Tucson Gem Show Adventures Item Number: 100004 $0.00

DescriptionThis past Saturday I flew down to Tucson, AZ to attend the huge annual Gem and Mineral Show. If you've never had the pleasure, you really should put this on your list of 1000 "things to do before you die!" I can't even venture a guess as to the number of total dealers may be set up, but surely it has to be close to 5,000, if not more. My purpose for coming here was to find good buys on ancient art. Out of the some 5000+ dealers, each year I know that there should be no less than 4 or 5 dealers who specialize in ancient art, or at least bring enough of a stock that it makes it worth while to come all this way - usually! That means for just about every 1000 dealers selling rocks and fossils and meteorites and shells and trinkets and do-dads, there is at least one dealer selling the kind of stuff I need to survive.

This year was much different from years past. For one thing, I picked the one day of the 3 week event where it was raining and down-right cold as hell!! In Arizona, who knew? For those who have never had the pleasure of attending this show, the way it works is like this - virtually every hotel and motel in this town rents their rooms to dealers. These dealers set up shop in their hotel room and offer their wares in any and all forms, from items laid out on the bed, to elaborate displays set up offering million-dollar items behind sophisticated glass cases. I started my qwest at around 8:00 AM Sunday morning, a full 2 hours before the event was supposed to open, hoping to find the early-bird dealers chomping at the bit to sell their treasures. Instead of finding treasures, I ended up spending the first hour just trying to stay warm. There's something about 40 degree weather in a heavy downpour that has the ability to chill one clear to the bone - and perhaps beyond. Even finding a coffee shop in a tented enclosure did little to warm my insides, but it did help kill a bit of time until the dealers started to awaken and open their doors. The first dealer I found was one I have bought from frequently in the past. Known for his fine quality Asian ceramics and bronzes, this dealer had a single pair of Khmer bronze tweezers to reward me for my hour-long "freeze-a-thon." A rather inauspicious beginning to what could be a long day. From there I walked to the next motel, now it's pouring rain, hoping to find my all-time favorite dealer of Mayan ceramics. I rounded the corner to the area he always has set up, but he is not there. Soaked to the skin, I walk dejectedly back to my car, hoping my heater will come to life before hypothermia sets in - which it just barely does.

I now drive to my next hopeful location and park next to a large, recently formed "lake." Even in this weather, parking at this show can be "challenging" at best, and near impossible at worst. Undeterred, I set out toward my quarry with grim determination. My next decision, cross the lake, or walk a good half-mile to skirt this golden pond - OK, I jest. Not really golden, I would call the massive puddle a huge pool of goo. In a hurry - Lord knows these bargains that await simply won't be there if I delay much longer - I cross the goo. Wrong decision. I'm now wet up to my ankles and covered in a cross between super-glue and hard Arizona clay. The only saving grace, if I simply stand out in the rain, most of it will soon wash away, so I do. Now looking more like a wet puppy than a proud successful owner of a major art gallery, I enter my third venue. Ahhhh! Ancient art. Warmth. Good prices. A friendly face willing to negotiate fairly. Frozen physically, but warmed spiritually, I am at peace as I do what I think I do rather well. I find fabulous and interesting examples of our ancient past and make deals that allow me to sell them to my clients at prices that are fair and competitive. This was the first of three very successful stops. I found some incredible art. I reconnected with dealers I have not seen in years.

After I finished all my shopping, the sun came out, Tucson almost hit 60 degrees and with sheer determination I made it home to my warm hotel before the Super Bowl.

I love this business!

Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear from you!
Bob Dodge