A Passion for Antiques Becomes an Institution

MAY 18, 2010

New York City’s Pier Antiques Shows are the result of one woman’s passion for collecting.

Martha may steal the spotlight (she’s a longtime Pier Show fan herself) but Irene Stella of Stella Show Management Company—the name behind the Pier Antiques Show phenomenon—has built a career out of making sure everyone gets their fill of old good things.

Her company has grown to be one of the most sought-after names in international antiques events, and the Pier shows have the distinction of being known as, “New York City’s largest and most comprehensive antiques show,” bringing in over 650 dealers from around the world each spring and fall. Though the Pier shows are the jewels in the Stella crown, the company is also responsible for New York’s Modern Show, the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques & Garden Fair and many more.

Some advice—gained from four decades in the business—from the Stella family for beginning collectors attending the shows:
• Collect what you love, don’t worry too much about its appraisal value.
• Antiques Roadshow, trade magazines and newspapers are good resources for learning the basics.
• Some items that are hot right now are Mid-Century Modern furniture, industrial items and folk art.
• Bring a pen to note the dealers you’d like to return to and how to find them.
• Bring a shopping bag - there’s shipping for the big items but you’ll find tons of little things that you’ll want to bring home with you.

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A Passion for Antiques Becomes an Institution

MAY 18, 2010

ALSO IN NEW YORK CITY INSIDER

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