A damp start to Ardingly and Shepton...!

A damp start to the first day of Ardingly stopped a lot of the buyers coming to the first day....but with some good buys it made up for the lack of customers....I bought a small 17thc Oak Coffer, an early carved panel and a boxwood pill box....it is always concerning when it is down to the second day to improve sales.....but the second day started well....first off it was lovely to see a friend and good customer bring me some excellent items which were surplus to his collection...a fine selection of early glass, treen and metalware....good business was done over a cup of coffee and even a rare "jacobite" glass sold before I had time to pay him...!

Good sales continued all day and once again the buying public saved my fair on the second day...I can never understand why dealers pack up halfway through the first day, as the second day can be the best day...!

Off to Shepton Mallet in Somerset on the Thursday, having left Ardingly on the Wednesday evening....I even have to ask myself what venue I am at or where  I am going......and my poor wife is never sure where I am..!!

Shepton started really well with some rare purchases of a 16thc Wine Taster in Pewter, 16thc Bronze Jug, a good 18thc "stick" back stool and a Charles 1 engraved Warming Pan.....the first day culminated with the sale of two of my best pieces...an 18thc small Ash dresser base and a rare small English Oak Farmhouse Table....!

The next two days continued with good sales despite the weather which was terrible on the Saturday, but the sun shone on Sunday....it is certainly good to be back so I can prepare for the NEC in three weeks at the end of November...!....hopefully see you there.

Mark.