| A Love Affair With Glass: The Passing of Dean Roy Kregger Dean Roy Kregger passed away in Roseville, California on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, after a six-month battle against abdominal cancer. A longtime collector and dealer, Dean’s “love affair” with glass started with an unexpected discovery. His wife of fifty-one years, Sally Jo, fondly remembers how he “discovered” antiques. “We were having lunch in the Cuban District of Tampa, Florida back in 1980. Dean finds a very heavy vase of cut glass in the back of a really musty antique shop. He paid $20.00 for it and brought it home. He was in love all over again. Years later he learned the vase had been cut off to salvage the bottom part. I still have the vase, it was the first piece of A.B.C.G. [American Brilliant Cut Glass] Dean found. An avid collector and searcher, one time in Grass Valley [California] he went into a second hand shop and found a shade for a cut glass parlor lamp. It was described as an ‘unusual salad bowl’. When Dean asked why it did not sit level, the guy said ‘well that was what made it so unusual.’ Dean paid $10.00 for it and later sold it for $100.00. The best deal yet was on a trip to Southern California where he found a gorgeous cobalt cut to clear decanter for $250.00. He got $1100.00 on Ebay for that piece.” Katharyn Yonge of the Golden Gate Chapter of the American Cut Glass Association recently wrote of Dean: “ [We] lost a good friend and cut glass collector . . . By 1983, he knew he wanted to become an antiques dealer, taking early retirement from the French Company to pursue his avocation in antiques. Dean enjoyed buying trips, and he and Sally Jo traveled throughout the United States, as well as to England, Italy, Israel, Hawaii and the Caribbean in search of those elusive treasures. Dean loved the brilliant period of cut glass, especially colored cut to clear, and amassed a small collection, which he kept in a special cabinet in his living room. He also appreciated the intricately engraved pieces by Sinclaire, but his favorite cut glass company was Dorflinger. He was thrilled to be able to visit the Dorflinger Museum in White Plains, Pennsylvania, and view the three pieces that David Dorflinger had purchased from him and Sally Jo to exhibit at the museum. In addition, Dean had a nice collection of Moser art glass, made in Bohemia by Ludwig Moser. In the 1990s, Dean and Sally Jo added estate jewelry to their collections because Dean was fascinated with the many colored stones, which he learned to appreciate during through his college geology courses. He especially liked rubies, his birth stone, more than diamonds, but you could almost always find him wearing diamonds. For 30 years, Dean and Sally Jo owned and operated Kregger Shows, promoting and producing Arts and Crafts Shows in shopping centers throughout northern California, retiring from that business in 2001. At the same time, they participated in numerous antique shows up and down the West Coast, selling all types of glass and jewelry.” Juan Dennis of Kimo’s Antiques in Sacramento, California shared his fondest memories of Dean Kregger. Six years ago, he and Sally Jo came to his home on Christmas with their grown children to see their Victorian Christmas collection. “He was a wonderful person. We shared beautiful memories together. In 1997 we had a big accident and almost got killed. Dean and Sally Jo were among the first to call. They always called, always checked on us. Every time we needed advice on anything they would help us.” Dwight & Dorothy Norris of Golden Spike Antiques, Folsom, CA shared their memories of Dean: "Dwight and I have known Dean and Sally Jo since 1983. We met at the Sacramento Planned parenthood show. At the end of the show Dean was packed and awaiting a dolly to hall his boxes out to the car. None was furnished by the show so Dwight went over to the rescue. That was the start of a long friendship and fun with them. We traveled in the Northeast on a 10 day trip with them. They were such compatible people as traveling companions. We have been to dinner many times. Dean was a kind humorous individual. He was a big tease that loved his family and friends very much. He never met a stranger and was very fair in his business dealings. He did not complain about the little inconveniences while doing shows. We wish there were more people like the Kreggers. This would be a better world. We will miss him!!!!" Dean and Sally Jo Kregger took part in shows with Twin Bridges Antique Productions beginning in the late 1980's. Dean will be fondly remembered by dealers and collectors for his wonderful sense of humor and his passion for discovering antique treasures at great prices. Sally Jo will, with the assistance of their son, continue to take part in future antique shows and gem and mineral shows. Donations in Dean Kreggers’ memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, your local Hospice group or the A.C.G.A.’s (American Cut Glass Association) Gift and Acquisition Fund. Readers wishing to express their condolences may contact Sally Jo Kregger at kantique@surewest.net. Carole Berry, Twin Bridges Antique Productions, February 2007 |
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