Expect around 65 exhibitors at the next Snape, which will be held from July 15 to 18.
It must be said, though, that although those dealers who are Snape regulars - and there are some very good ones - obviously come for the business, this is an event where the exhibitors thoroughly enjoy themselves as well as, hopefully, enjoy a profit.
At the end of the summer fairs season, many dealers treat the fair as a summer break, and it does have something of a holiday atmosphere.
There are excellent catering facilities in an adjacent marquee with a walk-through link to the fair pavilion. And the surrounding area is a paradise for bon vivants who are spoilt for choice with good pubs and restaurants.
Not surprisingly, the fair has had a number of owners over the decades and, to be frank, it has had a number of low points. But it has flourished in the past few years under the direction of Sue Ede of Cooper Antiques Fairs and it is, without doubt, her flagship fair.
Well-known local dealers taking part include Suffolk House Antiques and David Gibbins, both of whom exhibit at the London BADA fair, where David is chairman of furniture vetting.
Another local BADA member is John Allen from Norfolk, who brings traditional paintings and watercolours, while newcomers Wickham Sporting Art offer pictures of sporting subjects and a selection of maps covering East Anglia.
This is not, however, a parochial fair and there will be plenty to interest buyers in areas as diverse as Arts Nouveau and Deco, early portraiture and Oriental.
All stock is vetted and the official dateline is 1903 with the exceptions of silver and porcelain which are allowed to 1935, and jewellery, carpets and textiles allowed to 1950.
There is no dateline for paintings and other out-of-dateline items can be offered at the discretion of the vetting committee.
Admission is £5.
For pleasure and profit, Snape is the trade’s ideal working holiday
FOR years now, the annual Snape Maltings Antiques and Fine Art Fair has been an institution in the fairs world. Sited in a large tented pavilion behind the Maltings in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, it is certainly a contender for the most attractive setting of any fair anywhere. But it has been going for 37 years and no event lasts that long on looks alone.