Deland Antiques Show

By Charlotte Brozek

As seen in The Antique Shoppe Newspaper, March 2006

It's a fact. Puchstein Promotions is high on Deland. Kay and Bill Puchstein bought the long-running show five years ago and have never looked back. The show has a 26 year history in central Florida and many attendees have never missed a year.    

"This is a nice show." Kay Puchstein told me, "Antiques and collectibles are well-represented here. Our dealers carry jewelry, linens, pottery, porcelain, primitives, postcards, Victoriana, furniture, military, Disneyana, toys and silver and that's just a small sampling of what show goers can expect to find when they come to Deland."

"If a ring needs to be sized, we have jewelry repair on the premises," she went on to say, "and that closes the deal on that sale" The show also features glass, pottery and ceramic repair.

The Puchsteins recruit dealers from all over the country and especially the East Coast. Dealers come from as far away as Canada, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Vermont and Massachusetts. 

"Florida dealers are the backbone of our dealer pool," Kay Puchstein added. "We wouldn't have a show without them."

The show runs three days opening on Friday afternoon at 1 PM. Collectors, dealers and treasure hunters  queue up about 30 minutes before the opening bell. Several of them told me they never miss this early buyers day.

"I found a 1927 branches and leaves Rookwood vase here one year for $200.  It's still on my mantle." one happy buyer said. Others recalled finding Teplitz, Roseville and Fulper at exceptional prices.

Of course pottery is not the only find at this show. Maine dealer Marsha Manchester fills her booth with the finest vintage linens. All are in pristine condition and reflect the era when linens were all cared for by hand by tediously mending, washing and ironing each napkin or tablecloth. There's no perma press in this collection. Manchester is a very dedicated dealer who is happy to share the history and care of any of the linens she offers for sale. Manchester has written two books on vintage linens and will be featured in the July 2006 issue of ROMANTIC HOMES.

Dealer Mary Lou Keyes of New Smyrna Beach, showcased a complete eleven piece Victorian chamber set in the Princess pattern. The set was marked Oregon. It's rare to find  all the pieces.  Collectors  resign themselves to discovering a three or four piece set and hope to add the remainder on their hunting trips.  Keyes tagged the set at $800. Keyes is a collector turned dealer and brought a smorgasbord of antiques with her ranging from jewelry to prints.

Daytona Beach dealer Patrick Welsh displayed a basket weave Majolica water pitcher priced at $225 and a Majolica teapot decorated with birds and fans. He tagged the teapot at $300 and told me both items sold during the show. Welsh has been doing the show for many years and is always pleased with his sales. He carries an eclectic mix of good  early pieces.

If upscale jewelry is your thing, RBC Estate Jewelers of West Palm Beach lined their booth with showcases filled to the brim with estate jewelry. Every day of the show, a crowd of shoppers hunched over the cases looking for that special diamond ring, necklace, bracelet, earrings or broach.   And these lookers weren't only women as men too were searching for that special gift for their significant other. Owners Colby Cole and Ray Mattair also carry vintage furs. They priced a Russian Red Fox at $1350. The furs range in age from the 1930s or earlier through the 1980s. As well as the coats, hats, capes and jackets are sought after items.

"You'd be surprised how many furs are sold in Florida," Cole mentioned. Naturally, jewelry is the biggest seller for the pair but they like to provide their customers with a nice mix.

Other dealers brought furniture: A 1920s student desk was priced at $135; a walnut hanging cabinet with tulip supports $185; a mahogany blanket chest $110; walnut plant stand with turned legs $220; and a mahogany magazine stand $110. Some of the other items noted: Blown glass Millefiori paperweight $200; carnival chalkware characters ranging in price  from $85 to $200; Royal Doulton Daddy's Girl figurine $150; occupational shaving mug of a woodworker $100; sheet music Inkspots $8.00; pressed glass Cape Cod goblet $45; railroad stock certificates $65; and a Ohio Arts Mickey Mouse sand pail at $225.

Some of the sales dealers reported included a pair of Victorian gilded frames $200; a 1900 5-inch German bisque head doll with a composition body $150; Majolica humidor $160; porcelain-topped hand mirror and hair brush adorned with hand-painted lilacs and ferns $100; and an original boxed Art Deco matching perfume bottles in immaculate condition for $190.

The Deland Antiques Show is held four times a year--November, December, January and February at the Volusia County Fairgrounds.  The show is well attended all three days. The influx of snowbirds wintering in Florida and the residents who are well aware of the show's history never miss a year. Other shows the Puchsteins promote are located at Stuart, Vero Beach, Crystal River, Inverness, Bradenton and Venice. All shows are inside and air-conditioned. One or more concession stands are available at each show and show goers can enjoy a spot of lunch while shopping.

For information on this show or any of the other thirteen shows the Puchsteins promote in Florida, contact them at P.O. Box 27272, El Jobean, Florida 33927 or call 941-697-7272.

Their website address is www.floridaantiqueshows.com.

The Antique Shoppe
"Florida's Best Newspaper for Antiques and Collectibles
PO Box 2175, Keystone Heights, FL 32656-2175
Phone: (352)475-1679 Fax: (352)475-5326

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