The novel coronavirus is putting much of the world on hold. Closings are continuously mounting. There will be no March Madness this spring. Disney World has closed its doors to spring tourists. The NBA has ended its season. Broadway shows are cancelled.

The virus (also known as COVID-19) has also affected antique shows, malls and auctions.

Halderman Real Estate Services, Inc. of Wabash, Ind., said it will switch seven live farm real estate auctions scheduled in April to online and phone bidding only. Halderman has conducted live simulcast auctions offering online and phone bidding for over four years and conducts numerous online auctions annually. “Therefore, our time tested technology is sound and our team knows how to execute an auction in this manner seamlessly,” said Howard Halderman, President of HRES.

“Many of the people who attend our auctions are at a dangerous age if they should contract Covid-19 and we are concerned for their safety. We are doing our part to flatten the curve of virus spread and complying with the CDC guidelines”, he said.

Narhi Auctions of Michigan was scheduled to have an onsite auction on March 28 in Lennon, Mich. That event has now been changed to an online only auction with bidding from March 26-30.

Too soon to make the call on is the Queen City Beautiful Doll Club Annual Show and Sale on April 25. This event attracts doll enthusiasts from a five-state area and will be held at Entertrain-ment Junction of Kingsgate Way in West Chester, Ohio.

“At this point in time our show is a go,” said Margie Schultz, the event’s promoter. “If they force us to shut our event down we will but right now it’s too far out to determine that. A lot of shows around us have cancelled and I realize it’s for the safety of everyone. Right now we’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

Several shows have already met their demise with this contagious virus. The Greater Syracuse (New York) Antiques Expo scheduled for March 14-15 was cancelled. That same weekend the Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association’s 2020 show and sale in Strongsville, Ohio was scrubbed.

The Farm House Spring Antique Show at the Cecil County Maryland Fairgounds in Elkton was cancelled, as was the Bath Antique Sale in Bath, Maine.

The Spring Round Top Antiques Fair, scheduled March 19-April 5 at locations across Camine, Round Top and Warrenton, Texas have been cancelled, as was the Connecticut Spring Antiques Show at the Hartford Armory.

The 29th Country Antiques in Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, which annually features 60 antique dealers, has been postponed. It was to be held March 28.

“It’s a disappointment,” said organizer Jan Praytor. “The show was postponed due to concerns with the coronavirus and it will be rescheduled when it’s safe to do so. The factors include availability of the staff who provide the people-power, and the availability of our dealers as well. If this cannot be arranged this year, we look forward to a super show in 2021.”

Other cancellations (for shows slated for March 28-29) were the Scott Antique Market (Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio), Elverson Antiques Show & Sale (Elverson, Pennsylvania) and the Woodsville Antique Show (Woodsville, New Hampshire).

Cancellations for shows scheduled from April 1-Dover Antiques Flea Market (Dover, New Hampshire), 53rd Annual Bardstown Antique Show (Bardstown, Kentucky) and The Mendham Antiques, Art & Design Show (Mendham, New Jersey).

The Chicago Antiques + Art + Garden Show, which was to be held at the Chicago Merchandise Mart on May 14-17, has been postponed until the Fall.

Show managers all said to contact the event organizers the day of the event or the day before the event to check on the event’s status.

The UNI-Dome Antique Spectacular Vintage Market set for March 20-22 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Melting Pot Productions received tremendous support to go on with the show, but prioritizing the antique show community’s safety and health remains a priority. The UNI-Dome will return March 19-21, 2021, according to organizers.

Auctions are also affected. Some auction houses are choosing to postpone their sales while others are opting to go online only.

Morphy Auctions of Denver, Pa., postponed its Antique Coin-Op and Advertising Sale to April 25-26. The event was originally scheduled for the March 28-29. Morphy’s has closed its gallery to the public, but employees are working as normal and answering phone calls and emails.

This list is by no means a complete listing of all of the shows and auctions which have been postponed or canceled. If you have to postpone or cancel your event, please email Connie Swaim at connie@eauctionexchange.com with the information and it will be listed on the Auction Exchange & Colletor’s News Facebook page. Readers are encouraged to visit the Auction Exchange’s Facebook page for updates, but more importantly to call before attending events.