Annual East Hampton Historical Society Antique Show is this weekend

Antique lovers and arbiters of style all over the East End take heed: the fourth annual East Hampton Antiques Show, hosted by the East Hampton Historical Society, is planned for this weekend at Mulford Farm in East Hampton.

Dozens of dealers, 55 of them returning from last year’s show, will be selling their wares at what many call one of the favorite places to find unique antiques in the Northeast. And according to East Hampton Historical Society Executive Director Richard Barons, this year’s antiques offerings will, once again, be sure to include “dealer bests.”

“There will be a wonderfully eclectic mix for people who have taste and interest in very good design,” he said last week. “There will be many intriguing objects, chosen for their antiquity and specialness.”

Local dealer Mark Olives, who owns The American Wing in Bridgehampton and who is participating as a vendor at the antiques show for the third time this year, agrees.

“The quality of merchandise is pretty great,” he said during a telephone interview last week. “We have the finest examples. Dealers save their best things for this show.”

The focus of the event, which will be held on the 3-acre grounds of the East Hampton Historical Society, will be antiques and decorative items for the home and garden. Items expected to be for sale include vintage rattan and bamboo furniture, lighting, textiles, architectural elements, garden ornaments, wrought-iron accessories, paintings, trade signs, period jewelry, weather vanes, mirrors, and an abundance of antique furniture from different eras.

Interior designer Jamie Drake, who is the honorary chairman of the event this year, said that he is excited for the show, as he has attended the first three years and scooped up many a find there in the past.

“What could be better than hunting for finds on a gorgeous July evening in East Hampton,” he wrote last week. “I’m sure that I will find items that intrigue me, some that may even surprise me.”

As an example, Mr. Drake related that a few years ago, he found a dealer offering up old harvesting parts. The designer said that he purchased the entire lot and created an instant collection for a client’s home gym.

Mr. Barons said that this year’s event will contain many finds for those who love antiques and unique design.

“It’s always this really groovy mix of 18th century American, art nouveau, Victoriana, and intriguing objects. People come from all over to see what these dealers are going to bring,” he said, adding that last year, more than 2,000 people showed up over the course of the two-day antiques show.

As an experienced vendor and attendee at the event, Mr. Olives offered a bit of shopping advice for those who plan to attend.

“Go up and down every aisle and look in every vendor’s booth,” he said. “And ask the dealers if you don’t know something. They are very knowledgeable and very helpful.”

Mr. Drake, who knows his stuff when it comes to finding just the right piece for a specific look, also gave his two cents of shopping advice.

“The hunt is half the fun, but once a piece talks to you, don’t hesitate,” he said.

An opening night preview cocktail party will kick off the event at 6 p.m. on Friday with interior designer and honorary chairman Jamie Drake. Show hours are Saturday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an early buying hour at 9 a.m. Show hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 11.

Admission to the antiques show is $10, with early buying at $20. Friday evening’s preview cocktail party benefit tickets are $150 each and proceeds from the event will benefit the East Hampton Historical Society.

To purchase tickets, or for additional information, call 324-6850, e-mail info@easthamptonhistory.org or visit easthamptonhistory.org. Advance tickets can also be purchased at the East Hampton Historical Society’s office, located at 101 Main Street, East Hampton, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, or at the gate on the days of the event.