Gulfport, Fla.- Show-goers were lined up early at the grand  old Gulfport Casino for the opening of Retro-Rama - A vintage collectibles show. The handsome old Art Deco building,  complete with spinning mirrored ball, hardwood floor (billed as "the finest dance floor in Florida, ") and spectacular view of Tampa Bay, provided a fitting background for jam-packed  displays of antique, vintage and retro merchandise. The sold-out, one-day show featured dealers specializing in "mid-20th -century" memorabilia, and the steady procession of customers was an indication of the large and growing market for this type of Americana from our recent past.

Lively recorded music of the 1950s and 60s played in the background interspersed with sets from live musicians "Bill T. & Company" playing jazz and blues. Some patrons were moved to literally "dance in the aisles."

A walk-through of the hall yielded some interesting finds, from the fine to the funky and in virtually every price range.  A tall pair of 1950s ceramic lamps in green depicting stylized ballet, a male and a female, were $400 for the pair.

Because the show was in December, many holiday items were in evidence. A nice old round Santa candy box was $125. A larger version was $185. A basketful of old New Year's eve noise makers were $5 each.

Several dealers featured displays of vintage fashion jewelry. Sales seemed just about equally divided between the very inexpensive pieces in the $5 to $10 range and the higher end designer-signed examples in the $75 to $200 range. The larger sized, rhinestone-decorated items sold briskly in each category.

Florida and tropical themes are always popular at Retro-Rama. A vintage souvenir of Fort Lauderdale ashtray, shaped like the state of Florida and emblazoned with an alligator was $25. A shell-shaped dish topped with a modestly dressed ceramic mermaid was $88.50. Alligator handbags were in the $50 to $75 range, and a very large display of neatly cataloged Florida postcards drew a crowd throughout the day. A 1950s era black panther TV lamp was $115. 

Kitchen and hostess wares were shown in several booths. A selection of hammered aluminum trays were from $22 to $35.

A red plastic bread box was $35. A 1950s teapot was $49 and a nice Shawnee "Smiley Pig" cookie jar was $79.50. A couple of dealers offered modern looking "Erica" telephones, popular in Europe during the 1950s and 1960s.  They were tagged in the $80-$90 range.

An old plastic-cased G.E. table radio in working order was $40. A Danish modern styled walnut "cellarette" type bar was $225. A chrome electric "Samovar" coffee maker with Bakelite handles and matching cream pitcher and sugar bowl was $75.

An interesting pair of table lamps depicting a man and woman in 1940s-era bathing suits were $150 each. An Art Deco lamp with nude female form and an attached ashtray was novel at $125.

A glittery pair of Stanley Pelitz high-heeled Lucite and Rhinestone shoes was $25. A fringed satin souvenir pillowcase was $25 and a metal windup toy "Sheriff Sam and his Whoopee Car" was $195.

Enid Collins of Texas handbags were in evidence at this show, both in wooden and woven fabric varieties. A wooden bag was $95 and a woven example was $75.

More vintage shows are planned for 2005 at the Gulfport Casino. For information on future Retro-Rama, and Collecto-Rama shows interested dealers or patrons can call 727-363- 4852 or e-mail hulahula@antelecom.net