Born in the Bronx, NY, he led a most varied life, first as an actor aged nine in the Jewish Theatre, then in ‘Summer Stock’ performing several plays a week – hence his brilliant memory.
He joined the US Coastguards, serving in the Gulf of Mexico to avoid military service, but was caught up in the McCarthy trials of the 1950s because his family were Communist.
Afterwards, in disgust at this and at not being allowed to use Shakespeare for an audition piece to enter drama college, he bought himself a one-way ticket to England on the French liner Liberté and studied acting at LAMDA [the drama school in west London].
Later he trained as a cabinet-maker and in 1988 set up shop in Bath, Frank Dux Antiques, with partner Meg Hopkins. In the mid-90s he changed yet again from being an antiques restorer to web-master, running the website Antique Glass.
He will probably be best remembered by older ATG readers for his long-running correspondence railing against Christie’s and Sotheby’s introduction of the buyer’s premium.
We all miss him, his anecdotes, his sharp intellect and his humour. RIP.
The celebration of his life will take place on December 21, the day of the Winter Solstice, at 11am at Royal Wootton Bassett Crematorium, SN4 8ET and afterwards at Rodmarton Village Hall GL7 6PE. Friends welcome.
From Meg Hopkins
