Obituaries (print edition)

David William Stoddart, trading as Black Ink Prints, passed away suddenly on November 20 aged 62. Much loved and sadly missed.

David Secrett began his working life apprenticed to a church organ-builder. After a spell as an RAF instrument-fitter and Russian linguist, he returned to organ-building and later moved to the workshops of the Science Museum in London.

Book dealer John Lawson joined EM Lawson & Co, the firm that his father had started at Sutton Coldfield in 1921, when he was demobbed from national service in the RAF in 1952.

A memorial service for Michael Bing will be held at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, on Monday, October 14, at 2.30pm.

Malcolm Davidson died recently at the age of 85. For many years he ran City Fine Arts in the heart of the financial district of London offering furniture and unusual items to those working in the Square Mile.

John Jesse died unexpectedly this month in the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. He was 83. He will be remembered and missed by many in the art trade.

Valuer Jane Anderson, who died in January this year, joined Berkhamsted Auction Rooms as a secretary in the early 1980s and quickly progressed to the role of manager and auctioneer. She was one of only a handful of women auctioneers in the 1980s.

John Smith, who died on February 24, was a well-known figure in the world of glass, contributing much to knowledge in this field and selling unusual and interesting glasses to museums and collectors all over the world. A Fellow of the Corning Museum of Glass from 2000, he had an international profile and vetted glass at the Maastricht fair in recent years.

Picture restorer Sydney (Syd) Bennett passed away on August 16, aged 86.

Sadly, Lawrence Block, the well-known London silver dealer, passed away in April on his 93rd birthday.

We regret to announce the death of Nicholas William Lott, at the age of 70. He died surrounded by his loving family on Friday, July 5.

We regret to announce the death of jewellery collector and historian Anne Shannon who died peacefully with her family on May 11.

Betty Klaber, together with her daughter Pamela, started their ceramics business Klaber & Klaber, in 1969, specialising in 18th century European porcelain and enamels.

The death of John Hayward on May 12 has robbed the world of medals and medal collecting of its most colourful personality.

It is with great sadness that I report the passing away of George Floyd – always an immaculately dressed larger-than-life character.

Derek Billings has died at the age of 86. For half a century he was an important player in the collecting world of Doulton art pottery. His late wife Kay was a very supportive partner in forming the collection.

Peter Willet (1941-2019), known affectionately to all as Mick, has died suddenly.

Retired art dealer Patrick Payne, formerly of Arden Gallery, Henley-in-Arden, and later of Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, has died at his daughter’s home in London aged 86.

Polymath, collector, kind and generous with his time and knowledge, Michael died on his 61st birthday surrounded by his family.

A personal tribute to Michael Bing by Simon Berti, formerly of Auction Technology Group.