Where to
go
Experienced collectors build up a set of sources of supply
over the years - and usually keep them as quiet as possible. For the newcomer
to a collecting area, it can be hard simply to find the items in sufficient
quantity that you can start to compare price, quality and rarity.
This is not a exhaustive list, but if you are a keen collector
of Guinness and other breweriana and advertising items, here are a few
sources that are guaranteed to give you a good day out, and a chance to
extend your collection.
BBR
Auctions
Twice-yearly specialist auction sales just outside Barnsley
for Pub & Breweriana and for Antique Advertising almost always have
several dozen Guinness items - and items from most other related categories
also. Friendly atmosphere, lots to do and see in the surrounding industrial
heritage centre, and beautifully produced catalogues with every item illustrated,
most in colour. [The Web site is not too current, but the contact details
are right]
Antiques and Collectors Fairs
There are dozens of these up and down the country throughout
the year of course, and most usually have items of interest to be found.
Many have regular dealers who have a substantial range to choose from.
The fairs at Alexandra
Palace, Wembley
and Detling are a great day out. Antiques
World has a huge
searchable database of fairs, markets and auctions.
Christies
It was the 1996 sale at Christies that catapulted Guinness
items to the attention of serious collectors - high prices, and a great
illustrated catalogue that acts as a reference work in its own right. Hard
to find now (but I have a few for sale).
Christies have Guinness items quite frequently in their decorative arts
and 20th century ceramic sales, and you can register with their Lotfinder
service to be notified of forthcoming lots.
Thesaurus
£10 per month subscribes you to the iFind service,
allowing you to search the catalogues of forthcoming auctions from hundreds
of auction houses nationwide. A small price to pay for the serious collector...
Access to the listing
of auction houses is free, and you can go direct to their Web sites
to check out the upcoming auction if you have the time. Thesaurus also
provides a good
listing of antiques and collectors fairs.
eBay
The massive online auction is a goldmine for collectors
of everything. A search for Guinness usually returns about 1,000 items
(including Lulu Guinness handbags and Alec Guinness photographs, inevitably),
ranging from hundeds of pounds down to pennies. Caution needed - you are
relying on the seller's description, and indeed their overall honesty,
but in over 250 transactions myself on eBay I've never had a problem - no
guarantees though, so read the instructions carefully!
