Alexandra Palace Fair - North London

Its Alexander palace again on Sunday 4th. I think we have one more in December and then that is it for this year. Should be lots to see. I don't think its worth paying extra for the early access as stall holder are so slow setting up but I do think its worth attending. For me its the best London fair for quality and the certainly best before Peterborough at the end of September.

Yay... Ally Pally

Went on Sunday in the cold and was disappointed. As if x10 Naomis had been before me with eagle eyes.. Very little of interest. I'll say it again but Aldermaston, Celtic, Parkinson and the like have just dried up. It's not that there are no pieces at decent prices there are not even any pieces at even indecent prices. Just very thin of the ground all round. There is also a lack of the next level up the mid range pieces, your Wallworks and Waistels and the like, nothing there. Gone!

A lot of Victorian crap everywhere. Bahh...

Disappointed from Berkshire.

A few of the top end dealers got trapped at the NEC and could not make this fair as well. Gave those who attended with some of the more expensive antique art pottery a great opportunity. I must say it was a very good for me and my friend selling wise. For buyers including myself not so sure. Lots to look at but the majority was filler. I came ready to spend if I could find more of what I specialise in. I spent £3 on some candlesticks.
The other dealers I spoke to gave a very mixed report. A couple who sell mixed retro/antique glass/ceramics had a poor fair. Another guy who had a small selection of what you would call proper English antiques (wood/clocks) and some Chinese items sold nothing. But another guy I know came with about 40 studio items including some Poole and had a great one. So very mixed. But the theme I got was if you had quality this fair was good to you, if you had junk and retro not so much.

The Alexander palace fair is on tomorrow Sunday 3rd September for those close enough to attend. Only one more at this venue this year (Nov). Worth a visit with strong showings of ceramics expected from many dealers. I was informed of a very strong studio display someone was bringing this time, not mine I may add (my display is mainly late 19th-early 20th this time).

Stong Studio Display.
And Strong Prices?

philpot wrote:Stong Studio Display.
And Strong Prices?

No idea but probably not giving them away. Still it will be nice to not see a stall full of car boot items priced at five times what they would get at an actual car boot. At some fairs I am surprised if people take enough to cover stall costs.

I say that at most fairs these days, I guess the stall selling isn't their reason for being there

So have genuine dealers just left the trade? Or is has it all gone to Ebay,Etsy and elsewhere Online.I greatly admire the hard work that goes into setting up and selling at these Antique Fairs. But given the expenses, you must need a pretty good turnover....

there must be hundreds of dealers with houses full of the best stuff just waiting for this depression to end

I thought they were shocking prices at Ally Pally today. There were things to buy but not bargains.

Saw a photo of the stand with all the studio stuff. I'm assuming it wasnt cheap. Tbh, I prefer the better choice you get at the Ceramics fairs. I'll keep my money for Oxford and Farnham

Had a good look just now at that self same photo. Interesting. Quite a conservative selection. Lots of Broadly Leach Anglo/Oriental school items. Substantial Batterhams, John Leach Black mood pots, others like Lisa Hammond,Nic Collins, Ruthanne Tudball and other Leach potters. Generally while it might be a stylistically thematic stall, it looked as though was aimed at a very specific section of the Studio pottery buying market. Bet prices were high!

I had a great fair. Outside of what a friend bought for us to buy, spent £20 on a tradesman's sample (chest of draws) so not much.

For selling though. Big winners for us was early quality Doulton and Elton gold crackle pottery. Also sold other bits and pieces all day. I had almost no studio so I guessed most of you sailed by but what ceramics we did have got a lot of interest. Not the busiest we have seen for footfall but everyone I spoke to had a good selling fair. In terms of customers the end of November one will have more and I expect anything not nailed down will get shown by dealers.

This was my stall if anyone walked passed mid day. I had a few more holes blown in it by 4.30.

gORGEOUS

brin mcardle wrote:gORGEOUS

Thanks Brin

Here are a few more photos. I don't sell through this forum and nothing is on Ebay so should be safe to post what the display looked like yesterday. If anyone wants to know who made something ask away (just don't ask for prices LOL).









THE MONEY SHOT: Left to right = (top shelf) Compton Pottery St Cecilia , William De Morgan jug by Fred Passenger , Elton gold crackle X 2, (bottom shelf) Martin Brothers x 4