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Crowds turn out for 53rd Fox Valley Antiques Show

Dealers in St. Charles Sunday credited an improving economy and a revamped online presence for a strong turnout at the Spring Fox Valley Antiques Show.

The two-day event, held at the Kane County Fairgrounds, featured furniture, artwork, clothing and odds and ends from the 1600s-1900s, all carefully screened for authenticity.

This was the 53rd time the Fairgrounds has held the show, produced by the Chicago Suburban Antique Dealers Association and sponsored by LaFox's Garfield Farm Museum. Along with the chance to shop, attendees got the chance to attend four five-minute "Antiques School" sessions-on country store antiques, Pennsylvania Chalkware, early lighting, and changes in the antiques business.

Of the 55 dealers present from around the country, Brad Selinger of East Berlin, Penn., had an antique walnut apothecary kit - complete with a secret drawer to hide poisons - among his items for sale.

Selinger said most of his pieces come from estate sales and historic homes in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and were made in the 1700s and 1800s.

"You've got to keep digging," he said of coming across unique items.

Frank Colson, who owns Rockford's Cothren House, said he believes this weekend's well-attended fair was proof that the antiques business is picking up after several recession-filled years.

Among the items he sold over the weekend was an antique corner cupboard.

"I've been coming for the past several years," he said. "I"m very pleased with this particular show."

A regular at the biannual event, Colson said the Fair can be likened to WTTW's cult classic "Antiques Roadshow."

"Sometimes, you see the prices a little more inflated than they would be in today's economy," he said. "But in general, it's pretty true to life."

Donna Finegan, owner of Palatine's Donna Finegan antiques and co-chair of the Dealers Association, had original hand-sewn dresses from the 1700s and 1800s on display.

"Clothing was more personal back then," she said. There was none of this running out to Marshall Field's to buy a new dress. People worked in their clothes, lived and died in these clothes."

Finegan said the association has focused recently on improving its online presence - getting the word out to a younger audience about shows and educational events on social networking sites like Facebook.

"Antiques aren't just for collectors," she said. "You're also repurposing - reusing quality items that have stood the test of time."

Friends Ellen Bassett, of Geneva, and Ginger Fry, of Naperville, strolled around the various booths late Sunday morning, stopping to chat about interesting finds.

"I'm not looking for anything but we both have houses full of antiques. We love this," Fry said. "We love to learn, and the dealers are great about answering your questions."

Detail of a pitcher on the shelf of Lamplight and Old Glass, Ltd. of Grand Rapids, Mich. at the 53rd Fox Valley Antiques Show, held Sunday at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. John Starks | Staff Photographer