<p>H. and I would like to make a weekend trip of antiquing this summer and wonder whether anyone has been to the large shows in Rhinebeck or in Bouckville, NY (haven’t even looked this one up on a map yet). Ever been? If so, is anything priced for the riff raff or only the hoi polloi? Any other suggestions on the east coast? We’ve been several times to Brimfield and have always enjoyed it.</p>
<p>I’m not sure when you’re planning on doing this but have you ever been to New England Antiques Week? I’ve always enjoyed that a lot more than Brimfield or Madison-Bouckville. It runs, usually, the first ten days or so, in August.</p>
<p>How about the Stormville Airport (NY) show over July 4th weekend? Worth it? And any recommendations for antique shops in the VA-DC-MD area?</p>
<p>Rhinebeck is well worth a visit, whether you find anything at the show or not. And yes, at least the last time H and I went, the riff raff could still find deals. :)</p>
<p>Good to know HMW.</p>
<p>Adamstown, PA, in the heart of Amish country:</p>
<p>[Antiques</a> Capital of USA - Adamstown, PA - Exit 286 - Lancaster County, PA](<a href=“http://www.antiquescapital.com/antiques.asp]Antiques”>http://www.antiquescapital.com/antiques.asp)</p>
<p>We like Stoudt’s Black Angus, but it’s only open on Sundays:</p>
<p>[Stoudt’s</a> - Antiques](<a href=“http://www.stoudtsbeer.com/antiques.html]Stoudt’s”>http://www.stoudtsbeer.com/antiques.html)</p>
<p>I asked my brother and sister-in-law, who are antique dealers and they had this to say about Rhinebeck:</p>
<p>I hear it’s one gigantic yard sale of an antique show. There are some diamonds in the rough there. It’s not a fancy show, but many dealers like to go there to shop - lots of stuff shows up. If you know what you are looking for or what’s good, you might come out with a FIND at Rhinebeck, though, like everything else, I hear it’s getting harder and harder, what with the antique roadshow and ebay and the internet and all. </p>
<p>Regarding other shows:</p>
<p>There is a nice one in Alexandria in March. There is a really nice one in Delaware; I forget the town. Will look it up. I know of one in Hunt Valley; I think that’s in the spring also. Richmond in February is decent, though there’s a lot of English stuff. The one we like best is Philadelphia in April (bring lots of dough). Really there are so many, some better than others. </p>
<p>If I find out anything more, I’ll repost.</p>
<p>The Litchfield-CT area has some fine antique shops.</p>
<p>One show that has excellent quality merchandise, one of the top shows on the east coast, is in York, Pa. It runs every year on Super Bowl Weekend and also on Labor Day weekend. One of the most beautiful shows I’ve seen in many years of collecting antiques.</p>
<p>[YORK</a> ANTIQUES SHOW-Semi-Annual](<a href=“http://www.theoriginalyorkantiquesshow.com/]YORK”>http://www.theoriginalyorkantiquesshow.com/)</p>
<p>Speaking of which, a local place is going out of business soon and has a piece I like on sale. Any opinions? I like fairly simple early American pieces.</p>
<p>[21.632:</a> Bracket Foot Chest of Drawers, America, probably Mid-Atlantic States; c. 1775, Banded maple and yellow pine.](<a href=“http://www.walker-poinsett.com/furniture/21-632.htm]21.632:”>http://www.walker-poinsett.com/furniture/21-632.htm)</p>
<p>Gosh, it sounds like y’all are in a different league than am I. I’ve just finished paying off 4 years’ tuition at $45G/year and have three more years for S2. So I guess I’m looking for kitschy-yard sale-ish-stuff rather than “fine” or “English.” Sigh.</p>
<p>P.S. to mapesy: we love Adamstown too and have brought back some inexpensive “treasures” from there. This summer we’d like to discover something new.</p>
<p>barrons, I own a desk that’s identical to this chest! Picked it up 25 years ago in Vermont (before kids and college tuition bills). I would be very curious to know what this piece fetches.</p>
<p>worrywart, We’re in the same boat as you–just finished putting S1 through college, and now we’re paying for 2 kids at private universities. </p>
<p>We used to really enjoy our antiquing trips, though. It’s been a while since we’ve been, but Frederick, MD, and the surrounding area used to have lots of interesting shops. </p>
<p>My husband and I did attend opening gala night at the Philadelphia Antiques Show this year. My neighbor got it right when she said it costs about the same to buy an antique piece there as to buy a house. Needless to say, we had fun just looking!</p>
<p>P.S. Barrons, We have a tiger maple chest that’s almost identical to the one in your post. It’s one of my favorite pieces.</p>
<p>Did you ever hear this story, Worrywart?</p>
<p>[Declaration</a> of Independence Found in a $4 Picture Frame - New York Times](<a href=“http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE5D9143FF930A35757C0A967958260]Declaration”>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE5D9143FF930A35757C0A967958260)</p>
<p>The buyer purchased the picture frame at Renninger’s outdoor antiques flea market in Adamstown. Just goes to show that you never know what you might find!</p>
<p>m, I’m usually on the other end of those deals :(</p>
<p>Worrywart, today’s “kitschy-yard sale-ish-stuff” will be tomorrow’s antiques and collectibles. Go for it. Have fun.</p>
<p>You’ve made my day, k!</p>
<p>barrons, did you buy the chest of drawers???</p>
<p>mapesy (how does one pronounce that?), have you been to Renningers in Kutztown? I’m tempted to go their fall “extravaganza.”</p>
<p>Yes and I got it for 60% off the listed price of $12,500. Woo Hoo. Did so well I bought a few more pieces also at 60% off. A silver tea service, a game table, a candle stand, and a pair of chairs all pre-1800 American.</p>