From Maine Antique Digest
Courtesy of The Young Collectors

Top Ten Reasons Young People Should Buy Antiques
1. Save money. Really live better.
Antiques are often reasonably priced and can be found in any price range.
2. Buying local does not just apply to tomatoes and kohlrabi.
When you buy an antique, you are supporting a small, locally owned business.
3. George Washington did not sit in your La-Z-Boy.
Antiques are tangible pieces of history.
4. There is no such thing as a McBlanket Chest.
Antiques are unique and offer nearly endless variety.
5. 100% post-consumer content.
Antiques are the most environmentally responsible choice for home decorating.
6. There are enough ten-year-old futons on Craig’s List.
Antiques retain significant resale value.
7. No allen wrench required.
Antiques offer solid, quality construction, and durability.
8. Industrial cable spools and pilfered milk crates do not
constitute a living room suite.
Antiques are stylish, and can accommodate anyone’s decorating tastes.
9. Forty cents per hour was a fair wage in 1940, not 2010.
Antiques are socially responsible—none are made in sweatshops.
10. If it’s not Scottish, it’s crap!
Antiques can be a source of ancestral or regional pride.

LAPADA, The Association of Art and Antique Dealers have just published the 2010-2011 edition of The Essential Buyers' Guide

With some six hundred members at home and overseas, including specialists in virtually every discipline ranging from antiquities to contemporary fine art, LAPADA is the largest association of professional art and antiques dealers in the UK.

The Guide lists details of members, affiliated companies and the LAPADA fairs, including the latest addition, LAPADA Modern, and offers advice on care of antiques and shipping.

For your free copy contact the LAPADA office via their web site LAPADA

Association News Round-up At the recent meeting of the LAPADA group of co-operating associations, kindly hosted by Thakeham Antiques of Petworth, on 5 July 2010, the chairs of the Cotswolds, Kensington Church Street, Thames Valley, West of England and Petworth associations were in agreement that althought footfall in the shops is certainly down in numbers, the web site traffic and response to stock brochures sent out by individual dealers was increasingly healthy. Ilona Johnson Gibbs of CADA told the group that the recent Broadway Arts Festival had been a resounding success and brought an increased number of focused clients to the showrooms in the region. John Bird of Petworth welcomed new members Roger Day and Tony Wilkinson who were opening their new showroom in the town that week. John told the group that Petworth dealers were considering joining forces with the Petworth Business Association to add strength to their marketing opportunities. Robin Silverman of Kensington Church Street said how pleased their group had been with their new brochure and web site.

TVADA the Thames Valley Antique Dealers' Association, has announced the postponement of their annual Autumn Antiques and Fine Art Fair at Radley College, usually held on the last weekend of October. The committee found that a number of date clashes with other major fairs meant that a number of their regular exhibitors were committed elsewhere and the resignation of their long term organiser, Jan Hicks, who has decided she needs to concentrate on her own business for a while. TVADA will be seeking a new organiser for 2011 to vill the void left by Jan.

TVADA work very hard to keep their members engaged and the most recent venture was a photographic day designed to encourage members to bring along items of stock to be photographed for the new association web site. The day was hosted by Willie Clegg and Harvey Ferry at The Country Seat where they have a permanent studio set up to photograph their wonderful stock of glass and vernacular furniture. The day was a great success and the studio was in use all afternoon. See The Country Seat web site via TRADE INDEX

TVADA SWAP SHOP The most recent TRADE ONLY Dealer Swap Shop was held courtesy of Willie Clegg and Harvey Ferry at The Country Seat, Huntercombe Manor Barn, near Henley on Thames on TUESDAY 6 JULY 2010. Willie told Antiquesnews & Fairs that the day was very well attended, with super weather and plenty of business was done. The next Trade Only Swap Shop will be organised by the Cotwolds Association of Art and Antique Dealers, CADA, at Stowe Rugby Club on 7 September, 2010 from 9 am. Contact Ilona Johnson Gibbs at The Titian Gallery, for full details. There will be an autumn Trade Only Swap Shop at Core One Antiques, The Gasworks, 2 Michael Road, London SW6 2AN in mid October 2010. A firm date will be announced at the end of July. See Core One Antiques and via TRADE INDEX

NORFOLK'S ANNUAL GRESHAM'S SCHOOL ANTIQUES, COLLECTORS, ART DECO AND 20TH CENTURY FAIR is anticipated to be the busiest yet, when for the first time in eleven years it will be a two-day event. Peter Barrows, chairmman of Nelson Events, organisers of both Greshams, Alexandra Palace and the recent additional fair in Warwickshire, told Antiquesnews and Fairs "For 2010 we made this popular and busy fair a two day event at the request of visitors and exhibitors, the result has been unprecented interest and incrased dealer bookings!" With capacity for 250 tables and over 50 outside dealers (twice that of previous years), the annual fair at Gresham's is one of the biggest in the region, offering a variety of items, ranging from furniture to glassware, ceramics to kitchenalia, silver & gold to sculptures and art to vintage clothing.

Joining the fair this year will be Horners, The Norfolk Auctioneers, who will be managing the ever popular Antique Roadshow complimentary appraisal and valuation service. In previous years, this service has revealed a lot of valuable items that are brought in by visitors eager to obtain more information about their treasured possessions.

Also joining in this years fair is the BBC's "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" production team, who will be filming an episode of the popular show for broadcast later in the year.

The event will be held from Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 July, open to the public between 10am - 5pm on Saturday and 9.30am and 4pm on Sunday. Entrance is £4. Trade buyers can gain early entry on Saturday, from 8.00am, for £6. For more information see Nelson Events web site via TRADE INDEX

FAIR WEATHER After a harsh winter inScotland, a good summer is forecast offering buyers and sellers excellent opportunities for business at the most northerly antiques and collectors fair on the British mainland held monthly at the Newton Hotel, Nairn near Inverness. Around 40 regular exhibitors extend a particularly warm welcome to collectors and dealers on holiday in the Highlands. The summer fairs are on Sundays 20 June, 18 July, 15 August and 19 September, thereafter on the third Sunday of each month 2010. Further details from Auld Brig Antiques Fairs, 0131 556 6728.

BRENTWOOD EVENTS COMPANY NEW NAME Organisers of the long established Brentwood Centre Antiques and Collectors' Fair are changing the company name from BCAF to GNB Fairs after thirteen years. GNB Fairs will now run two fairs a year at the Brentwood Centre in Essex as well as the recently added Harlow Leisure Centre, a brand new multi million pound venue which is due to open to the public during June.

Gary Sheridan from GNB told Antiquesnews & Fairs "We are looking to expand further and it makes sense to change the name so that we can have an all encompassing website at GNB Fairs www.gnbfairs.com."

Following the August Bank Holiday Fair (run by Aztec Events) the next GNB fair at the Brentwood Centre will take place on Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st November followed a week later by a one day fair on Sunday 28th November at the Harlow Leisure Centre.

Gary continued: "There hasn't been a fair in Harlow for some years. But now with this brand new state of the art venue it is time to put that area back on the map again," added Gary." We are also actively searching for other venues and if anybody knows of a venue that might be suitable please get in touch."

Stallholders who book Brentwood and Harlow will receive a discount of £10 off a single or £20 off a double with the discount being applied to their Harlow booking.
Booking have already started flowing in and stallholders are encouraged to ring FREE on 0800 567 7677 or email Email GNB Fairs to make sure they don't miss out.

GNB and Aztec will continue to share the Brentwood venue (which is located close to both the M25 and the A12) as they have done for several years.

THE LATEST EDITION OF THE ANTIQUE TRADE CALENDAR October - December 2009 edition is available from GP London, 32 Fredericks Place, North Finchley, London N12 8QE listing every antique related event in Great Britain and The Channel Islands. Cover price £1.50 but free to all event organisers.

NEXT GENERATION OF TRADE IN BIDEFORD Jonathan Biggs of J Collins and Son is the fourth generation of his family in the trade having taken over the furniture side of the
business from his parents, John and Pamela. The business was founded by his great grandfather in Harrow, Middlesex in 1912 and his grandfather later established the business in Bideford, North Devon.

Jonathan has just released the latest full colour acquisitions brochure which is available on request free of charge via 01237-473529. WEADA and LAPADA member, J Collins, can be seen at the next LAPADA Art and Antiques Fair in Berkeley Square, London W1 from 22-26 September, 2010.

RECORD SALES AT SHEPTON MALLET The recent Antique and Collectors' Fair organised by IACF Ltd at the West of England Showground at Shepton Mallet saw record sales for stallholders from 7-9 May 2010. Bumper crowds came through the gates, a sign that the earlier opening time on Friday and newly introduced year round outside stalls have been successful additions. Some stallholders seeing a welcome boost in trading made apologies for leaving early, having sold completely out of stock.

Robin Unsworth, who specialises in antique luggage and who regularly stands at Shepton Mallet, reported "I had lots of comments from buyers coming in about how excellent the stall looked (with the new stand fit) and we had a good Friday and Sunday at Shepton."

This boost appears to be continuing with enormous interest in IACF's new format One Day Monday fairs at Swinderby and Newbury which start this month. For details on all events, see IACF web site via TRADE INDEX

TALBOT HOUSE ANTIQUE CENTRE are looking for experienced dealers to join them at their prime location in Dorking, Surrey. They offer easy terms with both floor space and cabinets available. Dealers in antique furniture, Oriental, Arts and Crafts are invited. Fully manned 7 days. For more information see Talbot House Antique Centre web site via TRADE INDEX Also see Features - Antiques Centres

CHANGE OF DATE FOR NOVEMBER ALLY PALLY Following another successful Antiques, Art Deco, 20th Century & Collectors Fair at Alexandra Palace on Sunday 25th April, Peter Barrows, Chairman of Nelson Events Ltd, the organising company, has announced that the November fair, originally planned for the 28th, has been brought forward by two weeks to Sunday 14th.

He stated "At the request of the Alexandra Palace management, to avoid access, unloading and break down issues in relation to other site activities, we have agreed to bring the date forward." He continued "We appreciate that this will be inconvenient to some of our loyal dealers, however, we have not taken this decision lightly. One of our top priorities is to ensure that the dealer experience is as smooth and rewarding as possible. This would not have been achievable if we stayed with the 28th".

Despite clashing with the London Marathon and having reduced numbers of international visitors, due to the recent flight issues, more dealers than normal reported a good fair and rebookings for the next event, on September 19th, were up by 20%. For full details see Nelson Events web site via TRADE INDEX

ACTIVITY IN ESSEX - Debden Antiques and Interiors is home to around sixteen dealers who trade from this charming centre in the small medieval town of Saffron Walden which not only boasts a cafe but from Saturday 3 April will also play home to a proper farmers' market on site.

Enterprising owner Robert Tetlow has been working hard over the winter to prepare the grounds for the influx of visitors and has also installed a marquee for special events including antique fairs. Key exhibitors at Debden, Doe and Hope, have recently launched their new web site, Doe and Hope the background design used is a Voysey fabric pattern, for which they had to endure a lengthy wait to acquire consent to use as it is copyright. James of Doe and Hope told Antiquesnews that he and his two partners David and Jade, spent the dark days of winter working hard on the new site and have been delighted with the response. Dealing in what they describe as the "bizarre and the beautiful", they also hire props for film, theatre and photo shoots.

Images: a papier mache and cork bottle stopper of Winston Churchill from Doe and Hope and a view of the Barn at Debden Antiques and Interiors. See Debden Antiques & Interiors via TRADE INDEX

LAPADA has kindly provided some vital information for readers of Antiquesnews which has been prepared for their members, covering the many - and sometimes unknown, rules and regulations relating to trading on the internet - the legal pitfalls and how to avoid them...

Most antique dealers make use of the internet as part of their day to day business. This can take a variety of forms ranging from e-mail to setting up a website, both as a marketing tool and to allow customers to buy stock. Although a website is not essential to trading on the internet many businesses find them to be a useful trading tool.

If you intend to go beyond simply using the internet as an advertising medium and wish to sell goods over the internet then you will have to comply with the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000. You may also have to comply with the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002.

The Distance Selling Regulations cover most sales which are not made face to face. However they do not apply to business to business contracts. Neither do they apply if you don’t sell over the internet as a regular part of your business but only occasionally. But they do apply if you allow customers to buy goods from your website or by an exchange of e-mails on a regular basis, provided that the customer doesn’t come into your shop before placing the order. Either way you must make sure the customer has a list of basic information including your contact details (including postal address if you require advance payment), a description of what you are selling, notice of the customer’s right to cancel. In addition certain information must be made available to the customer in durable form, this includes your terms and conditions of trading. You can supply this information by letter, fax or email: but it is not enough to have the information on your website because it could be edited later. Once the customer has bought the goods then you must deliver them within 30 days.

In many ways a customer’s most important right is the right to return the goods for a refund. Normally they have 7 days to do this from when the goods are delivered as long as you have informed them of their right. If you don’t do so then the 7 days doesn’t start to run until the customer receives notice of his right to cancel, the maximum time the right to cancel lasts is 3 months and 7 days. You can make the customer pay the cost of returning the goods but only if you include this in your terms and conditions. There are a few exceptions to the right to cancel but these are unlikely to apply to antiques.

The distance selling rules apply to most contracts that are not made face to face. So they apply to mail order or telephone sales as well as sales over the internet.

The Electronic Commerce Regulations overlap with the Distance Selling Regulations. The rules mean that you have to advise your customers of the technical steps they have to follow when they buy through your website and how to correct input errors. You are also required to provide a prompt acknowledgement of receipt of the customer’s order. Also if you promote your business by electronic means then you must make sure that the customer is aware of the identity of your business and that the message is being sent by a commercial organisation. If you charge for services that you provide over the internet then there are further rules you must comply with, although these largely duplicate the Distance Selling rules.

If you require detailed guidance on any of these issues please contact the Legal Helpline on 01455 251500. You will need the LAPADA Scheme code number and if you have mislaid your Commercial Law Care card, please telephone the LAPADA office for the number.

There is also guidance available from the Office of Fair Trading website www.oft.gov.uk.


There may be trouble ahead …
If you don’t comply with Paragraphs 3 and 4 of our Code of Practice that come under the heading Descriptions and Attributions. You are required to give your customer ‘as much clear and accurate information as is reasonably practicable … and this shall normally include (among other things): Any major restoration or later additions.’ The Code also requires that description details are written on a proper invoice – and that includes any major restoration that you have pointed out. These requirements are as much for your protection as your customer’s. We find that the majority of disputes that we handle under our Conciliation Service relate to a customer finding out, sometimes years after a purchase, that the item he has bought has undergone restoration. If he was not told at the time, and the dealer cannot prove otherwise from the invoice, then trouble ensues. Obey the Code and prevent the trouble!

Recent exhibitors at Bath Decorative Antiques Fair, Martin Dearden of Pennard House Antiques and Jonathan Swire of Jonathan Swire Antiques have both recently moved to new locations. Martin Dearden has added Salisbury Antiques Centre to his group of satellite showrooms which include Lorfords of Tetbury and the Blanchard Collective of Marlborough. Jonathan has also moved into the Blanchard Collective which offers buyers in the South easy access to visit him. Northern visitors can find Jonathan at his showroom in Lancashire.

NICK MELLORS WRITES FROM NEWARK ANTIQUES WAREHOUSE "It was with some sadness that we said goodbye to Pamela Lawton on Tuesday evening as she retired from the warehouse after more than 10 years with us. Pam came from Portland Street Antiques Centre when it closed and helped with the setting up of the smalls and collectables department on the first floor. She has looked after a very loyal set of tenants and customers over the years with professionalism, courtesy and kindness and has maintained the core values of the department during this period. The quality of tenant and their stock has always been uppermost in our minds and Pam leaves the warehouse with a fantastic group of dealers who are constantly replenishing their cabinets with interesting, collectable items. THANKYOU PAM FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT.

Replacing her will be Simon Drury who has previous experience at a Lincolnshire saleroom. Please feel free to contact Simon if you would like to introduce yourself or would like assistance with finding anything in particular. Simon has been working with us for three weeks in tandem with Pam and is 'learning the ropes'. I am sure he will be another valuable member of the team.

A new face with some new ideas he has already started photographing a variety of items from the cabinets which you will now find on the website. Please look on the home page under the Collectables categories and ring or email us if you require any further information. Simon will be trying to put around fifty items per week onto the site so there should be a lot more of interest for buyers to view.
Jan and Luke continue to look after the furniture side of things and are regularly putting new stock onto the website. Please do keep looking.

The Lincoln and Newark fairs are just around the corner and the tenants are filling up with fresh stock. The fairs fall around Easter this year which has its own problems for us, the most awkward decision for us has been that due to Sunday trading laws and the size of the warehouse we are not legally able to open on the Easter Sunday. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but hope that the extending opening hours (click on the link on the home page) will make up for the Sunday.

There is some fantastic, unusual and fine quality stock in at the moment. Please visit or call and speak to any of the staff if you are looking for something special."

The West of England Antique Dealers' Association WEADA has just published its latest Guide which lists all sixty members across the WEADA region which includes six counties plus the Vale of Glamorgan. Fifteen new members joined WEADA for 2010/11 - Carradale Antiques, Devon, The Living Room, Dorset, Gloucester Antiques Centre and Blighty, Gloucestershire, Chloe Antiques, Hampshire, Keith Richards Antiques, Gray Modern and Contemporary Art, No 21, Loran & Co, Kembery Antique Clocks, Joseph Leonard, in Somerset, Paul Drewett, George and King, Baker and Gray and Artemis Gallery, in Wiltshire.

The WEADA web site hosts a mini web site for all members with items for sale direct from each member.

WEADA welcome applications for interim membership which includes entry on the web site only until the next Guide is published. Contact the Secretary via the web site for a free copy of the Guide and membership information.

BBC Two television are seeking contestants for a new Prime Time show called Antiques Master The producers are looking for knowledgable amateurs rather than trade professionals and say that the show will be similar to Mastermind in concept. They ask: "Are you an amateur antiques afficionado? Can you distinguish your lalique from your venini? Is your knowledge of antiques priceless?"

If you’re an amateur antiques expert aged 18 or over and have the experience, insight and expertise to take part then please request an application form before Friday April 16 by contacting the BBC on 0161 244 4160 or Email Antiques Master
.

24 March 2010: This Easter the Antiques & Collectors Fair at the Brentwood Centre is celebrating it's 17th year of being staged at the Doddinghurst Road venue in Brentwood, Essex.

As a bonus to visitors to this website, organisers BCAF are offering 2 for 1 admission for readers of Antiquesnews. All you have to do is mention you saw the fair on this site.

The fair attracts dealers from all over the UK to the venue to stand either in the venue's International Hall or in the numerous outside pitches. It's close proximity to both the A12 and the M25 helps to draw an audience from far and wide.
"Easy access to the venue helps bring in the buyers and as they tend to be serious collectors it is good for the exhibitors too." says Gary Sheridan of organisers BCAF.

If the weather is fine the venue can attract quite a large number of outside pitches which adds to the flavour of the fair.

The fair will be open 11am-5pm on Sunday 4th April & 10am-4pm on Monday 5th April. The venue is close to Junction 28 of the M25 via the A1023. (postcode for Satnav CM15 9NN). Admission is £3.50 per person. Updates are available on Twitter or see Brentwood Fair via TRADE INDEX

01 March 2010: CECIL COURT CLOSURE One of London's longest standing esoteric bookshops has gone into administration. Watkins, who specialised in books on witchcraft, astrology and black magic, based in the historic Cecil Court off Charing Cross Road, closed on Tuesday 23 February 2010, after trading continuously since 1897. Falling sales and a loss of trading during the bad weather this year contributed to closure but a £500,000 tax bill inherited from the previous ownership was sited as the main reason. The current owners had contested the bill for two years finally giving up last week. Eleven members of staff were made redundant. Secretary of Cecil Court Association, Tim Bryers said "We are shell shocked, Watkins captured the very essence of Cecil Court."
Source: London Evening Standard.

NELSON EVENTS SAY RESPONSE TO NEW EVENT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING. The seasoned Norfolk based organisers are delighted to announce that the first of the four new events for 2010 at a new venue, the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre near Leamington Spa is now completely sold out with over 200 stands inside and out. Their established Antiques, Collectors' 20th Century and Art Deco Fair at Gresham's in Norfolk will expand to a two-day event and will take place from 10-11 July 2010. The new fairs in Warwickshire will be called Warwickshire Antiques, Collectables, 20th Century and Art Deco Fairs with dates on 7th March, 6th June, 26th September and 7th November. Peter Barrows, Director, comments "We have been looking at adding a new location to our fair portfolio for a while and, after talking to dealers, we saw that there was an obvious gap for a quality event in the West Midlands" He added "Looking at venues in the region, the WEC met our requirements perfectly, for both location and facilities." To ensure a successful introduction, Nelson Events will be offering a launch discount to dealers, as well as several visitor offers and promotions. For full information see Nelson Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

IACF Announce Extra Stands at Shepton Mallet from March 2010 there will be 35 new outside pitches at all the fairs throughout the year. These can be found placed between the Mendip Halls and Edmund Rack the perfect area! September's fair will continue to run as normal with casual and outside pitches.

Shepton Mallet will also be opening earlier on the Friday trade day, from 12 midday, giving stallholders and buyers an extra hour of business.

The next fair will be held on the 19th - 21st March, 2010 when the purchase of Friday's ticket at £10 will allow entry on Saturday and Sunday also. Entry on Saturday and Sunday is £5. Stallholders with any queries or who would like to book one of the outside pitches please contact Will Thomas on 01792 365906
For full details of all IACF events and downloadable booking forms, see IACF web site via TRADE INDEX

IN THE RUNNING? Cineflix, a television company based in London are looking for antiques runners to take part in a UK version of an American show called American Pickers which appeared on the History Channel, which was a documentary series following the work of two antiques pickers (runners), Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, who travel around America looking for antiques and memorabilia to sell on to the trade. If you are interested you can view a trailer of the series on You Tube Contact Vicki Lesley at Email Vicki Lesley at Cineflix

One of the eleven showrooms at the Core One collective at the Gasworks in Fulham, belongs to Roderic Haugh Antiques. Roderic is a founder member of this elite band who comprise one of the most enticing and exciting gatherings of serious dealers under one roof at their outpost at the far end of the King's Road.

Roderic has been a decorative dealer since the early sixties and has enjoyed a colourful career in the trade, starting out selling to the Fulham Road dealers then taking three years out to aquire an art history degree at Cambridge, and returning to the trade to exhibit at Olympia and Battersea and eventually becoming a BADA member in the 1990's with a shop on the King's Road.

Roderic is also long term member of the club at the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair now in its 21st year and he always looks forward to his visit to the Georgian city each year, partly as a renunion of old mates who meet each year to display some of the best in decorative antiques and 20th century design outside the capital. Bath has maintained a core group of the same exhibitors since it began in 1989 and Roderic is certainly one of the inner circle!

This year Roderic has some gems tucked away for the fair which runs from 4-6 March 2010 at the Pavilion in Bath. He will be bringing a very decorative conservatory table with a painted metal pedestal base and a shardware tiled top which dates c 1920, (image shows a section of the top) together with some grand country house pieces, some interesting very large scale Oriental paintings and an Irish Arts and Crafts hand knotted carpet.

Roderic is known for his marine antiques and he will be bringing a fine cased model of the SS Paris, which was made in 1900 to promote the maiden voyage of the steampship from Liverpool to New York.

Roderic has plans to return to The Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair later this year and he will be the next subject for Day with a Dealer where some of his amusing exploits during forty years in the trade will be covered in more detail! See Roderic Haugh Antiques via TRADE INDEX

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MARION DELEHAR has written to Antiquesnews about the plight of the Portobello dealers:

My family has had an antique shop in Portobello Road for 50 years. The local community choose to live in a unique area. They love the markets; including the antiques market. We see 60,000 visitors every Saturday. The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea claims to champion small, local retailing and Portobello market. In May 2007 the Mayor published a widely publicised "Report of the Commission on Retail Conservation:" detailing the Council's desire to protect Portobello's unique character; including the antiques arcades. The Report was very well received. Dealers were delighted; the Council would protect us from developers.

However, RBKC gave planning permission for the redevelopment of the most prominent site in Portobello, with virtually no public consultation. The architecture breaks regulations. The Council could have rejected the plan on the grounds of over-development. If the developers had appealed; RBKC would still have done its duty to the public.

The developers gave dealers a series of letters assuring them that when the ground floor work was complete, they could return. In Feb 2009 basement dealers were told they also had to leave temporarily "The long term plan is to create a better quality arcade with suitable units that allow traders to trade 7 days a week." All this proved untrue. Dealers were offered temporary space in another arcade; they have since been evicted. Many of our best dealers remain homeless. Where are they to go?

The entire building is now a single huge & very grey, branch of the international fashion retailer All Saints. It opened without planning permission for its shopfront. Camden Council recently enforced against All Saints for doing the same thing. RBKC is considering the matter.

This development has ripped the heart out of the antiques market. Dealers, residents & visitors are incandescent with rage. In six hours last Saturday 1,800 people signed a petition; which is also available online at Portobello Petition The most serious concern is that the developers own most of the antiques arcades. It is widely believed that they intend turning them all into clone retailers; aided and abetted by the Council. Three million people a year visit Portobello for antiques, bookshops & market stalls; not All Saints. They already have a branch in Westfield, where they belong. RBKC neither understands nor values the contribution that the whole of Portobello makes London's culture. Portobello is an internationally acclaimed treasure; but is being sold out to the dead hand of mammon. It is a tragedy.
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FIRST HE TAKES CHELSEA, THEN MARYLEBONE... Organiser of Little Chelsea Antiques Fair, Daniel Cotton is pleased confirm that by popular demand from 2010, there will be three fairs each year, adding a June fair to the current March and October events. The next Little Chelsea Antiques Fair will be held Monday 8 - Tuesday 9 March 2010. Daniel told Antiquesnews: "I believe that one of the main reasons for the huge success and popularity of Little Chelsea is the fact that are such there a very wide range of items on sale ... with a wide range of prices from modestly low to quite substantial - which makes the fair both more interesting and accessible, indeed there is genuinely something for everyone. I will also continue to make sure that the fair retains this balance / mix so that the fair does not become too much of a silver fair or a ceramics fair or furniture fair. This mix is one of the attractions and strengths of Little Chelsea."

Following the launch last year of the new Marylebone Antiques Fair, Daniel continued: "I am very pleased with the response to our new Sunday antiques fair in Central London, a Sunday fair held at a superb venue, The Hellenic Centre, which is located in the heart of busy Marylebone, just yards from Marylebone High Street. Marylebone on a Sunday is one of the busiest residential areas in Central London with it's bustling Sunday Organic Farmer's Market and it's many restaurants and cafes. The next date will be Sunday 31 January, and there will be monthly fairs throughout 2010 (there will not be a fair in December due to non-availabilty of the venue). The fair will be well advertised to ensure that it evolves into one of the few remaining important monthly Sunday fairs in Central London. To keep up with the dates, there is a new web site for Little Chelsea and Marylebone Antiques Fairs. Daniel does not intend to rest between his Sunday Fairs and will be exhibiting at the Royal Horticultural Halls Sunday Antiques Fair on 7 February as well! For information about booking at any of the Cotton Fairs, please call Deborah or Daniel on 0207 258 1159 or see Little Chelsea and Marylebone web sites via TRADE INDEX

Following her first inaugural exhbition last year of Welsh Flannel geometric patchwork quilts, which helped these quilts become universally recognised, Jen Jones has announced the next exhibition - Unsung Heritage: The Quilts of Wales which will open on 6 March 2010

Jen says: "Our new exhibition we hope will be a further revelation in terms of the enormous spectrum within the Welsh quilting tradition. We will feature the fiery reds including red paisleys and paisley shawl quilts. Alongside these will hang the contrasting and diverse cotton patchworks and wholecloths that represent a major portion of the output during the 19th and early 20th century.

SUSSEX BASED ARUN FAIRS owned by Stephanie Clarke have suffered a set back with their plans for their new Ascot Racecourse event which which was planned for May Bank Holiday, 31 May 2010. Stephanie told Antiquesnews that she is hoping to find an alternative high profile venue to add to the Arun calendar but regrets that the Ascot date is cancelled. Other Arun events are not affected. For more information see Arun Fairs via TRADE INDEX

JILL PALMER one of the original and best of the South Coast decorative dealers has now closed the downstairs section of her famous shop in The Lanes in Brighton but has retained an extensive showroom upstairs where she meets clients by appointment. Jill is a regular exhibitor at Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair. In March 2010 Jill will be exhibiting at the other premier decorative fair in the UK, Bath Decorative Antiques Fair from 4-6 March at the Pavilion in Bath. Bath is almost full, some five months before it opens, and organiser Robin Coleman is looking forward to welcoming Jill who will share a stand with well known decorative dealers Denny Leroy and Arthur Smith from Ark Angel in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. For full details of dates and exhibitors see The Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair and Bath Decorative and Antiques Fair web sites via TRADE INDEX

Regeneration in Somerset! Number 21 Antiques which opened recently in the historic market town of Shepton Mallet is encouraging something of renaissance in the town with another antiques and collectors business by the name of Nostalgia opening following the success of the stylish boutique at Number 21 Town Street, which specialises in architectural reclamation, lighting, painted furniture and decorative accessories for the home and garden. Owner Belinda Ollis writes one of the better blogs about antiques on the web - well researched and full of so many useful addresses not only antiques and decoration sources but useful information sites and travel tips for antique dealers in France with a great link for dog friendly hotels! No21 Antiques

CHLOE CYPHUS, owner of Chloe Antiques and Interiors in Romsey, Hampshire, has been very busy recently relocating her shop from Warminster, Wiltshire, launching her new web site and organising the second Avington Brocante on 18 May 2010 where the twenty exhibitors dealing in a variety of decorative antiques and accessories for the home and garden were delighted to see so many visitors keen to buy. Chloe will be exhibiting at the Bath Decorative and Antiques Fair 4-6 March 2010. See Chloe's web site via TRADE INDEX

NEW SHOP FOR BATH Owners of OLD BANK ANTIQUES CENTRE in Bath, Alex Schlesinger and David Moore recently advertised one of their retail premises for rent and were delighted when within hours of putting up the sign, two potential clients appeared on the scene. The lucky new residents are two local antique restorers/dealers, both of whom had formerly been part of the main Old Bank Antiques Centre further along the busy London Road in Bath. The working title for the new shop is Hirst and Jackson and owners Owen Hirst and Simon Jackson will not only trade in traditional antique furniture but will make and sell bespoke reformed tradtional antique furniture with a modern quirky interpretation using their skills as restorers. Meanwhile, back at Old Bank Antiques, which currently plays host to more than fifteen dealers from across the region. the busy centre, much used by decorators, especially for hotels across the UK, now has one or two vacancies due to retirement of long term exhibitors. For more information on what is available, call David at the centre on 01225 469282 or see Old Bank Antiques Centre via TRADE INDEX

UK FAIRS CALENDAR 18th ANNIVERSARY The latest issue Antique Trade Calendar marks the start of the quarterly magazine's 18th year of publication with a bumper edition listing and news of events throughout the UK. Publisher Stephen Browning offers a comprehensive guide to grassroots to quality antiques and collectors' fairs and antiques centres. Easy on the pocket in both size and price (£1.50 at fairs) or annual subscription by mail this magazine first appeared in 1992. Further information telephone 0208 446 3604. See Trade Index for more information.

FINDING TIME in her busy schedule planning seven fairs for next year, Ingrid Nilson of Antique Dealers' Fairs has managed to oversee the launch of a stylish new web site which gives full information of the exciting events planned throughout 2010. The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited was set up in 2003 by the Kent based dealer and the company has expanded from organising one single annual event to staging seven small but exclusive fairs in 2010. The concept of Luxury Antiques Weekends staged at four-star hotels and featuring around two dozen BADA and LAPADA members from a wide range of disciplines has proven very popular with both dealers and visitors, and these events of distinction are becoming important fixtures on the quality fairs circuit. See Antique Dealer Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

BATTERSEA DATES Exhibitors at the recent Decorative Antiques and Textile Fair in the Marquee in Battersea Park, London, have been speculating about a possible move to June for the spring event next year due to a possible date clash with Easter, but the organisers of this premier London event have confirmed the dates for 2010 remain:
Winter Fair - 19-24 January
Spring Fair - 20-25 April
Autumn Fair - 28 September-3 October
For more information see The Decorative Fair web site via Trade Index

BATH DECORATIVE AND ANTIQUES FAIR organised by Robin Coleman has new contact information as follows:
WEST VIEW, 5 CHURCH HILL, BROMHAM, WILTSHIRE SN15 2JQ. Tel +44(0)1225 333130 or +44(0)7915 606118 or +44(0)7710 107464. Robin looks forward to seeing friends old and new at the next Bath Fair to be held at the Pavilion, Bath BA2 4EU from Thursday 4 - Saturday 6 March, 2010. See Bath Decorative and Antiques Fair via TRADE INDEX

Villa Magdala Hotel, located just off Pulteney Bridge in the Georgian City of Bath, offers discounted rates to antique dealers visiting the city. Villa Magdala Hotel is a loyal supporter of the Bath Decorative and Antiques Fair in March each year and visitors and exhibitors fill up the elegant rooms and the spacious car park while staying over for the Fair. See Trade Index for the Villa Magdala Hotel web site for more information on rates and facilities.

HAVARD AND HAVARD, dealers in period Welsh furniture and country furniture from the 18th and 19th century, have expanded their repertoire to include locally forged contemporary garden furniture with other decorative pieces, displayed in their charming walled garden behind the shop in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan. After a great deal of hard work Philip and Christine are delighted to welcome you to their "shiny new web site" Havard and Havard which is now live and can be seen via TRADE INDEX.

DUNKERQUE ANTIQUES FAIR will hold their 5th fair in 2009 from 5-6 December at the Palais des Congrès featuring local antique dealers as well as Belgian and English. The Kursaal, a modern exhibition hall is situated by the sea in Dunkerque - the third largest French harbour between France and Belgium and the town is a crossroads between France, Belgium and England. Spaces are still available for exhibitors, for more information see Nord' Antic web site via TRADE INDEX

FROM BATH TO TETBURY - Well known West of England dealer and fair organiser Robin Coleman has announced that he is moving the main part of his business from Piccadilly Antiques in Bath to Tetbury, Gloucestershire, from the first week of January 2009. Robin will retain a small space in Bath and will be taking a much larger space at the well known Ark Angel in Long Street owned by Denny Leroy and Arthur Smith. For more information call Robin on 077710 107464. Robin will keep a presence at Old Bank Antiques in Bath, (see their web site via Trade Index) and continues to organise the famous Bath Decorative and Antiques Fair which will place from 5 - 7 March 2009. For more information see the Bath Decorative and Antiques Fair web site via Trade Index.

ARTEMIS GALLERY in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, occupies what was the showroom of Avon Antiques, BADA member and one of the top dealers in the country. Owner of Artemis, Philip Brandenburg, was the manager of Avon Antiques for owner Andrew Jenkins, now partly retired from the business. Philip has waved a new wand over the premises and deals in a range of 18th and 19th century mainly decorative but some formal pieces together with decorative items at realistic price which he sells to the retail market as well as the trade. He shares some of his space with a well known Wiltshire dealer Paul Tanswell, who owned Obelisk Antiques in Warminster for many years. Paul attempted to leave the trade but was lured back when his friend Philip took on this prime location premises in the charming riverside town of Bradford on Avon which is home to a number of other well known dealers. There is currently space for another dealer at the showroom, and interested dealers should contact Philip on 01225 863087 to discuss. Philip will be joining The West of England Antique Dealers' Association for 2010 and plans to exhibit at the Bath Decorative and Antiques Fair 2010

GRIERSON GOWER of Relic, Bath, and formerly Brilscote Farm, Malmesbury Wiltshire, has moved from his shop in Bath and will be trading by appointment from his home in Wellow, Somerset. For more information call 01225 833049 or email bathrelic@googlemail.com

A very warm welcome and a touch of affordable luxury is assured for visitors to the nearby NEWARK ANTIQUES WAREHOUSE and the NEWARK ANTIQUES FAIR at LANGAR HALL HOTEL where all rooms are equipped with Wireless internet connection and a desk for working. The hotel is ideally situated a few miles from Newark, Nottinghamshire in the centre of England. This delightful hotel offers all the comforts of a modern hotel with the charm of an exquisite country house which was built on the site of a great 18th century hall, the home of Admiral Lord Howe whose naval victory in 1794 known as The Glorious First of June is celebrated at Langar every year. The great building was demolished by fire and the existing much smaller house, built in 1827, enjoys a secluded position by a 12th century church. There is an award winning restaurant with an interesting and sympathetically priced wine list. For more information see Langar Hall web site via Trade Index.

BACK SEAT FOR NELSON EVENTS FOUNDER PETER BARROWS
Alexandra Palace Fair organiser, Peter Barrows, founding director of Nelson Events/Nelson Fairs, has announced that he is taking a step back from the day to day operations of the business, to take on more of a strategic role. "Since starting the business 10 years ago, it has grown from one regional show to nine, including one of the biggest in the country, Alexandra Palace, as well as moving into other business sectors". Stepping up to more prominent roles are Peter's son, Blair and Paul Kelly. Blair, 28, has been involved in the business since it started but became a full time member of the team in the summer of 2000 and he will be focused on the operational and logistical side of the business. Paul Kelly, 42, joined the business at the begining of 2008, initial to assist in the management of Alexandra Palace, but now with a sales a marketing remit.
Commenting on his succesors, Peter states "Both Blair and Paul are in the great position of being able to develop the business to the next logical step. As well as looking at new locations/venues for our antiques fair portfolio, they will also be extending the business further into our developing areas." Blair Barrows said "This change in Peters position in no way means he will disappear! Indeed, his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm are the greatest asset this business has and we will make sure it is utilised - Peter will be seen at the majority of our planned events, come rain or shine! " The next will be held on Sunday 20 September, 2009. For more information see NELSON FAIRS web site via TRADE INDEX

WILLIE CLEGG OF THE COUNTRY SEAT has been having some holiday musings on the green qualities of glass...

"Whilst on holiday, I read Adams, Isle of Wight published in the 1840’s, and to my astonishment found that the sand from a cove near Freshwater was the most prized in the land for glass making, and shipped regularly to the top London glasshouses due to its outstanding quality; I will now have the excitement of proving it was used by Whitefriars through one of Harry Powell's diaries (where, incidentally,
I found reference to an opus sectile (glass mosaic) of St George and the dragon, which he had designed as a memorial for my great uncle, killed like so many in the great war)!!. He was also a ground breaking glass chemist... Nothing in industry is as green as glassmaking or for that matter as ancient! Whitefriars were true to ancient methods of production with a four man chair creating each object and a workforce of three hundred and fifty making glass as had been done for millennia. Harry Powell was unusual in that he with William Morris and Philip Webb went back to ancient designs and turned their backs on the tasteless heavy cut obscenities that were the norm at the end of the 19th century.

Harry Powell won a Gold medal at the 1925 Paris Exhibition for a glass service, which he had designed in the previous century! It was praised for its modern design!! He had died in 1923.
See The Country Seat web site via TRADE INDEX

FRANK DUX of ANTIQUE GLASS OF BATH contacted us to relate a strange dream he had... he said "Considering the current efforts being made to help our trade – National Antiques Week, the Antiques are Green campaign & the petition for government help to be delivered to the Chancellor of the Exchequer – your readers might be amused or, perhaps, troubled by the dream I had last night -
Dealing in antiques had been made illegal. Reason? It induced people to buy antique items rather than recently manufactured ones, thus putting other people out of productive work & impeding economic recovery. Not real. Just a dream. But you never know...”

EMAIL HOAXES can cause irritation at least and worry and loss of data at worst. A current email hoax travelling around the internet begins "if a person called Simon Ashton contacts you...." and continues to warn against opening the email as doing so will wipe out your hard drive. This is a hoax and designed to encourage spamming with multiple emails from your address book. There is a very useful web site, one of many, that lists actual and gives information on hoaxes.Hoax Slayer

DAIRY HOUSE ANTIQUES at Semley near Shaftesbury in Dorset have opened a new showroom. The adjacent cheese room has been completely restored and has a full capacity of dealers who have been waiting for space at the popular centre. For enquiries please contact Sue Meager on 01747 853317.

FORMER CLARION EVENTS SHOW DIRECTOR FREYA SIMMS has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing for IFAE and Expoships from 24 August, 2009, and will be working from their headquarters in Naples Florida. Ms Simms said “I am pleased to work with David and Lee Ann to expand IFAE’s and Expoships’ global business while maintaining the very personal nature of their business relationships, which has been so carefully cultivated over the years. It is exciting to have the opportunity to work with visionary people like David and Lee Ann while maintaining contact with Clarion Events in London through IFAE’s new joint- venture. Being based in the United States will also be exciting!”
See Headlines for latest news of LIFAF 2010

NEWARK ANTIQUES WAREHOUSE have announced extended opening hours for the centre during August 2009. See Newark Antiques Warehouse web site via TRADE INDEX

NEW CHAIRMAN AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE BADA. Following the Annual General Meeting which took place on 7 July 2009, some important appointments have been announced by the committee of the British Antique Dealers' Association, BADA. Richard Marchant, of S Marchant & Son, after four years as Chairman of the Council relinquishes his role to picture dealer Ian Walker of the Walker Galleries Ltd. Ian Walker is well placed to take over the post having started trading in 1972, opening his first gallery two years later in Whitby. This was followed in 1977 by his present premises, the Walker Galleries in Harrogate. With his brother, David, and sister-in-law, Louise Walker, he was a director and joint founder of the Harrogate Antique and Fine Art Fair which this year celebrates its thirtieth year. Elected as a BADA member in 1984, he joined the Council in 2006 and has been Treasurer from 2007. He was also a founder exhibitor at the BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair in 1993.

NORFOLK DEALER and founder exhibitor at the Bath Decorative and Antiques Fair Mal Cannell of The Raveningham Antiques Centre and Arts Venue at Castell Farm, Raveningham in Norfolk, is working hard to support the trade and keep the antiques flag flying. Mal deals in country furniture and accessories and is also well known as a specialist in oriental carpets. The Centre is home to a number of dealers and crafts people who rent space in the stable blocks and there is a homely café on site where you can have a good lunch on any day at the Ravenous Cafe where visitors have been known to stay a lot longer than they intended! Three years ago they started their trade markets, held twice a year in the grounds of this wonderful old farm with its 16th century half timbered buildings. Local trade get together to run the events, which are some way between a Swap Shop open to the public and a proper antiques fair, usually with around twenty dealers standing. What makes the events so enjoyable is the evening entertainment when Mal’s daughter Laura, a well known fiddle player on the folk music circuit, together with other visiting musicians, put on a show. Music events are held every other week during the summer and many people camp overnight and Mal says that their attitude at Raveningham has always been to keep overheads low and prices reasonable with the idea that if the customers stay in business so will they!

THE LAMB ARCADE WALLINGFORD has been the target of determined thieves who took a valuable ormalu mantle clock on Tuesday 30 June, 2009. The in store CCTV camera stored images of the two suspects, on male, one female, during the raid, while the shop was open. They apparently waited until both reception staff were occupied with customers the man left carrying the clock hidden under his coat, which he had draped over his shoulder and the woman had the base wrapped in her coat. The woman then came back 25 seconds later and took the dome which she carried by the base wrapped in her coat. The images are available on request from Pat Hayward at the centre. The crime reference number is MF 3373444.09 and the clock is described as a French ormolu mantle clock with white marble panels and dial with brass roman numerals made by Rollin of Paris. Circa 1910 on a wooden base and glass dome.measuring approx 19" x 14" from top of dome to width of base. Roman numeral 6 (VI) was loose and may now be missing. Unfortunately no picture is available of the clock.

LAPADA, The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers has just published its 2009/10 Directory of Members listing the complete LAPADA membership in the UK and abroad, in a convenient pocket-size format listing the Association’s members geographically to help potential customers find a dealer near them or to plan buying trips in different areas of the country. The LAPADA Code of Practice which all members must abide by is printed in the Directory. This Code offers the public the confidence of the knowledge that they are dealing with a professional dealer when buying from or selling to a LAPADA member. Information about LAPADA gift vouchers and Wedding Present Service and LAPADA fairs is also featured. Contact LAPADA for your free copy.

SEASIDE SALE - Local antiques dealer Ron Godfrey is selling a fine Regency villa with sea views towards France across the English Channel at Sandgate near Folkestone in Kent. When he bought the property ten years ago half a caravan was being used as a potting shed at the end of the verandah. Today after much sympathetic renovation and modernisation it is for sale with a £1.75 million price tag. And Ron is moving into an matching marine villa next door. Contact Antiques News for more information

HIDEAWAY HOUSE ANTIQUES - Following the death in September 2008 of Brian Proper, owner of Hideaway House Antiques in Pasadena, Los Angeles, the showroom manager of Hideaway House has confirmed that the business will now close and a liquidation sale of inventory began on 1 May 2009. Brian was very well known to many British antique dealers from his frequent buying trips to the UK over the last twenty years or more. Hugh Chudley, speaking from UK shippers for Hideaway House, Mark Chudley Ltd, said it had been a great pleasure to work with Brian for so many years and they were very sorry to hear that the business, one of the most respected in Los Angeles, would now close.

Millers of Ringwood, Hampshire, was founded in 1897 and for 80 years was based on the Kings Road, Chelsea, in the heart of the antiques and art market. The business relocated to Ringwood in the 1970s to a splendid Queen Anne house where Millers Antiques regularly host selling exhibitions under canvas. Alan Miller, current owner with wife Carol, was one of the first intrepid UK dealers to make regular trips to France in the 1950s. A well known character in the antiques trade, Alan Miller has been featured on the British television travel show Wickers World with Alan Wicker. Millers hold regular Open Weekends and events under canvas - for more information see Millers Antiques via Trade Index.

ALL THE NEWS of the UK's grassroots fairs and leading one-day events appears in The Antique & Collectors Trader, the independent monthly newspaper, that recently celebrated its 10th birthday. For subscriptions and further details telephone 01702 207 400.

ANTIQUES TRADE CALENDAR, the pocket sized listing, published quarterly, includes listings of many additional one-day day fairs that we have not been able to include in our Fairs Calendar. To subscribe to the Antiques Trade Calendar Britain's only publication dedicated entirely to antiques listings contact:
Robert on
Tel +44 (0) 20 8446 3604
Fax +44 (0) 20 8922 8257
or write to publishers
G.P. London
32 Fredericks Place
North Finchley
London N12 8QE
England
Subscription costs:
UK £9 ; Europe £15 *
Elsewhere £20 *
*by air mail.

LONDON SCULPTURE WEEK POSTPONED. A combination of reasons were responsible for the cancellation London Sculpture Week 2009, including lack of sufficient sponsorship in the current climate and a lack of participants which made the event untenable this year. Organisers plan to stage the event again in 2010. For would be visitors who may feel deprived, a new book to be published in June 2009 may provide a consolation "And there was Sculpture": Jacob Ebpstein's Formative Years 1880 - 1930 by Raquel Gilboa marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Jacob Epstein (1880 - 1959) the first avant-garde sculpture in Britain. It is a comprehensive introduction to the young Epstein which describes the personal and intellectual background of his artistic development. Raquel Gilboa has written an unconventional biography combined with a critical discussion of his art. Published by Paul Holberton.

DETECT YOUR ANTIQUES - A useful reference book for anyone starting out the in the trade, Judith Miller's latest book Antiques Detective published by Dorling Kindersley is available in paperback from 4 June 2009. The book aims to guide the reader past the false trails and red herrings and show how to conduct a thorough investigation, interrogation and checking of evidence to reveal a genuine antique from a fake, in short to be an Antiques Detective.

SATELLITE SALES Are you planning a buying trip in the UK? Are you a dealer in America who needs to refresh your inventory by buying from a trusted source in the UK? On line or in person, Gail McLeod can take you to the best trade sources in the UK. Email images of inventory from respected dealers in the UK sent out on a daily basis, new stock as it arrives - a virtual shopping trip each week! Courier services for visiting buyers to the UK is part of the service also. Secret sources hidden away in the English countryside. Contact by telephone or email on +44(0)1225 743647 or satelliteantiques@dsl.pipex.com

NEW PRESIDENT - COMMENTS FROM AN ATLANTA DEALER
Inauguration Day, 20 January 2009, was a momentous occasion for all of us in the US. We watched our 44th President take the oath of office in front of record numbers of spectators. After reading dozens of newspaper and website articles the next day, the following quote is the one that struck me most:
"We need to get back to work on our country and our planet in wholly new ways. The hour is late, the project couldn't be harder, the stakes couldn't be higher, the payoff couldn't be greater."
Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times That seems to sum it up perfectly for me.
After watching the inauguration online at our showroom, my partner, Lloyd, and I decided that we should close the shop and go to a pub to watch the Inaugural parade on big screen TVs. We put a note on the door, and went into Midtown Atlanta to enjoy the camaraderie of our fellow citizens. That evening, we went to a friend's house for appetizers and cocktails. He invited several of his neighbours to join us. It was a lovely evening, and we watched coverage of the Obamas' progression through the various Inaugural Balls being held around Washington. I hope I always remember that day's events. The mood was different. I do not know how else to describe it. I still have a bit of trouble believing it's real...we have waited so long.Obama's presidency is most significant to me, NOT because he is the first black person to serve in that capacity, but because he represents a change of generation, and by default, a change of philosophy. I am hopeful that our national horizons are about to be broadened, and that our goodwill will once again be a respected global commodity. Channing Mercer, Joseph Konrad Antiques, Atlanta GA.
CM

STERLING OPPORTUNITIES Overseas antiques hunters coming to the UK with US dollars to spend have not had a more favourable exchange rate for five years. Coupled with the fall in UK dealers' prices of much antique furniture over that period, now is a most favourable time to plan a bargain hunting trip to Britain. See Satellite Sales information under Antiques Finder in our Trade Index on the right of this page.

DOUBLE A FOR DEVON - two new antique shops have opened in Devon. Appledore Antiques near Bideford, North Devon, is a new partnership between well known Devon dealer Terry Cusack and Tom More. Small country furniture and English pottery are a speciality for both dealers who can be reached on 01237 478455 or 475044. Not far from Appledore, Norman Knape, dealer in unusual decorative items including taxidermy, glass and metalwork, who describes himself as a "non specific dealer" has opened Aardvark Antiques at the Archway, Bedford Square in Tavistock. Norman can be reached on 01822 612773.

FRANK DUX ANTIQUES count themselves very lucky to have weathered the storms that have beset the antiques trade over the last twenty years. Ten years ago, worried about the lack of customer footfall to their delightful Georgian premises high on a hill above the beautiful city of Bath, Margaret Hopkins and the eponymous Frank hit upon the idea of starting a web site specialising in glass. Out went the traditional oak coffers and in came Georgian period glass, and they have not looked back. See Antique Glass web site via Trade Index.

LAPADA, the largest of antique dealer associations with over 600 members, has published the 2008/2009 Directory of Members. The pocket sized book is a compact and well laid out resource for both members and approved associated services. For a free copy of the Directory call +44 (0)207 823 3511.

J COLLINS AND SON'S September 2008 has seen the re-opening of the shop in Bideford, Devon, following extensive refurbishment. Located on Charles Avenue, Kingsley Lane, the shop will continue in the family tradition as Jonathan is the fourth generation of the Biggs family to run the business. His great grandfather founded the first shop in Harrow, Middlesex in 1912 and his grandfather established the Bideford premises in 1953. Jonathan's father took over the business in 1960 and also exhibited latterly until his recent retirement at the Eden bridge Gallery in Kent, Lennox Cato's BADA based collective. Jonathan exhibits at the Winter Fine Art and Antiques Fair at Olympia each year and is a member of the West of England Antique Dealers Association - WEADA. For a complimentary colour furniture catalogue contact Jonathan Biggs on 01237 473529.

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