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Indianapolis, Indiana

The Crutcher Antiques Show: Survival Is Existence Enough

by Don Johnson

In college I often kept quotes on a bulletin board. Two of my favorites were "Survival is existence enough" (source unknown) and "Just say the lines and don't trip over the furniture" (Noel Coward).

Both seem appropriate for the Crutcher Antiques Show, which once described itself as "an American tradition," but traditions can change.

Due to a lack of dealers, Jenkins Management decided in 2002 to drop the spring event from what had been a semiannual schedule. Steve Jenkins noted that the spring show fell at a bad time, coming on the heels of two other large events, the Indianapolis Art & Antiques Show and the Hoosier Antiques Exposition.

Even in becoming a fall-only event, Crutcher wasn't assured of continued success. There were no guarantees of dealer support, no promise of a strong gate. Other fall shows on the Indiana State Fairgrounds have seen declines. Collectors Caravan, produced by Stewart Promotions, has struggled as much as any show in Indiana, with so many dealers lost that the event is but a shadow of what it was during its glory days of the late 1980's and early 1990's. The Indy Antique Advertising Show has also lost dealers, but not enough to cause a significant decline in quality.

But what of Crutcher?

During the November 14-16, 2003, show in Indianapolis, the show had a polished look even though the number of participating dealers dropped to 85. Compare that to 93 dealers last fall and the 123 who maxed out the facility in November 1998.

Jenkins remains positive about the event. "I feel like we're holding our own with everyone else," he said.

In other words, survival is existence enough.

Survival, however, can be a tricky business, and nice guys still do finish last. It happens on reality TV. It happens in real life. Preventing it takes hard work and a measure of luck.

Show promoters bank on a little of both. The hard work comes in getting the right dealers, and enough of them. Luck is one of those nebulous factors that lives and dies with the economy, the weather, and a host of other things over which there is no control.

At this show, the work included setting a new stage for customers. With creative use of curtains, dividers, and aisles, the floor was partitioned off, giving a sense of fullness to the event.

Dealers did their part, with a decent array of antiques, including some powerhouse pieces, such as a circa 1760 blind-door cupboard from Cornwall, Connecticut ($16,800 from David Good of Camden, Ohio) and a portrait of a bearded man by Indiana artist William Forsyth, dated 1886 ($18,000 from Jim Ronald of Muncie, Indiana). Even quality smalls were available, including a Bakelite Victory pin from World War II, a recent acquisition priced at $695 by Doug Moore of Cicero, Indiana.

Don Orwig of Corunna, Indiana, showed what he considered to be one of the best tobacco broadsides in existence. Measuring 55 inches x 75 inches and advertising Full Weight cigars, it was laid on new canvas and had restoration to the ends, which were damaged during the years the piece was stored in a coal room in Chicago. The restorer returned the piece to Orwig five days before the show. Priced at $26,500, it was a focal point in his booth.

If Orwig's business is any indication, the antiques market is on the upswing. "Furniture has picked up," he said, echoing sentiments heard across the floor. "Business is all right. I'm not complaining. You have to work harder."

From booth to booth, dealers seemed genuine in their optimism that things are turning around. Jan Tillman of Newburgh, Indiana, said she has been selling well across the board but especially furniture. Jon Magoun of South Paris, Maine, reported that although spring was a struggle, fall has been better, with buyers putting money into taxidermy and items in original surface. Lisa McAllister of Clear Spring, Maryland, said decorated stoneware continues to be strong, as is "anything that is really good." For Gregg Ellington of Wilmington, Ohio, mocha and spatter are moving.

Laurel McKinney, a dealer at the show and the marketing director for Jenkins Management, reported that sales aren't like the old days, but they are improving. In the next booth, William Spencer of Portland, Michigan, was of a like mind, even though his photographic images, Americana, and militaria are far removed from the textiles that McKinney sells. Spencer said business this fall was healthy, a considerable improvement over periods last year that he described as dreadful.

"Business is starting to pick up," agreed Jenkins. Although the market isn't as robust as in years past, it's also not the 98-pound weakling sitting on the beach getting sand kicked in its face by a bullying economy.

"It's not back to where it was, and maybe it never will be," Jenkins added.

Making it in the antiques business is still a matter of doing the simple things correctly. In other words, just say the lines and don't trip over the furniture.

Crutcher remains a show worth attending. There are still good dealers turning up in Indianapolis. There's still good merchandise waiting to be found. If it took moving to an annual show to keep Crutcher going strong, then Jenkins did the right thing when he pulled the plug on the spring event.

For more information, contact Jenkins Management at (317) 598-0012 or visit the Web site (www.jenkinsshows.com).