After the summer recess Tavernicus is back. In pensive mood as no doubt the whole country is whilst we await the news of the "cuts". One wonders whether this is having any affect on our market? The summer fairs season had winners and losers; June was jam-packed with the upmarket fairs and the new Masterpiece at Chelsea barracks lived up to its name whereas Olympia was another story. Certainly these fairs are mounted to an International specification with decor and fittings which would grace any deluxe hotel. There are already signs that the stand costs at these fairs are so expensive that some dealers are throwing in the towel; on the other hand optimists are born every day. September hosts the second LAPADA fair in Berkeley Square and it will be a delight with 6 massive plane trees somehow enclosed within the tent; possibly the best artefacts on display?
The summer witnessed only one tavern clock at auction by Lacey of Bristol; catalogued as a "remnant", the auctioneer described it as in barn condition. Sold for about £3500. September started with a bang with 3 shield dials being auctioned already. Dreweatts had two, one in well restored condition by Lee of Cookham went for just under £10k, inc commission. The other possibly by Jason Cox failed to raise a single bid, the estimate being £6-8K. Bonhams Oxford sold a very distressed but original shield dial by a Barnsley maker for hammer £3400. So, the restoration has to be good to perfect or the clock must be untouched. In the middle, no-one is interested.
The book "The Tavern Clock" was launched in mid July and it is selling reasonably well. A limited edition of 500, all numbered. Getting this book to market has been a long haul and many were involved in its development. If interested go to http://www.tavernicus.co.uk/ . The book is already producing a wealth of new information regarding previously unrecorded tavern clocks; keep them coming.
Over the autumn season the blog will appear more often as we go into the unknown with a political alliance the like of which we have not seen before. The economy is in a phoney situation with little clarity ahead. Uncertainty is not good for any market.
