Philadelphia Antiques Show 2022

95 THE PH I LADE L PH I A SHOW educate by featuring items from private collections and museums. Collectors and curators share their knowledge and passion through lectures and, in our ever-changing environment, webinars and virtual presentations. As a young, inexperienced dealer, I tried to do every show I could to prove I was serious. So, I considered myself extremely fortunate to be invited to participate in The Philadelphia Antiques Show in 1982. Encouraged by a loyal show committee, my hopes to do “the show” that every dealer wanted to do were realized. Forty years later, I am grateful—in more ways than one—to still be involved. From the beginning, The Philadelphia Antiques Show was exceptional; a dedicated committee backed by passionate collectors who were determined to create success for “their” dealers. Fortunately, I had a useful connection since my father was involved from the early days on the advisory committee. Obviously, the committee was being nice to me because they liked my father; it was pure luck rather than deserving to be included. Sixty years is an impressive milestone for this enterprise we all love. Anyone who appreciates the past should be impressed by The Philadelphia Show’s history, quality and ability to adapt to an ever- changing marketplace without diminishing its standards of excellence. Personally, it has been a very interesting forty years; from an invitation I probably did not deserve, to managing the show, to today as a grateful exhibitor. Congratulations to The Philadelphia Show for sixty impressive years and thank you for including me for the last forty. Large Single Sailor’s Shellwork Valentine, c. 1870 Silk background with a wreath of shell flowers and a center spray