Every Sunday there is an antique and collectable fair in Market Harborough. This used to be held in the Market Hall, but it has now moved to the Assembly Rooms at Welland Park Academy, Welland Park Road, Market Harborough, until April, due to redevelopment work going on at the Market Hall.
Sunday the 19th was the first time we started in the new venue, and were welcomed back with smiles, greetings and hugs from existing traders.The new room looked promising, huge car park, easy access, all facilities inc a cafe. Hall very well lit and spaced out plenty of room so seemed ideal until we found out we had no power supply for our lamps, but since it was so well lit it didn't really matter. Surprisingly there was a very good footfall of people and quite a few traders came in early ( I had two fighting over my Mappin&Webb Bridge set) and stuff started to fly!! Good selection is stuff ranging from books, postcards, pictures, bric a brac, to serious antiques such as jewellery, Moorcroft, Dresden, clocks and silverware.
Being outside the town centre (just) I was slightly worried, but it seemed to be a success, so now it's establishing its new venue hopefully it will continue until the Market Hall is complete.
The market is a good place for bargain hunting as quite a few items are cheaper than the bigger antique fairs as there are fewer overheads and the stalls are cheap to rent.
I go back again on the 2nd and 16th February, 9th and 16th March, a lot is happening beyond March so we will be pacing ourselves in-between other major fairs.
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Pandora charms, beads bracelets and other items
There is a flood of fakes coming into the market from all directions. A lot of websites have set up purposing to sell pandora beads even using their logo and the quality is very hard to tell the difference. If you have doubts about your item take it to Pandora they can help, sometimes items are damaged over time. If your bead/charm dies not spin, there are two reasons 1) the inside thread is damaged 2) it is not pandora
Pandora remains very popular and will be an investment in the future, however be warned because they are massed produced they will not be a big investment unless you Aim for the rarer beads/charms
Pandora remains very popular and will be an investment in the future, however be warned because they are massed produced they will not be a big investment unless you Aim for the rarer beads/charms
You can find a list of official online retailer below.
www.acotisdiamonds.co.uk
www.argento.co.uk
www.beadazzle.co.uk
www.emsonhaig.com
www.estore.pandora.net
www.giftandwrap.co.uk
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
www.hughrice.co.uk
www.johngreedjewellery.co.uk
www.joshuajamesjewellery.co.uk
www.mococo.co.uk
www.steffans.co.uk
www.swaguk.co.uk
www.thbaker.co.uk
www.thejewelhut.co.uk
www.whittakersjewellers.co.uk
www.argento.co.uk
www.beadazzle.co.uk
www.emsonhaig.com
www.estore.pandora.net
www.giftandwrap.co.uk
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
www.hughrice.co.uk
www.johngreedjewellery.co.uk
www.joshuajamesjewellery.co.uk
www.mococo.co.uk
www.steffans.co.uk
www.swaguk.co.uk
www.thbaker.co.uk
www.thejewelhut.co.uk
www.whittakersjewellers.co.uk
Monday, 13 January 2014
Wickstead Park Sunday 12th Jan
Up at 6am (sometimes being a dealer is like having a death wish) out into the first really bad frost we have had in ages. Arrived at the venue slightly confused as no signage directing sellers where to go, so we went a grand tour of the park before finding other cars unloading. Got in..wow lovely venue complete with cut glass chandeliers and a bar !!!!! really classy, were shown to our stall by a very helpful organiser - bit like flying club class on Virgin with the smart classy hostesses!!
Unloaded ( I hate this because it always makes us have an argument - which or course we did)
Then sat down to start selling. The venue was pretty full there were a huge variety of stalls, some very much on the up-market side selling high quality stuff. There was also furniture, books, stamps, coins, postcards and even a 17thC clock !
Started slowly, I think after Christmas and with the recession people are loath to part with hard earned cash unless they see something which is either an investment or a bargain.
However we sold well, I even offloaded two HUGE vases which were pretty heavy. While I was glad I didn't have to cart them home, I was also sad to see them go as they were a pair of stunners !
Highlights of the day were
1) helping a woman get one of my rings off her finger which was well and truly stuck ( on the bright side she came back an hour later and bought it)
2) making friends with an adorable puppy belonging to the next Stallholder called Pudsey
3) being given a huge chilled glass of lovely white wine by Tony half way through the day :-)
One big perk was we were able to advertise credit and debit cards accepted, as the venue were able to arrange this for all stallholders, which I admit did make a big difference.
Stall holders were friendly helpful and we all worked together well.
Was a good experience as I have not sold there before, I most certainly will go again, in fact we have booked for the next one ! This venue is super come summer, as its in the middle of an amusement park for families, which also includes lovely gardens, walks and easy access/parking so its win win!
Loaded up (which is also a pet hate but doesnt include arguments) and once again because of lack of signage to the way out for traders, we went yet another grand tour of the park, before exiting !
Unloaded ( I hate this because it always makes us have an argument - which or course we did)
Then sat down to start selling. The venue was pretty full there were a huge variety of stalls, some very much on the up-market side selling high quality stuff. There was also furniture, books, stamps, coins, postcards and even a 17thC clock !
Started slowly, I think after Christmas and with the recession people are loath to part with hard earned cash unless they see something which is either an investment or a bargain.
However we sold well, I even offloaded two HUGE vases which were pretty heavy. While I was glad I didn't have to cart them home, I was also sad to see them go as they were a pair of stunners !
Highlights of the day were
1) helping a woman get one of my rings off her finger which was well and truly stuck ( on the bright side she came back an hour later and bought it)
2) making friends with an adorable puppy belonging to the next Stallholder called Pudsey
3) being given a huge chilled glass of lovely white wine by Tony half way through the day :-)
One big perk was we were able to advertise credit and debit cards accepted, as the venue were able to arrange this for all stallholders, which I admit did make a big difference.
Stall holders were friendly helpful and we all worked together well.
Was a good experience as I have not sold there before, I most certainly will go again, in fact we have booked for the next one ! This venue is super come summer, as its in the middle of an amusement park for families, which also includes lovely gardens, walks and easy access/parking so its win win!
Loaded up (which is also a pet hate but doesnt include arguments) and once again because of lack of signage to the way out for traders, we went yet another grand tour of the park, before exiting !
Friday, 10 January 2014
Moorcroft history, hints, tips and what to look out for
Moorcroft was founded as a studio in 1897 by William Moorcroft within the James Mackintyre & Co ceramics company in Stoke-on-Trent.
In 1904, Moorcroft won the gold medal at the St Louis International Exhibition. This was followed by further medals and commendations, and Moorcroft’s pottery quickly became world renowned. By 1912, the inevitable split happened and Moorcroft led his workforce across Cobridge Park to a new factory in Sandbach Road, where Moorcroft pottery is still made today.
Money to start the new factory came from the famous store, Liberty, in London, where it remained in control of Moorcroft until 1962. The Moorcroft name continued to flourish in its new surroundings, such that they became the Potter to HM Queen Mary in 1928.
William Moorcroft died in 1945 and his elder son Walter took over management and design. Combined, William and Walter created 80 new designs under the Moorcroft name, and in 1962, the Moorcroft family bought out Liberty for ownership of Moorcroft. In the following years, the Moorcroft brand fell into difficult times and shares went into the open market. In 1993, the Edwards family took control of Moorcroft and remain so to this day.
Moorcroft’s world profile has greatly improved once again over the past few years, with quality and value at an all-time high. Christie’s hold a Moorcroft sale every year and many national museums now house significant pieces of pottery in their permanent collections, including the V & A Museum
in London.
in London.
Moorcroft pottery is designed by members of the Moorcroft Design Studio – a handful of select artists, each highly skilled to produce the Moorcroft distinctive Art Nouveau style. Its range is vast but includes vases, bottles, picture frames, and lamps. Moorcroft designers also dedicate a large portion of their time in the creation of exclusive designs, and these are sure to become highly valuable collector’s pieces.
Look out for items that are made pre-1945, particularly by those made by William Moorcroft.
Moorcroft collectors should be aware of the Silver Stripe that sometimes appears and is almost always through the WM monogram. The Moorcroft silver stripe denotes a second quality or imperfect piece that has failed to pass the strict quality control that Moorcroft demands. These pieces are only ever sold at discounted prices in the Moorcroft factory shop.
Also be aware, because some silver marks can be removed, Moorcroft now drill a small indent in the base of the item and mark it with a red dot, this is less prone to being removed
Sometimes with pattern registration number.
Sometimes with pattern registration number.
Can also be found in black.
Sometimes with the pattern registration number (Rd No.)
ENGLAND added in 1916. MADE IN ENGLAND added in 1918. Sometimes
with rectangular paper label used for pricing by retailers.
Used prior to and alongside the introduction of the paper label.
The label was updated in 1936 to read ‘Potter To HM Queen Mary’, following the death of King George V.
Earlier Walter Moorcroft initials used a slate blue colour to differentiate
it from his father Williams.
Walters full script signature mark was only used on important pieces,
one off pieces for exhibition or limited editions.
Occurs with and without Walter Moorcrofts monogram
Potters To The Late Queen Mary’.
The Royal warrant expired in 1978 on the anniversary of Queen Mary’s death.
Possibly signed by a paintress as Walter did not sign every single piece.
J. Moorcroft appears on large prestigious pieces
With upper case MOORCROFT and Stoke On Trent above ENGLAND.
With trial date, copyright and WM in brown.
Older trial pieces will not have as much information.
Showing the complexity of the modern mark with full signature, copyright mark and year cypher together with the standard MOORCROFT – MADE IN STOKE ON TRENT – ENGLAND
hope this helps? there is a lot more on the internet to help you, this is just a collective summary.
bottom line is, if you are going to part with a substantial amount of money make sure you are happy, because if you get a great piece of moorcroft it is an excellent investment and something to enjoy :-)
Also be aware, because some silver marks can be removed, Moorcroft now drill a small indent in the base of the item and mark it with a red dot, this is less prone to being removed
Moorcroft Marks (1898-1950)
c1898-1905
Typical early Florian ware mark in brown with handpainted William Moorcroft signature in green with ‘des’ below.Sometimes with pattern registration number.
c1904-1913
Typical early Florian ware mark in brown with handpainted W.M initials in green with ‘des’ below.Sometimes with pattern registration number.
c1904-1913
Common Macintyre & Co, Burslem brown printed mark.Can also be found in black.
Sometimes with the pattern registration number (Rd No.)
c1928-1949
William Moorcroft full signature used from the opening of the Cobridge works along with MOORCROFT and or BURSLEMENGLAND added in 1916. MADE IN ENGLAND added in 1918. Sometimes
with rectangular paper label used for pricing by retailers.
c1928-1949
Impressed stamp mark used with facsimile signature and having ‘Potter to HM Queen’ at bottom right.Used prior to and alongside the introduction of the paper label.
c1928-1953
Early version of the Royal Warrant paper label – ‘Potter To HM The Queen’.The label was updated in 1936 to read ‘Potter To HM Queen Mary’, following the death of King George V.
Moorcroft Marks from – (1950 on)
c1947-1953
Walter Moorcroft initial mark with MOORCROFT and MADE IN ENGLAND.Earlier Walter Moorcroft initials used a slate blue colour to differentiate
it from his father Williams.
c1947-1953
Walter Moorcroft full signature mark.Walters full script signature mark was only used on important pieces,
one off pieces for exhibition or limited editions.
c1950-1986
Large impressed MOORCROFT with upper case MADE IN ENGLAND.Occurs with and without Walter Moorcrofts monogram
c1953 – 1978
Moorcroft Royal Warrant Paper label transferred to Walter Moorcroft in 1946 and stating ‘By AppoinmentPotters To The Late Queen Mary’.
The Royal warrant expired in 1978 on the anniversary of Queen Mary’s death.
c1983
Walter Moorcroft initial mark alongside impressed MOORCROFT on large limited edition Anemone vase.Possibly signed by a paintress as Walter did not sign every single piece.
c1987-
William John Moorcroft initial mark appears now ‘John Moorcroft’ is a director of the company and Walter a consultant.J. Moorcroft appears on large prestigious pieces
TRIAL PIECE MARK
Modern Moorcroft mark depicting a trial piece.With upper case MOORCROFT and Stoke On Trent above ENGLAND.
Older trial pieces will not have as much information.
c2004
Modern Moorcroft mark for artist and designer Rachel Bishop.Showing the complexity of the modern mark with full signature, copyright mark and year cypher together with the standard MOORCROFT – MADE IN STOKE ON TRENT – ENGLAND
hope this helps? there is a lot more on the internet to help you, this is just a collective summary.
bottom line is, if you are going to part with a substantial amount of money make sure you are happy, because if you get a great piece of moorcroft it is an excellent investment and something to enjoy :-)
Monday, 6 January 2014
Kettering wickstead antique and collectors fair COMING SOON
This will be on Sunday
Wicksteed Park Pavilion, Barton Road, Kettering, NN15 6NJ Sunday 12th January 2014 9.30-4.00
I will have a stall there. First time for me so I can't say what it will be like, mainly indoors so weather not a worry, it's just off the A14.
I will be selling Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Moorcroft, gold and silver jewellery a Mappin and Webb bridge set, silver plate and much more. Will post photos here after the event with a summary
Malvern "Flea Market"
Sunday 5th January
Decided to agree with Tony ( my other half) and return to Malvern 3 Counties show ground. Last year I was traumatised by my last trip (selling) after we were treated like sheep, the place was so badly organised they were useless. However this time we were buying so maybe I should give them another chance.
Up at 6 left me not in a nice mood, got scolded by Tony for leaving the bathroom light on (according to him I keep the electricity companies in profit and light up the national grid) then with 15 miles to go found the M42 closed at the last three junctions. We finally arrived half an hour later than we had hoped and it was really cold there. The facilities there are not brilliant for winter venues, half the toilets were closed and no food available there was a vendor selling hot chocolate which probably made him a millionaire that day, admission was £4 per person. There were a few brave souls pitching outside but the majority were huddled in an assortment of barns. Quite a lot of people attended, but I was astonished at the prices the traders were asking they were so high it was ridiculous, charging shop prices at a so called flea market!! Very few traders were prepared to reduce their wares and those who did would only knock off at maximum a fiver ( which isn't much help on a £500 Lalique vase) we came out disappointed with a few bits and bobs, but definitely NOT worth the trip. We won't be going to Malvern again ! However if you want to give it a try, take a flask and some food, go in the summer and make a picnic of it as its a beautiful part of the UK.
Decided to agree with Tony ( my other half) and return to Malvern 3 Counties show ground. Last year I was traumatised by my last trip (selling) after we were treated like sheep, the place was so badly organised they were useless. However this time we were buying so maybe I should give them another chance.
Up at 6 left me not in a nice mood, got scolded by Tony for leaving the bathroom light on (according to him I keep the electricity companies in profit and light up the national grid) then with 15 miles to go found the M42 closed at the last three junctions. We finally arrived half an hour later than we had hoped and it was really cold there. The facilities there are not brilliant for winter venues, half the toilets were closed and no food available there was a vendor selling hot chocolate which probably made him a millionaire that day, admission was £4 per person. There were a few brave souls pitching outside but the majority were huddled in an assortment of barns. Quite a lot of people attended, but I was astonished at the prices the traders were asking they were so high it was ridiculous, charging shop prices at a so called flea market!! Very few traders were prepared to reduce their wares and those who did would only knock off at maximum a fiver ( which isn't much help on a £500 Lalique vase) we came out disappointed with a few bits and bobs, but definitely NOT worth the trip. We won't be going to Malvern again ! However if you want to give it a try, take a flask and some food, go in the summer and make a picnic of it as its a beautiful part of the UK.
Hello
On this blog I am planning to give more details on antiques and collectables, trips to antique fairs, how to bid at auctions.
If you are interested in antiques and collectables, including shabby chic, retro, vintage, fine jewellery and specialist antiques as well as general ones, I am selling on my Facebook page
Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/lesleysloft/
If you are interested in antiques and collectables, including shabby chic, retro, vintage, fine jewellery and specialist antiques as well as general ones, I am selling on my Facebook page
Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/lesleysloft/
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