Antiques Trade Talks – Real Acquisitions – Antique Collecting

Edward Bailey is a collector of the unique and unusual, podcast host and occasional TV antiques dealer. Based in Suffolk, he says he deals in both the ‘old school’ way of face to face (or little-black-book style) and the slightly newer way of Instagram under the handle @real.acquisitions

What is the unique appeal of antiques?
The unique appeal of antiques is the story they can tell, although they don’t speak, the wear and history takes you back to times that were different, unusual cultures and fashions.

What areas/items are currently selling well?
I’m finding that items with written provenance and home museum collections are really hot at the moment, specimens and true ancient artefacts do especially well with overseas buyers and sellers.

Which are the ones to watch/future sellers?
Now and looking for future trends there seems to be a massive resurgence in wunderkammer and cabinet of curiosities – larger more unusual items that create a talking point in a person’s collection. It could be an unusual piece of natural history or a piece of automation, something that ignites the cogs in your brain or makes you go ‘wow’!

What antiques do you have at home/collect and why?
My collection has changed so much over the years, I used to love grand tour pieces and plaster busts, but because of the guests I have interviewed on my podcast, I seem to be going full on wunderkammer, think rare natural history with a mixture of oil paintings and tribal pieces from around the globe, a kind of home explorer museum. My prized possession is an extinct blue lizard thought to be found by the famous archaeologist/paleologist Robert Broom.

How is the industry changing and are you optimistic for its future?
Every year the industry changes, I think this is great. Change to me is just learning and I love to widen my knowledge, I think the most important thing to do is be positive, especially about your fellow antique dealers and move with the times, but most importantly buy and sell things you like.

Is new technology good for the trade and buyers/collectors?
I think new technology is great, having the knowledge in your hands is great for learning. If you don’t know what something is then you can soon find out now. Plus the huge access to worldwide dealers and auctions.
You just have to make sure you use the technology and don’t let it use you. One of the worst things you can do is waste your time with this technology, especially social media.

Tell us some trade secrets?
Be nice always and help people out, be positive. Always be confident that your item will go to someone and focus on that. Also, move things on, don’t have stale stock that people have seen. If your item hasn’t sold, be prepared to wipe your face or make a loss. Fresh items are the key.Check out platforms like The Hoarde and Decorative Collective, you can find out the latest trends and plenty of inspiration, this keeps you at the forefront of what’s going on in both the antiques and interiors world.

What antiques/artworks would you buy if money was no object?
If money was no object I would have to own a fossilised dinosaur, either ‘Trinity’ the T-rex that sold a Koller auction house in Zurich for $6 million or the stegosaurus ‘Apex’ that recently sold at Sotheby’s for $44.6 million. They certainly had the ‘wow’ factor.

Where are your favourite antique hunting destinations and why?
I have so many favourite hunting grounds; anywhere and everywhere is like a treasure hunt. I do like my local fairs and auction, like those run by Black Dog Events and the auction rooms at TW Gaze, which has been my bread and butter for a while. It’s always great to get up there on the Tuesday for their trade auction; no live internet buyers so less competition.

What are some of the biggest mistakes that buyers make – what questions should they ask?
Always making mistakes, the most important thing is to learn from them, I got caught out a few years ago, when I was sold some fake bronze statues, I was told a great story that they were antiquities from  famous Roman site and it ended up they were aged 20th century pieces. There is a huge lot of fakes out there especially on auction site and at auctions especially in ancient artefacts area, so make sure you can get solid provenance on items, this is definitely a key thing I look for now.

What do you consider the high point of your career in antiques?<
High points have definitely been the TV work and  podcasts that I have done. I’ve interviewed some great collectors and guests over the last year and looking forward to the up and coming selections of podcasts that we are now recording.

What advice would you give to people new to antiques who want to learn more? 
If you’re young and just starting in the antique trade, look for a mentor or find a dealer who you really admire and learn what works for them. If it’s through social media like Instagram or TikTok and there are several dealers you like and admire, amalgamate all the things you like about them into yourself and also buy things you like. Take risks, make mistakes, but always remember to learn from everything. If something doesn’t sell don’t buy it again, if something sells easy go buy more, it can be simple. Make people that follow you want more and create a trend, good photography and link a story to the each item, this also helps you to learn about that item.

Any fellow dealers we need to know about?
Dealers and Instagram accounts worth a follow are:
Ben @theschoolforscandal
Dawn@thecuriousflea
Sam @archies_emporium