Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: nicola on November 16, 2009, 09:59:04 AM
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Hi Everyone
I went to the National Glass Collectors Fair yesterday for the first time in a year or so and I was quite shocked at the lack of pressed glass stalls there. I remember the last time I went at Gaydon and they had several rooms where the majority of the items were pressed (Victorian, Art Deco etc). I try to restrict myself to colleting things just with lids and I am usually spoilt for choice, so it was a bit of a disapointment and a struggle to find bargains this time (especially after a 2.5 hour journey there!)
Do you think that there is less pressed glass around for people to sell? the organisers are trying to get more contemporary glass makers involved? the recession means that selling at Fairs is too much of an outlay or is it just that eBay is easier?
I'd love to hear everyone's opinion on this
Nicola
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Well i have a fabulous covered powder bowl by Etling on ebay dead cheap at the moment i wont give details here
too many wrist slappers around and what with Annes offer last week i dont want to rock the boat , but i am sure you can find it . :sleep: I saw the same at Birmingham £200 :huh:
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Thanks John, but I only collect Victorian British pressed glass, Sowerby, Davidson, Greener, M&W, Derbyshire etc - I don't think that I have enough room to start collecting other things!
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I found exactly the same situation at the IACF in Shepton Mallet yesterday. There seemed to be endless examples of contemporary glass but much less pressed. At an estimate, I would say 60% 1960's onwards, with lots of Frank Thrower Dartington vases in 'Kingfisher' (zero in 'flame') and more Mdina than a stick could be shaken at.
Then the remainder of the glass stalls seemed to be made up of the odd stall of Art Nouveau style items and a few Davidson Pearline pieces (not enough in uranium!) which stall holders were asking rather a lot for IMHO.
As far as Art Deco pressed glass, I don't really feel as though I saw any. Maybe now is the time to hoard it!
I noticed 2-3 stalls devoted to Whitefriars vases with no-one showing any real interest, and quite a few traders seemed to be saying that they didn't know why they were bothering anymore. One chap almost gave me a fully signed Tapio Wirkkala vase as he was packing up his stall.
At least four stall holders I spoke with said that they were disappointed with the whole experience, but I think the recently nasty UK weather has a great deal to answer for. People like staying in when it's cyclonic.
Stu.
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I didn't see much Whitefriars there either, we were there by 11am and I don't think that we saw any of the large whitefriars pieces like the drunken brick layer or banjo, just a basketweave slab vase.
There was one beautiful art deco stall with Bagley etc and they had several sets of Owl bookends and there did seem to be a large amount of Jobling bear bookends too.
The prices did seem quite high, one stall had Davdison's pearline glass, but the prices were three times what I had paid in the last 6 months! There was also a stall with Derbsyshire Lions, Dogs and even a Sphinx which were all very beautiful, but they also had huge chips on them that didn't seem to dent the asking price!
After this experience, I am not sure that I will go again. The excitement of going to specialist fairs is to see the really rare items, but when everything seems to be thin on the ground, it is a long way to travel...
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I will have to go in the loft as i used to buy boxes of glass in the good old days and i am afraid pressed leaves me cold so anything pressed went into the loft, i know i have some pieces so they will be for sale if anything good turns up ,most of the people i know came away with something pleasing , i came away with a couple of decanters that i believe have Dunne Cooke connections .Regards jp . stgeorgio.2007
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I was at the Glass Collectors' Fair yesterday, and I can't say I noticed a dearth of Pressed Glass - but then I wasn't particularly looking for it! I did think there was slightly less Mdina than last time, but I could be wrong. As for the modern glass - well there were some stunning displays by contemporary glassmakers.
I don't go to the Glass Collectors' Fair to find bargains - too many of the stallholders know a great deal about what they have to sell - and what it is likely to fetch in today's market. I go because there is a wide range of glass under one roof, and because I can handle the glass - and talk to the sellers. I don't always find what I want, but I enjoyed the trip, and I intend to be back next year.
By the way, Nicola - how much of your journey time was spent trying to leave the M6? It must have taken me at least half an hour to travel a mile of so to the roundabout where people were turning off to the NEC! I was quite worried that all the others were trying to get to the Fair, and would be in the queue in front of me - getting their eyes of the pieces that I want for my collection! and then when I finally got to the little roundabout, all the rest turned off to the NEC, and I had a clear road to the Motorcycle Museum... and plenty of space in the car park too...
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For those of us who aren't British, what is a "wrist slapper?"
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Sorry Paul its women that chastise you ,it starts with a little slap on the wrist but it can end up with black fishnet tights and a whip , on one of the other Forums we have one known as miss whiplash . :-X
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I did think there was slightly less Mdina than last time, but I could be wrong. As for the modern glass - well there were some stunning displays by contemporary glassmakers.
Hi,
We had rather a lovely time there too.... We were spoilt for choice with Contemporary Glass, and literally walked around one hall three times before finally making a decision on which items to purchase. Mike plumped for "Seguso", which we may well be posting on here for a positive ID- The seller was confident it was Seguso?. Mike liked it so he purchased both items. I nabbed a very fair priced H Tynell "Emma" vase and a Mdina winged chalice. (photos below)
We felt prices for Dartington were very reasonable, and even cheaper than some of my recent antique centre/ebay buys. As for my latest interest of Stennett -Willson, I was aghast at the price of a 9 tiered Sherringham, which was marked up at the same price as a M Harris signed axehead (well over a grand). The Mdina we handled was fab, all signed -axeheads, fish vases and huge sculptures all belonging to one lucky seller. I was entranced listening to J Harris explaining his inspiration and technique used on an olive cameo piece.
I do however agree with one post, that there wasn't a great deal of very substantial sized pieces, other than the Mdina I mentioned above. I was expecting some large Whitefriars-Banjo, Sunburst etc.... and maybe a large FT vase or two, but we came away very pleased, and spent the remaining afternoon thumbing through books having had our appetite piqued in other areas.......All in all it was a great experience. To actually see and handle the glass one studies in books was very satisfying. The sellers we encountered all had some pearls of wisdom to pass on, and had a wealth of goodies. I am just so disappointed I didn't take my camera, as intended!!
M & S
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Sorry Paul its women that chastise you ,it starts with a little slap on the wrist but it can end up with black fishnet tights and a whip , on one of the other Forums we have one known as miss whiplash . :-X
I have been rumbled :-[
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It's us bossy girl mods that get him going! >:D
:chky:
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As a male Mod, I can confirm that it is certainly the girl Mods that do the wrist slapping thing. All I do to JP is to tell him that every Paul Ysart paperweight or inkwell he shows me is a regular Vasart item worth around £30. ;D
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Sorry Paul its women that chastise you ,it starts with a little slap on the wrist but it can end up with black fishnet tights and a whip , on one of the other Forums we have one known as miss whiplash . :-X
In some places, and in some crowds they call that fun.... >:D >:D >:D >:D >:D
Craig
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Thats right Kev but you often end up buying them for a couple of hundred pounds that nice one i showed you on Sunday will be on Fleabay in a couple of weeks . :thup: :chky: :24:
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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 :o 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
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Well said Nigel all the people that i know well , including myself found several bargains and what a nice social event , if i had found nothing i would have come away happy :thup: jp stgeorgio.2007
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....
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. .... 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 :o 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).....
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. .......
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!
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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.
Kind wishes to all, Nigel
I agree with everything Nigel said, and particularly support the points I have quoted. I went to the fair with one specific target in mind, and found a couple of pieces for which I was happy to pay what I thought was a fair price. I also came away with some other pieces, but that's a different story...
I think the organisers' policy of mixing up antique and contemporary glass encourages everyone to walk round and look carefully at what is on display. Certainly, I found that some of the best things seemed to stand out only when there were fewer people milling around.
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I hardly had a chance to go round the whole fair as it was very well attended and we were busy most of the time.
However, when I did a quick circuit the general impression that I formed was that this was an outstanding fair, packed with stands manned by knowledgeable dealers and artists and overall the quality of the glass on show and for sale was excellent.
It is extremely difficult to organize a fair of this nature and to achieve the right mix. I believe that the organisers, Paula and Christina Bishop deserve a vote of thanks for achieving such a splendid result with the return of this fair to the Motorcycle Museum. This is only the first autumn fair at this venue since they took over. Moving venues is always tricky and perhaps ore so in a recession, but even with the road closures the turnout was excellent. I am certain that Pat Hier will be pleased to know that the fair that she started and into which she put so much of her redoubtable effort, goes from strength to strength.
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... I believe that the organisers, Paula and Christina Bishop deserve a vote of thanks for achieving such a splendid result with the return of this fair to the Motorcycle Museum. This is only the first autumn fair at this venue since they took over. Moving venues is always tricky and perhaps more so in a recession, but even with the road closures the turnout was excellent. I am certain that Pat Hier will be pleased to know that the fair that she started and into which she put so much of her redoubtable effort goes from strength to strength.
I'm in full agreement with Adam.
The National is located at the very centre of Britain, which is why the NEC is next door. 90% of our population is well within a four hour journey time, and could have attended, experienced the fabulous displays of glass, discussed it with the most knowledgeable authorities, AND bought some attractive glass, all for less than the cost of an evening out at a good restaurant. Those who travel a long way are our regular American visitors, one of whom described it to me on her last visit as the Greatest Glass Show on Earth.
We had a great time.
Bernard C. 8)
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In terms of the original theme of the thread - I agree with Nigel and Adam - surely this lack has a bit to do with 'fashion'? Despite focusing on 20thC glass, I do like pressed and indeed 'older' glass and have quite a few pieces myself, but over the past decade the focus of many collectors has arguably moved off such pieces and onto 20thC, studio and contemporary glass. Vendors (be they dealers or auctioneers), will stock what they know (think, hope...whatever) they can sell. If there's a downturn in demand for pieces such as pressed glass, less of it will be stocked as it's harder to sell and money is obviously tied up in stock for longer.
Believe me, I'm not knocking older or pressed glass by any means - I'm just saying that prevailing tastes and fashions can affect what is on offer. I was also at the fair and thought it was another enormous success, and typical of the hard work, experience and skill that Paul and Christina have and put into these events. It was packed when I arrived, and stayed extremely busy until I left a few hours before it ended. Nobody can make people spend money, particularly in a so-called recession, but to get people in through the door is the most important step. Paul and Christina deserve thanks and congratulations. I also saw numerous stands offering pressed and earlier 18th & 19thC glass, and I always enjoy the walk through the virtual 'history of glass', punctuated with a good mix of stands to keep attention going, that the layout of the fair offers.
Mark
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Thank you everyone for your thoughts - I have to agree that you have hit the nail on the head - essentially that trends change and move on.
My prevailing memory of the glass fair in previous years (as a collector of pressed glass) were seeing stalls (yes, often more than one!) glowing with primrose pearline glass, some specialising in one manufacturer, colour, type of glass or even time frame... it was thrilling to see different items and even the pieces that you have in your collection and see what the going price is! When I first started collecting over 15 years ago, pressed glass was the hot thing and now I suppose people think that it is a bit 'meh' especially with the more brightly coloured, modern glass coming on the scene that fits in with modern interior design fashion.
I overhead one lady say while looking at some pressed glass 'look at that, that is just like the piece we threw away' - all I can hope for is that people try selling their pressed glass at car boots or on ebay so people like me who love this genre can buy them rather than chuck it out with the rubbish!