Hello,
I believe I am able to make a few observations on this event that will give a different perspective since I have exhibited at it since its second staging, all those years ago.
Like many specialised fairs, and the antique trade in general, the National Glass Fair is susceptible to the fads and changes in collecting as well as fashion and indeed the 'credit crunch'.
I know this will be contentious, but I think that it is fair to observe that the subject of 'traditional' pressed glass has some decline for a few years now. This might account for the fact that a number of the dealers associated with pressed glass have ceased trading, whilst another is ill, accounting for only a couple of stands at the fair specialising in the subject.
Whilst it is fair to draw attention to a stand that had interesting, but had damaged, items for sale, this might have been for any number of reasons, not least the fact that the dealer/seller in question may have paid highly for the items in question when things were more buoyant. It is therefore understandable that they would wish to recoup their outlay. However, it would also be possible to say that some folks are not up to speed with current prices and could therefore be aiming too high. Equally well they might be trying to support an ailing market by keeping their prices high whilst this might be misguided it is a possibility. In this case, it seems, the items were not only highly priced, but were also damaged, well that must be up to the conscience of the seller
not the organiser (although, from a conversation with them I am aware that they are concerned about how this might reflect upon the fair and other sellers).
I also noticed a lack of textured Whitefriars for sale; this could be because it is difficult to source at a price that allows for the overheads associated with buying and selling with a small profit toward making a living. Equally well, since this market has seen a fall in prices, it might be that sellers who have paid high are waiting for prices to strengthen before putting items out again, rather than continually putting out the same old same old.
Unlike at Cambridge, the contemporary glass makers were mixed in with the sellers of 18th, 19th and 20th century items, which made for an interesting mix and allowed collectors in different areas to look at modern glass ware, which they might otherwise miss, or even ignore. Of course, as time goes on it is likely that more and more contemporary glass will be added to the mix, in the same way that 20th century glass has increased in its exposure over the last twenty or so years. Possibly this has been to the detriment of earlier glass, such as 18th century drinking glasses, but it is true to say that this is the way the antique trade has gone as a whole - look at brown furniture for an immediate comparison.
As for bargains, just as on many a previous occasion at glass fairs, I was able to buy items that I believed under priced
on the ticket, late in the afternoon – and this after so many people had looked at everything that was on sale!
To further illustrate the point that people miss things, it wasn't until late in the afternoon that I had an enquiry about a rare large Dartington flame ‘Stig Platter’.
Of course it is possible to visit the fair and be desperately disappointed, or be highly pleased, but surely that is part of the fun, or challenge, of the chase? If you become disillusioned and decide not to go, perhaps you will be missing the chance to add to your collection, or buy stock, meet people and discuss your favourite subject, or just handle the items for sale.
It is true to say that we had some rather rough weather leading up to the opening of the fair, which was then exacerbated by the closure of the junction for people coming from the north on the M42, by Traffic Control, because of the Jeremy Clarkson extravaganza being held at the NEC. Although this was beyond the control of anyone, the organisers have been in touch with the various bodies involved with the decision in order to try to avoid the problem in the future. (Of course this should really be done by the Motorcycle Museum, since they have such a vested interest in sorting out the problem.)
Just some food for thought.
Kind wishes to all, Nigel
Topic: Less 'Old' Glass at the National Glass Collectors Fair ? (Read 2984 times)
