| ERIC KNOWLES - ANTIQUARIAN | ||||||||||
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With the arrival of early autumn the fine art and auction world begins to reawaken and that means that my diary begins to fill with all manner of commitments that see me heading to all points of the compass.
This is the time when the ever-popular Antiques Roadshow heads back on the road to set up home in some unexpected venues that for Yours Truly included the Birmingham Symphony Hall and the newly refurbished Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow.
I readily admit to having a real affection for both these great cities. Brum is where I made over 500 television recordings, including 'Going for a Song', while Glasgow for me means Charles Rennie Mackintosh and great architecture.
I am pleased to announce that both venues did me proud with some fascinating objects appearing out of those cardboard boxes and black plastic bin liners. All of which will shortly be revealed, but for the benefit of my diary readership I can tell you that Glasgow produced an exceptionally rare and previously unrecorded pencil sketch made by C R M himself while in Italy during the spring of 1891 - it really was a case of pinch me, am I dreaming?
Moorcroft Pottery
Back in the fair city of Stoke-on-Trent, the Moorcroft Pottery found time to celebrate 20 years of continuing success. It was back in 1986 when Hugh Edwards (right) and Richard Dennis, together with their wives, embarked upon saving and restoring the flagging fortunes of Britain's greatest art pottery.
After about five years, Richard and his wife Sally Tuffin, who was responsible for design, left to set up the now highly collectable Dennis Chinaworks, leaving Hugh and Maureen Edwards to steer the pottery towards brighter skies.
Both decided to commemorate their achievement by inviting several hundred friends and clients to a buffet lunch beneath a huge marquee, followed by an informative talk and auction given by Hugh, attired in a Bonhams porter's apron as part of a double act that saw myself in the role of auctioneer.
Either way, a splendid time was had by one and all and the next day saw Mrs K and myself walking along the pier of my all time favourite seaside resort of Southport.
This was the place that during my childhood days we would visit on a day trip and meet up with my grandfather who would spend his two-week summer holiday strolling along the promenade and magnificent Lord Street - which gets my vote for being probably the finest Victorian thoroughfare in this country.
Lord Street is also home to the Atkinson Art Gallery, which holds an important collection of paintings and is well worth a visit. This was the venue for my afternoon talk titled 'A Gentle Introduction to Art Nouveau', which I am pleased to say was a full house and one of the few occasions when I just might lay claim to being a 'Matinee Idol'.
The nice people there have already booked my return visit, when I will be offering the sequel lecture 'A Gentle Introduction to Art Deco', which I am due to give after taking part in my last Roadshow in the nearby Floral Hall - needless to say I hope that still have a voice left.
Eric in demand
Hardly a month goes by without me finding myself involved as auctioneer or after dinner speaker at a charity fundraiser. The past few weeks have been no exception, with my auctioneering services in demand at a Prince's Trust dinner, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, and held at the palatial Institute of Directors building in London's Pall Mall. Although at times it appeared to be a case of getting blood out of a stone, the evening ended with a total of £50,000 finding its way into the charity's coffers.
Those readers of a certain age might remember that many moons ago I used to work on Crimewatch UK - I did the Aladdin's Cave slot that featured a selection of previously stolen antiques that the police were keen to see reunited with their original owners. Believe it or not, I did 10 years on that programme, during which time I became friendly with all the other presenters, including police officer Dave Hatcher.
It was Dave who asked me to be his after dinner speaker at his Rotary dinner in Gillingham, with ticket proceeds going to local charities. I am pleased to report that the evening proved a roaring success that saw a full house of friendly, not to mention patient folk, who went as far as applauding the arrival of Mrs K and myself after making our hellish journey around the M25 that saw us appear in Gillingham a little later than expected.
Hardly another month goes by without me making what appears to be an obligatory visit to the White Rose county of Yorkshire, and this month's excuse came courtesy of the Ginnel Antique Centre located in lovely Harrogate and celebrating 20 years in business. I had been asked to give an evening talk at that splendid pile that is the Majestic Hotel and chose 'The Confessions of an Auctioneer' as the topic.
It all went well with the only problem being me having to make the dash back south afterwards in order to get a plane up to Glasgow for the Roadshow the next morning
Glasgow done and dusted it was back to Bonhams New Bond Street Galleries for an evening reception and sit down meal for VIP solicitors and legal folk with Yours Truly acting as host, ably assisted by John Sandon and other Bonhams experts.
All those attending took part in an Antiques Quiz that went down a storm and helped many to realise that they were better off sticking to their day jobs.
Sunny Spain
No sooner had the last guests waved a fond farewell before John Sandon and I headed out to a hotel at Heathrow airport, as we had to be on an early morning flight to sunny Spain - Malaga to be precise.
Both of us were there to take part in the Homes and Gardens Exhibition held in the brand new conference and exhibition building where we teamed up with our colleagues James Roberts and Nick and Carolyn Sprigg, who run our nearby Marbella office.
We were all there to offer valuations to the large contingent of ex-pats, with Kevin Woodford offering culinary tips, Jilly Goolden giving advice on great wines while Charlie Dimmock was on hand to help put the garden in good order with the now almost obligatory water feature.
It was nice to be given the VIP treatment and have the opportunity of meeting up with my brother Bryan and his wife Lynda who live an hour further down the coast in the picturesque town of La Herradura.
It proved to be a hectic three days that saw a few surprises turn up at our valuation tables, including a Lucie Rie vase that had a value of £12,000 - nothing, I realise, to the readers of this information-packed magazine.
Anyway got to dash, I'm off back to Yorkshire.
Till next time.
Originally published in Collect it!