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See the Calendar page for 2012 dates.
Titanic Memorabilia Surfaces at Flea Market
Interest in antiques and collecting still seems to be riding on the crest of a wave in Carmarthenshire as Towy Antiques Fairs reports a record turn-out for the first Flea Market of the year, auspiciously on Sunday 1st April! With near perfect weather conditions, outside dealers (the largest number so far) occupied large swathes of the United Counties Showground which, together with a full house in the exhibition hall meant that among over 200 dealers on site there was almost certainly something for everybody.
With the press and television are currently full of fascinating features commemorating the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic on 15th April 1912, a timely reminder surfaced with one of the fair’s specialist dealers who regularly exhibit in Carmarthen. This item of special interest and poignancy is a Titanic postcard; one of a series produced after “The Most Apalling Disaster in Maritime History” showing the handsome vessel steaming confidently through a sea of icebergs! While this is not one of those extremely rare cards actually sent from a passenger on the doomed ship itself, nevertheless it is an increasingly rare item appealing to a growing band of collectors of this iconic event; an event which evidently managed to severely dent the supreme confidence of our maritime industry at the time.
Meanwhile, Towy Antiques Fairs’ full calendar of antiques events rolls on to their next Flea Market on Sunday, 27th May (with a fully-fledged weekend Antiques Fair on 30th June/1st July). With new exhibitors already showing interest in both events, plenty of variety is ensured for collectors and antiques enthusiasts over the months ahead.
Despite still being several weeks away, one item which will be for sale at the May Flea Market has already come to the fore in the form of a platform ticket for the world-famous North Wales station of: (take a deep breath).... LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLLGOGERYCHWYRNDROBWLLLLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH. By a coincidence, such an item appeared last Sunday on The Antiques Roadshow where the expert estimated it would fetch £20 - £30 . However, this one can be bought at the May Carmarthen Flea Market for just £12 - so already there is a bargain in place for somebody – although it is a bit more than the 3d (just over 1p) paid for it back in the 1960’s.
It is almost impossible to describe the range of goods for sale at the Flea Markets, but there is usually a great interest in printed ephemera (everyday items of a documentary nature which, by rights, should not survive at all). Among the more bizarre will be a late 19th century printed trade card from a Clydach builder and undertaker (shown above). These trade cards demonstrate the quality and imagination of the printers of the time and give us a snapshot of everyday commerce and enterprise.
All inside stands are pre-booked and are rapidly being taken up for this event will soon be fully booked. Outside pitches are available from 7.30 am on the day at a cost of £35. Buyers are welcome from 10am at £3.50 each for adults.
The next Carmarthen Antiques Fair takes place on Saturday & Sunday,
30th June and 1st July 2012 (for full details see Callendar).
Above: The Exhibition Hall at the Antiques and Flea, April 2012
The next Antiques and Flea is on Sunday, 27th May 2012
(For full details see calendar)
Further details may be had from Towy Events 01267 236569 or for details for exhibiting, complete the form on the "Contact Towy Events" page of this website.
The Showground Postcode is SA33 5DR, but take care, your sat nav
will take you to the farm across the main road, so loo out for signs to the Showground when you get to within a mile of us.
Above: The Antiques and Flea on April 1st 2012 some of the outside stands doing brisk business.
Below: some of the stands at the Antiques and Collectors' Fairs
www.towyevents.co.uk
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01267 236569
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