Merriam Webster just announced the 2023 Word of the Year and it is….drum roll….Authentic. They explain in a statement that Authentic is “the term for something we’re thinking about, writing about, aspiring to, and judging more than ever.” They attribute the rise of “deep fakes,” and recent discussions surrounding Artificial Intelligence (and the fear and trepidation surrounding those conversations) for causing people to hit their computers to look up the definition of “Authentic.”

While admittedly, the most frequently looked up words in a year can be somewhat sobering (think 2020 and 2022), Authentic and Authenticity are words we think of frequently, and with fondness. Whether talking about a contemporary artist’s “authentic voice,” or relying upon our U.S. Antique Show vendors to authentically represent the items they have in their stands at our events, Authentic has nothing but positive connotations in our estimation. An authentic Cartier Love bracelet? An authentic Hermès Birkin? An authentic Rolex Submariner? Yes please!

Our vendor’s wealth of knowledge is unprecedented. Whether multi-generational businesses that can trace their origins back to the late 1800’s or dealers that fell into the business out of a sense curiosity that evolved into an irrepressible passion, they eat, sleep and breath their trade. These are not just people who sell beautiful things, they are verifiable specialists in their areas of expertise. They are consulted by authors writing books, asked to weigh in on museum curations, and brought in to investigate the provenance of pieces.

These experts are always willing to share their knowledge with visitors to their stands, providing OMBAS attendees with the opportunity to both source beautiful pieces, and walk away armed with relevant knowledge and information. They’ll also give you new meaning to this year’s Word of the Year, Authentic, because when you work with one of our trusted dealers, you can rest assured that they’re selling the real deal!