Click here to subscribe to M.A.D.

The HADA Show

by David Anderson

This year, during the twice annual celebration of antiques put on by the Houston Antiques Dealers Association (HADA), the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, already a large facility by most standards of comparison, was in the process of being enlarged. On all sides, construction teams were busy. Mercifully, the original convention hall was available for the show.

HADA was founded in 1964 as a charitable organization committed to encouraging and promoting the appreciation of antiques by the general public. To quote Jan Leach, its president, from her welcoming letter, "...over the past 37 years, we have contributed to Houston Junior Forum, Brookwood Community, Child Development Center, The Bering Community Services Foundation, Houston Symphonic Society, Cancer Assistance League, The Heritage Society, Houston Special Olympics and Houston School for the Deaf."

Handed out with each admission ticket was a 28-page full-color booklet that included a floor plan of the show, a list of show exhibitors, details of some of the charity recipients, and a number of advertisements.

The George Brown center, located on the edge of the downtown business district, provides first-class facilities for antiques browsers, buyers, and sellers in comfortable surroundings with good lighting, room for wide aisles, and agreeable creature comforts. Because of the ongoing construction, do-it-yourself parking was a bit of a chore this year, but for a small fee the well-organized valet parking team was ready to assist visitors at the main entrance. When the present expansion work is complete, parking should be far more convenient.

As this writer has noted in past years, the HADA show has a unique feel. Houston is a prosperous and sophisticated city, and exhibitors at this show lean toward high-end European and Asian antiques in contrast to, for example, shows of country antiques or Americana that are seen throughout much of the American Midwest. That said, the discerning pilgrim in search of authentic Americana will not be disappointed here. A review of the list of some 150 exhibitors reveals many well-known names, most longtime vendors at this show.

There was a lot of Quimper faience displayed at HADA this year. There were at least four vendors with large and diverse inventories of this charming hand-painted pottery from Brittany. It has earned a loyal following among American collectors. Prices for Quimper at this show generally varied from the double digits up to several thousand dollars for exceptional examples at the high end.

Houston clock dealer Ralph Pokluda of Chappell Jordan displayed a full array of late 18th- and 19th-century clocks, all in a fine state of restoration and in good operating condition. The one uncased Morbier movement that we examined had unusually crisp repoussé detailing on the brass dial surround and on the elaborate pendulum decoration. Pokluda explained that the repoussé work was hammered in a thin brass sheet over a carved hardwood mold. His example was very likely an early product of a new mold, since after repeated copies are hammered the mold loses its sharply defined details, and the finished product suffers accordingly.

The show also offered a rich assortment of silver, china, and accessories. Vintage clothing, linens, and quilts could be found in abundance. English, early American, and French furniture was popular, as were elaborate lighting fixtures.

Always welcomed is the very good food service at the center. Tables and comfortable chairs were available for relaxing and taking a break from the day's work.

You can mark your calendar for September 18-21, 2003, for the HADA Fall Antiques Show & Sale. It will run concurrently with the Theta Charity Antiques Show at the same location. (The shows will be held in separate halls.)

For more information on this or future HADA shows, write to HADA president Jan Leach, PO Box 27483, Houston, TX 77227 or contact this show's chairman, Diane Joplin, at <060>djoplin@pdq.net<062> or by cell phone at (713) 816-1617.