He was always enthusiastic and positive and although beset by ill health continued right up until the end with indefatigable optimism.
The antique trade and collecting were his lifeblood and as long as there were treasures to be found he seemed to defy the usual depredations of malady.
He deserves to be remembered as one of those significant people in the antiques trade who pioneered and defined new areas of collecting.
Musical instruments, scientific instruments, tribal art and photographs were all things he was buying long before most people were.
Reuben was always interested and his energetic promotion of them helped establish them as defined collecting fields. He always asked me if I had found any interesting musical instruments for him and I once discovered a ‘Serpent’ in Paris and phoned him from France. He said he had six already but just had to have it, even though he would have to pay for it over a few weeks.
This illustrated to me the characteristic that great dealers have to possess. They must have the hunger of a true collector too.
He will be missed.
Gregory Taylor
London SW1Y
Reuben Reubens' obituary is in ATG No 2429.
