For 68 years, the annual show produced by the New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association (NHADA) has upheld the tradition of bringing fine quality antiques to New England. Two new exhibitors will join the show this year bringing the total to 59 exhibitors. The new exhibitors are Philip Mead of Mead Americana, Ambler, Pennsylvania, and Betty Bell of Betty H. Bell Antiques, Dallas, Texas.
Philip Mead.
Philip Mead is the owner of Mead Americana, an antiques and ephemera business specializing in Colonial and Revolutionary American militaria, books, paper, and personal objects. Mead holds a Ph.D. in early American history from Harvard University. Before starting his business, Mead was chief historian and curator of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.
Betty Bell.
Betty Bell became an antiques dealer in 1977, specializing in light fixtures. In her nearly 50 years as a dealer, she has enjoyed collecting and selling early ceramics, folk art, and Americana. She originally sold at Round Top and the Tower Antique Shows in Texas, in Nashville, and at the Heartland and York shows, as well as at Christmas conventions each year. In the 1990s, early holiday pieces became her favorite. German craftsmen produced beautiful objects for the American market, and Bell’s favorite pieces are the cardboard miniatures made in the town of Dresden.
“My first Dresden ornament, a brown cow, was purchased at the NHADA show. I was very excited and unwrapped it over and over again to gaze at it on my return,” Bell stated. “I’m looking forward to exhibiting early holiday items at the New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association show this August,” added Bell.
The annual New Hampshire Antiques Show will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester, New Hampshire, August 7 to 9. For more information, visit the NHADA website (www.nhada.org).
Originally published in the May 2025 issue of Maine Antique Digest. © 2025 Maine Antique Digest
