News

Bigger stands - startling new stock: THE much-discussed new look for this June’s Olympia Fine Art and Antiques Fair was unveiled last week. This year’s event will combine a bolder more spacious look with a more relaxed attitude toward datelines.

“Thank goodness he didn’t put up VAT”, said one dealer in response to Gordon Brown’s budget – the worst fears of the trade did not come true last week.

USA: A new prestige antiques fair at Chicago’s Navy Pier next spring is just one of a series of new initiatives from one of the US Antique trade’s most energetic and dynamic figures, Leslie Hindman.

The European Commission announced last week that they intend to take action against Sotheby’s and Christie’s regarding a whole range of anti-competitive practices.

March 18 saw a specialist 575-lot Spanish sale at Numismatica Ars Classica. The coins dated from Visigothic times (mid-7th century) to the 19th century. In the absence of more detailed literature, this catalogue will be useful for collectors and dealers alike.

Two small locally consigned lots provided the best seller and cover lot at the buoyant March 23 sale held by Michael J. Bowman (15% buyer’s premium) at Chudleigh Town Hall.

The Euros have arrived. Yes, we all know that – last New Year’s Day. No, euros for collectors have arrived in London.