Moran in "Atlantique City"

Here's a bit of news that will impact the area antiques community. One its highest profile folks – Mark Moran – has a new gig.

The full disclosure here is that Moran worked at the P-B for years as a copy editor and has the distinction of being one of the three best headline writers I've worked with after almost 15 years in the business at six some odd (some more odd than others) newspapers.

Anyway, here's the news.

Rochester author and antiques dealer Mark F. Moran has been named "show producer" — serving as manager and promoter — of "Atlantique City", the world's largest indoor antiques and collectibles show, held twice a year — March and October — at the Atlantic City, N.J., Convention Center.

Part of Moran's new job will involve traveling to dozens of antique shows each year all across the country to recruit new dealers for Atlantique City.

Moran, 52, will also be providing editorial direction for the weekly Antique Trader magazine, and other related titles owned by F&W Publications of Iola, Wis., which operates Atlantique City.

Moran has been buying and selling antiques since 1973, specializing in vintage folk art, Americana and fine art. He worked in dealer development and vetting for antiques shows in the Midwest; reported on antique auctions from sales across the country, lectured on folk art, and conducted appraisals. In addition to selling at antique shows, Moran has been a member of Country Comfort Antiques in Winona, Minn., and Riverview Antique Market in Milwaukee, Wis.

Moran's 18th book on antiques — this one devoted to Majolica pottery — will also be published this year, along with two other new titles: Warman's Guide to Red Wing Pottery, and Warman's Guide to Gas Station Collectibles, known to collectors as "petroliana". The latter book features the collection of Oakland Raiders' quarterback Rich Gannon, the 2002 NFL Most Valuable Player.

Three of Moran's books published in 2004 — on Fiesta Ware, Roseville pottery and McCoy pottery — have already sold out and gone to second printings.