If his sales at the "Modernism" show are any indication, Mr. Brosterman is either out of his mind or ahead of his time.

Interestingly, the most commonly asked question at the "Modernism" show was not "Why?"

In 1979 Mr. Smith introduced the Fall Antiques Show, which was so successful that by 1986 he added a Modernism show to the fall calendar.

Mr. Friedman said of the Modernism show: "I've sort of stopped.

It's like a big surprise package; the Modernism show is predictable.

Inspired by Karl Lagerfeld and Paloma Picasso, collectors of mid-century chic have for years attended the Modernism show, which runs through Sunday.

Barry Friedman, a New York dealer who is returning this year after a hiatus, said, "The Modernism show has had a big impact in raising consciousness."

Unlike Sanford Smith's Modernism show, this fair is vetted: outside experts and museum curators review each dealer's offerings, to verify authenticity, quality and labeling.

This shift toward the present is only one factor that makes this year's "Modernism" show seem unusually fresh and informative.

In fact, the overall impression of the "Modernism" show is of an extremely high-end stoop sale conducted in a design-savvy part of town.