Diverse Antiques On Display

Photos & Story By John Voket

Many of the diverse furnishings and collectibles arriving in the cars of their purveyors last weekend at the Newtown Historical Society’s annual March Antiques Show went home with happy new owners. One of those visitors was Eydie Cullins, who drove over from Bethel, and was attracted to a fine sterling silver candy dish being offered by Robert Potrafke of Zuna Antiques.

The patrons of this popular annual show appeared to be from diverse backgrounds, and while some obviously came to buy, others came seeking out the expertise or advice of the many experienced vendors. At one point during the afternoon, one vendor displaying collectible prints was huddled with a visitor who was leafing through a satchel containing his own collection of the highly detailed and colorful postcards.

Once again, the activity served as an appropriate fundraiser for the Newtown Historical Society, which has been presenting this showcase for 23 years. This show represented just the second year the showcase has been in residence in the cafeteria area at Newtown High School.

According to a historical society source, this new venue allows for a bigger show with greater space, additional dealers, plenty of free parking, and handicap accessibility.

The popular event brought a cross section of favorite dealers from years past, while welcoming new dealers to the floor.

Among those displaying this year were Robert Girvin of Rowfant Antiques from Charlton, Mass, who was showing off china and silver; Maile Allen from Colonia, N.J., with antique maps and prints; and Caroline Dirsa from Orange, who offered cozy quilts, along with baskets and wooden farm items.

William H. Lorne Antiques, Manchester, was on hand with early china and ironstone; Dave and Sue Ryan of Ryan’s Antiques also brought early tools, kitchenware, wooden items, and furniture.

Kathy and Paul Steinberg, of Sasha’s Antiques in Orange, with more than 20 years of experience in the business, showed off several high quality pieces, including Americana and primitive furniture and accessories.

David and Ann Lowe were back with framed cigarette cards, and Bob Baranowski, from Rock Fall, was another returning dealer. Other exhibitors noted for a serious focus on 17th, 18th or 19th Century American objects included Steve and Ginny Balser of Old Horizon Antiques, Beverly Dutton of Beverly Dutton Antiques, and Jamie Heuschkel of Hirsh Antiques.

The show featured two newcomers with sterling silver displays this year: Shari Yellin of Wycoff, N.J., and Geri Soukup.

Beth Snyder of Country Christmas in Bethany brought her full line of holiday antiques, including Christmas, Halloween, and others. Paula Hill from Harriman, N.Y., drew many to her exhibit with some popular and obscure illustrated children’s book titles, prints, postcards, paper dolls, and die cuts.

Joe Liska of Antiques to You of Ludlow, Mass., may have had some of the most unique items at the show. His row of antique lightning rods, most topped with small decorative weathervanes and glass globes, drew appreciative attention from virtually everyone who walked past.

“These are so unique because there are so few of them left,” Mr Liska explained. He said many relatives and friends who know of his attraction to these particular items are always on the lookout for them when they travel across the country.

“I never know when I’m going to get a call from one of them who is standing in a field somewhere in Kansas wanting to know if they should acquire another one of these for me,” he said. “If I think the price is fair, and the condition of the piece is good, I’ll send them off a check.”

Proceeds of this fundraiser were designated to benefit the Newtown Historical Society’s free public programs as well as the preservation of the Matthew Curtiss House Museum and its collections. The Curtiss House, circa 1750, at 44 Main Street was also open during the day of the show from noon to 3 pm (see adjacent feature).

As antique show patrons came and went, volunteers on hand reminded everyone to venture up to Main Street to get a glimpse of the features and offerings their admission donations helped underwrite.