Philadelphia Antiques Show 2022

107 THE PH I LADE L PH I A SHOW noted that on that opening night, once the patrons noticed the dealers’ booths, they stopped greeting their friends and did a lot of buying. The Philadelphia Inquirer noted in its 1963 article about the upcoming, second annual Show, “the Antiques Show set a high record in 1962 as the women’s first venture. Dealers who needed a bit of persuasion then sent in reservations for space early this year, and a waiting list developed. More than 6,000 visitors turned out for the 1962 Show.’’ The experiment had been a success, setting the stage for future antiques shows and future dollars for the University Hospital. By the time the first Show closed, the Board of Women Visitors was stunned by its apparent success. According to Mrs. Brown, the Committee had hoped to make $10,000 that first year. But the total came to $30,000, and the Committee and Hospital alike were thrilled. Said Mrs. Brown, looking back in 1966 to that first Show, “We started with our hearts in our mouths; but, as soon as our publicity went out, we had people telephoning for tickets.” As the Show grew and matured over the years, so did Philadelphia’s reputation as a good market for antiques, squashing the fears of those first reluctant dealers. Said one of the earliest dealers, “The University Hospital Antiques Show proved, especially in the first 15 to 20 years of its existence, that here were a number of Philadelphians who for one reason or another, either wanted to supplement what their ancestors had left them, or did not have the things that their ancestors had left. They wanted to build up collections, and they were able and interested in doing so.’’ “It educated a number of people who probably would not have been educated as well,” said an early dealer. “People bought books, went to museums and started to study. And they might not have done that if they had not been stimulated by the Show.’’ Said one former Chairman, “Our clientele are enormously knowledgeable about antiques. They come because of the thrill of seeing an exquisite piece of museum-quality furniture. The Show obviously provides an opportunity to buy things, but it also provides an education. It’s a museum, as well.” “If something is of enormous interest to you,” she added, “you can have a dealer let you touch it, pick it up, sit on it, tell you about it. You can even take it home with you if you have enough money. You would not find that at an auction, or a museum. Talking to people, and teaching people about antiques is what they (the dealers) enjoy.” Another aspect of the show that has not changed much over the years is that the committee is beloved by the dealers. The graciousness of the women seems to have carried over from those early days and as a result, the dealers still feel a real affection for The Philadelphia Show. Added a former Chairman and longtime committee member, “We feel a deep regard and affection for the dealers. They are the stars of our show, the ones the public clamors to see.”