Delaware Antiques Show: From Very Good To Wonderful

WILMINGTON, DEL.

:When a collector standing in one of the aisles of the Delaware Antiques Show on preview night, November 10, said, "This show used to be good, then became very good and now it is just wonderful," those in her company raised their glasses in complete agreement. And they were right. The show never looked so grand, with a shift in location within the Riverfront facility, displays by the exhibitors that showed extra effort, and a fine loan exhibition of weathervanes from an impressive private collection.

When new space became available at the Bank One Center, Marilyn Gould, manager, was quick to move the show from three separate areas to one large vestibule that opened into a large exhibition area capable of holding 50 exhibitors. Eight exhibitors set up in the large foyer, creating an interesting and attractive entrance to the rest of the show.

"Everyone loved the new floor plan and the public was impressed with the looks of the show and the presentations by the exhibitors," Marilyn said. "Because of the enlarged space we were able to add three new dealers, George and Debbie Spiecker, Olde Hope Antiques and Jan Whitlock. Jeff Bridgman filled in at last minute for Selma Blum who was unable to take part for medical reasons." (A report from Selma indicates that she is doing fine and will be exhibiting at the Washington, D.C., show as usual.)

"The loan exhibition of weathervanes was popular and I had lots of support," Marilyn said, "and there was lots of interest in the section devoted to fakes from both the dealers and the show visitors." This was the first time the show had a loan exhibit and another one is in the planning stage for next year.

Among those in the foyer was Philip H. Bradley Co., Downingtown, Penn., with an impressive tall case eight-day clock by Joseph Will, Philadelphia, circa 1740. The clock measured 1041/2 inches tall, walnut, and descended in the Hart/Gardiner family from the Coatesville area of Pennsylvania. A high chest with the original brasses, circa 1745, in applewood and maple, Delaware Valley, was 761/2 inches tall, and a wonderful Chester County double-door spice chest, arched panel, circa 1760-85, measured 19 inches high, 17 inches wide and 10 inches deep. It was being sold with a complete provenance and family letters.

Also showing in one of the entrance booths was Michael J. Whitman of Fort Washington, Penn., whose display of copper and brass objects sparkled. An ornate food cover, Dutch, dated circa 1772, and a large brass swing handle tea kettle, raised from the flat, no seams, was also of Dutch origin, circa 1850. Of interest was a large English ship's kettle, marked #3, circa 1875, square shaped and in copper.

A diminutive Federal sideboard in cherrywood with vine inlay on the apron was shown in the booth of Nathan Liverant and Son of Colchester, Conn. This piece was attributed to Thomas Howard Jr, 1774-1833, Pawtucket or Providence, R.I., circa 1785-1805. A pair of China Trade portraits of young Chinese ladies, oil on canvas, attributed to Fouqua (Foeiqua), dated 1810-20. Probably the star lot of the booth was a pair of Queen Anne high chest and dressing table in applewood, Connecticut River Valley, 1745-1770, that descended in the Ball family. Both pieces retain the original brasses, deeply shaped cyma scrolled aprons, cabriole legs ending in pad feet.

A sailboat weathervane with fine patina, late Nineteenth Century, New England, was at the center of the booth of Diana Bittel of Bryn Mawr, Penn. "The largest woolwork picture I have ever seen" was written on the tag for a 32 by 59 woolie, circa 1845, depicting ten named boats including Queen, Rodney, Albion and Vanguard.

M. Finkel and Daughter of Philadelphia had sold tags on a number of samplers, including one from Boxford, Mass., dated 1805 by Mehitable Gould. Furniture included a pair of side chairs from Philadelphia, 1830, original painted surface and rush seats, possibly by John W. Patterson.

"The energy here feels good," Jan Whitlock said at the preview while she answered many questions from those in her booth. The Chadds Ford, Penn., dealer offered a collection of miniature sporting things including boxing gloves, baseball mitts, footballs and baseballs, all cased mounted and dating from the early Twentieth Century. A couple of hat boxes, beside a low-post bed with green painted surface, showed historical buildings and the other squirrels. Measuring six feet square was a wool on burlap rug, American, circa 1880, with colorful folky birds.

The Appell family and Joe Kindig Jr were listed in the provenance of a small gilt convex mirror, circa 1800, American or English and in a fine state of preservation, in the booth of Peter Sawyer of Exeter, N.H. A highboy in tiger maple, Massachusetts or New Hampshire, circa 1785, retained the original brasses and had no repairs.

A number of political items were in the booth of Jeff Bridgman, Dillsburg, Penn., including a banner for the 1860 campaign for Lincoln-Hamlin that read "Wide - A Wakes for Lincoln." A flag for the presidential campaign for Henry Clay, 1844, showed a flag with 26 stars surrounding a Clay portrait and written in with the stripes was Clay and Frelinghuysen.

"We have had this molding in the barn for about 12 years and at one time we had a chest with the same grain-painted decoration. We sold the chest so decided to use the molding for the booth this time," Ed Hild of Olde Hope Antiques, New Hope, Penn., said. The molding was mounted wainscot height around the booth with simulated picture frames rising from it on the sides of the booth, and a door frame in the center of the back wall. It was very effective and gave the impression of a framed object hung within a larger frame.

Among the sculpture in the booth was a large pilot eagle, 41 inches long, pine with iron bracing, New York State, circa 1850. A portrait of a boy with dog, circa 1840-50, was attributed to Calvin Balis, Oneida County, N.Y., an oil on canvas measuring 381/2 by 33 inches. The portrait was in a period, or possibly the original, frame. Mounted in one of the wall frames was an eagle plaque with American flag and shield, attributed to George Stapf (1862-1958), Harrisburg, Penn. The eagle, with glass bead eyes, measured 30 inches wide and the stars were composition.

Kyser-Hollingsworth of Washington, D.C., showed a Pembroke table, probably Baltimore, circa 1790, legs decorated with lily of the valley within oval medallions. A lady's writing table with tambour shutters was of Massachusetts origin, circa 1790, Hepplewhite inlaid with satinwood panels and string inlay.

Thomas Schwenke, Inc, Woodbury, Conn., had a booth filled with furniture including a classical pier table in mahogany with Egyptian marble top, columns and back panel. It dated circa 1825 and was from New York State. Over it hung a Hepplewhite inlaid mahogany wall mirror with swan-neck top with carved and gilded rosettes, also New York State, circa 1800. It was 52 inches high, 22 inches wide.

Peter Eaton and Joan Brownstein, Newbury, Mass., brought together their inventories of early furniture and paintings, large and small, to create a large and inviting booth. "Joan has had lots of interest in her Chambers," Peter said, referring to a view of the Hudson, probably showing West Point from Garrison's landing. This vivid oil on canvas hung on the back wall near an early pastel portrait of a young lady with lace collar and pink ribbons in her hair. She worn pearl jewelry in this circa 1805 work that is attributed to Frederick Kemmelmeyer. The portrait, Maryland or Virginia, was fresh from a well-known Connecticut collection.

Working wonderfully with the works of art was a Chippendale chest-on-chest, scrolled and fan carved bracket base, in figured cherrywood. This piece retains the original brasses, circa 1780-85, from the North Shore, possibly Newburyport. A sold sign appeared on the piece during the preview party. Also in cherrywood was a Queen Anne table with rectangular top and shaped apron, cabriole legs on raised pad feet. It too was from the North Shore, circa 1785, and retained the original red painted or stained surface.

Mark and Marjorie Allen of Manchester, N.H., offered a set of four fanback Windsor side chairs with carved ears and saddle seats. The set was attributed to Joseph Henzey of Philadelphia, circa 1785. From Taunton, Mass., was a painted and decorated two drawers over one blanket chest, circa 1710, grain painted with ball feet.

Cheryl and Paul Scott of Hillsborough, N.H., were having a good show, displaying a booth filled with painted furniture and accessories including two Blackhawk weathervanes. A Sheraton four-drawer chest with painted drawer fronts, circa 1830, was found in Virginia, and a pair of spice cabinets with crusty surface, Nineteenth Century, wooden pulls, nine drawers each, was found on Cape Cod.

Newsom and Berdan Antiques, Thomasville, Penn., placed a large American eagle weathervane, three-foot wingspan, at the front of the booth. A large Berks County, Penn., six-board chest with vivid grain painting, apple green molding and turned feet, was against the left wall with another matching six-board chest of smaller size stacked on it. A rare Sussex County wall cupboard, descended in the Hearne family, was circa 1780.

Dixon-Hall Fine Art of Phoenixville, Penn., had a long, shallow booth at the entrance to the show and all wall space was taken by a collection of works of art. One of the large pictures, by Richard Blossoni Farley (1875-1954), showed "Sunset on the Schuylkill Near Philadelphia," an oil on canvas measuring 251/2 by 32 inches, signed with the artist's blossomed-shape cipher above "Farley." Charles W. Patterson was represented with "The Willows," an oil on canvas, circa 1910-20, measuring 291/4 by 45 inches. It was signed lower left.

A rare summer silk robe of lavish tapestry woven K'o Su technique, China, late Ching dynasty, 1860-1875, hung in the booth of Federalist Antiques, Inc, Kenilworth, Ill. Its American furniture included a Massachusetts sideboard/server in figured maple, circa 1830.

More than 50 miniatures decorated the walls in the booth of Elle Shushan of Philadelphia. Mounted in an oval frame was a portrait of Caroline, Countess of Harrington, English School, circa 1770, and in a rectangular frame was John Denison Champlin by Henry Colton Shumway, NA, circa 1830.

"Unique" was one of the words describing a grain painted Windsor fanback writing armchair with vase and ring turnings in the booth of H.L. Chalfant Antiques, West Chester, Penn. This piece, displayed with all six drawers opens and the lid lifted, was made for Dr Enoch Hazard of Newport, R.I., circa 1800. A Chippendale dressing table in walnut, molded top, fluted corner columns, shell-carved drawer, scalloped apron and cabriole legs, Philadelphia or Delaware origin, circa 1760, belonged to Joseph Tatnall of Wilmington.

Colorful Indian rugs called one's attention to the booth of Marcy Burns American Indian Art, New York City, including a Navajo second phase chief's blanket in excellent condition, circa 1865-70. "This blanket was discovered being used as a moving blanket to wrap valuables to prevent damage," Marcy said. A pictorial cornhusk bag, Nez Perces, with an eagle on one side and flowers on the other, circa 1850-90, was in excellent condition.

"We always enjoy this show and the preview is generally good for us. So far we have sold five samplers, including two very important ones, and there is still an hour to go," Stephen Huber said. With is wife Carol, the Old Saybrook, Conn., dealers offered a large collection that included a silk embroidery and watercolor picture of "Fonrose and Adelaide" by Sarah Slingluff, Philadelphia, circa 1810. A silk embroidered needlework memorial was dedicated to the five children of Lot and Susanna Price, Massachusetts origin, 1805.

Brightening up the wall in the booth of Jackie Radwin, San Antonio, Texas, was a Pennsylvania table mat dating from the mid Nineteenth Century, 52 inches square, with embroidered wool flowers and fruit. It hung near a fine Connecticut Queen Anne two-drawer blanket chest with double arch molded case, old red surface, dating circa 1740-50.

"This show is wonderful, made so by the good, solid quality offered by the exhibitors," Sidney Gecker of New York City said. His booth lived up to this evaluation, offering a large cast iron horse weathervane with sheet metal tail, fine surface, by the Gilmanton Iron Work of Rochester, N.H. It was the large size, 37 inches long, circa 1870. A large Fiske eagle weathervane, good surface, 30-inch wingspan, New York City, watched over the front of the booth, and for those looking for "name" pieces or redware pottery, "Eleanor" was waiting.

An unusual child's corner chair, probably Massachusetts, circa 1770, in the original red stain and splint seat, with later brass upholstery tacks added for decoration, was placed near the Ebenezer Flagg lowboy at the front of the booth of Heller-Washam Antiques, Portland, Maine. This Queen Anne lowboy in walnut was from either Rhode Island or Eastern Massachusetts and measured 291/2 inches high, 351/2 by 191/2 inches on top, and the case was 301/2 inches wide. It retained the original hardware and shows signs of an early rescue from fire.

A lead cigar store figure by W. Demuth, circa 1880-90, stood at the left side of the booth of Kelly Kenzle of New Oxford, Penn. At the right was a cast iron hitching post figure of Bacchus, with wine grape wreath, leaning on a post, possibly of French origin. A long rod back Windsor settee dated circa 1800 and was of Pennsylvania origin.

Wayne Pratt Antiques of Woodbury, Conn., showed enough furniture to fill several rooms, including a classical sideboard in mahogany, Boston, circa 1810-20, 573/8 inches wide with estate finish, and a Chippendale block front chest of drawers in cherrywood, probably Connecticut and possibly Hartford, circa 1770-1800, with ball and claw feet. "We just got this piece and it had been in a private collection for a long time," Wayne said. Hanging over the sideboard was a New England classical gilt gesso and wood overmantel mirror in three sections, circa 1815-25, measuring 63 inches wide and 243/4 inches high.

"I was very happy to get this five-piece garniture set as it is large, has decoration on both the front and back, and three of the pieces have covers with birds on top," Norma Chick of Autumn Pond Antiques, Woodbury, Conn., said of the set displayed on her mantel. It dated circa 1760, Delft, no signature, and in mint condition. In addition to a large collection of Delft and tiles, she displayed ten weathervanes, including a large banner with star decoration in the center, in keeping with the loan exhibition.

"It was mind-boggling, definitely my best show in Wilmington and within the five best shows I have ever had," Victor Weinblatt of South Hadley said when asked about the Delaware Show. He praised the committee, saying the members covered every base and the show ran like clockwork. "Marilyn did a fine job laying out the show in the new part of the venue, and it all worked well," he added. His large booth, while it looked well stocked, received many hits and among the pieces sold were two blanket boxes, a candlestand, an early country farm table, a large mirror with reverse painted frame, four game boards and a great country store display shelf, six feet high and five feet wide. "We usually sell a good number of early signs, and we had one man come in and buy ten this time," Victor said.

Mellin's Antiques, Redding, Conn., offered a George III revolving drum table in mahogany with gun barrel pedestal and four splaying reeded legs on brass casters. It dated circa 1800, 42 inches in diameter, and of English origin. A large Canton bowl was displayed on the table, and against the walls were show cases filled with a collection of Canton including platters, candlesticks, teapots and covered dishes.

Attracting attention in the booth of Quester Gallery, Greenwich, Conn., was a builder's model of an American steam-paddle frigate, plank on frame, representing the earliest form of steam vessel employed by the US Navy before the full acceptance of screw propeller propulsion. "We found this model stored in an attic and it had been filled with old papers by the mice over the years," said Michael Florio.

A preview patron bought a large reclining zinc lion by Fiske, circa 1890, 52 inches long, from the booth of Steven Still Antiques, Elizabethtown, Penn. Two Pennsylvania cupboards were also offered, one paint decorated with two doors, circa 1850, 60 inches high and 421/2 inches wide, and a Dutch cupboard in walnut, Berks County, circa 1790, 76 inches wide with two 12-light doors in the top section over three short drawers and two doors below.

An eight-foot-long harvest table from New York State, two leaves and old red surface, was in the booth of Greg Kramer of Robesonia, Penn. It was surrounded by a set of six thumb back Windsor side chairs, yellow with stenciled floral decoration on the top splat, and a very nice trade sign was from the Cincinnati Stoveworks, cast iron, depicting a woman on horseback riding sidesaddle. It dated from the late Nineteenth Century. Attributed to W.A. Snow Iron Works, Boston, late Nineteenth Century, was a large falcon perched on a ball weathervane with good old surface.

Christopher Rebollo Antiques, Mechanicsville, Penn., showed a small Philadelphia chest of drawers, mahogany, circa 1760-80, with 333/4 inch wide case, and a circa 1780 Pennsylvania corner cupboard in walnut. A George III rococo looking glass in mahogany with the original carved and gilded phoenix dated 1775 and was of English origin.

James Kilvington, Dover, Del., offered a New England candlestand with unusual high legs at the front of his booth next to a five-slat ladder back side chair, circa 1770, from Chester County, Penn.

George and Debbie Spiecker, North Hampton, N.H., were new to the show this year and came with a load of furniture and accessories, and did very well. An American Chippendale tall chest in walnut dated 1770, bold flaring cornice with dental molding, had the original hardware and measured 681/2 inches high, 39 inches wide and 21 inches deep. It was on high ogee feet.

"This year the show reached a new height," Marilyn Gould said, citing not only the displays by the dealers, but the merits of the venue. Attendance on Friday, opening day, was very good, but things slowed down over the weekend. "We have lots of free parking, spacious and clean exhibitions areas, a fine committee and 'easy to work with' people at Riverfront."

It is a show that should be added to the list of every collector within a three- to four-hour drive, for it is well worth the trip.