The early bird gets the worm! Dealers wait for the official open to “pick” the fields: don’t be afraid to race them for the best items.

If you’re a Brimfield veteran, please share your suggestions, tips and advice for buyers by clicking on the words, “Add new comment” in the left column.

Dealers

• Please check your listing on the Events section of this site, and update any information. Consider adding a comment to your listing telling potential buyers what they can find in your field. You must be a member to add information to the site. Membership is free.

• You can subscribe for a relatively small fee and post items in the classifieds. Click on the tab “You deserve the best…Upgrade to Platinum” in the right column to subscribe at the gold or platinum level.

• Yes, you can advertise on this features page as well as other pages on the WorthPoint site. Contact the sales department at sales [at] worthpoint [dot] com.

• If you have a story or an item that you think the collecting community would like to know about, or other suggestions for us, please email us at news [at] worthpoint [dot] com.

Brimfield Shows (Fields)

Brimfield Acres North
508.754.4185
413.245.9471
OPEN: Tue, Sat
(Tuesday 1:00 P.M. and Saturday 7:00 A.M. one day shows)

Brimfield Barn Antique Market
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(7:00 A.M.)

Central Park Antique Shows
413.596.9257
413.245.4674
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6:00 A.M.)

Collins Apple Barn
413.245.3948
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Crystal Brook
413.245.7647
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Dealers Choice
OPEN: Tue
(Tuesday 11:00 A.M. one day show)

Faxon’s Midway
508.347.3929
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(7:00 A.M.)

Francesco’s
413.245.4640 or 413.245.6691
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(9:00 A.M.)

Green Acres
Open: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6:00 A.M.)

Heart-O-The Mart
413.245.9556
OPEN: Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(9:00 A.M.)

J & J Promotions
413.245.3436 or 978.597.8155
OPEN: Fri, Sat
(Friday 6:00 A.M./Saturday 9:00 A.M.)

Hertan Antique Shows
860.763.3760
413.626.0927
OPEN: Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Wednesday Noon/Thursday – Sunday 6:00 A.M.)

Mahogany Ridge
413.245.3182 413.245.7220
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

May’s Antique Market
413.245.9271
OPEN: Thur, Fri, Sat
(9:00 A.M.)

New England Motel & Antique Market
508.347.2179
OPEN: Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6:00 A.M.)

Quaker Acres
413.245.6185
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Shelton Antique Shows
413.245.3591
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

Sturtevant’s
413.245.7458
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(Daybreak)

The Meadows Antique Shows
413.245.9427 or 413.245.3215
OPEN: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(6:00 A.M.)

Useful links:

Be Prepared for Brimfield – Weather Report

Google Map Brimfield, Massachusetts

Bill Simonic’s very handy online guide to everything you want to know about Brimfield including loding, dining, shops, services, the Brimfield show, general information, Dealers information, a map of the show and a show schedule.

An online list of dealers and you can also download a pocket guide for Brimfield

There is nothing in the antiques world like the opening of the largest antiques show in the US in Brimfield MA. It’s an overload of sensory perception, a carnival of the unusual, a mind boggling plethora diversity, and that’s just the people!

Seriously, there are over 5,000 dealers that set up over the course of a week. The show runs on Tuesday through Saturday May 13th – 18th this year. The show comes to Brimfield 3 times a year, May, July, & Sept. and always starts on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month and runs until Saturday. Tents and displays are set up at more than 20 massive farm fields along RT 20 in Brimfield. There are 19 on the official roster, but there are a few renegades as well.

I’m lucky enough to live just 45 minutes from the town of Brimfield, so being an antiques auctioneer, I naturally get to it at least once per season. I usually go as a buyer, not to sell. This year it was fun to cover the event as a blogger, allowing me to view it from another perspective. It was refreshing to cover the event without the concerns of purchasing items and promoting an upcoming auction, which are my usual motives for attending.

I covered 2 fields for this trip and will be going back later on in the week, here are the results of my first visit.

One of the strangest things I’ve ever seen at Brimfield or anywhere else for that matter, was a Corona. Upon hitting the first field, (Brimfield Acres North) I saw several hundred people looking straight up in the air at a rainbow around the Sun. I’d never seen one before and it was breathtaking, I’m still rubbing my eyes, however. If you think a rainbow around the Sun is strange, the site of a field full of people looking up in the air all at once is even slightly more so!

The state of the antiques market seems to exist in it’s own world that operates outside of the normal economy, and here’s what I found to be the buzz topics of this show.

* 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.

• 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.

Videographer: Mary Brenneman
Editor: Alison Harder

WorthPoint – Discover Your Hidden Wealth

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WorthPoint’s Tom Carrier is at Brimfield, one of the largest antiques and collectibles shows in the world. Tom, a vexologist, finds two large flags with 48 stars, one made from wool and the other cotton. Tom compares the differences.

Videographer: Scott J. Shactman
Editor: Sharon Levy

WorthPoint – the premier Web site for art, antiques and collectibles

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With more than 5,000 dealers, the fields at Brimfield have antiques and collectibles for everyone. WorthPoint’s CEO Will Seippel has been a collector most of his life. As a collector and former antiques dealer, he enjoys walking through the shows at Brimfield looking for bargains. In this video, he finds unusual and curious collectibles that provide a glimpse into our past.

Videographer: Scott J. Shactman
Editor: Sharon Levy

WorthPoint – the premier Web site for art, antiques and collectibles

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WorthPoint’s CEO and founder, Will Seippel, has been a collector most of his life. He put himself through college buying and selling antiques, and there are few things he enjoys more than walking the fields at Brimfield hunting and gathering collectibles and antiques.

Videographer: Scott J. Shactman
Editor: Sharon Levy

WorthPoint – the premier Web site for art, antiques and collectibles

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Dan Borsey is at Brimfield working the WorthPoint booth in Central Park, but when he’s not busy, he heads out into the fields (that’s what they call the 20 some shows at Brimfield) to talk to buyers and sellers and to get a feel for what’s happening in the antiques and collectibles world. In this video, he talks with antiques dealer Ron Cioe from Waterhouse Antiques.

Reporter: Dan Borsey
Videographer: Scott J. Shactman
Editor: Sharon Levy

WorthPoint – the premier Web site for art, antiques and collectibles

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At Brimfield, Dan Borsey finds two young entrepreneurs who are learning the antiques and collectibles business one sale at a time. The two friends, Matt Wylie and Zeb Koch, enjoy buying and selling antiques and collectibles and especially like making money while having fun!

Interviewed: Matt Wylie, Zeb Koch and Bruce Wylie, Matt’s father.

Reporter – Dan Borsey
Videographer: Scott J. Shactman
Editor: Sharon Levy

WorthPoint – the premier Web site for art, antiques and collectibles