J Dickinson Maps & Prints, one of the exhibitors at the Northern Antiques Fair, brings this very detailed map of the City of Durham, published by Thomas Foster in 1754. It is one of only a handful of copies known to exist. Originally dedicated to the ecclesiastical and political dignitaries of the city, it is priced at £2650.
The fairs, which take place in London and North Yorkshire respectively, run simultaneously from September 28-October 1.
Second time
This British Art Fair is the second edition under the ownership of Will Ramsay of Ramsay Fairs, and the 32nd with founder Gay Hutson at the helm.
Taking place at the Saatchi Gallery, it adds The Fine Art Society to its roster of around 70 firms.
Others such as Whitford Fine Art and Robert Upstone both return after an absence and regular returning exhibitors include Osborne Samuel, Jonathan Clark and Patrick Bourne.
This year the fair stages an exhibition titled Crossing Borders: Internationalism in Modern British Art, which celebrates the work of émigrés and refugees.
Trepidation
Hutson said there was “a certain trepidation among British Art Fair exhibitors” when Ramsay’s takeover was announced. Before acquiring the fair his extensive portfolio included the many international chapters of the Affordable Art Fair but no events dealing with historic art. There were concerns, Hutson said, over “how the fair would fit into his portfolio”. However, she added, “the proof was in the result”. Ramsay’s inaugural run featured a record attendance of 10,000 visitors and among healthy sales, two hit the £300,000 mark.
Hutson added: “We were unlucky that it took place in the week of the Truss/Kwarteng budget which spooked the markets and affected consumer confidence, but it still managed to post some healthy sales.”
Last year’s new concepts are returning, such as Solo Contemporary, which gives young galleries the chance to showcase the work of a single artist.
Meanwhile, the Northern Antiques Fair, launched in Harrogate in 1951, returns for its third year at Tennants in Leyburn, hosting around 40 exhibitors. Newcomers include Bink Fine Art, Frodsham Clocks (run by the great-great-great grandson of clockmaker William James Frodsham) and McBain & Byre. Among the regular exhibitors are Cares Fine Art, Gladwells Rutland and Drove House Antiques.
LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair takes place in London at the same time, running from September 27-October 1.
The trio of fairs is followed shortly by the Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair running in Battersea from October 3-8.
Packed schedule
These four fairs launch the autumn season (Tribal Art London will not run in its traditional mid-September slot this year, although full details are still to come), which includes Frieze Masters (October 11-15), the Winter Art & Antiques Fair Olympia (October 30-November 5) and the Cotswold Art & Antiques Dealers’ Association Fair (November 17-19).
