50th Annual Delaware Show

— 18 — A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE: DID YOU KNOW? • The first Delaware Antiques Show was held at Wilcastle Center (now part of the University of Delaware Wilmington Campus), Delaware Avenue, December 2–4, 1964. • The event remained at Wilcastle for thirteen years (1964–76) and then moved to the Hotel du Pont (1977–79), the Soda House at Hagley (1980–84), DuPont Country Club (1985–94), Tatnall School (1995–2000), and the Wilmington Riverfront (2001–13). • The chair of the first show was Mrs. E. I. du Pont (Arminda Dunning du Pont). • A benefit for Wilmington Hospital from 1964 to 1991, the show was subsequently brought under the wing of Winterthur to support the museum’s educational programming. • In 1964 there were 21 dealers, and general admission was $1.50. • The majority of dealers are returnees, including Philip H. Bradley Co., an exhibitor for 44 years and advertiser in the catalogue since 1964. Those dealers with a history of more than 20 years include HL Chalfant Fine Art and Antiques, The Philadelphia Print Shop, Mark & Marjorie Allen, Arthur Guy Kaplan, Old Hope Antiques, Stephen & Carol Huber, Leatherwood Antiques, Mellin’s Antiques, and Nathan Liverant and Son. • Delaware dealers at the inaugural show included David Stockwell Inc., Greenwood Book Shop, and Paris N. Walters. • Spice Cabinets was the loan exhibit in 1964, and the catalogue featured an article by David Stockwell entitled “Spice Cabinets of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.” • Among the event’s many supporters, Mrs. John A. Herdeg (chair of nine shows) has been involved since 1964. In 2012, the show counted 220 volunteers among its ranks. • The show’s trademark design, the Bancroft Woodcock dove with olive branch, was “refreshed” in 2001 by the Hyland/Ocko design firm. These fascinating facts were compiled by our good friend Harry Gordon, a longtime Delaware Antiques Show supporter and chair of the Gentlemen’s Committee whose “longtime memory” seems to know no bounds! Harry and his wife, Jeanne, a Winterthur guide and chair of the Dealer Liaison Committee, have been involved with the show since 1988, representing a combined 50 years of service.