Ive been wanting to revisit the topic of market watching in a state of the market opinion piece. I once did a match watch type story with the same idea in mind. Friends of the publication, columnists Peter Seibert and Shawn Surmick, have also discussed current trends in the industry. Also, newcomer Jestin Davis, an economist, has contributed on this front. His column runs about once a month and engages new readers of the paper. So much has been discussed in the antiques industry about whats in and out of favor and who is buying. This has always been a popular subject. After all, prices realized are among the most wanted information out there. For good reason, this is why we cover and report on more post-sale news versus pre-sale. Even for the casual market observer, regardless of category, major shifts have occurred over the last couple decades, and that needs recognized. Many people consider the mid- and late 90s as the highwater mark for Americana prices. A lot of figures can point to why. There were a large number of well-heeled active buyers, plenty of material available, scholarship was on the rise, the economy roaring, and those are the larger reasons. When talking about this, I usually cite the Bill Koch estate sale in 1999 held by Pook & Pook as my highwater mark. Major prices were achieved at this sale. If the catalog and price list isnt in your reference library, hunt one down. Between the dot-com boom-and-bust, then 9/11 and 2003 recession, the industry took hits. Some think the 2008/09 recession affected the marketplace even worse. All were significant. So what about today? I see traditional American antiques as the drivers within the bulk of the marketplace, especially here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. I see as many or more 30- to 50-year olds at shows and sales today as I did 23 years ago when I first started freelancing for Maine Antique Digest. Upon working for Engle Printing and Publishing Co. as editor for Antiques & Auction News since 2013, Ive seen a regional increase in this demographic because the average buyer was no longer priced out of the market. Many people with even minimal disposable income were no longer on the sidelines looking in. Many categories are more buyable today versus 20 years ago, and there has been an uptick of people actively upgrading because the dollar stretches. Regardless of the generation, it is a relatively small population that is passionate about history and material culture and not a new occurrence to hear dealers lament about wanting to see more young people enter the market. They have said that forever. No matter the circumstance, most active buyers need to be established in a career to have the money to spend. This is nothing new. When I ask most dealers if their children decorate with antiques, figuring they would since they have been educated and exposed to them, too often the reply is no. Lets see if the nations 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) in 2026 will spark more interest in the decorative arts, the antiques market in general, and museum attendence. So far, I dont know of major observances being planned. The market certainly benefitted in 1976 during the bicentennial. There is a lot to be grateful for, especially if you live in southeastern Pennsylvania, where shows and sales still take place on a regular basis. Id encourage anyone reading this to check out a local antiques show and ask the dealers questions. Ill give my opinion on other topics in a future column. If you have suggestions, feel free to send an email to me at kpass@antiquesandauctionnews.net. Happy hunting.