I just got back from beautiful Massachusetts, the Brimfield antique show was pretty amazing. I had no idea what to expect, except for the fact that it is hectic. I had space on a container that is on a train to southern California as I write. Next week I will drive down and pick up my goods.
I’m going to ramble now, in the hopes that I can help you if you’ve never been and are thinking about going.
This was MUCH different from the Texas antique fair. Smaller, faster, older, crazier. Of course you can’t see it all while you’re there. There is not at all the rambling, ambling, shop all day and night of Texas. There are no parties at night. Most of the fields open at 6am, some open at 11 and close at 1, when the dealers move down the road for another big opening of another field. Dealers can actually get a ticket for selling before the field opens. Not one person I spoke to understand the moving of fields and staggered openings and closings, everyone thinks it is dumb but since no one is in charge it will never change. One of the coolest fields (may’s) opened at 9, people were waiting in line for hours. At 9am (we waltzed in at 9:05) the dealers open their trucks and start to pull things out, it’s an amazing opportunity to get first dibs. I walked down one row that called to me, waited outside a truck and out came two huge boxes of vintage bronze doll molds, arms, legs and torsos that I have never seen. MINE! Then I walked to the next aisle and watched a perfect steel dresser coming out. MINE! Five hours later I was still finding goods! Most of the fields charge to enter, everyone charges to park, and there is no easy driving around, picking up purchases. Porters are everywhere, and charge varying amounts to dolly your goods to your truck or container. My arms are still rubber from carrying things instead of leaving them with friends as I can do in Texas. There are many many many people shopping, lines for everything, and it can take one hour to drive less than a mile. Have you ever seen attendants at the porta potties? Me neither, until now. I saw the most amazing art, just need a couple hundred grand next time to bring it all home. The furniture was old, and no big deal to them, I am bringing back 4 chests from the 1780’s. Most of the dealers were fine, sweet, not like in Texas but I know New Englanders can be more reserved. I was not expecting rudeness, and there is a good amount. They don’t seem to understand contemplation. They have no problem wasting a buyers precious time by telling you all about a piece you didn’t even ask about, but if you tell them you need to think about something they get angry. I’m still sad about some pieces I did not buy because I can’t condone that behavior. One really nice thing compared to Texas was that there was minimal reproductions or crafty stuff. That’s not what I look for and it saved time. Most everything was old and important, and interesting. Oh, and the houses and scenery are beautiful, of course.
That’s my brain, unloaded now. Hope it helped. I’m going back next May for sure, unless I decide to go this fall too. As soon as I recover I might just book it!
