BIG FLEA FEVER HITS BALTIMORE

THE BALTIMORE BIG FLEA DEBUTS OCT. 24-25

A big new show is coming to Baltimore and that’s good news for antique lovers and bargain hunters everywhere!  D’Amore Promotions, the show management team behind the highly successful D.C. and Fredericksburg Big Fleas, is introducing a new show this Fall – the Baltimore Big Flea at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, October 24-25, 2009.

Thousands are expected to crowd the aisles of the Cow Palace, where top dealers from as far south as Florida and as far west as Ohio will occupy the 800 spaces in this, one of Maryland’s largest exhibition spaces.  The excitement is already building – due largely to the impressive success enjoyed by the D.C. and Fredericksburg Big Fleas which are rapidly outgrowing their name.  These shows offer a winning combination of top quality antiques and collectibles at truly affordable prices.  It’s a formula that’s hard to beat in this economy and one that is sure to make the Baltimore Big Flea as successful as its predecessors. 

In fact, both dealers and consumers are already catching Big Flea fever.  “Booth spaces are going fast, comments Joan Sides, founder of D’Amore Promotions and the Big Flea concept.  Every day new applications come in from dealers throughout the area, as well as phone calls from consumers who are hearing about the show. 

And no wonder!  The Baltimore Big Flea is a first -- the largest and widest offering of antiques and collectibles ever in the greater Baltimore area.  The show is a rich resource for both formal antiques, including period furniture, sterling silver, porcelains, fine paintings, Asian art and artifacts, as well as top collectibles, among them advertising signs, posters, magazine covers, comic books, vintage toys and fashion and much more.  The very diversity of the show guarantees a shopping experience unlike any other.  This is antiques and collectibles “nirvana” – a giant super-market of specials that means that everyone can walk away with an exciting find.

Dealers in the know can’t wait for the opportunity to showcase their wares.  What are shoppers looking for?  “Bargains,” comments Rich Bardach, a specialist in fine sterling silver flatware, hollowware, precious gems and jewelry.  And, they’ll find them at the Baltimore Big Flea.  “Now is a fantastic time to purchase fine antiques, jewelry and silver,” explains Bardach.  “Precious metal prices are going up in the stock market, but in the world of antiques, dealers want to sell merchandise and so, there are some excellent deals out there on items made from precious metals.”  A special piece that Bardach is saving for this show is a gold and platinum Victorian brooch by Cartier that is encrusted with diamonds and comes with a detachable multi-strand pearl necklace.  Exquisite!

“People today are drawn to items that are, alas, no longer seen,” says Daniel Edmond, a collector of 30 years, who  started out in his career by shopping flea markets and collecting old bottles. He now carries a wide range of antiques and collectibles, among them fine paintings and postcards.  “A category much in demand is vintage oil paintings,” he observes.  “Collectors pine for them, as they often feature a stylistic quality no longer found in contemporary art work.  These paintings from earlier periods are fast becoming scarce –making them all the more elusive and desirable.

“The market is very selective these days,” observes Charles Cohn who will feature Asian items and good quality silver at the upcoming Baltimore show.  His collection includes highly desirable Victorian silver objects, top-quality cigar accessories and vintage writing items.  “Good quality items from such known companies as Tiffany remain in demand.”  “You buy these items for their quality and outstanding design.  It’s their visual appeal.  However, as it turns out, they can be an extremely good investment.  Good quality antiques hold their value, even in an unpredictable market.  Many consumers have discovered that it is better to have tangible assets than money in the stock market these days.”