A reliable fair, this has picked up a following of some 60 exhibitors, many of them regulars at the fixture, and a loyal band of fairgoers. Among the well-known dealers showing are Adams Antiques from nearby Nantwich, Haynes Fine Art from Broadway, Rowles Fine Art from Welshpool, Nicholas Shaw from Petworth and London jewellers Shapiro.
Seven are joining the line-up for the first time this month and these include Opus from Grantham, Ben Cooper from Malvern and Belrose Antiques from Nottingham, all period furniture dealers, and Sussex silver specialist Morbey Yorke.
Very much in the traditional mould, this Penman fair has been running in the city since 1988 and is widely regarded as the top fixture in the North West.
Most Chester stock is pre-1920 but there will be 10 specialist committees to uphold the Penman atradition of everything that goes on sale being vetted.
With St. Valentine’s Day bang in the middle of the fair, you can bet a good many exhibitors will be targeting doe-eyed couples with plenty of heart-shaped pieces of Victorian and Edwardian jewellery and bags of Cupid cufflinks, Welsh love spoons and the like on sale. Admission is £4.
Penman’s pedigree ready for the off at Chester
COMPLETELY full, and with a genuine waiting list, Caroline Penman’s tried and trusted Chester Antiques and Fine Art Show is ready for the off at the County Grandstand at Chester Racecourse from February 12 to 15.
