Crowds flock to the big DC flea show

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CHANTILLY, Virginia. – D’Amore Promotions hosted their highly anticipated DC Big Flea on November 6-7 at the Dulles Expo Center. As the largest antique flea market in the Mid-Atlantic, this friendly fair covers a wide range of interests and has something for all collectors.

The two-day event kicked off with a steady stream of shoppers on Saturday morning. Attendees lined up early and when the show opened a few minutes before the 9 a.m. start, ticket holders were released and immediately began a scavenger hunt. Small crowds gathered around the stalls and the day’s sales started early. Attendance was constant throughout the day, with an increased influx of families and clients of all ages by midday. Sunday also saw heavy traffic and the weekend was ultimately very busy.

David B. Smernoff Fine Art & Antiques of New Haven, Connecticut, offered a tasteful art exhibit at the central entrance of the exhibit. Blending contemporary, modern and traditional art, the collection also featured eye-catching works by contemporary artist Angelo Blanda (b.1978) depicting portraits of skulls against vividly colored backgrounds.

Art & Antique Gallery in Holden, Mass., Was a veteran DC Big Flea dealer. William Union’s separate collection featured traditional American and European artwork, including paintings of the Hudson River, Impressionist works, landscapes, and a selection of hunting prints.

Richard Mori Books of Franklin, NH presented a nice selection of rare and antique books, prints and ephemera. Excited to share a new addition to his inventory, Mori rolled out an unassuming red book from layers of packaging, revealing a legendary Lewis Carroll first edition Alice’s adventures in Wonderland by Macmillan and Co., London, 1866.

Man in the Moon Antiques of Lansing, Michigan was on hand with a stunning array of antique and period jewelry. Specializing in early Georgian, Victorian and Art Deco objects, a few notable highlights included a 19th century mosaic cross pendant containing a religious reliquary, a large hand painted double-sided Georgian elliptical mourning pendant and an enamel painted pin, diamond and sepia from the late 1700s. pendant, which was a memorial to Shakespeare.

Lara Rudd of Lara Joyce Antiques of Westfield, NJ said she was thrilled to be back for the show as it was only the third show after taking a break from in-person events during the pandemic. Sales were excellent and she saw great interest in the eclectic mix of items on offer, including 19th century needlework, mourning and sentimental jewelry, antique brass and metal items, carved wood, paintings and photographic instruments.

Noble Vintage Clothier of Fredericksburg, Virginia brought a variety of vintage clothing to cover a range of collectible interests. Heather Ramey has said this is her third DC Flea and she looks forward to seeing future shows. Having hosted events in New York for over a decade, she found a new niche after moving from New York to Virginia through live shows as well as online sales.

David Meelheim Designs of Lynchburg, Va. Had constant activity at his centrally located booth, which featured a selection of handcrafted jewelry and rare gemstones, as well as European artwork, antique furniture, and decorative arts.

Easter Hill Antiques in Sharon, Connecticut, presented a welcoming, home-like atmosphere at its booth, which was furnished from top to bottom with traditional American and English antiques. The exhibit included wing chairs, chests, door legs, flaps, Pembroke and tavern tables, as well as genre and landscape paintings, brass candlesticks, rugs, and a hanging folding stand. to quilts and blankets.

Sandra Fowler of Antique Articles, Dunstable, Mass., Exhibited a range of Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts and Art Deco period ceramic tiles. Fowler co-wrote the book Art Nouveau tiles, circa 1890-1914, and claims to be America’s largest antique tile dealer, in addition to offering figurative bookends and other decorative arts.

Things & Stuff Antiques in La Plata, MD offered an eclectic mix of fun antiques and folk art, including a sulky and a horse weather vane, stained glass, coil cabinets, a coffee grinder, lamps in Bristol glass and more. Steve Tillman explained that he and his wife, Patty, named their business after his late mother, who not only loved antiques, but had a store of the same name based in Monroe, Connecticut. When they started their own business, they decided to keep the catchy business name alive in his memory.

Jack Papadinas of Jack Pap Antiques and Karen Redinger of Redinger’s Vintage, both of West Simsbury, Connecticut, were returning dealers at the show. Table lamps illuminated the aisle and included lighting from Tiffany, Handel, Bradley & Hubbard, among others. Accents featured Arts and Crafts chandeliers, art glass and pottery, as well as vintage textiles, designer scarves, jewelry and other accessories.

Patrick Hastings of Pittsburg, Pa., Donated a selection of ancient English art and paintings, including several monumental WWI propaganda and recruiting posters. Examples presented â€œForward! Forward to Victory Enlist Now “depicting a horse and cavalry rider, and” Boys Come Over Here, You’re Wanted “, showing a map of England and France with a soldier in the foreground.

Henry Bevers of Luna Blue Vintage, Lewisburg, Penn., Has teamed up with Brandy Gates of Biddy Girl Vintage to provide treat displays for lovers of vintage clothing. Their oversized booth was stocked with vintage dresses, tops, skirts, coats, shoes, hats, handbags and accessories in a range of sizes, eras and styles. There was something for all vintage collectors, and people were even trying on clothes in the aisle.

Walnut Cabinet Antiques of Maryland made another comeback to the living room with an assortment of 18th and 19th century furniture, folk art, quilts, porcelain, pottery and textiles. Standing prominently in a corner of the booth was a selection of small models made in children’s clothing ranging from the mid to late 19th century to the early 20th century.

Paul Severino of Silver & Such, DC, said he was happy with the show’s first day, with an early sale of a Tiffany baby mug to a couple who returned to continue shopping with him in the afternoon. The offerings included sterling silver cutlery, candlesticks, hollowware and table decorations, as well as a silver and cut-glass English thrift and a pair of embossed silver hand fans for the person who might have almost everything.

DC Big Flea and D’Amore promotions received positive feedback from dealers, praising not only their affordable booth rates but also the convenient location of the event center, time available. for the facility and their reliable and helpful staff. The strong customer traffic in these markets also remains unwavering. Many dealerships have loyal customers who visit the shows, in addition to many customers who come from out of state to attend.

The 2022 season kicks off with the DC Big Flea winter which will take place on January 8 and 9. Many dealers are already anticipating what they will bring to the show and what kind of surprises they might have in store for loyal customers.

For more information, www.thebigfleamarket.com, [email protected] or 757-430-4735.

Eileen Kirkwood Estate and Antique Jewelry, Eastville, Virginia.