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$1.50 AntiqueWeek T HE W EEKLY A N T IQUE A UC T ION & C OLLEC T ING N E W SP A PER VOL. 54 ISSUE NO. 2705 www.antiqueweek.com AUGUST 10, 2021 ‘There she is Miss America;’ pageant celebrates 100 years By Barbara Miller Beem Below: Did she, or didn’t she? Howard Chandler Christy’s . .and then there were two. Standing 1925 figure of a nude as close as their cotillion-style gowns woman bore a strong would allow, anxiously clinging to each likeness to that year’s other. In just a few moments, one would Miss America. The be smiling through her tears, confident ensuing uproar was that she would be called upon if the instrumental in dis- other was unable to fulfill her duties. As rupting the pageant for the other, she would soon be crying for several years. despite her smile as the emcee belted out, “There she is, Miss America.” It didn’t start out like this. For that matter, it’s not like that anymore. But come Sept. 7, the Miss America Pageant will mark its 100th anniversary. And after a century of survival and change, this iconic ritual — or maybe the memo- ry of it — continues to hold a special place in the hearts of dedicated fans and collectors. “You have to remember that men were in charge,” said Vicki Gold Levi, speak- ing of the pageant’s beginnings. Hoping to extend the tourism season of Atlantic City, N.J., beyond Labor Day, business- Above: Among affordable items sought by Miss Above: By 1933, the pageant had grown to men built on the modest success of the America collectors are books written about the include “a night of merriment,” a “bather’s 1920 “Fall Frolic” and enlisted pretty pageant, as well as ones penned by former Miss revue,” and an “evening gown” competition, as girls for their “Inter-City Contest,” held Americas. The sparkly tiara, however, is consid- well as a “beauty ball” and a Boardwalk rolling on Sept. 7, 1921. ered priceless. chair parade. Representing Washington, D.C., was the crowd favorite, high school student That year, Bess Myerson, a concert pia- eant activities (in addition to being in models of its Margaret Gorman, a champion marble nist, became the first Jewish woman to the audience the night Phyllis George new cars with shooter who resembled Mary Pickford win the title; significantly, she was also was crowned). Nearly half a century “Miss America ‘’ with her long, curly hair. Deemed the the first to be awarded a scholarship. At later he began a project to archive the emblazoned on winner that year, Gorman returned to the following year’s pageant, Levi (whose participants in the Miss California pro- the roof. Addi- Atlantic City to defend her crown the father was the first chief photographer gram which led to his covetable collec- tionally, win- following year, not as “Miss Washing- for the coastal resort city) was onstage, tion of Miss America-related memorabil- ners came to ton,” but as “Miss America.” She lost. serving as a page. Her task was to help ia. lend their name and likeness to prod- But the annual Boardwalk event con- carry the train of Myerson’s velvet robe Stamper said his artifacts can be bro- ucts, including Kellogg’s, which featured tinued to grow as a curious public (“it was heavy”) as she made her last ken into two categories: things related to Vanessa Williams, Miss America 1984, watched from the sidelines, thanks to walk down the runway as Miss America. the competition, and those that are sou- on boxes of corn flakes. newsreels shown in movie theaters and The year 1954 is also notable in Miss venirs. Of the former, there are program Feature stories about Miss America coverage in popular magazines, includ- America history: Lee Merriweather was books from local and state competitions, have appeared in a variety of magazines, ing “Life.” Local pageants came to spon- crowned Miss America 1955, and, for the as well as the Miss America pageant from “Saturday Evening Post” and “Life” sor state representatives (but not before first time, the final night of the competi- itself. Publications instructing judges to “Rubberneck,” a magazine for U.S. Joan Blondell competed as “Miss Dallas” tion was broadcast on live television. The and auditors are of interest to those Marines; many times, the winners’ imag- and Cloris Leachman as “Miss Chica- following year, Bert Parks (“a nice guy,” tracking the changes in the competition es were used in advertisements, which go”). And other than during World War Levi noted) debuted as the host of the over the years, he said. Also, collectable are also collectable. II, Atlantic City’s Convention Hall Saturday night show; famously serenad- are informational documents that Charms and bracelets, pins and became home to the annual spectacle. ing the winner (“There She Is”). He con- instruct how to conduct a pageant, as watches: Miss America left her mark on The year 1945, however, was pivotal tinued in that role through 1979. well as tri-fold mailers used to sell tick- all of these, as well as board games and in the pageant’s history, as Levi Freeman Stamper was 12 years old ets. commemorative plates. Sayco produced explained, ushering in an era that would when Marilyn Van Derbur was crowned As for items falling into the souvenir Miss America dolls in 1956 (with 50 arguably become Miss America’s “Gold- Miss America in 1958. Years later, category, these would include postcards, wardrobe pieces) and again in 1957. en Age.” No longer just a beauty pag- Stamper fondly remembers his “first press photos, and ticket stubs. Over the Finally, several books have been written eant, the talent competition was added. Miss America.” Stamper has been to years, the pageant garnered several Atlantic City twice for the weeklong pag- sponsors: For a time, Oldsmobile released See Miss America on page 19 Atlanta Expo Centers 3,500 Booths! Ohio Expo Center 800-1,200 Booths! SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKETS Atlanta, GA Columbus, OH *Dates subject to change (covid19) ANTIQUE AND DESIGNER ITEMS 2nd Weekend Jan 22 - 23 TM 740.569.2800 www.scottantiquemarkets.com Aug 12 - 15 Oct 7 - 10 Every Month Nov 27 - 28 Feb 26 - 27 2021 America’s Favorite Treasure Hunts! 2021 Sep 9 - 12 Nov 11 - 14 Dec 18 - 19 Mar 26 - 27 Over 700 Dealers & 1,400 Unique Spaces Millions of Possibilities “One of America’s Best Resources for Antiques.” -Martha Stewart LIVING Magazine Heart of Ohio Antique Center | 4785 E. National Road, Springfield, Ohio 45505 | (937) 324-2188 | www.heartofohioantiques.com | Open Daily 9:30am - 6:00pm Page 2 WWW.ANTIQUEWEEK.COM August 10, 2021 NEWS Harry Potter first edition conjured $1,600 bid at Sarasota auction By William Flood SARASOTA, Fla. — There was magic in the air on June 12-13 when Sarasota Estate Auction held what they termed a two-day “co- lossal” Asian and fine arts. Perhaps the most enchanting lots were the 37 first edition Harry Potter books, which commanded impressive sums. A 1999 first London printing of J.K. Rowling’s third book, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” in its dust jacket, went for more than three times high estimates at $1,600. Another first edition copy of the same title sold for $1,200 on 22 bids. Yet another reached $950. There This calcite were 35 other Harry Potter volumes, ranging glass and from a 2005 first edition of “Harry Potter and Above: This oil was painted by Russian bronze Steuben the Half-Blood Prince” ($40) to a 1999 “Har- painter Mihail Chemiakin, born in Mos- chandelier, one of ry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” ($400). cow in 1943. He was part of the contro- two available, sold Perhaps it’s time to check your bookshelf! versial “non-conformist” art movement for $1,900. Day one consisted of 887 lots, with the day’s there and eventually exiled from the high bid going to a Stieff sterling service for U.S.S.R. It sold for $15,000. armoire, with provenance to the Vittadini es- 12. It contained salad forks, tea and cream tate, sold for its opening bid of $800. Two Chi- Above: 37 first edition Harry Potter books varied, plentiful, and sold across many price spoons, knives, shears and other dining uten- nese Terra-cotta guardian lamps — one a foo were available. A first-run, U.K. printing of points. At the high end, a 101 by 30-inch Chi- sils, in full measuring approximately 98 Troy dog roof tile, the other a monkey roof tile — “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azka- nese Ming-style silk scroll painting sold for ounces. Nine bids ran the price up from its sold for $700 and $650 respectively. ban” sold for an impressive $1,600. four times high estimates at $1,300 with over $750 opener to $1,900, well under metal con- Later came an impressive 25-inch Chinese two dozen bids. Another silk scroll, a watercol- tent value. the most unusual were the six free-blown glass carved jade hardstone ship. While needing or of a bird and blossoms sold similarly strong Also alluring were 19 walking sticks and pieces, each selling between $150 and $200. minor repair, it still sold for $300. From fur- at $950. canes. Several were silver-tipped and carved For those attracted by the Asian items, A black Chinoiserie decorated and gilded wood, getting anywhere from $50 to $225. Yet, the first day didn’t disappoint. The lots were See Sarasota Auction Page 4 Vintage stylists can find fun in Harley-Davidson parts “.

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