Mark Hill Collects

Mark Hill has moved...

2010-04-03T12:40:00.010+01:00

I have a new website! As such, I will no longer be updating this page, but you can continue to read my new blog, and so much more, on my new website - click here to visit it!

Please bear with me though - it's all new to me, and I'm still getting to grips with it. So please excuse any teething problems or glitches - they'll be sorted out soon.

For those of you who like to know such things, my new site was built by KoalaCube using the Archeronne theme for Wordpress.

Exciting New Ceramics & Glass Fair in London

2010-03-19T19:53:00.002Z

I love a good fair, especially those run by Specialist Glass Fairs. The dynamic duo behind the rapidly expanding portfolio are delighted to announce an all-new fair to be held at Dulwich College in South London on Sunday 28th March. To be held in the beautiful and aptly Modernist style Christison Hall from 10.30am until 4pm, the fair sees the addition of ceramics dealers to the usual stable of fabulous glass dealers. Visitors will be able to browse all types of decorative and collectable glass and ceramics from across the centuries; from Powell to Poole, Moorcroft to Murray and faience to Fat Lava.
Specialists in 18th century drinking glasses, stylish and hotly desirable Scandinavian and Italian pieces, antique continental glass such as Gallé and Lalique, and British art glass will exhibit alongside trusted quality ceramics experts and contemporary glass and ceramics makers. Amongst them, these two stunning pieces will be displayed. The first is a rare 1960s Poole Pottery 'Tree of Life' charger by Tony Morris, available from Mark Hitchings, and the second is an Arts and Crafts candelabra in 'Straw Opal' glass by James Powell and Sons, c1890, which will be available from Nigel Benson.
I'll also be there signing a full range of my books and the new edition of the Miller's Collectables Price Guide and Handbook 2010-2011, together with a limited quantity of the book that accompanies my new BBC2 TV series, 'Cracking Antiques'. For more information, check out the fair's website at www.gcse21.com. Make a note in your diary, and I hope to see you there!

They're still out there....

2010-03-19T08:53:00.003Z

....bargains, I mean. Too often do I hear the moan that 'There's no point looking, everything that can be found has been found...' Not true! Last month my glass collector friend Bob discovered this gem in his local charity shop in South London. Designed by Frank Thrower in 1967, and numbered 'FT23', it was part of the first range offered by the now world-famous Dartington Glass. Produced in the company's characteristic early Kingfisher' blue, Flame red, Midnight grey, and colourless glass, it was expensive at the time and did not sell well. Compared to smaller Dartington, few were sold before it was withdrawn in 1970. Examples are rare today, particularly in colours. I think it would cost from £200-300 from a specialist dealer - so the couple of pounds hawk-eyed Bob paid could really pay off!

Are books dead...?

2010-03-17T19:08:00.006Z

I work for a publishing company, and also publish my own books. I'm also a big believer in the internet as a way forward for publishing. Will it replace books, magazines and newspapers, as many say it will? I don't think so, but it'll be an important part of how we work in the future. Publishing doesn't just mean books, but audio, video and web-based content too - publishing will integrate the many forms of media available to us in the future. This short video was produced by DK, a company I used to consult for. I think it's brilliant. If you have two minutes to spare, I'd urge you to check it out. Click here to view it.

To the circus!

2010-03-16T22:12:00.004Z

With a bit of Polish blood flowing through my veins, I've always been fond of decorative arts produced in the former Eastern Block. Amongst my favourite areas are postwar avant garde Czechoslovakian and Polish film and event posters. Over the past two decades, those from the former country have become widely popular and highly desirable meaning the best pieces can cost a pretty penny - or thousands of them! Polish posters can offer better value for money. For example, Wiktor Gorka's iconic 'Kabaret' poster is often considered amongst the best, but originals can still be found for around £500-600.
There are many artists to consider, most of them mouthfuls, from Franciszek Starowieyski to Lucjan Jagodzinski. I'm particularly fond of Waldemar Swierzy, and his name was brought to my mind again recently after I stumbled across this handsome design by him in a country antique shop. The circus (or 'Cyrk' in Polish) was a popular form of entertainment in Poland right up to the fall of the Iron Curtain, and numerous artists produced posters to market the event from 1962 onwards.
Styles and inspirations were diverse, and there's something here for everyone within this smorgasbord of avant garde design. An award-winning designer, Swierzy produced a large number of different designs across his career. I think his star is still to rise, but the market is still young and defining itself. The poster I saw is considered by some to be very rare and was priced at just under £200 (attractively framed), but examples have sold for over double that, undoubtedly due to its appealing and decorative nature that has a strong whiff of the Art Nouveau about it. Flicking through a Christie's catalogue today and seeing an Edward McKnight Kauffer newspaper poster valued at £20,000-30,000 made me feel that the mileage still to go with these posters is rather extensive. It's long term rather than short term. But if you like the look and sound of this area, you can read more here and here.

Dexter Loves Mdina

2010-03-16T22:02:00.003Z

Regular readers of my blog will know I'm rather fond of spotting retro and antique pieces in TV series and films. After watching Tom Ford's beautiful, visually stunning and relaxing 'A Single Man', I had felt spoilt already this weekend. Poirot (lovely as it is) is too easy, so it's the less obvious ones that prove more of an enjoyable challenge. Like me, my German friends Marc & Maiken of Utopia 2000 are fans of US hit TV series Dexter. I'd already spotted the late 1970s-80s Mdina 'Earthtones' Fish vase that the anti-hero lead has on his desk, but for those who missed it, here's another shot from the latest series.

An Evening With The Chorleywood Bookshop

2010-03-15T21:41:00.001Z

Last Friday Judith Miller and I were invited out to the heart of 'Metroland' to visit the charming town of Chorleywood. The owners of the independent Chorleywood Bookshop, Sheryl and Morag, asked us to speak at an evening event in the local hall, followed by a book-signing and an 'Antiques Roadshow' style valuation.
After perusing their marvellous bookshop on the smart parade over a cup of tea, we were ready. And we needed that cup of tea! When we pulled up outside the hall, well over 100 people had arrived and were patiently queuing, clutching bags full of treasures acquired or inherited, but most certainly cherished.
Judith kicked off the event with a talk that crossed Continents and history from 16thC Chinese porcelain to Lalique (and Lalique-alike) glass to treen snuffboxes. I then followed up with a talk that examined the effect of fashion on the market - both in terms of historic changes and changes today that affect desirability, and so values. Both of us brought pieces from our own collections with us, with me bringing some Fat Lava, transfer-printed blue & white ceramics, 'Flow Blue' ceramics, and postwar Czech pressed glass. I ended by introducing my new TV series, Cracking Antiques, and commenting on how the wheel is turning once again and traditional, 'brown' furniture is becoming sought after once again after a few decades in the doldrums.
Then it was into the audience to see what they had brought in - and they didn't disappoint! A truly wonderful, varied selection awaited us from mid-19thC was dolls to Chinese ceramics, a pocket watch or two and a superb micromosaic of St Peters that had to be worth over £1,500-2,000! A marvellous evening was had by all, and Judith and I finally left at gone 10pm to wend our way back to London. Thank you, Sheryl and Morag!

Country Weekend

2010-03-07T22:16:00.012Z

Combined with my busy role at Miller's, the build-up to Cracking Antiques (my new BBC2 TV series due to air from 7th April) has meant that there's precious little time for a break right now. A short holiday was cancelled and replaced with a relaxing overnight break at the wonderful 'Ashdown Park' country house hotel in Sussex this weekend.
The drive there revealed Standen was nearby. For those of you who don't know, Standen was the country house of the wealthy Beale family. Built in the early 1890s, it was designed by Philip Webb, a close friend of William Morris. As you'd expect, it's an Arts & Crafts showcase, from the vases on the mantelpiece, to the mantelpiece itself, and the room that the mantelpiece is part of. Indicative of so many core themes of the Arts & Crafts movement, it's exactly the sort of country house I'd love to live in. Set serenely in picturesque rolling hills which it doesn't dominate, it's quirky, comfortable and built on a human scale. A home rather than a house.
My love for this style movement was instantly rekindled as I wandered around rooms bedecked with original William Morris wallpaper, furnished with comfy-looking period furniture, and embellished with tapestries, embroideries, ceramics, and glass of the period. In 2008, a truly eye-wateringly beautiful bedspread was returned to the Beale's bedroom. Said to have been embroidered by May, William Morris' daughter, the superb condition and vibrant colours have remained as it spent most of the last century hidden and forgotten in a chest. So dazzling was it that I forgot to take a photograph, but I rather liked the cheery motto on this firescreen.
Downstairs, my eyes were instantly drawn to a very modern set of wall lights. The form and 'straw-opal' colour of the glass fittings instantly suggested Powell & Sons, but the overall design and embossed copper backs were more intriguing. It transpired that they were designed specifically for the house by Webb, and made by that modernising marvel in metalware of the period, W.A.S. Benson. The stylised flower on each panel was different, and I was told that the gentle, warming light they give is magical at night. A bright and breezy walk around the grounds in that type of clear, blue skied Spring day that England does so well finished off a perfect weekend and left me refreshed for the week ahead.

Cambridge Glass Fair

2010-02-28T23:31:00.011Z

Yesterday saw a nerve-shredding drive up the M11 to the 14th Cambridge Glass Fair at Chilford Hall. As ever, it was well worth it. I was one of many hundreds who braved the torrential rain and flocked to the event to buy the best in glass from 18thC drinking glasses to 21stC contemporary studio glass.
My collecting habits are somewhat obscure right now, but I was delighted to buy this piece of Czech glass from Italian glass supremo Massimo Marino. For those of you who don't recognise it, it's from the 'Flora' range, designed by Frantisek Koudelka and made at the Prachen Glassworks. This range is featured in a 1974 edition of Czechoslovak Glass Review, which describes it as lending a "refreshing touch to every modern home". It was inspired by Koudelka's 1973 'Karneval' range, which has similar decoration, and also by antique coloured glass from the Harrachov glassworks.
At 35cm (13.75in) high, it's the largest one I've ever seen but friends' responses were muted, with one even describing it as 'arty farty'! I'll leave you to make your own mind up, but I'm a fan of the abstract design, the shape that harks back to Czech Art Nouveau forms, and the high quality.
On my way around the huge fair, I also enjoyed chatting with dealer friends including Alison Snelgrove, Peter Elliott, Danny Walker, Ron & Ann Wheeler, Tracy Opie and Andrew Lineham.
I also spotted a lady buying this beautifully modern bull. Judging by the colour, I think it was made by Zeleznybrod Sklo in Czechoslovakia and, although I can't find a direct reference, I think it was most probably designed by Miroslav Janku. Of great quality, I think she did well at £60.
Paul & Christina Bishop run the most successful and enjoyable glass fairs in the UK - I really can't recommend visiting one enough. Click here to visit their website to see when a fair near you will be on. Next up on the agenda is the Ceramics & Glass Fair at the historic Dulwich College in South London on March 28th. If you do come, do pop over and say 'hello', as I'll be selling my own books as well as a range of Miller's books at the event.

Woman's Hour

2010-02-23T14:30:00.007Z

Yesterday I was honoured to be asked onto BBC Radio 4's 'Woman's Hour', to speak about Jessie Tait and her 1950s-70s designs for Midwinter.
I was accompanying Professor Cheryl Buckley, who had been lucky enough to meet Tait herself during her research into the role of woman designers in the ceramics industry. If you want to listen to what we discussed, led by presenter Jane Garvey, you can do so by clicking here.

It's Out!

2010-02-23T14:22:00.006Z

The all-new 2010-11 edition of Miller's Collectables Price Guide by Judith Miller and I is OUT NOW in all good bookshops. Priced at £19.99, there are even more full colour images and information than ever before. With thousands of collectables shown from advertising to ceramics, to glass and toys, there's truly something for everyone. Here're the first copies, spotted in Foyle's in London.
If you can't make it to a bookshop, order your copy direct, and save £8 on the cover price, by clicking here.

BBC Antiques Roadshows I will be attending...

2010-02-14T17:13:00.001Z

I am delighted to attend the following BBC Antiques Roadshows as a specialist on either the Miscellaneous or Collectables tables - please do dig out your treasures, come along, and say hello! Doors open at 9.30am (although queues start earlier!), and Roadshows run until 4.30pm - providing you're in the queue by 4pm, you'll be able to see a specialist.

Thursday 29th April - Victoria Hall, Saltaire, near Shipley, West Yorkshire
Friday 14th May - Beverley Minster, East Riding of Yorkshire
Thursday 3rd June - Brighton College, East Sussex
Thursday 10th June - St Fagans, Natural History Museum, near Cardiff
Thursday 1st July - Hutton-in-the-Forest, near Penrith, Cumbria
Thursday 15th July - Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
Thursday 9th September - Blair Castle, near Pitlochry, Scotland
Wednesday 29th September - Colechester Town Hall, Colchester, Essex

BBC's Cracking Antiques is announced

2010-02-13T09:35:00.008Z

Cracking Antiques is on a myth-busting mission to prove that people can add style and glamour to any type of home by investing in second-hand, vintage and antique furnishings – without breaking the bank.

The prime-time series, coming to BBC Two from April 7th at 8.30pm is presented by interior designer Kathryn Rayward and antiques expert Mark Hill.

Kathryn and Mark want to take the pain and shame out of buying old. From town houses to terraced houses, 18th-century French Rococo to shabby chic, they want to show that antiques and vintage furnishings can help create a stylish, fashionable home and are often the better buy.

Cracking Antiques shows that spending wisely on second-hand objects can be a cheaper and unique alternative to much of what the High Street has to offer, and in comparison, antiques are well-made and built to last so are also a much more environmentally sound investment.

The nation loves nothing more than trawling for trinkets and treasures at the thousands of antiques fairs, car boot sales and auction houses up and down the country, and as a result the British antiques industry is highly lucrative. But are people buying the right items, at the right price?

Mark Hill says: "Unique investments in quality and craftsmanship that will last a lifetime, prices that have never been more affordable, and individual statement pieces that will make a house your home, tell a story, and shout out your true personality. Antiques need to be taken off their pedestal and we should allow them to become exuberant and enjoyable parts of our lives."

Kathryn Rayward says: "Buying antiques is recycling at its most glamorous! Purchasing second-hand goods means we're not cutting down trees and damaging the planet. Embracing unloved family heirlooms or giving a quick lick of paint to a cheap and cheerful junk shop find can create a beautiful and utterly unique home."

Throughout the series, Kathryn offers interior design ideas and practical suggestions on how to customise and revamp the tired and the distressed to transform them into glamorous and modern pieces. Meanwhile Mark is on hand with his top tips and helpful advice on the items to buy now, that could go up in value in the future.

From furniture to light fittings, curtains to crockery, Cracking Antiques provides the all-important guide to furnishing a home with classic pieces, how to bag a bargain and how to buy an investment piece for the future.

BBC Commissioning Editor, Jo Ball, says: "Mark and Kathryn are great talents and I hope they will make the world of antiques accessible to everyone."

Cracking Antiques is a Silver River production. The executive producer at Silver River is Dan Adamson and the series producer at Silver River is Donna McLaughlin.

The 6x30-minute series will be broadcast on BBC Two, from 7th April at 8.30pm.

Image of Mark Hill & Kathryn Rayward courtesy of the BBC and Silver River Productions, and text courtesy of BBC Press Office, the original is here.

A comprehensive book will be published to tie-in with the series, priced at £18.99, click here to find out more. Image of cover courtesy of Mitchell Beazley.

Beware Online!

2010-02-09T12:42:00.000Z

It's easy to think that you can trust what you find online. However, always bear in mind that the information you read there may well be misleading, or just plain wrong. Never has the familiar auction term 'caveat emptor', or 'buyer beware', been more applicable.
The internet is open to everyone to post information - and also their opinions and beliefs, regardless of what they're founded on. It goes without saying that some people are more knowledgeable and reliable than others.
As an example, I spotted this vase on eBay last night. Described by the seller as being Murano glass, it has a 1960-70s foil label on the base to prove it. But that's wrong. It is, in fact, a 1980s Isle of Wight Studio Glass Azurene range small Lollipop vase, in the hard-to-find 'Azure' colour. As to how the Murano label got there is anyone's guess.
I'm certainly not saying that the vendor (who has thousands of positive feedback ratings) intends to mislead or deceive but it's not what it the label says it is! The interesting thing is that if it was catalogued correctly, the seller would almost certainly sell it, even if he didn't quite reach his £150 + P&P asking price.

Priceless Antiques Roadshow II

2010-02-08T20:25:00.002Z

The excellent and highly enjoyable Priceless Antiques Roadshow continues its second series on BBC2 at 6.30pm. If you've missed any, catch up online on iPlayer. If you missed the episode I was in and mentioned below, here's what I bought for the ceramics challenge. I was delighted with my find, and feel pretty comfortable in saying that the £11 I paid was a real bargain.
Last Monday my friend and Roadshow colleague Andy McConnell appeared on the show in a spot I really enjoyed. Regular viewers will love Andy's fascinating glass valuations, and his passion for glass is clear. Although he's a renowned expert in the field, he had never actually made any glass himself, despite having watched it being made many times before. So he visited Isle of Wight Studio Glass to work under one of Britain's most skilled and experienced master glassmakers, and a friend of mine, Timothy Harris. The results are educational, informative and quite frankly sometimes hilarious. I really think he did a great job, with incredible results, so click here to see how he got on.

Umbrella Stand Estimated to Fetch Half A Million!

2010-02-06T13:35:00.001Z

Just imagine walking home on a wet and windswept evening balancing an umbrella and your bag precariously as you try to shelter from the elements. You just want to get home, shove the umbrella in its stand, make a warm cup of tea and dry out.
Just imagine if that neglected 'umbrella stand' turned out to be an 18th century Imperial Chinese vase valued at up to half a million pounds!
Exactly this happened to a couple who recently invited auctioneer Guy Schwinge of Hy Duke & Sons in Dorchester to their home for a routine valuation. Just imagine their shock! Schwinge believes that the vase was almost certainly made for the Emperor Qianlong around 1740, and it may also have been owned at one time by Florence Nightingale.
Given to the couple as a gift around 50 years ago, it is sadly damaged as one would expect after a few wet, wintry evenings of being irritated. Had it not been damaged, it may have fetched up to £1million.
The vase comes up for auction on Thursday 11th February - I wonder what it will fetch? Fresh to market, fine quality and rare Chinese porcelain has been soaring in the auction rooms lately, with literally millions of pounds exchanging hands. Only last year, my old colleague and friend James Bridges of auctioneers Martel Maides found two ignored bowls in a house on the Channel Islands which went back home for a total of nearly £1.2million. One to watch for sure.

Priceless Antiques Roadshow

2010-02-05T17:27:00.001Z

The second series of Priceless Antiques Roadshow, the BBC's fantastic spin-off show from world-famous Antiques Roadshow reached its fifth episode this evening, with another twenty to come. Perfect tea-time viewing, the show looks deeper into the Roadshow, one of Britain's best-loved TV programmes, and with a 32 year heritage.
You'll learn more about the experts and their personal passions and favourite fields of expertise, glimpse behind the scenes at Roadshows across the country, take a look back through the archives at some of the best and most fascinating finds and the stories behind them, and also see special features unique to the series.
I was lucky enough to be asked to take part in one of these, and one of the spots we filmed aired this evening. 'Expert Eye' takes three specialists, Katherine Higgins, Steven Moore and I, and pits us against each other to buy an antique or a collectable from three different subject areas against a set, and realistic, budget. First up tonight was ceramics, with each of us being given the task of finding something we believed to be a good, bargain buy for a maximum of £30. I visited the Shepton Mallet Flea Market, Katherine went to Alfie's Antiques Market, and Steven was at the Lincolnshire Antiques & Home Show. Tune into iPlayer to find out what each of us bought and how how we got on.
The two remaining 'Expert Eye' spots yet to come cover furniture, and whatever we individually believed to be 'useful'. I'm delighted to say that I came in well under budget for all of my finds, each of which I'd have been more than happy to buy myself and display or use at home. After you've seen it, I hope you'll agree with us - it all goes to show that there really are so many fantastic bargains out there if you look.

Vibrant Venini Glass

2010-01-30T13:04:00.003Z

The latest issue of the consistently enjoyable BBC Homes & Antiques magazine is out now, and includes an 'Instant Expert' article I wrote on Venini glass. A truly legendary name from the Italian island of Murano, the company has a global reputation for its fabulous glass. Read about the history of the company, the most prominent designers, the best designs, and learn tips on how to identify and date Venini glass. If you're inspired to buy after reading it, then I can certainly recommend visiting the excellent Cambridge Glass Fair on 28th February.
Elsewhere in this bumper issue, you'll find Judith Miller's regular 'Object Lesson', this time on upholstered chairs, a fascinating article on antique textile restoration with the lovely Penny Brittain, the usual insider tips and valuations from the Antiques Roadshow team, and plenty to inspire you to have a super 'Spring clean' in a few week's time!

Vintage Filofax & Mulberry II

2010-01-24T10:56:00.009Z

Well, my last post seems to have caused quite a stir in the Filofax world! I've had rather a large amount of emails from Filofax fans who are, naturally, still using theirs and have pointed out the (many) obvious benefits to me. Perhaps I was a little hasty in saying that the smartphone and PDA 'have completely replaced' the Filofax and its ilk - I should have used the word 'largely', as there is still clearly a sizeable devoted following.
I also ought to point out that I'm the proud owner, and user, of a Mulberry Planner, which accompanies me to many of my meetings and lives in a drawer of my office desk. I also still own my original Filofax, which I would use apart from the fact that I find it too small - the Planner accommodates folded A4 sheets so well. Although I'm a heavy Blackberry user, my working life wouldn't function as smoothly as it does without my 'filofax'.

Vintage Filofax & Mulberry

2010-01-22T11:10:00.013Z

I had to buy a new Blackberry last weekend, after my previous one died. Standing in the queue to pay, I mulled over how the PDA and smartphone have completely replaced the Filofax. A trusty companion of the Sloane Ranger and Yuppie (remember them?), the fad for these luxury leather small folders has almost completely passed. It's a shame, as they were very practical, acting as catch-all during a week's busy work. Although relegated to a drawer, mine is still perfectly useable. I wonder if they will become collectable in the future, representing, as they do, the fashions of a decade?
If they do, I am sure that brand names, condition and the quality will count towards desirability and value, much as they do for any antique or collectable. Filofax is at the top - like Hoover, the brand came to represent an object. There's a blog for Filofax fans, and you can see someone's amazing private collection here. The 'Winchester' seems to be the one to look out for.
Apart from Filofax itself, I think the big name to watch is Mulberry. Founded in 1971, the company has recently become globally renowned for its handbags, but the company's luxuriously large 'Planners' trounced Filofax, in my opinion, for years. I can see their hallmark brown or black 'Congo' mock-croc leather (shown here in brown) becoming amongst the most sought-after. Costing up to £350 new today, vintage and pre-loved examples are already fetching healthy sums on eBay - is this perhaps the start of something bigger?
Mulberry has always found inspiration in leather bags of the past, and it's perhaps this that makes their products so timeless and of such high quality. When I was a Junior Cataloguer at Bonhams in Chelsea, I would often see founder Roger Saul examining and buying antique luggage at our vintage textile auctions.

Sam Herman & Studio Glass

2010-01-20T12:23:00.003Z

I was recently quoted on the excellent ABJ Seattle Glass Online blog, talking about Sam Herman, "Arguably [he is] the greatest name in British studio glass - and pretty darned important in the global studio glass movement too. Unfairly in my mind at least, few recognise his incredible vision, abilities and importance. Without him, studio glass techniques would not and could not have spread to the UK and beyond."
I absolutely believe this, and think his star is still rising. His work has, without doubt, enormous potential for the future, marking as it does key points in the development of 20th century glass and decorative arts. Shown here is a typical 'torso' form made and signed by Herman, dating from the 1980s, and worth £350-450.

Canadian Chalet Glass

2010-01-14T14:25:00.010Z

Looking around the excellent Glass Message Board last night, I found a post relating to the lesser-known name of Chalet, who made glass in Canada from 1962-75. Two typical pieces are shown here, courtesy of Miller's Online. With its spectacular forms and vibrant colours, Chalet glass is often mistaken for glass made on Murano in Italy. With the recent rediscovery of postwar Czech glass, it has also become confused with the production of Czechoslovakia's Skrdlovice factory.
Well, thanks to a wonderful article on the company and its work, including two original catalogue pages showing shapes, this confusion may end.
The article turns out to be by my friend and fellow collector Conrad Biernacki, who is kind, charming, and extremely generous with his immense intelligence, knowledge, and experience. I first met Conrad a couple of years ago when, as programs manager, he invited me to lecture about Fat Lava at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Knowing Conrad, this article will be both well-researched and well-written - you can read it by clicking here.

Miller's Collectables Price Guide 2010-11

2010-01-13T17:25:00.005Z

I've had a lot of questions and emails lately about when the next edition of the Miller's Collectables Price Guide will be available. We usually publish it in Autumn each year but, partly taking into account the hard year we all had, we took the difficult decision to delay it until the official start of the new 'season' in Spring. As fairs, auctions and flea markets crank up a few gears at this time, it seemed more sensible and right.
So, the answer is that the all-new 2010-2011 edition will be published on March 1st - the rather handsome cover is shown here. The price will be £19.99 and it will be available to pre-order from all good bookshops or from Miller's Online in late February.

New Year in Amsterdam

2010-01-05T00:26:00.012Z

After an extremely busy, but very successful and highly enjoyable 2009, I spent the first few days of my Christmas break in a near catatonic state. Fully recovered, new year was quite different however, with a five day trip to celebrate the occasion in Amsterdam.
First stops for any self-respecting art, antiques and collectables fiend have to be the wealth of fabulous museums in the city. All are within easy walking distance of each other. The Rijksmuseum yielded its usual eye-popping highlights, as it is largely closed until later in 2010, but the Stedelijk was sadly completely closed for what looks like an amazing renovation. My personal highlight was the Rembrandt House museum, (above) where I spent a happy four hours surveying their exhibition on 'Rembrandt Reversed'. Here, his famous etching were shown reversed, revealing the design, effects and movement Rembrandt would have seen as he etched the copper plate by hand. Although some of the revelations were truly that, I wasn't convinced by all of it, and wondered if the reversal of the design was one of the reasons why his etchings are so captivating - and this was intended by the master to catch and hold the inquisitive and critical eye.
On to the Museum van Loon, a private palace to the Rococo style, and then the new Hermitage branch based in the city. Another five hours passed by in moments, as we surveyed the magnificence and grandeur of their inaugural exhibition on the Russian court at the turn of the 20th century. It's expensive to visit, but well worth the money as there's something here for anyone who loves brilliant ballgowns, cunning costumes and other fabulous finery. The 'treasures' room, filled with works by Fabergé and his contemporaries, was particularly unforgettable - most notably a solid lapis lazuli ewer embellished with gold and enamel, and the Rococo piano above.
And then antiques and collectables - with Dutch traders much more in evidence at major fairs this past year, I had high hopes. First stop was the famous De Looier antiques centre (left) on Elandsgracht, which is the largest market in the Netherlands. It didn't disappoint, as the stand shown here indicates - and that's just one of some 80 stands and 100 cabinets! Interesting to me was the fact that there was much more that could be classified 'antique' rather than 'modern' since my last visit in 2005. My only real criticism of the place is that it is very hard to navigate. My internal GPS is very good, but I got lost twice! Still, not a bad place to lose oneself in, I guess. With very little Fat Lava seen, look out for Mobach pottery - one to watch for the future?
The 9 streets, indicated by their overhead street lighting, provide many more places to hunt - and the many fashion shops may provide entertainment for a partner less interested in vintage or retro. In particular I'd recommend FiftiesSixties on ReeStraat for retro lamps and vintage toasters (!), the fabulous Brilmuseum of spectacles (even though the shop didn't have any of my favourite shape!), the nameless shop next door that specialises in amazing and often hilarious 1950s-70s kitsch, and Roerende Zaken, with its wide range of sought-after 20thC design. A newly discovered highlight was the 'The Totalitarian Art Gallery', on the Singel canal, with its powerful totalitarian artworks and decorative arts from 1930s-70s Germany, USSR and China. Prices were competitive, and everything was original - a rarity today. As to what is surely the future of bookshops, and indeed publishing in general, check out Mendo on Berenstraat, voted one of the 200 best designed shops in the world.
After all this, good food and drink is needed to recover. Quite apart from the enormously expensive, but also enormously luxurious and entertaining, original Supper Club, we found the French inspired Café George on Leidsegracht to be a lively and delicious mainstay. Thankfully, Amsterdam is small enough to walk easily and quickly between most locations - it's amazing what you can fit in to five days!

Cocktail shakers in BBC magazine

2009-12-14T13:56:00.005Z

This month's edition of BBC Homes & antiques magazine contains a fantastic article on elegant vintage barware. As ever, the specially commissioned photography is fabulous, and the text is filled with facts and, as one would expect with this subject, fun. The majority of the article covers the vintage cocktail shaker, something I hold close to my heart, as well as shake in my hands. It's a glamourous subject that isn't often covered, so this issue makes and excellent buy. Read on for articles about vintage handbags by Judith Miller, ski posters by Katherine Higgins, and coverage of the Antiques Roadshow at Abbotsford in the Scottish Borders.

Abstract Soviet-style vase

2009-12-13T12:44:00.010Z

Very early one cold, windy and rainy morning this Autumn, I found this vase at a fair in the South of England. Against the grey day, it did rather stand out. I automatically presumed it was postwar Italian from fifty paces, so honed in to have a closer look. Whilst it looked like the type of thing produced in Soviet Russia during the 1920s & 30s, upon closer inspection the quality and style of decoration didn't quite match up.
Perhaps it was some commercially oriented 'rip-off', produced in a factory in another Eastern bloc country like Poland any time from the 60s onwards? Or maybe it was the work of some small ceramics company somewhere, made in the past couple of decades by someone who was inspired by a book on Soviet ceramics?
The mark on the base, a basic dash of the brush, meant nothing and was almost applied so that it was at least 'marked'. Having never seen one before, and as I rather liked its colourful abstract design that is somewhat reminiscent of a cityscape, I bought it. Later, I showed it to a friend, who is an experienced dealer in ceramics. Recalling one she thought she'd seen in someone's collection some years back, she agreed and also rather liked it. Another colleague agreed it was postwar, but hadn't seen one either.
Or maybe it was brand spanking new - it was most certainly an option, much as I'd prefer to ignore the signs. And new is most probably what it is - two esteemed colleagues spotted two pieces with an identical pattern on a stand at another flea market this weekend. Although it doesn't confirm they were made in China yesterday, that pretty much gives it away!
Whilst it's not a reproduction, or a fake, of a Soviet Constructivist piece, it is attempting the style. I'd spent the previous couple of months doing nearly every major fair in the country, and visit plenty of junk, retro and vintage shops every week - I hadn't spotted one before, so they must be pretty fresh to the market. My friend must have been mistaken. Still - if you like it, as I do, there's no reason not to buy one at the right price!

Fat Lava on TV

2009-12-11T09:23:00.005Z

Tipped off by a good friend who knows how I like to spot things I'm interested in on TV, I watched a couple of episodes of the very amusing new BBC Two comedy 'Miranda' last night. And sure enough, the Fat Lava vases I was promised were there.
The series details the haphazard and hilarious life of Miranda, a 34 year old singleton who runs a joke and junk shop in leafy Surrey. And it's not just her shop that's filled with vintage gems - all the sets, including the restaurant next door, are bag up-to-date with a very contemporary mix of antique, vintage, retro and modern.

It doesn't look like Whitefriars to me...

2009-12-10T12:51:00.008Z

...said the lady behind the desk of the antiques centre I was in as I plonked it in front of the till. Perhaps she was right. It wasn't a shape I immediately recognised, and it had a cut and polished scooped rim that I'd usually associate with Scandinavian makers. Still, even if it was a piece of Orrefors or something, £10 didn't seem bad at all. There was something about the colour though, I could swear it was Whitefriars.
After handing over my crisp tenner, I drove home mulling it over. Did I really need another vase, especially one that I only 'quite' liked? Also, I don't collect Whitefriars anyway, even if I am right about the colour and the characteristic nicely polished concave pontil mark.
Books are an invaluable thing. Within seconds of flipping through Lesley Jackson's excellent tome, I found it. I was right. It doesn't look much, especially if you prefer something more jazzy and colourful. Designed in 1957 by Geoffrey Baxter, it represents both the popularity of Scandinavian glass at the time, and the influence that this glass had on his designs. No doubt Baxter thought that if people wanted fashionable Scandinavian glass, why not produce a British version that was inspired by it? He wasn't alone, both Frank Thrower at Dartington Glass and Ronald Stennett-Willson at King's Lynn Glass were thinking along the same lines. Even the austere 'Ocean Green' colour echoes Scandinavian designs. First appearing in the landmark 1957 catalogue, and made until 1962, it's not a common shape. By courtesy of the excellent Whitefriars.com, you can see the shape as appeared in the 1957 catalogue (above), together with its model number, 9491, and it's height, below. I must remember to trust my instincts more often. Given this attribution, and the popularity of Whitefriars, I'd see it fetching over £70 if it sold to the right person.

The Muppets do Bohemian Rhapsody

2009-12-07T00:28:00.003Z

Going to and from work in the dark over and over again at this time of year can prove to be a little joyless and depressing. Then I found this. I used to love them as a child, and now I love them all over again...

Friends Doing Well - II

2009-12-02T19:35:00.008Z

Back in January, I was delighted to come across my friend and old Sotheby's colleague Sara Covelli and her new business Covelli Tennant. This week another one of my old friends and erstwhile colleagues at Sotheby's, James Bridges of Martel Maides in Guernsey, hit the news.
Undertaking a house contents valuation for a Channel Islands family, James found three Chinese famille rose porcelain bowls; a pair of the bowl above, and the single one below. Their six-character marks identified them as being from the Yongzheng period (1723-35) and these marks did indeed represent the period these bowls were made in.
This gourd and bat pattern (above) is extremely rare, and represents a long, rich and happy life. A single bowl bearing the design sold at Christie's in 2006 for over $700,000. Understandably, James and Martel Maides had high hopes for this pair! Catalogued by consultant expert Julian Thompson, and with an estimate 'On Request', they sold at a stunning £1.02 million.
The single bowl (above), depicting Shou Lao, the god of immortality, riding a stag and accompanied by an Immortal, is not quite as rare, with the pattern sometimes being found on later Kangxi wares. It also bore a crack. As such, the estimate was pitched at a cautious £10,000-15,000. Showing the strength of today's Chinese demand for early and desirable 'mark and period' porcelain, the bowl fetched £280,000 on the day. Both went to the same Far Eastern buyer, and most probably went 'home'.
Well done James - from spotting these rare Asian treasures to marketing and selling them for a record £1.3 million!
To read more about the bowls, click here.

Funny images

2009-11-27T18:28:00.008Z

Every now and again, I get sent an amusing image. Two arrived in the same week, so here they are for your delectation. The first is thanks to my friends Marc & Maiken at the marvellous Utopia2000 in Germany. It shows their dog on top of his new friend - a sheep designed by Hanns-Peter Krafft in 1982. The second is thanks to Dan, and is taken from a page in a 1960s edition of Czechoslovak Glass Review, and shows some glass designs by Karel Wunsch together with an 'interesting' arrangement of fruit...

Fat Lava at Bygone Times

2009-11-26T15:53:00.006Z

I've just got back from the fantastic Bygone Times, in Eccleston, near Chorley in Lancashire. This really is one of my favourite places in the entire country to visit. Two truly enormous warehouses literally crammed with everything from Georgian to modern await you - with prices from as little as a pound or two. The centre is best for vintage, retro and antique ceramics, glass and homewares, although you'll find a fair few bits of furniture to tempt as well.
What a surprise to find, on this visit, a new (to me, anyway) stand literally filled with fabulous Fat Lava! I was lucky enough to be able to meet the owner, Stuart, who is a real fount of knowledge and a true enthusiast. Prices are very competitive, especially when you consider postage and packing costs when buying online. As well as offering a huge selection of standard sized vases by makers including Ceramano, Carstens, Scheurich, Bay and Ruscha, there's a great selection of whopping floor vases that are becoming harder to find undamaged condition today.
I couldn't help but buy a few (well, seven) pieces to add to my collection, which I am delighted with. If you visit Bygone Times, even if Fat Lava isn't your thing, I challenge you to leave empty handed!

Fantastic new must-have book

2009-11-16T12:36:00.003Z

I've just got back from the wonderful National Glass Fair, held at the Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. Apart from meeting many friends and colleagues, the highlight of the day was buying a copy of Charles Hajdamach's new book '20th Century British Glass'. If you love glass, go out and buy a copy - now!
This weighty tome, some three decades in the making, is an undoubted masterwork. Chapters cover tableware from Deco to Modern, cut and engraved glass from Stourbridge, the vibrant studio glass movement that began in the 1960s, 'modern designer greats' such as Ronald Stennett-Willson, Frank Thrower, Keith Murray, and much, much more. The coverage is breathtaking, and the detail awe-inspiring. Pieces by every factory or designer covered are illustrated with full colour, specially shot photographs, accompanied in many cases by original catalogue pages or photographs. A treu treasure trove of information.
As I leafed through it whilst talking to Charles, my feelings were mixed. I felt envy, admiration and wonder. This is a book to be picked up and read again and again - there'll always be something new to learn. There's no doubt that this will become the essential standard reference work for 20th century British glass for decades to come.

Starbucks goes antique?

2009-11-13T14:59:00.007Z

In today's Evening Standard, City Spy revealed that global coffee chain Starbucks was excited about the imminent redecoration of all its UK stores. Rather than the bland, blond wood, laminate floored, Ikea look we're all used to, a "retro" style will be ushered in. Apparently the "antiques" to be used were sourced in Turkish bazaars, with each of their 750-ish shops gaining a truly unique look due to the individual pieces used. Although I'm somewhat suspicious, it just goes to show that even corporate giants are adopting the increasingly fashionable eclectic, retro and antique look...

Antiques: The History of an Idea

2009-11-02T11:02:00.005Z

I haven't found too many books that discuss antiques from social, historical, economic or, indeed other, perspectives. So I was delighted to stumble across this book in Waterstone's last Sunday.
Professor Rosenstein is a philosopher who also has also dealt in antiques for the past 25 years, so offers us a unique view of the subject. His text is lively, easy to read and thought-provoking. Subjects covered include the definition of an antique, the cultural history of antiques and their links with civilisation and aesthetics, and the increasingly ignored skill of 'connoisseurship'. It's making fascinating and highly enjoyable reading. If you love antiques, this book crystalises and links thoughts you may already have had, and opens up a great many new thoughts too.

National Antiques Week

2009-10-30T13:21:00.010Z

Hot on the heels of the Antiques Are Green campaign comes the first 'National Antiques Week' in Britain! To be held from 23rd-30th November, the week aims to encourage more people to visit their local antiques shops, auction house or fair and buy and enjoy antiques, collectables and 20thC design. A high profile team of companies and individuals, including BBC Homes & Antiques, The Antiques Trade Gazette, AntiqueNews, LAPADA, and BADA, is also actively pushing the government to support and promote the antiques and collectables industry - which contributes billions of pounds to the national economy. On that note, why not show your support and love for antiques by clicking here to sign up to the online petition now? I've just joined the hundreds who have already.
Details of all the many supporters and events will be published on Antiques.co.uk and AntiqueNews, and you can even download a free poster to show your support!

Brilliant Bushwood Antiques

2009-10-27T15:30:00.003Z

I've just returned from a visit to the wonderful Bushwood Antiques, and am truly excited. Based in the beautiful countryside near Hemel Hempstead, the drive there is fantastic enough, but not as fantastic as the place itself. Over 7,500 pieces of antique furniture await you, ranging in date from the 16th to early 20th centuries, and priced from as little as £200 to over £20,000! There truly is something here for everyone from chairs to bookcases, bureaux and sideboards.

The reason for this post is that I believe Bushwood to be one of the best dealers in Britain for sourcing antique furniture gems. With over 30 years of experience, owner Tony Bush and his staff make you feel welcome and offer friendly and practical advice making it an ideal destination to buy, whatever your level of experience. So-called 'brown' Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian furniture is really making a comeback today and, although prices are beginning to rise, they're still highly affordable - especially when compared to something you might buy on the high street or in a retail park. You'll get something unique, individual and indicative of the high quality of hand craftsmanship you just don't see today. What's more, the money you 'invest' is certainly safer in a piece of antique furniture than it is a modern piece of MDF or chipboard.

Antiques Are Green

2009-10-21T21:23:00.004+01:00

I don't ask for much, but I do ask that you support a new website and growing movement promoting the fact that antiques are green.
Furnishing your home with antiques and 20thC design not only allows you to express yourself and build a truly individual look, but it also helps save our environment. Consider the carbon footprint left by a new chest of drawers made from trees cut down in the Far East, transported to a factory, and shipped across the world for sale. When this, or an MDF or chipboard wardrobe, invariably collapses after a few years, it causes yet more environmental issues. Antiques and 20thC design have been 'green' for decades - and even centuries. Furthermore, you're not wasting your money - most high street or retail park pieces are worthless after a few years whereas, by comparison, antiques and 20thC design typically hold a firm residual value. Recycling by shopping at an auction, dealer, or fair, is wiser, more rewarding, and truly environmentally friendly.
So please visit the Antiques Are Green website as quickly as your fingers will type and sign up to show your support.

Vladimir Zahour

2009-10-16T14:53:00.000+01:00

People keep saying to me that "everything that's worth something has been found" and "it's not worth looking as there are no bargains any more". Well, it's just not true. Only last month a superb, and rare example of a Modernist chair found for £25 sold at auction for nearly £3,000! Similar, but not quite in the same league, is the large cut glass display goblet shown here. It was acquired by a friend of mine on eBay, where it was described as 'A large crystal balloon vase, hand cut, very unusual'. The seller went on to say that he had never seen anything quite like it before.
Not surprising, really, as it's a very rare example of a late 1960s design by Vladimir Zahour, a master of postwar Czech glass design.
During this period, the cut itself was the most important factor, rather than it being used as a means to an end, to produce traditional naturalistic or heraldic designs. Simple, geometric cuts in abstract patterns that reflected the brilliance and purity of Czech lead crystal dominated.
The design is hard to find, but this form is even rarer. Decanters and ashtrays covered in the pattern crop up from time to time, as do vases. I've only ever seen one example of a goblet before, but at 6.5in (16.5cm) high, this could probably take nearly a whole bottle of brandy! I believe this cross between a (largely impractical) display piece and functional drinking glass makes it much scarcer as fewer would have sold. The price? My friend paid £13. The value? I'd cautiously estimate it at at least ten times that price, and could see it fetching in excess of £150. And that's today. If the market continues to grow as much as it has done, I can see it comfortably exceeding that in five years' time. Not a bad return - try making that sort of margin trading in stocks & shares today!

Taxidermy is IN!

2009-10-01T16:30:00.010+01:00

I know it's not everyone's taste, but taxidermy seems to be seeing a firm return to fashion. Although I've been a long-time fan, I first covered this area professionally in the DK Collectables Price Guide 2007, published in 2006. Since then, the small seed of a trend has turned into something much more. Even to the point of the illustrious newspaper The Evening Standard publishing a long article on the subject. Their focus was the innovative and unique work of artist Polly Morgan, who uses stuffed animals in unusual and striking situations and poses quite unlike those found in dusty old Victorian museums.
But it's not just Morgan's work (which can sell for over £3,000!) that has seen a style revolution - those dusty old Victorian and Edwardian animals have also risen in price. If they're humorously posed, like the clever squirrel above, so much the better. You see, it's the quirky, eccentric nature of these beasts that appeals - they add a truly individual look to a room. If they're well stuffed, true to life and perhaps by a good maker such as Spicer or Roland Ward, prices rise again. Certain breeds of animal or bird can also be rare, which increases the price amongst knowledgeable collectors.
On that note, by no means am I promoting the killing and stuffing of animals today, particularly endangered species. I love nature too much, and there's plenty of choice out there in salerooms, junk shops and antiques fairs around the world. They've been dead for a while now and it seems a shame not to display them, and wrong to destroy them. Values range from around £30-300, but can be as low as £10 for a more common beast. Only yesterday, I found a rather cute looking badger for £40, who is now positioned emerging from behind my sofa!

Avengers' Style

2009-09-16T12:21:00.003+01:00

My sharp-eyed friends Marc & Maiken at the excellent Utopia2000 in Germany are currently selling an opaque white large Holmegaard or Kastrup 'Gulvvase' designed by Otto Brauer in 1962.
In another instance of seeing great vintage design on the small screen, they spotted an identical piece in Emma Peel's fashionable 1960s house in the first series of 'The Avengers'. The pictures here show the indomitable John Steed, with the bottle in the background, and Emma peering in wearing what looks like to be a fab psychedelic dress!
The Gulvvase is an iconic 1960s glass design, with prices ranging from £30 to over £250 depending on colour and size. The most desirable are opaque, and colours include white, light blue, red, green, and yellow. It was also produced in different transparent colours - but watch out for 1970s reproductions retailed by Cascade in the UK. These less desirable and valuable reproductions can be distinguished by their colours - kingfisher blue, colourless, pewter grey and smokey topaz - which are quite different to the originals.

Mumbai Oasis

2009-09-15T16:43:00.003+01:00

It's always worth doing your homework properly, checking any marks on a piece against your research. A few months ago, I found a rather amusingly mis-described item for sale. The seller knew exactly what it was, and described it accurately as an "Isle of Wight Studio Glass Fish vase designed by Michael Harris". They also noted that it was numbered 36 from an apparent edition of 500, and bore the inscribed range name of 'Mumbai Oasis'.
Any piece of Isle of Wight Studio Glass inscribed with such numbering identifies it as having come from the batch ordered by an American department store in around 1986. Each was inscribed with a number under 500, giving the impression of a limited edition. In fact, this means that it was one of 500 pieces ordered - and the batch included all manner of different shapes and sizes from many different ranges produced at the time. Expensive Fish vases were very much in the minority, with only a few being included. Each piece was also inscribed 'England', to comply with export laws.
As to the unusual 'range name' - that's easy! All these pieces were also signed by Michael Harris. Read quickly, his scrolling signature can look like 'Mumbai Oasis' to the uninitiated. Those in the know know that his signature adds a hefty premium to a piece, as he so very rarely signed his work. At this time, Michael was the only person with enough skill to make Fish vases, backing up the fact that this was certainly made by him. Interestingly, he only used gold leaf on this piece, presumably as it made more contrasting visual impact than silver leaf. Add to this the fact that it's a large example (9.5in/25cm high), and it's in the beautiful deep Azurene Blue that was only produced during Michael's lifetime in that form from 1985-87, and you have a VERY rare piece indeed.
But that hardly matters. The Fish vase is undoubtedly Michael's most iconic shape, and this treasure is truly stunning to look at - it's a great piece the owner should enjoy for many years to come.

Bargaining in Beijing

2009-09-04T20:40:00.012+01:00

Our first stop was the capital city of Beijing, known as Peking until the Revolution in 1949. After a recouperative night's sleep following the 9 hour flight from London, I set off mid-morning to enormous Panjiayuan antiques market in the south east of the city. Although many flea markets are overrun with tourists, particularly in or near the centre of the city, this is more authentic and apparently many centrally based dealers buy here.
The market compound is divided into two main sections, wide alleyways lined with permanent shops, and a truly vast open sided barn where sellers spread out rugs or blankets to display their wares for sale. I'm told that many are peasants who make their way into town after buying in the provinces, but I think most are really canny professionals.
By the time our taxi pulled up mid-morning, only a fifth of the space was still occupied - trade seemingly starts and tails off very early, and Saturday and Sunday are the best and busiest days. But there were still over 200 'stalls', so the hunt was on. I had a good look round first to see what items were repeated across stands - obviously these would be factory produced contemporary pieces. Almost dizzy from the enormous selection, I spotted an appealing blue and white ceramic bottle vase at one stand, and a bright, three-coloured 'Peking glass' vase at another. Although I also wanted some bronze and jade, the quality of these looked either too poor or too obviously 'old'. Plus I also collect glass, and I've always liked blue & white porcelain and been interested in the marks on the bases.
Bartering is obligatory here. The problem is that, as this isn't really on the main tourist trail despite the dual language signage, nobody speaks English! The universal languages of gesticulation and facial expressions come into play, along with a calculator to indicate the price.
The blue and white vase (18cm/7in high) was up first and the seller stabbed 1,200 yuan (£110/$175) into the calculator. I countered with a cheeky 120 yuan (£12/$18). In a second's time I was given the calculator again and the new price was 900 yuan. I typed 120 yuan again. Huffing and puffing ensued and led to an offer of 600 yuan. Holding my position, I firmly retyped 120 yuan, accompanying it with a grim expression. He took the calculator back and turned his back on me with a theatrical shrug. I began to walk away. He grabbed my arm gently and thrust the calculator back in my face. The screen read 150 yuan. I smiled and took out a 100 yuan note from my back pocket and rustled a 20 yuan note out of my wallet which I had previously prepared to only contain small notes. He turned away, and I began to walk away again. This time he shouted and grabbed my arm, nodding to accept the cash. Within seconds the vase was wrapped in torn newspaper and in a plastic bag and I had handed over my cash. I guess it's sometimes good to go late in the day, even though it was early for me!
Onto the glass vase (15cm/6in high), which was one of only two I saw in the whole place. After I pointed it out, the lady seller proudly shouted out 'Older!' with a grin. The calculator price was 1,800 yuan (£160/$260). Fired by my last bargain, I typed 100 yuan (£9/$15) in and unsurprisingly nearly blew the deal! After I smiled to show the game had opened, the calculator was returned with a 1,500 yuan price tag. I pushed my luck and went to 120 yuan. The next price was 920. I began to turn away and the immediate next price was 600. I tried 120 again, but was met with a serious 'NO!' type of expression. Clearly it was time for me to move again, so I typed 150 yuan. The deal was back on track. The price dropped again to 450 yuan, as she pointed out the birds and flowers on the vase and reiterated the 'Older!' exclamation. I shrugged and looked bored and the price became 300 yuan. I immediately countered with 180 yuan (£17/$26) and ran my hand firmly across my neck to show this was my final price. She barked at her colleague and within seconds the vase was wrapped in scrumpled newspaper and in a bag as she looked theatrically distraught, shaking her head. We shook hands, and vase, cash and smiles were exchanged. Wow - an intense and rapid experience again!
We then took a calming walk around the rest of the mini-streets inside the market compound, looking into the many shops that stocked everything from Ming dynasty style furniture to yet more ceramics, bronzes and jades. Prices seemed higher, but shop owners were very keen to get bartering going by proffering calculators and motioning at pieces that I had looked at. Everyone has something to sell, and they're admirably not shy about trying to sell it to you, showing the country's centuries' long experience in trading. A tip though - as with any bartering, always be polite, respectful, cheerful, gentle and show good intentions. Rudeness will get you nowhere.
By midday, the market appeared to be slowing down. A few other Westerners had arrived by taxi and browsed around. Many seemed taken by the bright, jaunty colours of the more modern pieces on offer, but a shop selling (surprisingly) apparently original gramophones, cameras and Bakelite radios also attracted plenty of attention.
As the market is somewhat out of the way, hailing a taxi back to the centre (25mins) was more of a trial than bartering. Many guide books, such as our excellent and thoroughly trustworthy Moon guide, recommend booking a car for the return trip and this seems like good advice. As we sped away to the sound of Chinese pop blaring from the radio, I though about showing my new purchases to a couple of colleagues on the Antiques Roadshow.
Although I have no doubt that they are modern reproductions from the £27 ($43) total price and suspicious presence of mud on the bodies, I want to know exactly how an expert can tell, and what the marks on the bottoms (one shown above) mean. I also wonder how old they actually are? I'll let you know when I find out. Still, none of this matters to me - both are pieces that I like, and they make affordable souvenirs of a highly memorable experience.

Bye Bye Atlantique City

2009-09-04T10:42:00.014+01:00

Billed as 'the world's largest indoor antiques show', the wonderfully named Atlantique City, held twice a year in Atlantic City, New Jersey has been cancelled by owner F+W Media. I'm sure I'm amongst many thousands of dealers, collectors and auctioneers who are extremely sad to hear this. In compiling the DK Judith Miller Collectables Price Guides, I spent a number of years visiting the show in Spring and Autumn, which never failed to leave me inspired and in awe - and my bank account drained.
Although I haven't been for a few years now, it was also the place I met many people who I am now lucky to count as colleagues, including watch expert Mark Laino of Mark of Time, Barbara Blau of the South St Antiques Market, Sharon & Joe Happle of Sign of the Tymes, marble and glass experts Bob & Mark Block, costume jewellery supremos Roxanne Stuart and Bonny Yankauer, Barbara Lauver and Dotty Ayers of The Calico Teddy, and Esther Harris of Vintage Eyewear of New York City. I also encountered many other great experts and characters, including a US Senator!
The Miller's team are also grateful to Ted and Diane, the organisers who managed the mega-show for many years until 2005, for allowing us to go the first time. With over 2,000 dealers from across the US and visitor numbers running into the tens of thousands, it really was a major event up there with the New York Pier Shows and Brimfield. Here are a few images of an avenue in the fair itself, the Judith Miller book stand in 2006, and Judith, photographer Graham Rae, and I outside a restaurant inside one of the massive casinos.

Holidays in China

2009-09-02T21:02:00.009+01:00

Looking at the pictures here, I'm giving you no guesses about where I spent my Summer holidays this year! Carefully saved air miles were cashed in, and at the end of August the banker and I went on a two week trip across China, a place neither of us had been to before. Although I did take some time off and away from work, I just can't tear myself away completely. As a result I was able to check out some of the best destinations for hunting for antiques and collectables in the four cities we visited.
I say antiques, but they weren't my target. Compared to the West, there are fewer authentic antiques in China due to the Cultural Revolution, and the enormous level of export of goods across the centuries. It's also illegal to export antiques made before 1795, and authentic pieces made after that date until the early 20thC need to be examined by government experts, have a red seal applied, and be officially cleared for export. But there's another concern for me with Chinese, or any Asian, antiques or works of art. Although I've been interested, I've never had to time to learn in depth about this incredibly deep and complex subject. So it's possible that, in China, I might not know what I was looking at, or whether I was paying the right price.
China has had a long history of reproducing historic designs and styles, partly out of respect for the people that made them, and partly for the obvious commercial reasons. Would I know if I was buying a modern reproduction, or even one made a century ago in respectful imitation of an Ancient design? Time will tell...
So I decided that my self-set task was to find the best modern and exportable reproduction or fake that I could. The trip was expensive, so I set myself a limit of no more than £50 per piece, and my budget only allowed me to buy a couple of pieces...

Sampson Mordan pencils in BBC magazine

2009-09-02T14:36:00.010+01:00

A few months ago, I wrote a quick blog entry on a particular passion of mine - Mordan propelling pencils. You can read it here. You can imagine my delight when BBC Homes & Antiques magazine commissioned me to write an article on the subject. As well as a history of the company and its products, you can read my pick for 'An Investment', 'Three Of The Best' and an explanation of the different marks used by the company across the century or so they were in existence. As ever with this magazine, the photography is also stunning!
In addition to this, there's a special 'behind the scenes' feature on the Antiques Roadshow from presenter Fiona Bruce, the usual price guide feature and sumptuous interiors, and a fascinating 'Real or Fake' feature from David Battie on Chinese porcelain. The current issue is out now and costs a mere £3.60. If it inspires you find out more, I can wholeheartedly recommend visiting the 'London Writing Equipment' show on October 4th. Click here to visit their website.
Also, check out the 'Changing Rooms' box on page 23 for some exciting news...more on that to come!

My favourite artist...

2009-08-10T12:10:00.003+01:00

...is Richard Long. So I was delighted to finally find the time to visit his first major retrospective at the Tate gallery in London this weekend. At last, the right attention is being paid to someone I consider to be one of the great 20th century artists. I won't go into his art or the theories behind it here, as you ought to visit to discover it for yourself. As well as his photographic records of his work and relationships with landscape, he also produces text-based artworks which I adore from the memories, feelings and even smells they invoke to the marvellously modern font and colours he uses. Click here to read more about and see examples of his work. In the meantime, here's an image of his spectacular 'Line in the Himalayas', from 1975.

Read Experts' Secret Bargain Sources!

2009-08-05T09:00:00.004+01:00

This month's BBC Homes & Antiques magazine is even more than packed than ever with inspirational and practical information about collecting and living with antiques and collectables. In this month's issue, insiders reveal their 'trade secret' favourite hunting grounds, be they antiques centres, specialists, auctions or junk shops. I was delighted to be asked to contribute, so buy your copy now to find out where I go to find bargains... You'll also be able to read about the favourite personal possessions of a number of Antiques Roadshow experts, a fascinating article from Roadshow colleague Marc Allum on vintage biscuit tins, and much, much more!

I hate 'word clouds'

2009-07-31T14:08:00.008+01:00

Because:
* They look like something has gone terribly wrong with the website.
* They do not demonstrate linear thought patterns.
*They are confused and confusing.
* They are a typical, pretentious Web 2.0 gimmick.
* My eyes and head hurt when straining to read the smallest fonts.
* Half the population don't know what they are.
* Clouds are gaseous, nebulous, amorphous, opaque, and lack substance - hardly attributes that good content should take.

Okay, rant over.

Prehistoric Designs on Modern Ceramics & Glass

2009-07-27T16:02:00.008+01:00

Having seen so many prehistoric, neolithic and paleolithic designs on modern ceramics and glass, I've often wondered how much these were inspired and driven by the discovery of some caves. In Summer 1940, four French teenagers out walking their dog in the Dordogne discovered a cave, the walls of which were covered with prehistoric cave paintings of animals and hunting scenes. Archaeologists soon found that this was just the start - there was a whole network of caves, all with perfectly preserved prehistoric art.
The sleepy French village of Lascaux became world famous instantly. In fact, by 1955, over 1,200 visitors arrived every day to see this ancient wonder, dating back some 16,000 years. The caves were closed in 1963, with a replica opening nearby in 1983. Much local pottery is decorated with similar motifs, and mades great souvenirs. But I think the inspiration spread further than tourist wares. Consider Eric Hoglund's designs for Boda, some Vallauris patterns, and particularly this 1960s-70s West German Scheurich 'Montignac' range vase, which really does resemble the original cave art. And to tie this example in even closer, 'Montignac' is the nearest town to Lascaux.

The state of the market

2009-07-27T14:23:00.002+01:00

My co-author, colleague and friend Judith Miller was recently interviewed by the prestigious Times newspaper on the state of the antiques market today. Contemporary up and traditional down? Read her opinion, and the opinions of other experts in their fields, by clicking here.

Berlin

2009-07-27T13:52:00.013+01:00

Last weekend was spent in Berlin, visiting friends, but also indulging in more than a little hunting around the flea markets and vintage shops of this trendy city.
First stop was Deco Arts in Motzstrasse, in the Schoneberg district. I had passed this shop many a time, and each time it was closed. Thankfully, this fourth (or maybe fifth!) time round, I was lucky, and the door was open. Charming interior decorator Marie-Pascale certainly has an eye for mid-century modern, and her smart shop is packed with treasures from around Europe, including furniture, lighting, ceramics and glass. One reason why I was so keen to look around was the price point there's plenty to buy at well under 100 euros, and prices in general are very sensible and excrutiatingly affordable. I was tempted by a rather lovely Ceramano vase at a bargainous 25 euros, but as the weekend was still young and hand baggage was tight, I grudgingly left it behind. I really do recommend a visit to this Modern, and Modernist, palace - I'll be back for sure.
Saturday continued with a visit to the famous flea market at Strasse des 17 Juni, near the S-bahn station at Tiergarten. Billed as Berlin's biggest and best, it had a lot to live up to. And meet it, this place did. Four long avenues of stalls selling all manner of merchandise offer something for every one, dating from the 18th century to sometime last year. Prices are all negotiable, but be polite, as a demand from a tourist that is perceived as rude will only end up with the seller clamming up completely. I saw it happen!
My two tips for this superb market are to look out for Turkish stand holders, who seemed to have the best stuff, and also to make sure you leave time to look through the book stands. There were plenty of incredibly good reference books for sale amidst the many on militaria. Throwing cares of the size of hand luggage to the wind, I bought what I consider to be a highly exciting object. The quality is very high and it's not something I can put my finger on. I even asked a fellow glass expert, and he had no idea but agreed with me that it really is very good. More on that one later
Desperately in need of some lunch, some four hours after I should have had it, I caught the S-bahn into east Berlin, only to be derailed again by a fantastically interesting shop called Fundus Verkauf, just of Freidrichstrasse, on Behrenstrasse 14. This emporium sells costumes, furniture and even partial sets used in Berlin's operas and theatre productions. A place to find something a little bit 'different' as a souvenir, it's also filled with tourists giggling as they climb into a silver sequin covered spangly jumpsuit, or try an 18thC dandy's costume on for size. Prices can be high, but it's not surprising as every piece is entirely unique. This twice life-sized harp and enormous gilt wood swan on wheels (above) were surely essential souvenirs!
I also popped in to the Berlin Antikmarkt, in a series of railway arches under Freidrichstrasse's rail station. I come here every time I visit the city, and always walk out empty handed. It's not that the 30 or more stands have nothing good, in fact quite the reverse, it's just that prices and quality are generally very high - too high for my pocket. Although the centre's focus is very much on the 'antique', I always enjoy a walk around Karin Schabel's beautiful stand where fine 20th century items are beautifully displayed.
Sunday saw a visit to the considerably smaller, but no less worthwhile, flea market at Arkona platz, in the Mitte district of east Berlin. Mitte is largely populated by trendy twenty-to-forty-somethings and, as you would expect, this market caters towards their 1950s-80s retro tastes. Many stallholders put a little more effort into their displays, and vintage technology makes an appearance amongst the usual lighting, furniture, ceramics and glass.
I bought a couple of things, including a Roth Keramik vase. It's small, and far from being the rarest piece, but for 10 euros, I could hardly leave without it. Prices for this desirable range have more than quadrupled over the past 12 months, so I think my investment is safe - this would fetch around £40 if sold online today. A cooling glass of wine and some delicious dim sum finished off a relaxing, and successful, weekend before the flight home.

Vintage Toys - The next big thing?

2009-07-24T14:10:00.000+01:00

Frank Thrower & Dartington Glass on Sky TV

2009-07-21T20:48:00.010+01:00

Filmed during the first ever retrospective celebration of the life and works of Frank Thrower in Summer 2006, the documentary film of Frank's life, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", will be shown on the the Sky 2 Arts channel on Sunday 9th August at 7pm.
This fascinating documentary was filmed and produced by Nigel Edwards of InHouse Productions, and was co-directed by Graham Cooley, the foremost collector of 20th century decorative arts in the UK. Graham also acts as the focal point during the film, which also includes interviews with members of Frank's family, many of his colleagues at Dartington Glass, glass experts including Charles Hajdamach, and I.
You can also see exclusive footage of the legendary FT15 'Ship's Decanter' being made, which are nothing less than spectacular. If you love glass and 20thC design, you'll love this film, which draws to a truly tear-jerking end.
Tune in to see what I mean.
Copies of the film on DVD can be bought at £12 + P&P by emailing the Glass Association, who funded it, at crystal-edge@hotmail.co.uk. If you're interested in reading about Frank and his globally successful designs, you can buy the book, written by his daughter Eve Thrower and I, for £12 + P&P by emailing evescanlon@hotmail.com. And don't forget to make a note in your diary for 8th August at 7pm - I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

...and Wales made three

2009-07-19T15:15:00.014+01:00

July has been a busy month for me. In addition to my usual jobs, this month I enjoyed three Antiques Roadshows in nearly as many weeks. I wrote about Melrose below, and that was followed up a few days later by an event at Bletchley Park, just outside Milton Keynes. If you think you recognise the name, you probably do. Bletchley was home to the talented team led by Alan Turing who broke the code used by Hitler's 'Enigma' machines. Without this breakthrough, the course of World War II would have gone very differently, and our home computers may not be where they are today.
Over 3,500 people attended the event on a sunny Sunday - not quite a record, but up there with the busiest Roadshows, so I was told. The image above shows the house as all the specialists arrived at 8am, and the image here shows the queue as it began to build shortly afterwards. It stretched across the entire lawn, round the lake and into the distance for most of the day, but everyone saw a specialist.
Only a few days later, I was on a train bound for Llandeilo in South Wales for an event at the beautiful Aberglasney Gardens.
Originating in the late 15thC, and restored in the early 1990s, the house and gardens enjoy breath-taking views of the rolling Welsh hills. Arriving mid-afternoon gave me a few hours to explore the town, where I stumbled across The Works Antique Centre, near the railway station. If you're passing through or holidaying nearby, I can certainly recommend a visit to this rabbit warren of rooms packed with things to see and buy at very reasonable prices. Amongst the things I bought were these two 1980s Rosenthal plates designed by Dorothy Hafner (below). Very postmodern in style, I think they were a good buy at £10. While you're there, I can also recommend The Mount Antiques Centre in nearby Carmarthen, found again near the railway station.
Many people associate Wales with rain, and while the day I arrived was hot and sunny, the day of the event was true to form, with the heavens opening for most of the day. I don't mind getting a little bit wet, but this was something else. Anyhow, I had an umbrella to shelter under - it was those in the queue I felt sorry for. But camaraderie and cheer was strong, and we worked through the queue as fast and politely as possible, before we were all moved into the marquee to carry on. I filmed a spot, so keep your eyes peeled when the series airs to see what I found.
Although there are more to come, Aberglasney was the last Roadshow of this season that I'm scheduled to attend. I'll miss all my colleagues greatly, and will look forward to seeing them again next season. In the meantime, I'm preparing for an exciting new project, more about which later...

I saw Sawbridgeworth

2009-07-11T18:44:00.000+01:00

It's rare that I find myself at a loose end, with a day to myself. Even then, when I do, I find myself strangely drawn to the idea of going 'antiquing', as they call it in the US. A couple of friends had mentioned that Sawbridgeworth in Essex was well worth visit, so I decided to take the advice and take myself off there for a day.
Only 40 minutes by train out of London, I discovered a real treasure trove at the Maltings. Literally next to the station, not one, nor two, but FIVE antiques and collectables centres can be found, each crammed to the gunnels with all manner of goodies.
For the real bargain hunter with time on their hands, I can really recommend the first two nearest the road; Herts & Essex Antiques Centre and Riverside. You'll find something to suit every pocket from £1 to over £1,000. I was particularly tempted by a 1930s Webb vase, containing a network of bubbles and a gentle lilac tint. At £20, it looked like great value, but on closer inspection the condition didn't quite meet with my approval. Save some of your budget to visit Acorn Antiques & Collectables (above) at the furthest end of the buildings from the road. Arranged over three truly enormous floors, the place was humming with activity, and I could understand why. The selection is truly unparalleled in this part of the world, and I left with two bags full of treasures, having spent under £50.
At the top of the tree sits Cromwells, with its beautifully laid out interior containing hundreds of cabinets filled with a superb selection of identified and 'vetted' items from Doulton to Whitefriars. I spotted this rather fantastic 1930s Art Deco cabinet, which was on sale for around £500. In great looking condition, the veneer was both undamaged and unfaded, and its Art Deco appeal cannot be disputed. It'll make a great centrepiece to someone's Deco or 'modern eclectic' living room.
My only advice for the would-be visitor is to allow enough time. All the centres here are huge and arranged over many floors - each could easily take an hour to explore fully. I had to go around twice to make sure I'd seen everything - and take a breather to enjoy a restorative cup of tea half way through!

West German Pottery at a charity auction

2009-07-07T22:40:00.003+01:00

I've just got back from a charity auction held to benefit the Prince's Trust at the Guildhall in London. Alas, I am empty handed. Eric Knowles, my friend and colleague on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, is taking part in another series of 'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is' for the BBC. Here, two well-known antiques experts are pitted against each other, buying antiques and collectables, and then selling them at a profit later. They use their own money, so the stakes are high! Eric knows I'm partial to a bit of West German pottery, and had bought a large early 1960s vase (shown here) that he thought I might like to add to my collection. Designed by Hans Siery for Scheurich in 1958, "Yes, please!", I said. At over 20inches (50cm) in height, and estimated at a punchy £150-200, my chequebook and bidding arm were ready, and Eric was enthusing on the rostrum. But I didn't prepare myself for a room full of 20-40-something design fans, and I was soon outbid, with the vase selling for a fantastic £270. Well done Eric, but in my case, I guess you can't win them all!

Michael Jackson 1958-2009

2009-07-06T14:02:00.009+01:00

The grateful guest of a law firm to see Madonna perform at the 02 arena in London on Saturday night, I came across this poignant tribute to the undisputed 'King of Pop'. Scheduled to perform some 50 concerts at the arena during July and August, it's possible that the mental and physical strain these caused contributed to his untimely and tragic death.
Over the past few days, a fair number of people have asked me, or made comments, about the value of Jackson memorabilia and merchandise. A little ghoulish maybe, but I guess the interest is understandable.
Every case needs to be treated differently, particularly as values are likely to be falsely inflated for a few months by (arguably even more ghoulish) speculators. As such, I'd be inclined to wait for a few months before buying that must-have piece of memorabilia, as you may find it more affordable after some of the media hype has died down.
I also think that, as ever, the same core rules to collecting rock & pop memorabilia apply. Mass-produced, poorly made commemorative objects are far less likely to rise in value than something licensed and more special, or even something owned or used by the man himself. It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people expect their old copy of 'Bad' to contribute to the mortgage. It won't - Jackson was the commercial success he was because he sold millions of records, and yours is just one of those many millions. The same goes for much of the raft of commemorative memorabilia that was produced during his career. To state the obvious, for something to rise in value, demand has to outstrip supply.
Also consider items that visually represent the man at his best - those that show him in characteristic pose, looking his best and from his best-loved songs. Think 'Thriller', 'Bad' and the like over 'Remember The Time', for example. Also keep a close eye on 'limitless editions' - the smaller the size of the limited edition is, the more it's likely to rise in value.
If you're wealthy enough to invest in something directly connected to the singer, make sure the provenance (the story behind it that proves what it is) is cast iron. A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune to handle one of the famous fedora hats he wore in 'Billy Jean'. It's part of an iconic look that could only perhaps be beaten by a sequined jacket, red Thriller outfit, or a glove. Acquired from a central London auction house, its provenance was cast iron, and it was also signed by Jackson. As I carefully handled it, little did I know that the man who flicked its brim up in front of millions would be dead mere weeks later.

Antiques Roadshow in the Scottish Borders

2009-07-06T09:01:00.009+01:00

And I bought a hat specially too! Having experienced the blazing Summer heat the UK is experiencing on past Roadshows, I thought I'd come prepared this time. You can imagine my annoyance when both the Met Office and BBC weather both predicted rain and thundery showers. Well I should have trusted my instincts - not a single drop fell from the blue and sun drenched skies.
I was told by one of Judith Miller's relatives that it's all a fix - the sun always shines in bonny Scotland, and all those rainy soaked shots are just a myth intended to keep everyone out! That may be stretching things just ever so slightly, I think......but the idea is nice.
Our location this time was Abbotsford, the Victorian castle built by poet Walter Scott in the 1820s. The event kicked off with drinks on the lawn and a private tour of the castle and its contents before dinner was served indoors. The library, one of the best in private hands then and now, was a particular highlight. We were staying in nearby Melrose (above), a pretty and well-kept small town with a beautiful abbey and even an antiques centre to keep us entertained before the following day's proceedings.
The Roadshow started bright and early the next day and we were kept busy for the day examining all manner of objects from spinning wheels (wool was important to the area), to fine porcelain, sparkling jewellery, textiles, toys, and more. The weather was as warm as the reception we enjoyed, and everyone went away smiling. The shot shown above shows the day as it began to wind down, at a still balmy 5 o'clock.

There had to be one...

2009-06-29T22:45:00.003+01:00

Last week I found myself lecturing in Worthing, where I was confronted with my fantasy antiques shop.
Alas, as the sharp eyed will notice, it was closed for the day. So no chance for me of tasting some of Mrs Overall's delicious homemade macaroons with a nice cup of tea, or even a wee dram of her sherry. Boo. Maybe Cousin Jerez won after all...

They're here....

2009-06-29T22:17:00.008+01:00

...but with no fuzzy TV screens in sight. I am, of course, referring to Kevin Graham's long-awaited magnum opus (or 0pi) on postwar West German Ceramics. With nearly a decade of research behind him, my good friend Kevin will finally be publishing two books on 1st July. The first is 'From Spritzdekor to Fat Lava', which comprises of 262 A4 pages containing 568 colour photographs and 282 photographed makers' marks. A staggering 108 companies are featured, along with designers, decor names, and dates. This volume alone is a real 'must' for any serious collector or dealer.
The second is a companion volume, 'West & East German Makers - Marks & Form Numbers'. Ever wondered what those weird numbers and marks on the bottom of your vase mean? Well, they're the main key to identification (supported by the form and glaze), and this is the book that will help you unlock the door. The book's 174 pages list the shape numbers of over 200 companies - comprising literally thousands and thousands of numbers, together with designers, the dates or period of manufacture, and much more to help you identify your German Pottery.
Kevin himself describes this as being "probably the most up to date form and numbers index available for West & East German Pottery" -- I'd go a step further and say the ONLY!
They say that all good things come to those who wait. We've certainly waited, but having inspected the advances I can see why - the work that has gone into these books is incredible. I just know you won't be disappointed - this really is one that is well worth the wait.
email Kevin at kj_graham@gmx.de to order your copy, or click here to visit the FREE Fat Lava Forum.

Names we like...

2009-06-24T15:51:00.005+01:00

Every now and again in Miller's Towers, we come across names that make us smile in the course of researching our books. Here're some we've found recently:

May Doorbar, Charlotte Rhead’s housekeeper.
Gwendoline Suckling, decorator at Poole Pottery from 1935-39.
Thelma Bush, decorator at Poole Pottery, from 1966-68.
Fuller Pilch, cricket batsman, known for his ‘Pilch’s Poke’ forward-batting play.
Orval Overall, Chicago cubs pitcher, 1905-10.

My favourite has to be May Doorbar - that name paints a certain picture in my mind as a housekeeper! If you have any others, please do share.

BBC Antiques Roadshow on the Channel Islands

2009-06-14T23:24:00.019+01:00

Well, at least the rain held off! It was that that everyone seemed most worried about as the merry band of Antiques Roadshow production crew and specialists gathered in the beautifully manicured grounds of Saumarez Manor on the idyllic island of Guernsey. The photo above shows the event just before the gates opened. What you can't see is the queue, which was there in force, with everyone clutching their carefully wrapped treasures.
All eyes gazed upwards at the stormy clouds, but someone up there smiled down on the BBC, and by the time the afternoon, and the queue, had been and gone, the sun was shining. As with all Roadshows, thousands of people had brought thousands of objects to be appraised, commented on, identified and valued by the specialists, and many went home with an extra broad grin on their faces.
I managed to film something (above) from amidst everything I saw, and you'll just have to wait and watch the programme to see what it was!
The next day, before I left for Jersey, I managed to make a call on a dear old friend of mine, James Bridges, who is now a consultant with premier Guernsey-based auctioneers Martel Maides.
James and I first met at Bonhams in London, where he was a fellow specialist in the collectors department, specialising in diecast models by the likes of Dinky and Corgi, amongst other toys. I then joined him at Sotheby's, before we both worked together for a third time at an internet company. We parted ways some seven years ago, so had a lot to catch up on, despite me suppressing my rude yawns due to the early start after the busy day. Truly good friends get on and chat however long they've been apart, be it 7 days or 7 years, and so it was with James. We shook hands on a 'high' and with promises to meet up again - soon.
Our meeting was cut short by a date with none other than René Lalique. Not the man, of course, but an entire church he designed from 1932-34. It was a privilege to visit St Matthews' Glass Church, particularly with my esteemed Roadshow colleagues for company. Above, you can see an entire wall of monumental angels - this is just a small part of the wonders you can see, which will truly take your breath away. There really isn't anything else quite like this church, and it provides the perfect balance to any retail therapy you might indulge in in the pretty centre of St Helier.
Before I knew it, the day was spent and the Jersey Roadshow beckoned. The people of Jersey were naturally no less charming, kind and welcoming than those of Guernsey, and the event, held at the picturesque Samarès Manor (above), was packed to the gunnels. Once again, I was lucky enough to film something I loved, and I know that plenty of other treasures were discovered and identified. I was also grateful for the light, late evening. After the work was done, I was able to take off for a peaceful wander through the gardens of the manor with cool and calming zephyrs blowing gently around me...the perfect end to a perfect week.

Brooklands Antiques Roadshow II

2009-06-02T13:13:00.004+01:00

Paul Atterbury and I talking at the start of yesterday's Antiques Roadshow in Brooklands Museum in sunny Surrey.

BBC Antiques Roadshow at Brooklands Museum

2009-06-01T00:07:00.000+01:00

Of course it had to be a chequered flag - a stylish and perfectly suitable opening to the Antiques Roadshow at Brooklands motoring and aviation museum in sunny Surrey today.
As soon as it was dramatically swept down, thousands of visitors, excitedly clutching their antiques and collectables, made their way to the tables of waiting specialists. It simply could not have been a better day, with the sun in the sky and smiles on faces. Of course, some smiles were even wider as people left!
I was manning my usual post on the many Miscellaneous tables alongside Hilary Kay, Paul Atterbury, Judith Miller, Jon Baddeley, Katherine Higgins and Max Donnelly. Although I didn't manage to film anything this time around, I saw some mighty fine pieces ranging from pop memorabilia, to Clarice Cliff ceramics, to an 18thC scarifier (look it up!) - and even a mummified cat!

Just one more thing...

2009-05-31T06:12:00.001+01:00

...before we move on from Fat Lava. Many collectors choose one shape, and then try to find as many different glazes as they can on the same shape. In the past year, Graham Cooley has found 136 different glaze treatments on the popular Scheurich 401 jug vase - he and independent filmmaker Nigel Edwards of Inhouse TV have just produced a unique 2 minute video showcasing this collection within a collection. You can see it below - well done Nigel & Graham!

Fat Lava II Exhibition

2009-05-30T23:53:00.019+01:00

If you're into Fat Lava, the crazy and unique ceramics produced in West Germany from the 1960s-70s, you simply must take a trip to Reading this month. I've just got back from the grand opening today, and my jaw is still on the floor.
Eminent private collector Graham Cooley and progressive dealer Al Baynham of the mid20c Retro Shop (left) have literally pulled out all the stops to present you with a truly eye-popping and mouth-watering display that leads on perfectly from the ground-breaking first Fat Lava exhibition held in King's Lynn in 2006.
Al has devoted his entire shop to the exhibition, which is divided into two rooms. Everything in the large, light and airy front room is for sale and, given the colourful and crazy shop window display, I'm amazed there's haven't been any minor accidents on the road outside! From floor vase to bud vase, Roth to Scheurich, Bay to Jasba, and prices that range from £15 to £300, there's something here for you whether you're looking to build your collection, or buy a single statement piece. Break free from the boring uniformity of Ikea and high street chains and say something about yourself and your avant garde tastes!
The back room contains an exhibition put together by, and featuring vases from, the vast Graham Cooley Collection of some 2,500 examples (left). Rather than just repeat the success of the first exhibition, Graham has pulled together a new array focusing on recent discoveries and learnings. So, Übelacker Keramik, Jopeko, ES Keramik and Roth are amongst the names that have benefitted from his skilled and experienced eye. You'll also see fantastic forms and great glazes from more widely known names such as Scheurich (the 'Wien' series in particular) Dümler & Breiden, Ruscha and Carstens. Although none of these pieces are for sale, you'll learn plenty to help you as you build your collection.
I attended today to launch the second, revised and expanded edition of my Fat Lava catalogue, and copies flew out of the door like the proverbial 'hot-cakes', usually accompanied by carefully chosen and wrapped vases! Over 60 people attended the opening throughout the day, and Al made everyone feel welcome, offering drinks and snacks. Light-hearted banter was punctuated with laughter, with the sunny terrace outside becoming a hotbed of discussions and exchanges of information.
I was delighted to see Kevin Graham, author of a new encyclopedia on the subject to be published soon, major collector and dealer Martin Rosam, Paul Bishop of the Cambridge Glass Fair, and many other friends and colleagues. Of course, we weren't the only ones having fun. At 11am UK time, three other exhibitions in Australia, Germany and the US opened simultaneously online via www.fat-lava.org. Fat Lava had truly gone global. I've never heard of an online/offline event quite like this before, so a round of applause must go to dealers and collectors Patrick & Petra Folkersma of Outernational for masterminding this innovative event. All four locations remained online throughout the day, and attracted a great many online viewers keen to see the exhibitions and chat to the collectors who built them.
Did I have a favourite? Although it's very hard to choose from the eye-popping array, it would have to be the range of Roth vases shown here. Although little is known about this factory, the designs speak for themselves. Out of all the different designs produced in these incredible two decades, these have caught collectors' attention the most. Prices have risen from under £100 to nearly £300 in a matter of months, with collectors old and new falling over themselves to add a piece to their collections. These rises are partly due to their scarcity - despite their period look and feel, these pieces can't have sold in large numbers at the time, and are not common at all. If I have one regret, it was not buying these in 2006, when I could have had an ovoid vase for £30-50. Now I'd have to part with £150 for the same piece. As my friend Judith Miller says, 'It's the ones you don't buy that you regret'. Don't let that happen to you - hot-foot it to Reading now!

Fat Lava II is here

2009-05-27T18:14:00.002+01:00

It's finally here! The second, revised and expanded edition of Fat Lava has finally arrived! After a couple of glitches, a long lorry drew up outside today to deliver a palette of boxes. The moment it did this, the clouds opened and the rain poured down. With no trolley, each and every box had to unloaded by hand - thankfully the delivery driver was patient! On the other hand, he had his warm and dry cab, while I soaked myself to the bone.
Come an' get 'em! If you'd like copy, click here to place your order and pay now. The first edition sold out in just over 18 months, so don't miss out!
I'm now all set for the opening of the second Fat Lava exhibition at Mid20C in Reading, Berkshire, on Saturday, and the month of online events that follow it. For more information, check out www.fat-lava.org.
I hope to see you there!

Journey's End...

2009-05-24T00:31:00.002+01:00

...and I inadvertently saved the best for last. Before I travel anywhere, I always spend an evening trawling the web for places to visit. This time I found a new gallery, Gallery 567 on Benczur Utca, which I hadn't come across before and looked right up my street. Open by appointment only, it's well worth waiting for and I really can't recommend a visit enough.
The owner, Peter Langh, is the perfect combination of charm, knowledge and experience. And as we know, collecting is a disease (albeit a nice one!), and Peter has it bad! He started collecting seven years ago and has built what has to be the best collection of postwar Hungarian ceramics, glass and furniture in the country, which is augmented by examples from Czechoslovakia, Poland and other old Eastern Bloc countries. Backing this up is a huge reference library, and Peter sure knows his stuff.
I spent nearly three hours browsing thought his vast basement emporium, even purchasing a piece or two that I need to hit my own library to research. Exciting stuff!
Walking back up into the sun after an enormously enjoyable and educational experience, my stomach began to rumble. The only solution was to take advantage of the special brunch at Hungary's top restaurant Gundl, which was thankfully only mere minutes away on foot. Usually out of my price range, this 'eat as much as you would like to' buffet is both a bargain and entirely delicious, and even comes with a complimentary glass of champagne.
A couple of relaxing hours later, the banker and I decided to pop next door to Budapest's recently re-invigorated zoo. Although the animals are naturally an attraction, design and architecture lovers will love the elephant house and a couple of other truly fabulous Art Nouveau buildings, such as the gatehouse. Cool collectables, fabulous food and amazing animals - what a way to end a long weekend in Budapest.

Back in Budapest

2009-05-23T00:05:00.002+01:00

Spurred on by yesterday's success, I went once more into the sun to find more bargains in Budapest. I spent quite some time doing this in Summer last year, and you can read about my experiences by clicking here. One of my first targets today was the chain of state-owned 'BAV' stores that sell secondhand, retro and antique goods. The branch on Frankel Leó Utca in Buda is particularly good and always worth a visit, selling everything from the 1800s onwards. Here's a view of the interior to give you some idea of the variety available.
The cabinets in the middle of the picture made me smile, as they were packed with modern Czech glass. Not a place to barter, I noticed prices had risen markedly since the last time I was here. Still, it was great to browse around and see what others were buying, even if I couldn't find anything I simply had to have. In Pest, the branch on Bécsi Utca is always worth as visit, as is the branch on Falk Miksa Utca, which is Budapest's 'antiques alley'.
Indeed it was there I went next. I noticed the street had become much busier and also that many more shops had opened up sicne last Summer. One that caught my eye was Nàfsa Antik Galéria at no.22. Stocking a wide range of glass, ceramics and metalware from the late 19thC onwards, but specialising in the 20th century, there's plenty to look at. My eye was caught by a range of glass produced by Karcag, named after a town outside Hungary. Known as 'veil' glass, it's characterised by a layer of very brightly coloured 'crackle' glass, covered with a layer of colourless glass. Think vibrant yellows, blues and pinks that sparkle in the light due to the web of sealed cracks. Little is known about the factory or designer, with production peaking in the 1930s, and the factory apparently being closed by the Communists in the 1960s. As such, shapes tend to be modern, clean-lined and simple. This candleholder (above), shaped almost like an electrical insulator was my favourite, but I was also drawn to a cocktail shaker with a handsome Deco chrome top. At around £80 each, my budget didn't stretch that far, so they're still there if you want them!

Hard Trading

2009-05-22T15:58:00.001+01:00

This bank holiday weekend, I find myself in Budapest, where it's very warm (32 degrees) and very muggy. A quick lunch after touching down left me ready to hit the shops. First stop was Kiraly Utca, where I had been into a truly superb (and also truly tiny) shop specialising in 20th century ceramics and glass last time I was here. Having chatted with the owner then, he told me he had over 3,000 pieces at home and changed his stock regularly. You can imagine my disappointment when I found his shop had been replaced by a building site! Asking around, it seemed he had gone away late last year, and nobody knew where.

My face didn't stay long for long - wandering back towards my hotel, I spotted this rather sizeable treasure in a shop that sold everything from bicycles to computers and ceramics. The heavily smoking shopkeeper told me the price was 50 euros, or roughly 15,000 Hungarian Forints. Keen not to appear too keen, I browsed some other interesting pieces before asking the price again - 80 euros! Not wanting it to rise any more, I began bartering, offering a grin and a cheeky 9,000 Forints, around 30 euros, to start. I expected some huffiness, of course, but this guy was tough and even enlisted a chap off the street (who I suspect was his business partner) to help him. Backing me into a corner (literally), I felt a little threatened as they countered with 13,000 forints, drawing ever closer to me. Keeping my smile on full beam, and trying not to look intimidated, I clutched my bag and politely offered 11,000 Forints. With a nod, the deal was done amidst much muttering. Asking for a bag was the final straw however, and I think I'm glad I don't understand Hungarian!

Whatever, £35 isn't bad at all for a piece of the Rhapsody range, designed by Frantisek Zemek in 1960, and made by the Mstisov, and then the Moser, glassworks. At over 16in (41cm) high, it's the largest I've handled - even better! I've shown it here next to the other vase I own. Based on my previous experience of Hungarians, this really was most out of character, and I'm sure it was just the unbearably muggy heat that caused any disgruntlement. Speaking of the heat, I think it's time for a celebratory and cooling glass of gin and tonic!

René Roubicek Photograph

2009-05-20T17:54:00.005+01:00

Browsing around my favourite hunting ground, Past Caring in Islington, with a TV film crew today, I stumbled upon this incredible photograph.
Although it might not look like much, the rather strange piece of glass the young man is looking at is a postwar Czech masterpiece. Simply titled 'Object', it was designed in 1960 by legendary designer Rene Roubicek, and made by Josef Rozinek at the Borské Sklo factory in Novy Bor. it was first exhibited at the Milan Triennale in 1960, and went on to become an icon of the revolution in Czech glass design that occurred after the war.
Photographs of such items are not at all common, and this looks to have been professionally shot, taking into account the dramatic angle, viewer's expression, and the reflections in the cabinet's glass front. Totally unmarked, its origins are a mystery, although it may have been a press photo for the Milan exhibition. If you can shed any light on it, and who shot it, please let me know.

Fat Lava in Canada

2009-05-11T20:33:00.007+01:00

On my many visits to Canada, I've always been delighted by the enormous level of interest in West German ceramics of the 1960s & 70s. The country was a major export market for makers such as Bay, Scheurich and ES Keramik, and Fat Lava has become a firm favourite amongst collectors there.
My good friends Conrad Biernacki and Brian Musselwhite of the Royal Ontario Museum are fans, as is dealer Holly Gnaedinger of the wonderful 'Twice Found' in the trendy Mirvish Village district of Toronto. Although a busy schedule meant I never got to meet him after having spoken a few times, I heard great things about another dealer by the name of Marten Augsten. Naturally I was delighted to see that the Canadian 'National Post' newspaper had recently covered his gallery, aptly named the Rogue Gallery. Click here to read the article, from where this image is used with thanks.
While I'm on the subject of Fat Lava, it's only a few weeks until the 'Fat Lava II' extravaganza launches. Kicking off on 30th May with the opening of a selling exhibition at the Mid20C gallery in Reading, Berkshire there're also a number of exciting web and gallery based events planned across June. With contributions from leading experts from Germany, the US, the UK and Australia, it's not to be missed. Plus there's the launch of the second, revised edition of my bookalogue. Check out www.fat-lava.org to find out more!

World Record Price For Mdina

2009-05-06T20:26:00.004+01:00

The Mdina Glass 'Crizzle Stone' signed by Michael Harris - rightly dubbed the Holy Grail for many Mdina collectors - being offered by Artius Glass on behalf of a collector has sold. And it stormed home, selling for a staggering £3,400! Representing the apex of collecting, less than a dozen are currently known to collectors, with only one of those being signed by Michael. This example was in the most desirable green and ochre colourway, with a nice, clear signature on its base. Developed from the iconic 'Fish', this treasure was brought to light after the vendor saw an episode of the BBC Antiques Roadshow, where my colleague Andy McConnell valued an unsiged example in brown and ochre at £1,000-1,500. Whoever the buyer is, they have my sincere congratulations - it's a cracker!

All change at the UK's leading glass fair

2009-05-04T22:31:00.006+01:00

Founded by the indomitable Pat Hier in 1991, the National Glass Fair rapidly grew to become a firm favourite fixture on the calendar of any glass collector worth their salt (or sand). When Pat retired last year, the event was unsurprisingly taken over by glass fair supremo Oxbridge Fairs, run by my good friends Paul Bishop and Christina Glover. Best known for founding the immensely popular Cambridge Glass Fair, they both weaved their magic once again at the latest event held yesterday at the National Motorcycle Museum near the N.E.C. in Birmingham.
Divided across three rooms, one could literally progress from Roman glass in the first to studio glass produced last year in the third. That is, once you got there - the fair was packed! Although I was still firmly in the land of nod, I was told that the early morning queue to get in stretched around the block. Even when I did arrive, there was a lively thrum of activity, with the odd crowning sound of cheery laughter. Us glass collectors tend to be a friendly lot!
I enjoyed the fair immensely, as ever. I caught up with plenty of friends, ranging from studio glass dealer Richard Bebb, to the much respected Peter Elliott and Danny Walker. I bought very well and, judging by the number of bags being carried out, so did many others. Hardly surprising really, given that prices range from £10 to £10,000, and items date from the from 1st century BC to the first year of the second millenium! There really is something for everyone.
I also spent some time with Ron & Ann Wheeler of Artius Glass, who specialise in the designs of Michael Harris for Mdina and Isle of Wight Studio Glass. They have been asked by a private individual to sell the 'holy grail' for Mdina collectors - a rare Crizzle Stone signed by Michael himself. Only the second one I have ever seen (and the first isn't for sale!), offers are invited at sums in excess of £2,000. Remortgage now, as it'll be years before you see another - if you ever do. Contact Artius Glass to place your bid before tomorrow (5th May) by clicking here. Good luck!

Sampson Mordan Pencils

2009-04-30T14:00:00.005+01:00

Having just compiled the pens and writing equipment section of the new edition of the Miller's Collectables Price Guide (out next Spring), my love for Mordan's marvellous silver propelling pencils has been rekindled.
In 1822, Sampson Mordan patented the propelling pencil with fellow inventor John Hawkins. Mordan bought Hawkins out, and then sold half the rights to a wealthy stationer Gabriel Riddle in 1823. With Riddle's money, the ingenious and commerically minded Mordan was able to build his foundling company into the 19thC success story it was.
Marks matter, and can help with dating, especially when useful hallmarks aren't present. Pencils made from 1823-37, when Riddle and Mordan parted, usually bear an 'SM GR' hallmark and the words 'S.MORDAN & Cos PATENT'. From c1838 until the 1860s, the wording 'S.MORDAN & CO MAKERS & PATENTEES' was used, with 'S.MORDAN & CO MAKERS' dating from the 1850s-60s. After the 1860s, the standard 'S.MORDAN & CO' mark was used.
The silver pencil shown here has hallmarks for 1825, making it a very rare, very early surivor. As such its value will be around £200-300. And you can pretty much double that if it had been even earlier. Standard later examples from the late 19thC to early 20thC can be had for £30-80 or so, but look out for Mordan's late 19thC range of novelty shaped pencils. Forms included owls, pistols, champagne bottles and more, and values generally range from £200-800. Not a bad sum for something only inches in size!

Books, books and more books...

2009-04-21T16:39:00.004+01:00

...and a whole lot of business being done pretty much sums up the London Book Fair, where I have spent much of this afternoon. Hundreds of publishers and related businesses from across the world attend, from the big boys of Hachette and Random House, to smaller one-man bands, and the remainder businesses that feed off this multi-billion pound industry. I had an appointment with Octopus Publishing, owners of Miller's Publications, but also had a chance to wander (and wonder) around afterwards. Here's a picture of the stand, with it's vast revolving cone emblazoned with the company's minimalist logo.

Antiques For Everyone

2009-04-19T19:12:00.011+01:00

I've just spent the past four days at the wonderful Antiques for Everyone Spring fair at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. This is the largest quality antiques show in the UK, taking out the higher-end Olympia fairs in London. Living up to its name, there truly was something for the thousands who attended (see the opening day entry queue above), from shipwreck cargoes, to Staffordshire, antique drinking glasses, Meissen and a wonderful array of fine Georgian and Victorian furniture at prices ranging from as little as £10 to over £10,000.
The four days kicked off with a short talk to an antiques group who usually meet in a countryside pub owned by a couple of antique-loving publicans. A couple of radio and TV interviews followed, as did a lot of talking and enthusing about the wonderful items on display. It was great to catch up with friends who were exhibiting, such as Mike & Debbie Moir, who sell fine Lalique, Daum and Gallé glass, and Sue & Alan Poultney of Scarab Antiques, who sell a superb selection of great quality glass, silver and jewellery amongst other items. Visiting friends it was great to see included Joy McCall of Christie's, Michael Jeffrey of Woolley & Wallis, and Nigel Benson of 20th Century Glass.
I was, of course, representing Miller's at the event, as well as selling the full range of Mark Hill Publishing books. Positioned at the end of an aisle, our stand (shown above) was busy with a constant stream of visitors coming to buy books and chat. And we weren't the only ones - the fair was packed, particularly on Thursday and Saturday. In fact, I was told by Tiffany Pritchard, the show director, that the opening day saw a record number of visitors! So much for the recession damaging the trade...in fact it only seems to have helped it. With banks offering record low interest rates and more people looking to beautify the homes they find themselves spending more time in, antiques and collectables look to be firmly set as a favourite purchase - and perhaps even an investment.

Blackpool Rocks!

2009-04-04T22:42:00.005+01:00

With nary a week in between, I have just got back from a trip up north to do the Antiques Roadshow in the sunny seaside resort of Blackpool. I arrived on Thursday afternoon to a tranquil town, and took a constitutional walk along the beach to the location - the legendary Blackpool Ballroom underneath the world-famous Victorian Blackpool Tower. Parked outside was the Antiques Roadshow lorry, and all around I saw posters advertising the event, which seems to take place in the town every five years or so, the last event having been in the Winter Gardens.
And the advertising certainly did the trick, thousands turned up on Friday to have all manner of objects valued and considered by the team of specialists. As ever, the reception was warm and friendly and the items seen varied, and sometimes valuable. Everyone got to see an expert and get home in time for tea. The image below shows the grandeur of the ballroom just before the doors were opened. I enjoyed myself immensely as ever and, as for what was seen, you'll have to tune in in Autumn to find out! And don't forget to watch right to end for a rather charming finale!
After I had levered myself out of my room on Saturday, I decided to enjoy the town a little before heading off to nearby Chorley to visit some friends from university. On my way to lunch, I spotted a small (and I mean small) antiques and collectables fair, comprised of some ten tables in a building on a corner of the grand Winter Gardens. What a treasure trove I found inside. A superb selection of glass and ceramics was soon safely packed away, including a lovely pair of Ronald Stennett-Willson for Wedgwood amber Sheringham candleholders with three discs at what I think was a great price. Then back to the ballroom to enjoy a restorative coffee while watching experienced dancers young and old sway to the sound of the Wurlitzer, before heading off on what must be one of the warmest Spring evenings so far.

Ambleside Pottery

2009-04-02T23:01:00.001+01:00

One of my favourite tasks each month is writing my regular column for Collect It! magazine. I'm lucky enough to enjoy free-reign on the target of my articles, which is a luxury indeed. Just before heading north to work on another Antiques Roadshow, I researched the history behind a little known pottery I'm rather fond of, called Ambleside. I've been collecting their work on and off for a few years now and, although my collection could be counted on one hand, they're up there amongst my favourite pieces of studio pottery that reside in Hill Towers.
For those of you who don't know, the pottery was founded by a certain George Cook and based in Ambleside, Cumbria from 1948 until the 1980s. They became known for their sgrafitto designs, such as the rather handsome vase on the left. Values and interest seem to be woefully low, but this may change if more people pay the pottery more attention. If you want to know why I think they should, then you'll have to read the magazine which hits the shelves in early May.

BBC Antiques Roadshow at Hopetoun House

2009-03-26T14:59:00.011Z

I've just got back from the glorious and spectacular Hopetoun House, outside Edinburgh, which was Wednesday's location for the Antiques Roadshow. Billed as 'Scotland's Finest Stately Home', it certainly didn't disappoint, although I've always been a sucker for anything with a long gravel drive, Classical columns and a garden with a ha-ha. Arguably even better than the house were the people.
Peering out through the window shortly before our 8.30am safety briefing, the queue had already begun to stretch from one side of the house to the other. And it remained like that for most of this beautifully sunny day - Edinburgh's antiques and collectables hunters and fans turned out in their droves. By the end of a challenging but highly enjoyable day, every single person had seen an expert, and many went home grinning broadly and clutching their bags just a little bit tighter.
Amongst the many items I saw, was a collection of 'The Broons' and 'Oor Wullie' comic books in truly mint condition, a nice early 19thC Sunderland Bridge glass, and a rare Royal Doulton 'Marietta' figurine from the 1930s. Values ranged from a couple of hundred pounds for the glass to a fair few thousand pounds for the comic books. But value doesn't always matter - I was perhaps most excited by a selection of mid-20thC whaling memorabilia carved by the owner's father that was nothing less than charming. With all of this in mind, I'm really looking forward to coming back on Thursday 2nd July for another Roadshow, just down the road at Abbotsford House in Melrose. Hope to see you there.

Czech Glass in top BBC magazine - Out Now!

2009-03-16T17:40:00.014Z

Last month I was delighted to be asked by BBC Homes & Antiques magazine to write an article on postwar Czech glass design, a hot collecting area also known to collectors as 'sklo'. The magazine's photographers have really excelled themselves, and you'll find a lavishly illustrated seven page article packed with useful information and tips.
Not only that, as you can also read superb articles by Paul Atterbury on the illustrator Eric Gill, Jon Baddeley on Peter Beard's studio ceramics, Will Farmer on early 19thC card tables, and much more from the Antiques Roadshow. All for the princely sum of £3.60. Now, if that isn't a bargain, I don't know what is!

Market Intelligence - Fat Lava

2009-03-11T23:30:00.008Z

It's done! I'm delighted to announce that the second, revised and expanded, edition of my ground-breaking and sell-out bookalogue 'Fat Lava: West German Ceramics of the 1960s & 70s' is now at the printers. Phew.
Since the first edition went out of print, demand for copies has been consistently high, leading to the decision to revise and reprint.
Some 'inside intelligence' now. Graham Cooley, my friend and owner of the collection shown in the first exhibition, was at the Kempton Park Antiques Fair earlier this week, and met up with a number of his German dealer contacts with a view to buy. All said that the supply in Germany has completely dried out. Nevertheless, demand is still rising, meaning that prices are increasing quicker and higher than ever. My advice? If you like it, get in there now, before it's too late and prices rise too far.
The second edition of my catalogue will be available from mid-May, and will be launched at a second Fat Lava exhibition to be held at Mid20C from Saturday 30th May. To reserve your copy from this strictly limited print-run, email me at books@markhillpublishing.com.

Yves Saint Laurent Auction

2009-03-10T11:32:00.004Z

I had to read the price twice. Then a third time, just to make sure. Yes, Eileen Gray's Art Deco 'Dragons' chair really had sold for £17.7 million!
For me, the most surprising aspect of the recent Yves Saint Laurent auction held at Christie's in Paris was the level of prices being paid for furniture and decorative arts. The hundreds of thousands, and often millions, of pounds paid for vases, chairs, tables and other decorative objects has finally shown that prices can reach those paid for paintings and modern art - traditionally the most valuable items sold in the art and antiques world.
This was particularly resonant with me last weekend as I walked around the Guggenheim Museum in New York. The spiralling main gallery was, with few exceptions, filled with what I considered to be the very worst of modern and contemporary art - over-complicated, un-appealing, unattractive, elitist clap-trap.
I left disappointed, seeing a wasted opportunity and thinking that so few high profile museums or exhibitions devoted to decorative arts exist. That led me to feel disappointed again. Although it did a great service to the profile of the area, it's a shame that Saint Laurent's fabulously wealthy partner Pierre Bergé decided to sell this incredible collection. Instead he could have opened the house they shared and the collection they lovingly built to the public, or donated the collection to a museum, where it could have been enjoyed by all of us for centuries to come.

A second bite from the Big Apple

2009-03-01T23:08:00.007Z

Sunday meant the (reputedly even better) flea market between 38th & 39th off 9th Ave, which we went to after an 'interesting' visit to the stunning Guggenheim Museum near Central Park. To look after bodily hunger as well as collecting hunger, the banker and I booked ourselves in for brunch at the perfectly situated and very trendy HK H ell's Kitchen at 39th St and 9th Avenue.
As soon as we arrived it became clear to me that something was wrong. The entrance to the tunnel was busy as ever, but the streets around it were deserted. I realised it was cold and this time of year can mean the market isn't as large as usual, but where was everybody? Our wait-person revealed all.
With a snow storm threatening up to 8 inches of snow later that afternoon, traders had voted with their feet not to come and set up, just in case they couldn't get home afterwards. In turn, this made us concerned, just in case our evening flight was delayed, or even cancelled. We have work to do! Thankfully the storm blew in later than expected, and our flight managed to take off on time. I bet the dealers wished they had come into town!
The disappointment was tempered by a delicious extended brunch and, on the way back to the Thompson Lower East Side hotel to collect our bags I stopped off at the newly refurbished 'The End of History' on Hudson St in the West Village. It may be a grim sounding name, but there's nothing grim about the contents of the shop, which are colourful, varied and extremely exciting. Here I am in front of a selection of fabulous Blenko Glass bottles and vases designed by Wayne Husted and others. When you're there also make sure you check out probably the best and most vibrantly coloured selection of both Italian and Scandinavian glass on the East Coast. A real treasure trove of mid-century modern design, in the heart of the city, you'll love it as much as I did.
All of a sudden, the skies were darkening and it was time to return to London. Back at the hotel, I 'borrowed' a strong cardboard box from the porter and, armed with packing tape, I carefully packed my cider flagon amongst clothes to ensure it made the flight back intact. A yellow taxi ride and a dull check-in process later and the plane's wheels left American soil. I had fun, great fun. See you next time New York!

A bite from the Big Apple

2009-03-01T22:51:00.020Z

This weekend, I flew to New York -- for lunch! I was lucky enough to be flying out to the Big Apple to meet my old business colleague and good friend Julian Ellison, founder and CEO of LiveAuctioneers.
Julian founded the company after leaving our alma mater icollector, which we both ended up effectively running for a period of time shortly after the dotcom boom. The sun was shining as I wandered up Broadway and into the trendy 'Meat Packing' district to meet him at Soho House for coffee, before heading off to Pastis for lunch. It's been some time since Julian and I have had a good talk, and this proved to be as invigorating, enjoyable and educational as ever. Thank you Julian! A visit to Philips de Pury to view their latest auction ended a perfect day.
Saturday brought a second highlight of the trip - time to go 'teekin' as they say in the States, or 'antiquing' to you and I. My destination was West 25th St, between Broadway and 6th Avenue, home to a famous open air flea market and a plethora of malls and stores. To be honest, the flea market was even more disappointing than last time I came three years ago. I'd really challenge any serious collector to find anything they want amongst the old (vintage?) clothes, knackered shoes, household appliances, and probably-quite-modern tribal art on display on trestle tables and rugs in the cavernous car parks between buildings. Still, the variety was excellent, and maybe I just didn't look hard enough...
Quick smart over to The Showplace for some proper hunting! This is an excellent source, and really must be visited if you're into this sort of thing. Over 130 professional dealers have stands over three floors, with a selection to die for. Although you'll know what you want to look at, I'd recommend Freeforms for Scandinavian Modern ceramics and glass, Mood Indigo for Deco and '50s homewares, barware and funky plastics, Waves for amazing vintage radios, Soren Jensen for Georg Jensen and Scandinavian Modern metalware and cutlery, and anywhere on the ground floor for amazing costume jewellery.
Despite the choice, I was taken by two Exbor glass 'obelisk' vases designed by Pavel Hlava and ranging from $500 upwards, something that looked like one but wasn't at a similar price, and a Ruscha 'Filigrana' vase, c1960, designed by Adele Bolz. The largest I've seen for ages, I managed to politely barter the price down to $160, but then realised that its vast size and fragility made it impossible to carry back in hand luggage!
Oh, as a final note, don't forget to pop up to the fourth floor. New since I came last time, this vast space is filled with glass cabinets packed with treasures, and also has appealing room sets on display to show you how you can integrate antiques and collectables into your home. I left feeling very happy indeed, even if slightly nervy as I tried to decide whether to buy any of the pieces I had seen.
With the dollar to pound exchange rate being unfavourable from my viewpoint, I decided to save my few hard-earned pounds for the 'best bit'. Undoubtedly THE places to go for true bargain hunting are the two large parking garage floors just on the corner of 6th Avenue. Rumoured to have been closed down, I can confirm that they haven't been, with signs just inside the doors stating a new lease has been signed.
I always get a shiver of excitement when I go up or down the ramps. There are over 200 dealers ranging from 'Mom & Pop' to professionals who have been in it all their lives. Price tags range from under a dollar to over $5,000, but are largely under $500.Whatever you find, always haggle, but do it politely and with respect.
Also always examine pieces thoroughly - trade starts at 6am and it's rare for dealers higher up 'the food chain' to pass over a true bargain. Keep your eyes peeled for damage!
After being tempted by plenty, I limited myself to a superb Winchcombe Pottery cider flagon, potted by Raymond Finch which, despite my luggage restrictions, really needed to be repatriated at $50 (£35), and also a rather sweet Scandinavian look-alike Russian 'Tekt' ceramic figurine that I just couldn't pass by at $12 (£8)!

'Brown' Furniture makes a comeback?

2009-02-25T16:27:00.005Z

As some of you will know, one of the many hats I wear is that of 'Head of Miller's Online', running the new Miller's website at www.millersguides.com. As part of this exciting and growing free site, we have set up some interesting public polls, one of which asks whether traditional brown furniture is making a comeback.
A total of 71% of voters think it has already, or will very soon. This is made up of 42% of voters who said that it already had, and 29% who said that it will soon. On the negative side, 21% said that it hasn't at all, and a pathetic 8% said that they don't like it.
I'm sure you'll agree that these are interesting results. I just can't help feeling that the majority are right, and speaking to some of my auctioneer friends confirms this. They're seeing tangible results of this opinion in salerooms across the country and, indeed, the globe.
My advice? Get to your nearest local auction room as quickly as your legs will carry you! The bargain prices seen over the past few years won't continue for much longer. I'm delighted that I managed to buy this Georgian-style Edwardian period solid mahogany kneehole desk (above) at auction for £100, including commission, late last year.
It's older than me, it'll certainly outlive me, it's the 'green' thing to do from a recycling perspective, and it represents far better value for money (in so many respects) than some mass-manufactured trash from a Scandinavian chain store...

13th Cambridge Glass Fair

2009-02-24T00:43:00.000Z

It may have been the 13th Cambridge Glass Fair, but the only people who were unlucky were those who didn't visit! But there can't have been many of them, as this fair was amongst the very busiest I have attended - and I've been going since the first.
The queue began to build an hour before the opening, and from the moment the doors opened until they closed, the aisles were crammed with buyers and browsers, with the door even running out of tickets after lunch!
They crossed the country to see some 50+ specialist dealers selling pieces from 'over 200 years of glass' history and, judging by the number of bags seen leaving the hall, they liked what they saw.
Attending these events is always enjoyable for many reasons, one of them being to catch up with friends. James Bassam, 20thC Design specialist at auction house T.W. Gaze & Sons, was one, and he echoed the impression I was rapidly building. Despite the truly awful economic climate, many are turning to, or increasingly, buying art, antiques and collectables. Not only does one's home become more important than ever when we can't afford to go out, but they also make a far interesting and enjoyable form of investment than stocks and shares.
Speaking of friends, I was honoured to have been asked by Kevin Graham, who runs the excellent Pottery & Glass Forum, to join him on his stand. Kevin is a specialist in West German ceramics and is on the verge of publishing an 'encyclopedia' to makers, designs and designers, having researched the area for nearly a decade. Above you'll see me with Kevin (second from right), and major 'Fat Lava' collector Martin Rosam and his partner Karen.
I really can't recommend joining the Pottery & Glass Forum enough. Membership is free, and you'll find an amazing array of fascinating and practical facts and tips for identifcation, as well as being able to participate in the friendly and fun banter.
If you do one thing today, visit, join and browse!

BBC Antiques Roadshow 2009

2009-02-21T13:23:00.005Z

This year's dates for the Antiques Roadshow have now been published, and are listed below. Those in bold are the events I will be attending as a specialist on the Miscellaneous or Collectables tables. Dig out your treasures and I hope to see you there!

Thursday 19 March - Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln
Wednesday 25 March - Hopetoun House, Queensferry, Scotland
Friday 3 April - Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Lancashire
Thursday 23 April - Bath Assembly Rooms, Somerset
Thursday 14 May - Stanway House, Gloucestershire
Thursday 21 May - Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire
Sunday 31 May - Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey
Tuesday 9 June - Saumarez Park, Guernsey
Friday 12 June - Samarès Manor, Jersey
Thursday 2 July - Abbotsford, Melrose, Roxburghshire
Sunday 12 July - Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Thursday 16 July - Aberglasney Gardens, Carmarthenshire
Thursday 27 August - The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham
Thursday 3 September - Leeds Town Hall, Leeds, Yorkshire
Thursday 10 September - Somerleyton Hall, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Thursday 17 September - Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire
Thursday 1 October - Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London

Doors open at 9.30am (although queues start earlier!), and Roadshows run until 4.30pm, but providing you're in the queue by 4pm, you'll be able to see a specialist.

Radio Waves

2009-02-18T18:35:00.011Z

They say radio is growing in popularity, and it's certainly been an increasing part of my life recently, with three interviews in the past two weeks! Up today was BBC radio Cambridgeshire, with another phone-in valuation that also helped promote the excellent Cambridge Glass Fair this Sunday, at Chilford Hall. Here I am in the studio with my trusty companion - my Miller's Collectables Price Guide.
I was lucky to be joined by eminent Lalique and Art Nouveau glass expert and dealer Mike Moir, who makes the perfect accomplice. Along with cheery presenter Sue Dougan, the banter, information and valuations just flowed out. Callers rang in with everything ranging from an Art Deco opalescent vase, which will be brought to the fair for proper appraisal, to a 19thC chemist's carboy bottle, to a 19thC gilded and cut rummer, and a Mary Gregory type bud vase. Values ranged from £30 up to over £500!
If you missed the phone-in, don't miss the event itself. It's undoubtedly one of the best fairs in the country, with an enormously varied range of glass from the 18thC to the 21stC. It's also welcoming, fascinating and hugely enjoyable. I'll be there, and I hope you will be too.

BBC Radio London

2009-02-15T12:20:00.003Z

I've just got back from an extremely enjoyable one-and-a-half hour long phone-in valuation for BBC Radio London. Hosted by the lovely Lesley Joseph, I was invited along as a guest with my friend Tracy Martin. Lesley is best known for her character Dorian in hit BBC TV sitcom 'Birds of a Feather' but, unlike her snobbish TV character, her natural, funny and friendly charm just beams out over the airwaves.
The lofts and drawers of London's residents certainly didn't disappoint this morning. Items listeners called in about included a boxed Parker 51 pen and pencil set valued at £50-70, a set of six late 19thC Coalport handpainted cup and saucers valued at around £30 each, an Edison phonograph valued at over £200, and a set of Royal Doulton 'Snowman' figurines that could fetch up to £800!

Alfie's Antiques Market

2009-02-06T19:05:00.015Z

With things a little tighter for most of us this year, it's great to find a place where we can still feed our addictions without breaking the bank.
That place is certainly Alfie's Antiques Market in north west London, where I have just spent an extremely enjoyable and fruitful two days. Whatever it is that you collect, you're bound to find it here. In fact, I challenge you to browse without being tempted.
The first point of call has to be Beth Adams, on the ground floor, slap-bang in the middle of the Church Street facade. Her panoramic windows are packed with an colourful variety of quality stock from jazzy Art Deco ceramics, to 1930s chintzware and nursery ware, to gorgeous 20thC glass, and more traditional ceramics. Beth's prices are nothing if not reasonable and fair, which explains why her stand is always so busy, with plenty of new treasures to see each time. (Below, from left: Beverley, Mark & Beth)
Next stop has to be her mother, Beverley, who has recently moved into the market from a shop across the road, and has not one, but three, stands! A dizzying array of fantastic late 19thC and early 20thC teacups and saucers is at the centre of her main stand on the top floor, and is surrounded by beautifully displayed (and beautiful) ceramics ranging from blue and white to Moorcroft, Doulton and Deco. Traditional teacups and saucers have become immensely popular again, partly due to the revival of cupcakes (or fairy cakes) which even Posh 'n Becks are rumoured to enjoy! With years of experience behind them, what these two ladies don't know about ceramics between them isn't worth knowing. I'm lucky to be able to count them as friends.
Opposite Beverley's stand upstairs, you'll find Ian Broughton, who runs the eccentric, but very stylish and cool, 'Manic Attic'. Ian specialises in the 1950s, be it a fine lamp base, set of cocktail glasses, or even a tea towel! As you wander around the centre, you can't help but recognise him, as he dresses in 1950s clothing with his hair arranged in a '50s quiff. I found a rather fab '50s vase in his shop, which I bought for an arguably affordable £30 - maybe you can spot it in the image here? It's by Bay Keramik, and I believe the design to be by the notable Bodo Mans. Research will confirm it! As with Beth and Beverley, Ian's prices will always make you happy.
On the way back down the stairs, don't forget to visit Geoffrey Robinson for amazing 20thC glass and ceramics, as well as Wesley for yet more fine quality traditional ceramics, and Victor Caplin for all your bead needs - but more on them next time. Just like I have found, once bitten, you'll be smitten. You're sure to add this to your list of regular haunts!

Frantisek Zemek's Glass Designs

2009-02-03T16:04:00.012Z

Now there's a name you don't hear every day. But it is one that you might hear more of in the future. Frantisek Zemek (1913-60) is arguably one of the lost great names in 20th century glass design, and was key to the development of hot-worked glass in Czechoslovakia.
Starting his career as a glass cutter for the Inwald group, he went on to study at the Zelezny Brod glass school, and then under the renowned Professor Karel Stipl. He worked at the Chrìbska factory in 1949, followed by the Zelezny Brod factory from 1952-57. He was also concurrently the head designer for the Mstisov factory from 1956-59. His early death in a motorcycle accident in 1960 cut off what looked to be a promising career, given his influence in the 1950s.
His most notable designs produced on a large scale were the multi-coloured 'Rhapsody' of 1956 & 60, and the green and blue 'Harmony' of 1959, but he also produced cut designs for Moser, and pressed designs for Hermanova. All were exported across the world. Today, his work is typically mis-attributed to factories on Murano, but things are changing and his contribution is beginning to be recognised.
This particular vase, devised in 1957, is an early example of his designs and was deemed important enough to be included by Josef Raban in his landmark book 'Modern Bohemian Glass', published in 1963. As well as being typical of Zemek's hot-worked designs with its curving, organic form and applied trails, it also hints at machinery with its resemblance to propellers and spun screw threads. For its date, as well as for its country of origin, this design is highly Modern and progressive.
The example shown in Raban's book was made at Mstisov, but this example is more likely to have been made at Zelezny Brod during the 1960s judging by the yellow (Citrine) and brown colouring and the precise form. They're not all that common, and can be found in a range of colours, sizes and variations in proportions. I really rate Zemek as a good buy for the future, and think this early design is well worth looking out for. Expect to pay anything from £5 to £30 right now.
For more information about Zemek's designs, and those of his contemporaries, see Hi Sklo Lo Sklo, published by Mark Hill Publishing.

Alexandra Palace Collectors' Fair

2009-02-01T13:25:00.007Z

It's true - one of the greatest antique and collectables events in the South of England has returned. Early last year, long-standing event organiser Pig & Whistle held the last of their immensely popular fairs at historic Alexandra Palace in London. With the venue looking set to become a casino, it was curtains for this fantastic day-long event. Later in the year, Nelson Fairs announced that they had come to an agreement with the owners and the fair would start again. I missed the first two as I was (annoyingly) travelling on business, but made it to the third event, held today.
And I was not disappointed - it's everything it used to be and more! Over 600 dealers pack the main hall, offering everything from furniture to ceramics, glass, advertising memorabilia from Victorian to Vintage - and much, much more. I spent - literally - hours and hours browsing the stands, buying big-time. Although the collecting market has been hit pretty hard by the credit crunch, you couldn't tell today as I jostled with thousands of keen buyers. Check Nelson Fairs' website to find out when the next one is. See you there!

Broadfield House Glass Museum to close...?

2009-01-26T22:18:00.004Z

In mid-January, I heard from a reliable source that the dastardly Dudley Council is proposing to close this museum in Spring next year. For those of you who don't know it, Broadfield is a national treasure and is, to my knowledge, the only museum dedicated to glass in the country. It's also one of the very few public locations where pioneering exhibitions can be mounted. These have opened up new areas of research to us all - decades of invaluable exhibitions have preceded them.
Most of these have relied on Broadfield's extensive library and archive, located at the museum and its sister institution Himley Hall, where many company, designer and maker archives have been carefully preserved and made available to the public.
British glassmakers had a global reputation for excellence in glass making and cutting from the early 19th century onwards. This was based in Stourbridge, where the museum is located. Broadfield not only commemorates the products made, but is also the only museum to record the valuable social and economic history related to the industry. Closing this museum would be like erasing a museum dedicated to the Staffordshire or Ohio potteries.
This industry has now gone, but the museum remains...only if you help. Dudley County Council - you should be disgraced with yourselves for choosing to close the lid on the treasure that history has given you.
If you do one thing today, please give your support by signing our online petition by clicking here. It only takes 2 minutes of your time to save over 200 years of glass history...and much, much more. Don't let Dudley Council take this national treasure away from you.

Candy Says...

2009-01-26T13:08:00.002Z

...buy vintage! The market for vintage clothing has boomed over the past few years, even entering the 'mainstream' with high street stores such as TopShop and TopMan even stocking vintage lines. We've certainly become a lot more 'individual' in our tastes for interior decoration and the way we dress.
One of the best sources I have found over the past few years is the wonderful Dawn at 'Candy Says'. Her great eye and superb attention to detail shines out both on her website, and in the fine pieces she has chosen for her shop in Southend-on-Sea in Essex.
And that's just it - she has carefully chosen the pieces she stocks. Rather than just fill a shop and website with all manner of old rubbish, Dawn only goes for quality and style that shout out a period's fashions. But that doesn't mean her prices are crazy - all her clothes, which range from the 1920s-1980s, are highly affordable. Although she does have some designer names, her real skill is at finding great quality, stylish pieces that are unlabelled and thus inexpensive. I've just finished a photographic shoot with her for the next Miller's Collectables Price Guide, which included this great 1940s dress and matching jacket which just screams the period (think of TV's The Sullivans!), and only costs £150!

The world's oldest jam tarts

2009-01-24T22:02:00.007Z

No, not something found under a bed in a students' halls of residence, but ancient Chinese jam tarts, buried as a tribute alongside a nobleman over 1,300 years ago. The decorative tarts (not like the ones shown here, which I have now eaten), are part of a travelling exhibition that opened at Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery today. After Bristol the exhibition will travel to museums in Coventry, Basingstoke, Sunderland, and then York, before closing in Manchester in 2011. Jessica Harrison Hall, the curator, noted that they were the oldest known surviving pastries in the world. It made me giggle on the tube into work this morning, especially in these times of financial doom and gloom. I wonder what Mr Kipling would think?

Woolies Champers Update

2009-01-23T17:56:00.005Z

The bottle of champagne I mentioned in my last entry has now finally sold - for £350! Congratulations Steve, I hope that you and your team have a great night out. I wonder if the lucky winner of the auction will be drinking it to toast his success? Good on him, whatever.

Big Bucks For Woolworths Memorabilia!

2009-01-19T07:17:00.007Z

I've just got back from the BBC where I took part in an interview for BBC Radio 5 Live about the value of the large amount of Woolworths memorabilia that has come onto the market since the sad closure of the chain at the beginning of the year.
The spark that set the market alight was this bottle of champagne. Being sold by Steve Tait, erstwhile manager of the Corby branch, frenzied bidding reached a staggering £400 before the item was re-listed with a slight correction to the description.
The question was - is it worth it? The only answer I can give is that it's impossible to tell right now.
However, this piece has quite a bit going for it, so may have a promising future. Much of the collectable advertising market is driven by nostalgia and big brand names. Who doesn't remember Woolies fondly, and particularly their iconic Pic 'N' Mix? And if a piece shouts out about the company, or is indicative of the time it was produced in, so much the better. It was also part of a very limited run, with only 500 bottles having been produced. When promoted for sale at a mere £5 in 2007, it created a frenzy, with Woolworths' stores being beseiged by thirsty buyers. However, it was primarily a clever marketing stunt, with only a few bottles being allotted to each store.
I'd imagine that most were opened and drunk, making this a rare example indeed. With a combination of a great story, iconic brand, and a fun item to own and display, we may indeed be valuing bottles like this on the Roadshow in decades to come! But the best part of the story is the reason behind the sale - Steve is using the proceeds to take his now redundant staff out for a slap-up meal to remember the old times. Many had worked there all their lives before the chain was closed under a year away from it's 100th anniversary. In these days of wallet tightening and doom and gloom, it's great to hear that someone still has a generous and kind heart. See what it fetches by clicking here.

Friends doing well

2009-01-18T22:08:00.008Z

It's always nice to find out that friends are doing well, especially those that you have sadly lost touch with. Reading the 'Style' section of the Sunday Times over breakfast this morning, I spotted a large article on my old colleague and friend Sara Covelli.
Sara, and her friend Janie Tennant, have founded Covelli Tennant to use vintage and antique textiles, embroidery and lace to breathe new life into antique furniture. A range of cute and cool cushions, selected pieces of mid-century modern Italian furniture, and framed needlework pictures are also offered. English eccentricity at its best!
The results are beautiful, on-trend, and display impeccable taste and witty individualism - which is just how I remember Sara herself! I worked alongside Sara in the Collectors Departments of both Bonhams and Sotheby's, and then we also worked closely together at icollector.com in the heady days of the dotcom boom. We sadly lost touch when she moved out of London, so it's great to read that things are going so well for her.
I wish Janie and her all the best, and encourage you to visit their site. Their work covers so many themes that are foremost in many of our minds right now; enjoying our homes when we can't afford to go out as much as we used to, reviving treasures from the past in a totally 'green' way - and, of course, stunning style.