Sneak Peeks
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

If you like the idea of shopping one of the city’s massive fall antiques shows, but have never wanted to brave the crowds and overwhelming numbers of booths, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Triple Pier Antiques Show is offering an online browsing and buying option this year.
The show, which takes place over two consecutive weekends this month – November 13, 14, 20, and 21 – includes more than 600 exhibitors spread out over three glass-enclosed piers on the Hudson – enough to make even the most seasoned shopper’s head spin. Fortunately, beginning at 7 p.m. on the Friday nights before the shows open and continuing throughout the weekend, potential buyers can see photographs of dealers’ booths and merchandise on the show’s Web site, and can call or e-mail dealers to arrange purchase.
Those who feel they need to touch and examine items before buying them but are similarly leery of the weekend crowds may want to take advantage of another new option at the show this year: a preview shopping session offered at the Piers from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the two Friday nights before the show. This event, which has a $35 admission fee, as opposed to the usual $15 admission, promises to be less crowded than the regular weekend shopping times and gives eager buyers a first crack at the merchandise.
If you decide to attend the show during regular weekend hours, you may want to identify ahead of time which pier’s merchandise is best suited to your taste, and stick to one or two piers. Pier 88 is devoted to 20th-century design, with collectibles, furniture, clothing, and jewelry from the last century. Pier 90 houses all forms of Americana, including rustic quilts and rugs, folk art, furnishings and collectibles from the Arts and Crafts period, and ethnic and tribal art. A number of weaving artifacts from Scalamandre, the renowned designer of luxury fabrics and wallpaper, will be on display at a special exhibit at Pier 90, as Scalamandre prepares to close its factory in Long Island City and move to South Carolina; items include a variety of looms, antique benches and work tables, skeins of dyed silk, and large silk screens once used for printing wallpaper. Pier 92 will be home to 18th- and 19th-century formal English, French, Scandinavian, and Asian antiques, including furnishings, porcelain, paintings, clocks, and estate jewelry.
The Triple Pier Antiques Show will take place at Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 88, 90, and 92, Twelfth Avenue and 55th Street, on November 13, 14, 20, and 21. Admission is $15 for all three piers. Preview shopping hours will be offered November 12 and 19 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., admission $35. For more information, call 212-255-0020 or visit www.stellashows.com.