The Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground was blessed with unseasonably warm and dry weather for the October 2017 Antiques & Collectors Fair. October has always been a popular fair in the iacf calendar, and this year was no exception.
Many stallholders again put in a commendable effort to the appearance of their stands, arranging their various wares in an aesthetically appealing display, showing their antique and collectable items in the best possible light. However, there was one stall we felt deserved to win the ‘Best Dressed Stall’ title just a little more than the rest, and that was Robin Unsworth – Superior Vintage Luggage & Sporting Goods.
Robin is based in Buckinghamshire and is a regular stallholder at many iacf run fairs. At Newark and Ardingly he insists on keeping all but one of the door-flaps to his marquee (on the main shopping arcade) closed, making the marquee feel more like a shop. The interior of the tent is draped with Persian style rugs and carpets and includes decorative items – brass antique telescopes, antique dress uniforms, cavalry swords and tribal style carvings – which compliment the polished leather luggage and give the stall the exotic atmosphere of colonial travel from a by-gone era.
It’s understandable why the stall is so popular with overseas buyers: “We’ve had buyers from America, China, Japan and all over the continent, particularly France and Belgium, over the fair’s duration.” Robin explained.
Some of these buyers are interior designers, who source items for large hotel chains and shops, and these will come back time and time again.
If you would like to view some of Robin’s vintage luggage you can find him at the next Ardingly Fair (7th – 8th November 2017) and Newark Fair (7th – 8th December)
To contact Robin call: 07860 809584
