Business even at the preview of Grosvenor House proved very encouraging for the upper end of the trade, and by the time that fair closed on June 17 enough had been sold at the top people’s fair to suggest that at least at this level predominantly English private money is coming the way of the antiques market.
The story was very different at Olympia, a vast event which got off to an encouraging start for some, but by the close on June 15 had proved a big struggle for the majority.
Some Olympia dealers sold extremely well but those who enjoyed the big sales were generally the ones with the good quality, well-presented and pricier stock.The dearth of American customers continues to depress business all round.
June fairs do nothing to cheer the middle market
THE long-suffering middle and lower ranges of the trade can take little solace from business patterns at the June fairs in London, the hub of the capital’s most intense dealing period. With a total of some 500 professional dealers exhibiting at the major fairs, it was those with the rarer, better quality stock who were making sales, despite high price tags.
