Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis Antique Advertising Show

by Don Johnson

With all the shine and dazzle of the September 25th and 26th Indianapolis Antique Advertising Show, two rather inconspicuous stoneware rolling pins said nearly as much about this event as anything on the floor.

Those rolling pins, both with Texas advertising, were offered by different dealers. Only in recent years has advertising stoneware drawn much attention at all, and it certainly hasn't caused a stir at the ad show, but the rising popularity of advertising rolling pins, coupled with the scarcity of Texas examples, had dealers and collectors taking a second look. Among those who expressed an interest were Texas residents Kim and Mary Kokles, who promote the show.

Paul Smith of Harlan, Iowa, offered one of the rolling pins, a blue and white version in the Wildflower pattern. Priced at $895, it advertised "A. & H. Bounds Co.,/ Dry Goods & Groceries/ Streetman, Texas." Smith also had a selection of midwestern rolling pins, some with blue stripes and advertising, others in pumpkin.

Why all the fuss over rolling pins? One word: scarcity. When it comes to the Indianapolis Antique Advertising Show, the rarity and quality of the merchandise make this event the best of its kind. Still held on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, but in a bigger and better building, it finally has a venue it deserves.

A change of address is nothing new for this show. It was originally crammed into one of the remoter locations on the fairgrounds, then it moved to larger and more accessible facility that had adequate dealer space but proved to be unbearably hot at times, as was the case during the fall 1998 show. The latest relocation puts the show in the Sheep Building, which recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation. The roomy facility with its freshly painted walls and ceilings, a new air-conditioning system, and a large foyer is a vast improvement over previous sites. "The ad show finally got the building it deserves," said Kim Kokles.

The new site has about 65,000 square feet, compared to 40,000 square feet in the previous location. The increase in space translated into wider aisles, more booth space for dealers, and the addition of about 15 sellers during the September 1999 show. A seating area near a concession stand was also added, allowing bone-weary shoppers a place to rest a spell.

Since they now have the additional space—one end of the building was unused during the fall show—the Kokles plan to gradually increase the size of the show in proportion to the growing crowd of buyers. About 125 dealers participated in the fall event. "We feel comfortable now with the size of the crowd," Kim said, "but we would be open to a few more professional, full-time antique advertising dealers."

That's exactly what it takes to get a spot on the floor: quality merchandise and a sterling reputation as a dealer. Antique advertising remains the emphasis at the show, though an assortment of Americana gives added appeal. Among the items that fell outside the classification of advertising was a heart-shaped ice cream scoop tagged $12,500 by Phil and Donna Perdue of Crestwood, Kentucky. "It's the Cadillac of ice cream scoops," Phil noted. As a whole, however, the show seemed to be weaning itself off some of the non-advertising merchandise found here in the past and getting back to its roots.

Shoppers know they can find quality goods here. Although other events at the fairgrounds have witnessed smaller crowds waiting at the gate for a show to open, the ad show continues to draw increasing numbers of buyers. And buy they do.

But what are they buying? There were about as many different answers to that question as there were dealers. Paul Smith, who offered the Streetman, Texas, rolling pin, was doing well selling spice tins tagged between $10 and $400, in addition to his $700 sale of a Golf Club spice tin. He also said buyers were looking for products that bear their first or last names.

Alice Conrad of Alice's Attic, Churubusco, Indiana, said the hot categories include gas, oil, coffee, soda, and beer. Robert Johnson of Waterford, Michigan, specializes in Coca-Cola. He said Coke trays were once all the rage, then cardboard signs became popular, and now light-up and porcelain signs are in demand. Folk art and drugstore memorabilia are selling well, according to Robert H. Harper of Cary Station Antiques, Cary, Illinois. More important than any single category, Harper added, is the quality and condition of an item. Ken Ostrow of Newton, Massachusetts, agreed, saying condition and rarity are of prime importance.

There's no better place to take the pulse of the antique advertising marketplace than here. The dealers know their merchandise and know what's happening with sales. William Morford of Cazenovia, New York, noted that the market has become very trendy. He said the period of time between something being hot and cold has shortened dramatically.

By next March, when the ad show returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds, who knows what will be on the top of many collectors' want lists. Regardless of what it is, chances are good it will be found at this show.

For more information on the Indianapolis Antique Advertising Show, contact Kim and Mary Kokles at (972) 240-1987.