FOLDSWORTHY ANTIQUES AND COLLECTABLES

How do you know that I know what I am talking about?

We all tend to take the printed word as truth.

When that printed word is an item description in an Ebay listing, how can you be sure? Even the seller may sincerely believe what he has written - but is it the truth?

I’ve done a lot of buying and selling at Antiques markets and fairs, and have often found it helps to focus on the person I am dealing with, as well as the item I am buying. I have found that neither mode of dress, nor age, nor size of wallet, are reliable indicators of knowledge.

I always listen, and I often learn the most impressive things from the least impressive people.

I hope the following few words about myself may give you some confidence when viewing my listings.

If I am wrong I will be the first to admit it - after all, I am still learning…….

I am the wrong side of 60, married to a primary school teacher, smoke a pipe and have a beard. (That, in itself, is surely a mantle of instant credibility?).

 I am a de-frocked Chartered Civil Engineer (The Yellow Pages entry says - 'See also under Boring'). I have an interest in Industrial Archaeology, History and Society's Junk.

I have been a Working Antique Dealer for nearly 30 years or so. I live in a Victorian School, which I am restoring myself. I also run a business called CaseHistory, renting History resources to Shropshire Primary Schools.

I took up playing Bass guitar in a geriatric garage band at the age of 50, and so I am also interested in guitars and recording equipment.

If I think I don't know about something, I will usually say so…..

The only really stupid question is the one you don't ask.