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

LATEST EDITION FROM RICHARD GARDNER - Finding time between organising his entry for the recent LAPADA / Country Life Object of the Year competition, for which his George III chest on chest was included in the final short list of fourteen, Richard Gardner has just published the summer edition of his glossy catalogue. In his introduction Richard admits "finding high quality stock continues to be difficult and so I do seem to be working harder and harder". The superb range of pieces offered in this latest edition show just how hard the team have been working. The web site has not been neglected and recently more than three hundred items have been added with another two hundred and fifty to be added soon. Image shows an oil on canvas "Springtime" by William Widgery, (1826 - 1983) which appears in the new catalogue. For more information see Richard Gardner Antiques via Trade Index

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.

SUMMER IN WALES - Up to 150 stands at the Royal International Pavilion at Llangollen, with an unlimited number outside have been announced by Amulet Fairs for their two-day event on 22nd and 23rd August 2009. As added attractions, Llangollen Motor Museum will present a display of vintage cars and a Victorian merry-go-round offers rides for children. However, as always, buying and selling will be the main attraction.

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.

RETURNING BY POPULAR DEMAND - Suffolk dealer and former fair organiser David Josef has given in to pressure from trade and public and brought back the monthly County Antiques and Collectibles Fairs at the Kesgrave Community and Sports Centre, Kesgrave near Ipswich, Suffolk after a ten year absence. David told Antiquesnews that he felt the time was right to start again following his business move from a shop to a warehouse which allows him the freedom to run the busy and popular shows. Bookings are brisk for the July event - see Fairs Calendar for details.

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.

TEA AND SCULPTURE AT WOBURN ABBEY - In a unique outdoor exhibition in collaboration with The Sladmore Gallery, some of the world's leading sculpture artists of the last two centuries will have their works displayed within the historic backdrop and gardens of Woburn Abbey, seat of the Duke of Bedford, from 16 May to 31 July, 2009. The Woburn Abbey Sculpture Exhibition comprises works worth over five million pounds from more than twenty artists which will be on display and for sale. Amongst them, Rembrandt Bugatti whose elephant bronze famously adorns the bonnet of the Bugatti Royale motor car and Auguste Rodin, the turn of the century artist whose controversial pieces include The Thinker and The Burghers of Calais. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to visit the Woburn Abbey Antiques Centre and raise a teacup to the wife of the seventh Duke of Bedford, Duchess Anna Maria, who is thought to have started the fashion for afternoon tea in Britain in the mid 19th century. The Duchess is to be honoured with her own blend of tea, infused with lemon and orange oils, by supermarket chain, Tesco.

FULL HOUSE AT BLANCHARDS - Exhibitors at the stylish Blanchards Collective near Marlborough joined forces on Sunday 10 May 2009 to host a buffet lunch party for invited guests. The sun shone all day and a crowd of more than seventy five clients and friends enjoyed a happy time lunching and shopping. Founder of the Collective, Margaret Riorden formerly manager of the original Blanchards, has created a very successful concept by inviting a select band dealing in the best in antiques and design from the 18th to 20th century to exhibit as a collective in a towering industrial building set with steel staircases and stone floors. The success of the formula is evident in the waiting list to join Blanchards and the steady stream of clients both private and trade from the UK and USA.

NADIN AND MACINTOSH, regular exhibitors at Olympia and Battersea are the latest dealers to join the team at Blanchards. Patrick Macintosh whose main business is at The Courtyard, Sherborne, Dorset, is chairman of The West of England Antique Dealers' Association and will also be standing at the WEADA Members' Antiques, Fine Art and Interiors Fair at Minterne House Dorset from 9 - 11 October, 2009. Martin Dearden of Pennard House Antiques, Shepton Mallet, a neighbour in Blanchards, will also be a neighbour at Minterne. See Pennard House web site via Trade Index.

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.

ORGANISER DANIEL COTTON reports the spring Little Chelsea Antiques Fair at the Old Town Hall, Kings Road, Chelsea, London exceeded the large attendance of this long standing event in the 1980s. There were over 400 visitors in the first hour of the first day. Patrick Macintosh of Courtyard Antiques Sherborne reported that the queue on Monday afternoon stretched along the King's Road and the crowd was made up of both trade and public. Prices of stock at this event that retains its "village hall" atmosphere, are from
£10 to £10,000. Brisk business at the event and bookings for the next fair 5-6 October 2009 encouraged Daniel to increase the events from two to three with a new summer show next year. Dates for March, June and October 2010 will be announced shortly. Watch this space! In the meantime, all enquiries, telephone 020 7258 1159.

DARTINGTON ANTIQUES in Devon have gone from strength to strength since they opened in November 2008 and have now launched their new web site Dartington Antiques grew out of the original business Gilboys Restoration Gilboys Restoration which restorer Simon Gilboy started following an apprenticeship with the Dartington Trust in Devon. Illustrious clients included Kuwait University and The Houses of Parliament. Another long term client, a keen antique collector who saw the potential to develop the business, is now a partner in the new Dartington Antiques.

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.

GLOUCESTER ANTIQUES CENTRE has announced a move to a new site within the historic docks complex scheduled for July 2009. Spokesman Mark O'Neill said the location "will be even busier than the current building because of the prominent location next to the new Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet shopping centre." Gloucester Antiques Centre will announce the dates for their next antiques fair later in the summer. Dealers interested in renting space at the new location should contact the Centre on 01452 508262.

CRICKET ST THOMAS WILDLIFE PARK near Chard in Somerset is the location chosen by Paul's Promotions for their first two-day Antique and Collectors' Fair to be held from 8 - 9 August, 2009. Organiser Paul Stewart is planning to hold a Trade Preview on the first day - times to be announced nearer the event. The event will be open to the public from 10 - 4 on both days. There will be an extensive marquee with outside pitches also available and stand sizes start from 6 x 8 feet. Full on site facilities are available including refreshments, parking and camping. For more information and booking forms, Paul Stewart can be contacted on 01278 793191 or 07900 621199 or by email on bootkidd@hotmail.co.uk

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.

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

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.

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.

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

LAPADA and WEADA member, Ottery Antiques in Somerset, this year celebrate 22 years of business with the opening of their new showroom on National Antiques Day, 28 November 2008. Located in lovely rural surroundings in Horsington near Wincanton, where ample parking and an endless supply of coffee and a warm welcome awaits, specialising in 17th and 18th century furniture and decorative items. The showroom is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 5.30 or by appointment. See Ottery Antiques web site via Trade Index

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.

OLD BANK ANTIQUES CENTRE is home to seventeen professional dealers in a vast complex of showrooms over three floors along the London Road in Bath. A hoarder's paradise with an eclectic range of furniture, from 18th century to 20th century retro design, garden antiques and decorative accessories. Recent new traders at Old Bank Antiques are Apollo and The Shambles from Ashburton in Devon. Alex and David will be writing about the Centre in the January features edition of features on Antiquesnews. Trade and private buyers are welcome and the centre is open seven days a week. Free parking behind the building and an on site restorer complete the picture. For more information see Trade Index for Old Bank Antiques Centre web site.

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.

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