Crowds had a rare aul' time at Farmleigh with a few antique surprises
Evening Herald
Aoife Cogan at the launch of the Antiques Fair.
Wednesday July 09 2008
CHECK your attic for valuables -- you never know what you might find.
The antique and rare book fair took place on the grounds of the luxurious Farmleigh house last weekend and the experts say it turned up some exciting finds.
Antique experts were on hand to appraise what was brought and made some people's dreams come true while squashing others.
"You learn to let people down gently," said George Stacpoole, star of RTE antiques show, The Dealers.
The crowds came in their throngs either clutching the clutter they cleared out from their house, or bringing things they already knew were worth something.
"We had a lot of lovely things," he said.
"People took it all in good spirits. It was a great success," he said.
The one that sticks out to him the most though is a plate of 'incredible rarity'.
"They brought this most marvellous plate. It was probably made in Bristol and there was a picture of King Billy painted on it," he said.
"It was broken and stuck together. In perfect condition it would be worth about €10,000 but it would still be worth a couple of thousand in this condition. It was just wonderful."
Irish history was well represented also by a box brought in by an avid postcard collector.
"He came with the most wonderful series of postcards relating to 1916 and 1922 -- that sort of time. It was a superb collection."
The collection contained hundreds of postcards from the era and George estimates that they'd be worth €2000 -- €3,000 and maybe much more.
Another piece of Irish history was reclaimed too in the form of a simple linen handkerchief.
It dated from the early 20th Century and had pictures of actors printed on it including Lady Gregory.
The printed pictures were based on paintings by John Butler Yeats, father of William and Jack Butler Yeats.
"It was actually sold in the States in 1913 to raise funds for the proposed Hugh Lane gallery," he said.
Stacpoole believes it could be worth €1,200 or €1,500 but is not sure as he hasn't had time to research it.
He also believes the owners may bring it to the Hugh Lane gallery as a donation.
- Dermot Ryan
