“Has anybody bought anything green? Raise your hand if you’ve bought something green. Oh, you have? What’s your name, and what town are you from? It’s Judy from Boca, everyone; obviously a trendsetter. Now, what about Phoenix or Consolidated; has anyone . . . ?
It was the South Florida Depression Glass Club’s 39th annual Glass, Pottery and Dinnerware Show at the Pompano Beach Civic Center last month, and the chatter from the microphone on the stage went on throughout the day. There were also hourly door prizes, and announcements of periodic seminars and workshops.
This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill antique show. You realized that as soon as you opened the door to the auditorium – all that glass, the glittering crystal, the dazzling colors. This was a collectors’ show, and although there were only about 50 dealers, they had definitely come to show off.
Of course, there were all the usual suspects – Depression glass patterns (green being the color of the day), and nostalgic kitchenware, too – juice reamers, shakers, cookie jars, tumblers, canisters, Fire King and Jadite, all selling briskly.
Mostly, however, it was the showy stuff from the period, what is known as “elegant” Depression Era glass, from companies like Tiffin, Morgantown, Cambridge, Imperial, Heisey and Fostoria, and this show’s featured glass from the Phoenix and Consolidated companies.
Both of these companies made Lalique-style, Art Deco art glass in Pennsylvania. Consolidated operated in Coropolis, Pa from1926 t0 1936, and Phoenix in Manaca, Pa. from 1932-1936. Consolidated would re-emerged in the 1940s and’50’s.
There was plenty of fine stemware around, and lots of kitschy barware. But much of the attention at this show was on the decorative pieces – lamps, candelabra, hanging fixtures, vases and bowls. Enjoy some of the pictures I took.
If you have things you would like to have appraised glass or otherwise, bring them to the brand new Convention Hall in Cape May on March 16. The Greater Cape May Chamber of Commerce is running an expo there, and they will have me set up to do appraisals between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The chamber is asking for a $5 donation to have two items appraised. (You can slip in one more, or some photos. I won’t tell.) I’ll also answer any questions you may have about antiques, take pictures of some of the interesting things brought in, and, of course, I’ll be signing copies of my book. Hope to see you there.
Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of The August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions and appraisal requests to: aschwerdt@cmcherald.com.
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