Antiques for Everyone at the NEC Birmingham

I spent the weekend at the Antiques for Everyone fair at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. I began visiting this particular fair in the late 1980's, but the event is quite different these days, unfortunately not in a good way to my mind. Originally the fair was separated into two sections just as it is now, but section two was comprised of a multitude of small stands selling very affordable (perhaps the word "cheap" might be more appropriate) antiques. Many of these stands in section two were home to hundreds of small items which took an age to get through, and rummaging was all part of the fun. The fair, in those days, really did deserve its name, as there was indeed something for everyone. There was always the chance that you might find real treasure, and I did on numerous occasions. During one visit, at the end of the eighties, I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted an original Ukiyo-e painting by Katsukawa Shunsho hanging on the back wall of one of the stalls in section two. I was astonished that it hadn't been bought already, as it was on display in such a prominent position... but there it was, waiting for me. I snapped that up for a little over one hundred pounds, which was just astounding. Japanese prints were readily available, and not a single fair passed by without me returning home with some little gem, often having paid only a small fraction of its true value. Those days are gone though, sadly. Most of the dealers I made a point of visiting no longer attend. There is so little variety there when it comes to Japanese prints, and the prices are invariably inflated for the most part. I visit now partly due to the fact that I can be a sentimental old fool sometimes.