“What did your predecessors do? They did not despair, they did not give up, they rallied around and faced with the prospect of their livelihoods being threatened, an enterprising group of 14 dealers met in a smoke-filled room at the offices of Connoisseur magazine on Duke Street, St James’s, on May 7, 1918.”
BADA president Victoria Borwick in her keynote speech at Monday’s BADA centenary dinner. She addressed the trade association’s recurring challenges and cooperative work.
“TV memorabilia is huge at the moment. ‘Allo ‘Allo! is so well loved – I don’t think there is another British sitcom that carried so many catchphrases, and everyone knows them. I can’t think of a more iconic piece of artwork from a British television show – it’s a true classic.”
Andrew Stowe of East Bristol Auctions, which next month offers ‘Allo ‘Allo’s Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies.
“Tonight we saw the Marie Antoinette factor work its magic. No other queen is more famous for her love of jewels, and her personal treasures, pearls and diamonds that survived intact the tumults of history captivated the interest of collectors around the world.”
Daniela Mascetti, jewellery chairman of Sotheby’s, Europe, on the sale of Marie Antoinette’s pendant. It sold for SFr36.4m (£27.8m) including buyer’s premium, well over its estimate of SFr1m-2m.
“For the past few years, the restrictions imposed on us by working in an historic building have proved incompatible with providing a high-quality service and the importance we place on reducing our carbon footprint.”
Camilla Hughes-Hunt, managing director of restorer Plowden & Smith, which will move to a new home in south-west London next month.
“Like one's children, one should never show favouritism, even for objects. But some of the pieces which Sworders will offer are so idiosyncratic and ‘one-off’ that saying goodbye is particularly painful.”
Tim Wonnacott, former Bargain Hunt presenter who is auctioning 250 items from his personal collection at Sworders in Standsted Mountfitchet next month.
