The Autumn Greater York Antiques Show

York, Pennsylvania

by Karl H. Pass

The Greater York Antiques Show, entering its 40th year, was held October 30 and 31, 2009. Taking place in its familiar Memorial Hall East on the York Fairgrounds in York, Pennsylvania, this fall show was considerably smaller than in the past. Although still looking great and maintaining a diverse high-quality level of material on the show floor, the fall edition had roughly a third fewer dealers. Some of the regular Burk show dealers had scheduling conflicts, some are scaling back their show circuit, and at least one has retired from the business.

Of course, times are different from when the legendary show boasted a dealer waiting list that once broke 100. Virtually every show in the country has gone through considerable changes, and the Burk show is no different. As one exhibitor commented, "It's hard to see this show on a downturn, given just how incredible it once was."

Preshow buying was good for some exhibitors. As some dealers lamented, of course it's not the same caliber of business it once was. There was a time when significant objects changed hands in the parking lot prior to hitting the show floor.

Business was spread out, but a fair amount of buying occurred both days. Several exhibitors commented that the crowd could have been better. Yet the faithful came to the show on both days, and we saw many people carrying bags. Gift items were popular.

Harry Hartman sold an assortment of country accessories. Art and Alice Booth had a very good show, as did Sidney Gecker. Not a lot, but furniture did sell. Douglas Wyant of Cassopolis, Michigan, sold several pieces, and Newsom & Berdan, Thomasville, Pennsylvania, sold a fancy paint-decorated wardrobe. Smaller blanket chests and stands were seen leaving the floor.

"We were very satisfied," said Donald Stump of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Verna, sold a combination of furniture and smalls, including an assortment of holiday items. The couple sold a red-painted blind-door corner cupboard, a paint-decorated blanket chest, and a long porch bench with a back in original paint. The bench went to a buyer from California.

Veteran dealer Vernon Gunnion of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was back and had an excellent show. "It's been about five or six years since I've done the show, and I've always said I'd like to come back if I felt up to it," said Gunnion. "It's been amazing."

As one visiting veteran dealer stated, "This is a great show that will be able to live on." The core dealers are active enough and sell a diverse range of material in a region where material can still be found, unlike most parts of the country.

Donna Burk already had spring show cards printed for patrons with Memorial Day weekend dates, but the spring edition will actually take place a week earlier, on May 21 and 22. On Memorial Day weekend are the Brandywine River Museum show in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, and the Rhinebeck Antiques Fair in Rhinebeck, New York, so the date needed to change.

For more information, contact Donna Burk of Burk Antique Shows at (717) 872-2778; Web site (www.jimburkantique shows.net).

Kelly Kinzle of New Oxford, Pennsylvania, asked $4800 for this small lift-top chest possibly from Virginia. The Maude Drein Bryant (1880-1946) painting was $8500. Bryant was one of the Philadelphia Ten.

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