Mixed Lot

That I don't appear to need as much sleep as anyone else I know is probably, on balance, a good thing - especially considering how many hours it takes to run a business.  I calculated that in the past seven days I have worked a ninety hour week.  It's been exhausting but exhilarating too because I can see the business growing and getting stronger. 
This past week was always going to be a challenge.  Not only did we have an auction and two antique fairs to host, but also a buying trip to Kempton Park to squeeze in between.  It seems like a lifetime ago that I made the weekly trip down to London (to Covent Garden) but in fact it wasn't and I miss the buzz of buying and selling there.  Kempton Park was amazing (once we got there - something I don't miss: London traffic) and I saw many familiar faces.  700 stalls, inside and out, with an exceptional concentration of real antiques.  The trip was partly about planning too because we will be stalling there from next week.  My friends and I came home with lots of goodies and the feeling that we had found our next chapter.
The Cloisters Fair has been good both days this week.  Amongst other things I sold a Georgian silver ladle with a twisted horn handle (on Wednesday) and a super diamond cluster ring (yesterday).  I think there are real signs that people are spending again and that is reflected in the number of people booking stalls at the antique fair - yesterday we were missing half a dozen of our regulars but that didn't stop us filling the hall quite easily, especially with three new stallholders.  I bought a bit yesterday too including some scrap gold and a super 1950's display cabinet. 
Which just leaves the auction upon which to comment.  On the Monday it became apparent that, for various reasons, we were going to be very short on staff.  With very very little time to correct that we took on two new people and provided them with 'training'.  This was very similar to the 'training' that British troops received in World War 1 before being sent to the trenches, ie a five-minute team-talk and a big 'hurrah' for motivation.  That we had our best sale in a long time was down to our teamwork.  How we did it I know not.  But we did do it.  We had the lots (quality antiques).  We had the customers (increasing in number).  We had the balls (great staff).  And we have a future - a great future because the road we are on has no end and there is no end to our ambition.
Oh and a wager - a lot that had been bought at another auction house not too far away for £25 was entered into our sale.  'I bet you won't get that for it' said one Doubting Thomas who recognised it from the other place.  'I bet we do' said I.  So the wager was placed (a Sportsman's Bet no less) and agreed. 
One final high point for me this week was my son, Henry, who has taken to inspecting everything through my loupe.  We started off by looking at the lion passant on silver.
'Can you see the lion Henry?'
'Yes Dad, I can!'
'That means that is silver.'
'Ooh! Is it treasure?'
'Yes, son, it is.'
'Ooh...I like treasure!'
I think he may have my love for the antique.  He spent the next few minutes with the magnifying glass looking for another lion passant - on cushions, on a ceramic lid, on a chocolate bar, and on my leg.  And guess what?  They were all made of silver!  One day one of my children will manage Barnes Auctioneers - I hope a sustantial inheritance.  Maybe that will be Henry (or maybe one of the others) but whichever it is, that is my life goal.
Did I miss something out?  Ah yes, the wager.  That particular lot sold for £65.