The ninth Annual NDGA Convention was held at the Stegton Convention Center in St. Charles, Missouri, on July 1-3, 1983. Show Chairman was Jerry Collins. The Convention was sponsored by the Gateway Depressioneers Glass Club of Greater St. Louis. On Saturday night there was a semi-formal dinner and dance held at the Stegton Restaurant.
There were four seminars presented at St. Charles. The speakers and their topics were:
Following is an excerpt from the Convention Report, submitted by Hazel Daniels, and published in the August 1983 News & Views.
There were approximately 46 dealers busily decorating covered tables, placing their glass about, and generally preparing for the 6:00 pm. opening on Friday evening. When all was complete, many eyes fell upon a gorgeous display of beautiful glassware; two floors of almost any piece of glass one could desire, crystal colors, and even some rare pieces, such as the 18 inch console bowl in American Sweetheart; available in dazzling red, or the lovely cobalt blue. There was also a fine assortment of children's Akro Agate dish sets in original boxes, and a large selection of Heisey, Cambridge, as well as other fine glass of the era.
While prospective customers waited to be admitted, they could see some of the lobby displays. A beautiful display of Cambridge Glass, presented by Bill and Phyllis Smith, who were also there throughout the show to help people identify glassware and answer questions, represented the National Cambridge Collectors Inc.
Heisey glassware was also on display there, selective pieces chosen by Don and Jane Rogers; they are members of our Gateway Club in St Louis.
Lastly, a display of all the depression patterns in all colors was there to be viewed. This, compliments of our Gateway Club membership, was for all to see and perhaps find a favorite pattern nor known to them. The plates were from Adam to Windsor.
Special guests, Ralph and Terry Kove1, authors of many books (including Kovels' Illustrated Guide to Depression Glass and American Dinnerware ) were also available in the lobby to help customers identify glass and answer questions. Interested parties were able to purchase personally autographed books.
Another special guest was Douglas Archer, also an author. His latest book, entitled Candlesticks was a available to interested parties. Mr. Archer was most helpful to many persons, and sold many of his autographed books while at the show.
At 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening, the show was opened by the mayor of St. Charles. Approximately 250 people were waiting to view and buy the glassware. This was the preview night and it lasted until 9:00 p.m. on Friday evening.
On Saturday morning at 10:00am, the show opened to the public. After the show, members met at the Missouri Room for the dinner-dance, which was semi-formal. As each couple arrived, each lady was presented with a silk flower corsage. When the doors were opened to the Missouri Room, it was a lovely sight to behold. Each table was decorated with white cloths. Console sets, bowls and candleholders graced each table. All were different in pattern and color, but each was from the depression glass era. At the close of the evening, one person at each table received the flower arrangement as a gift. This was done by numbers.
Sunday, the last day of the sale, brought many more customers to our show. Throughout the day until 5:00 p.m. a steady stream of people passed through the doors. In all, 1,131 people paid to see the show and buy merchandise during the preview evening and the two days of the show.
Here is the list of the 39 (that's right - 39) dealers who set up to sell glass at the ninth Annual NDGA Convention in St. Charles, Missouri.