How did you get into the antiques business?
My mother Shelagh had a stall in romford market , and I used to get things for her and my interest grew from there.

What would you say the bigest misconception people have about your job is?
That's its easy! I work a lot of hours behind the scenes which people don't see

Is there any area in antiques that you have seen a drop in prices recently?
Yes Brown furniture has really decreased in price at the moment , people are looking for a more modern look at present.

Have you ever bought anything that turned out to be Fake?

Not knowingly , hopefully not!

What would you say is your specialist area as a dealer?

Anything that sells really, although I do have mainly furniture but that's not all I sell.

 
Established in 1926 and produced for seven years, this is one of Shelley's best sellers.  The cup is octagonal in shape, having four large and four small panels.  There are over 160 patterns, ranging from floral to garden scenes, landscapes and all-over ground colours.  Prices for trios (cup, saucer, plate) range from £40 to £70 for the more common patterns such as Blue Iris or Daisy, with more unusual patterns in the £70-­£130 range.
The distinctive Vogue and Mode shapes, produced over short periods in the early 1930s, were a complete contrast, and unlike anything previously produced by Shelley.Vogue is recognisable as an inverted steep-sided cone with a solid triangular handle, while Mode has a less pronounced angle with a smaller foot to the cup.  More than 50 patterns were applied to the Vogue shape and more than 30 to Mode, mainly of a geometric or stylized floral nature.  Trios in the more common patterns are priced at £140­-£180, whilst the rarer patterns vary between £220 and £300.
The progression to a shape called Eve saw a Mode cup with a larger, open triangular handle.  Although geometric patterns were used, there was much more of a floral trend at this time, and over 50 patterns were produced between 1932 and 1938.  The price of trios ranges widely from £35 to £110.
By 1932, curved and circular shapes began to replace angles and straight lines.  The Regent shape is easily identifiable by its trumpet-shaped cup and circular handle.  Patterns range from florals to swirls and banding, with a few geometric designs.
Regent was produced well into the 1950s and it's not surprising that there are over 220 patterns.  Banding and swirl trios range from £20 to £35 whilst pretty florals and geometrics can cost £35 to £60.
One of Shelley's main attractions is the quality of both the body ­ whether fine bone china or earthenware ­ and the decoration.  Arguably, this makes Shelley's wares some of the most important of the period.

1.  Which popular 60s film took place in and around 17 Cherry Tree Lane, London, in 1910 ?
2.  Which British alternative band takes its name from a character in the film To Kill a Mockingbird ?
3.  Which 60s sex symbol was, in film at least, attacked by anti-bodies ?
4.  Which 60s film was
a.  based on the true 'life' story of Robert Stroud and
b.  the true story of Helen Keller
5.  The following lines are from which 60's films ?
a.  he's very clean
b.  wise men and grocers, they weigh everything
c.  you wouldn't be able to do those awful things to me if I weren't still in this chair
d.  back in your gilded cage Melanie Daniels
e.  by right she should be taken out and hung for the cold blooded murder of the English tongue
6.  In a 60s film, who "was the bravest of them all" ?
In film, the very secretative Alex Leamas came from where?
7.  With two words, complete this BBC radio signal to the French Resistance in the film The Longest Day.
"The long sobs of autumns violins wound my heart with ....."

Answers in next months issue!

We always have a varied and interesting selection for our customers' perusal: from mink coats to Swarovski pendants.

Ladies can sell unwanted designer clothes and accessories through our dress agency.  We will return 50% of the selling price.  We are also interested in selling quality items consigned to us, such as pens, watches and jewellery.