Two "Antiques Roadshow" Appraisers to Speak at New Orleans Antiques Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Teresa Devlin
Marketing Manager
The Historic New Orleans Collection
(504) 598-7170 | teresad@hnoc.org

Vicki Voelker
Communications Strategist
Gambel Communications
(504) 324-4242 | vicki@gambelpr.com

Two "Antiques Roadshow" Appraisers to Speak at New Orleans Antiques Forum
Speakers bring expertise in antique American clocks and prints to New Orleans August 2-5

July 2012 | New Orleans, LA - Two regular appraisers for the popular PBS program "Antiques Roadshow" will join the distinguished group of speakers at the 2012 New Orleans Antiques Forum, taking place August 2-5 in the French Quarter. Robert Cheney, a clocks and watches appraiser, and Christopher W. Lane, an expert in maps and prints, are among the speakers scheduled to address participants.

Presented by The Historic New Orleans Collection, the four-day forum is centered on talks by local and national decorative arts experts, plus social events and two optional preconference tours. Registration for the event is currently open, and seats are still available for the sessions and the optional activities.

This year's theme, "Circa 1812," recognizes the bicentennials of Louisiana's statehood and the War of 1812, and explores the prevailing decorative styles of the period. The state, by way of New Orleans and its port, became a magnet for the importation of decorative arts from around the country and overseas, transforming it into the epicenter of the Mississippi River valley's arts and antiques community.

A third-generation clockmaker and dealer, Cheney has served as a consultant for more than 35 museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Peabody-Essex Museum; and the Concord Museum. Cheney's presentation will focus on the multi-faceted clockmaking trade in 18th- and 19th-century America and the magnificent pieces produced during these periods.

Lane, co-owner of the Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd., and manager of the Philadelphia Print Shop West in Denver, will discuss Alexander Wilson's "American Ornithology" (1808-14), the first natural history focused solely on American birds, which predated John James Audubon's similar work by about two decades. Both talks will take place Saturday, August 4.

The weekend will also include presentations by Priscilla Lawrence and John H. Lawrence of The Historic New Orleans Collection; Eugene D. Cizek, professor of architecture and Latin American studies at Tulane School of Architecture; Morgan Delaney, private collector; Lynne Dakin Hastings, independent museum consultant; Peter Kenny, Ruth Bigelow Wriston Curator of American Decorative Arts and administrator of the American Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Marsha Mullin, vice president of museum services and chief curator at The Hermitage: Home of President Andrew Jackson; William Seale, author and historian; and R. Scott Stephenson, director of collections and interpretation at the American Revolution Center.

Tom Savage, director of museum affairs at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Delaware, is returning as the forum's moderator.

Designed for a general audience, the forum sessions will take place at THNOC's Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St., and are accessible to scholars, collectors and newcomers to the field. This year's topics include cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe and his influence, the popularity of the Kentucky Rifle (or long rifle) during the 19th century and the blending of Creole and Federal architecture styles in the French Quarter.

New to this year's program is a choice of two preconference tours-a day trip to visit three plantations in St. Francisville, La., or a walking tour of the historic French Quarter. Following the final session on Sunday, guests will also have the option to join speakers and fellow participants for brunch at Antoine's Restaurant. Separate registration is required for the preconference tours and brunch.

Registration for this event is required, and packages start at $100. For more information on the event or to register, visit www.hnoc.org/antiques.htm or call (504) 523-4662. This event is likely to sell out, so early registration is encouraged.

The 2012 New Orleans Antiques Forum is presented with the support of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.; New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation; the Coypu Foundation; Garrity Print Solutions, a Harvey Company; Hotel Monteleone; Antoine's Restaurant; French Antique Shop, Inc.; Neal Auction Company; New Orleans Silversmiths; Royal Antiques; Community Coffee; Fleur de Paris and the Schon Charitable Foundation.

Editor's Notes:

• Media representatives are invited to interview the speakers and event organizers. For more information, contact Teresa Devlin at teresad@hnoc.org or at (504) 598-7170.
• Photos are available upon request. Please contact Anne Robichaux at anner@hnoc.org or (504) 598-7137 for digital images.

About The Collection
Founded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center and publisher dedicated to the preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, The Collection offers guided tours, free rotating exhibitions, a research facility and a museum shop. For more information, visit http://www.hnoc.org/ or call (504) 523-4662.

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