I’ve just got back from attending the four day Antiques For Everyone fair at the NEC in Birmingham with Judith Miller. And what a wonderful – and incredibly busy – four days we had! Hundreds of people stopped by to say hello and chat to Judith and I – and queue for signed books. We sold out of our stock of the brand new Miller’s Antiques Price Guide & Handbook 2010-2011 by the start of the second day, and had to order another emergency delivery for Saturday! Not only that, but the equally brand new Miller’s Collectables Price Guide & Handbook 2010-2011 sold out early on Saturday, and was soon followed by Miller’s 20th Century Design, Miller’s Antiques & Collectables Fact Book, and my new TV tie-in book ‘Cracking Antiques‘! If you don’t know about them and want to find out what all the fuss was about, click on any of the links to learn more – and buy your copy direct from Octopus Books at a discounted price.
As well as seeing a huge array of superb antiques priced from as little as a few pounds to over £20,000, the event was a great chance to catch up with some old friends, renew old acquaintances, and make new friends. Antiques fairs are good for the soul in so many ways! Dinner with Lalique, Gallé and Daum specialist Mike & Debbie Moir of M&D Moir was and entertaining and informative as ever, as were drinks and dinner with Alison Snelgrove, and it was super to see show organiser Tiffany Pritchard, Marc Newsum of Newsum Antiques, Paul at Antiques Collectors’ Club, Sue & Alan Poultney of Scarab Antiques, Mark Oliver of Bonhams, Joy McCall of Christie’s, and so many more. If you’ve never been to an Antiques For Everyone fair, make sure you change that by coming to the Summer event that runs from 22nd-25th July – they really are the most uniquely enjoyable experiences.