Spring Show attracts fresh crowd, steady sales

The inaugural Spring Show, organized by the Art and Antiques Dealers League of America, had a promising first-run at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan. About 1,495 attendees, including a contingent of designers, celebrities, and collectors, enjoyed the opening night party on April 27. Over the weekend a number of lectures as well as events aimed at young collectors brought in more browsers and buyers.

Of note, Spencer Marks had two Arts and Crafts silver and gold altar vases, designed by Arthur J. Stone and Herbert Taylor, from the chapel of the prep school Pomfret, said to be offered in the six-figures and on consideration by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Among the mid-priced pieces attracting buyers was a 17th-century English oak settee sold by Yew Tree Antiques for $15,000. Earle D. Vandekar parted with a number of sailor-made "woolies" in the $25,000 range, a $45,000 set of 18th c. German engravings of birds, and creamware.

A lovely pair of satinwood cabinets from Philip Colleck Ltd. found interest as did a pair of George III armchairs from Kentshire Galleries. A 19th-century Korean lacquer tray from NAGA Antiques appealed to fashion designer Valentino who reportedly took it home.

Questroyal parted with Reginald Marsh’s "New York City Women," a 1948 work on paper, priced at $175,000. Watercolors by John LaFarge sold from the booth of Thomas Colville.

From a grouping of four Lilian Westcott Hale drawings, Avery Galleries sold "Summer by the Ocean." Gallery owner Richard Rossello said the fresh-to-market Hale had come from the Boston School artist's grandson who was the sitter.