Welcome
Earlier this year, don’t ask me when, I came across a 1950s black-and-white photo of a line of smartly-dressed people queuing to receive a smallpox vaccination. I remember being struck by the joy and wonderment on their faces and thinking how odd it was. Because, even a year ago, vaccinations had seemed rather remote. I remember one for Rubella to prevent German measles when pregnant (which, aged 12, seemed incomprehensible). Then, aged 14, the even more mysterious ‘BCG’ jab, which, on Googling, I discover was for tuberculosis.
So I simply couldn’t understand why this queue of men and women in the photo were so cock-a-hoop to roll up their sleeves for the waiting medical staff. Well, I certainly do now.
Come the day my arm is offered up (and according to my online calculations there are 22,548,112 people in front of me) I, too, will be jubilant, cock-a-hoop and generally dizzy with excitement. Until that glorious day, however, we blunder on and try to make the best of it.
Talking of which, we hope there is some light relief to be found in this month’s magazine. Despite the fact that most of the events in the magazine are ‘delayed due to Covid-19’ we can take this time to familiarise ourselves with as much antique know-how as we can. The crossword and quiz are back, on page 40, with last month’s winners to be found on page 11. On page 16 we have a guide to campaign furniture while, on page 36, we discover the pioneering female potters whose work can still be bought for less than £100.
On page 46, Catherine Southon previews her upcoming sale of original London street signs, which she is selling on behalf of Westminster City Council (estimates start at £80) and, on page 29, Christina Trevanion raises a glass to an exceptional claret jug. Added to which, there is a guide to the changing style of antique chests, courtesy of David Harvey on page 30, and Lennox Cato reveals everything you need to know about dining room tables over on page 51. Enjoy the issue
GeorginaGeorgina Wroe, Editor
KEEP IN TOUCH Write to us at Antique Collecting, Sandy Lane, Old Martlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4SD, or email magazine@accartbooks. com. Visit the website at www.antique-collecting.co.uk and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AntiqueMag
Antique Collecting
subscription £38 for 10 issues annually, no
refund is available.
ISSN: 0003-584X
We love
This 1920s Dawn vase by Moorcroft on sale in Hansons’ fine art sale on February 24 with an estimate of
£300-£400
FIRST WORD
IN THIS ISSUE
SEAN CLARKE fights for campaign furniture to
be better known, page 16
MIKKI TOWLER reveals how to start collecting
kitchenalia, page 24
CATHERINE SOUTHON puts 220 London street signs under the hammer, page 46
LENNOX CATO on everything you need to know
about dining tables, page 51
The Team
Editor: Georgina Wroe, georgina.
wroe@accartbooks.com Online Editor: Richard Ginger, richard.ginger@accartbooks.com
Design: Philp Design, james@philpdesign.co.uk Advertising: Georgina Wroe,
georgina.wroe @accartbooks.com Subscriptions: Sue Slee
01394 389957, sue.slee@accartbooks.com
ANTIQUE COLLECTING 3
