Muncy to Host 37th Antique Show

MUNCY Muncy Historical Society’s annual antique show, now in its
37th year, will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 26, with an opening
night reception, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 27. The admission fee
with a hand stamp, is good for both days. The juried, indoor show will
be held at Geringer Social Hall, 213 N. Main St., which is an
air-conditioned facility with plenty of parking.
Diversity, along with an emphasis on national history, enables Muncy
to host a fine-quality Americana show. The show offers an impressive
range of antiques and visitors can find a selection of 19th and 20th
century American and English furniture, fine early porcelain and
glass, stoneware and pottery, quilts and vintage textiles, estate
jewelry, folk art, primitives and Americana, military memorabilia and
more.
The society initiated an antiques show as a fund raiser to support its
preservation initiatives. Show admission proceeds will be used to help
defray costs associated with its multi-year Muncy Heritage Park and
Nature Trail project.
Bill Poulton, show manager, also is the executive director of the
Muncy Historical Society. He serves as the spokesperson and
fund-raising chairperson for many of the society’s special projects
and events.
“One of the great things about our antique’s show is that we focus on
quality and product diversity,” Poulton said. “Also, we do not
emphasize one antique over another but look to offer our guests as
much variety as possible so that our show has broad-based appeal to a
spectrum of antiques collectors, other antique dealers and the general
public,” Poulton said.
Participation in the Muncy show is by invitation only. To take part in
this juried show, dealer merchandise must conform to the antiques (at
least 100 years old) and collectibles (at least 50 years old)
guidelines. Sale of newer collectibles, craft items and reproductions
is not allowed. Each item must be labeled or ticketed with an
indication of the item’s timeframe or authenticity and the item’s
price. If an item is post-1950 but considered among collectors as rare
and/or highly desirable, the item must be labeled with the time frame
and authenticity.
Before the show opens, each booth is juried by knowledgeable antiques
professionals who screen entries for quality and compliance with the
show guidelines. Exhibitors must remove all items deemed objectionable
by the jurors and show manager.
“Because we are a juried show, our customers can feel comfortable
knowing that the jurors are hand selected because they are
particularly knowledgeable about a variety of antiques, have a
reputation of fairness and honesty and are considered by their peers
to be leaders in their profession,” Poulton said.
According to Poulton, there are a number of reasons why people should
plan to attend the show.
“Our guests have every opportunity to see all the antiques and to talk
with our dealers. Dealer booths are much larger than one normally
finds at shows of this caliber and the wide-aisled show is filled with
a variety of interesting smalls and accessories for the beginning and
experienced collector. We purposely keep the show small while offering
our guests great variety, diversity and exceptional quality,” he said.
Dealers Dave and Nancy McClellan, Boiling Springs, PA have developed
solid relationships with their customers and each year look for unique
antiques to bring to the Muncy show. This year, the McClellans are
showcasing two items, both of which are rare and unusual finds and in
wonderful condition. The Washington Four O’clock Stove, manufactured
by the S.H. Ransom Company of Albany, N.Y., is a larger version of the
regular SH Ransom Four O’clock Stove with a couple of added design
details. This solid cast iron antique heating stove is nearly three
feet tall and three feet wide. The stove features an almost identical
design motif as the SH Ransome. The centerpiece of the design is an
urn filled with flowers. Like the SH Ransome, an enchanting face is
found below the urn. In addition, an enchanting face tops both pillars
that frame the urn. The name of the stove company is located on the
heart near the ash clean-out area. Wood is loaded from a side door and
a removable cook-lid rests on top. Just like the SH Ransome, the
Washington Four O’clock Stove is lovely, lavish and can fill a room
with a luxurious warmth.
Since the historical society promotes the show as an educational
venue, dealers are attuned to spending time with their customers to
educate, explain and share information.
Poulton said it is exhilarating that the show has grown from a one-day
event at the local elementary school with limited exhibit space and no
parking into a two-day show with expanded exhibit space and free
parking.
“What makes this special for the historical society are the
relationships that have come with the show’s longevity. Our dealers
and guests have become friends and have many good things to say about
their experiences. Our dealers have told us that this is the only show
that they attend where customers stay for hours and thoroughly enjoy
themselves,” Poulton said.
Directions to the 37th Antiques Show are: I-180 to Muncy exit 13A, Rte
405 to traffic light, turn right on North Main Street, go five blocks
to Geringer Social Hall on the right, Muncy, Pa. More information and
detailed directions and a map to the air-conditioned social hall are
available on the society’s web site: www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org,
or by calling the Muncy Historical Society at (570) 546-5917.