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impossibility of checking in the larger number of comfort stations, and the long waiting lines at the
dealers on one day. single pay telephone mean that more booths must
The town of Brimfield is intimately involved be installed. In 1974 the large tents that served
with the shows. Twenty town constables and for auctions and the food concession were
police officers direct traffic and parking; about replaced with an open steel-span building dubbed
thirty teenagers help get the dealers settled, clean the Auctiontorium.
restrooms, and run errands; the Congregational Weather was one of the few ingredients in his
Church sponsors a pancake breakfast and roast recipe that Reid could not control, but he had
beef dinner; Girl Scouts, the fire department, and bright, sunny days for most shows; it rained on
other community groups take turns supervising a only two Saturdays in the entire fifteen-year
parking lot behind the Town Hall; and at least history of the flea market. This good fortune
one thrift-minded resident pays his property taxes became famous with dealers, who assumed that
from the money he makes by allowing people to with Gordon Reid running the show, the
park on his front lawn. weatherman would be on their side. One dealer
The flea market was originally intended to be commented on this pattern of sunny days to
a sideline to the Reids’ auction business, but its Reid’s son, who replied, “Well, the Man upstairs
phenomenal growth put a major dent in their was good to him again,” at which a woman dealer
available time. Behind each show are months of interjected, “The Man upstairs, hell; Gordie tells
hard work and careful planning. Him what to do!”
Preparations for last year’s spring show began In the final hectic week before the show, the
at the previous spring’s sale, when application Reids carried out last-minute chores and resolved
forms for dealer spaces were passed out. In the fall final problems. “We don’t sleep very well that last
of 1973 things started hopping when application week,” Gordon Reid observed one day last spring.
mailings, preparation of advertising copy, and the Gordon Reid with his Auction Acres car “We suffer for everyone — not trying to build
writing of news releases for national antique ourselves up — but we can’t help it; we’re just
magazines began in earnest. Over the years the Reids systematized the built that way. What can we do so that everyone there is going to be
complicated procedure of keeping track of reservations through the use happy, and what can we do for them that we haven’t done? And it
of color-coded forms, notebooks, and charts. All the dealer spaces were always happens that you think of things during the night. We’ll even
assigned prior to the show, and no dealers were permitted to drive in wake up with an idea once in a while. I think it would build up tension
and set up unannounced. The 300 choice spots closest to the barn and in anyone. I don’t see how anyone could go through it without these
refreshment stand are numbered and are usually occupied by dealers emotions if their heart were in it at all. You go through the same thing
who have been attending the shows for several years. The other 400 at an auction sale. The preparation of an auction sale is just as impor-
dealers are assigned to spaces that are handed out on a first-come-first- tant as the sale, and it’s the same with a flea market. The preparation
served basis on the morning before the show. is what puts it over. You can’t do it haphazardly and have a good show.”

By Thursday afternoon, dealers were arriving in the Brimfield area
and the Reids hired a police officer to block the entrance to prevent
dealers from setting up on Thursday. Madelyn insisted that they go out
to dinner that evening, and when they returned they stayed out of sight.
Past experience had taught them that if they were seen, eager antiquers
would sneak past the officer and plead to be let in early.

The Reid Family, Gordon, Madelyn, Jill and Judy in costume

By March 15 all spaces were sold, and Reid began to return checks,
which continued to arrive right up until show day. Sometimes a dealer
with a numbered space failed to register within the time limits and had
to be satisfied with whatever he could get the day before the show.
“But,” Reid believed, “they accept it because they know we try to treat
everyone the same and show no favoritism It’s the only way to do it.” A field full of vans and station wagons on Gordon Reid’s Farm
Even his daughter Jill, an avid dealer, did not have one of the choice
locations; she had to wait for the space she was assigned until another
dealer dropped out of the show. On Friday morning long before dawn, dealers were lining up on
As soon as the weather warmed up, the Reids began the task of both sides of the entrance and by 6 a.m. the line stretched for two miles
preparing the field. The grass had to be cut, signs repainted, and the in both directions. It took Reid’s cashier and attendants about a minute
dealer spaces marked out with lime and staked with numbers. to check each dealer in, and when the necessary details were taken care
Improving the property has been an ongoing concern. A part of the of, a volunteer on a bicycle led the dealer to his space. Although the
Reids’ forty acres, given over to parking for 2,000 cars, gets a fresh show did not open officially until Saturday, buyers were allowed in on
surface of gravel each spring. Increasing crowds require additional Friday. They huddled around the dealers’ trucks to see items unloaded,

24 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles