Geoffrey Breeze - Antique Canes

	Telephone: (+44) 07740 435844 Email: Geoffrey@antiquecanes.co.uk Web: www.antiquecanes.co.uk
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"Without my walking stick I'd go insane." ... lyrics by Irving Berlin
Geoffrey Breeze with Tall Canes

Welcome to my Antique Canes Newsletter as we approach the British Antique Dealers' Association Antiques & Fine Art Fair at the Duke of York Square in London. The Association rightly claims that this particularly select fair showcases the finest antiques and the best British dealers. Those of you who have visited the fair will know that this is no idle boast.

In keeping with the ethos of this fair I will be showcasing an exceptionally fine selection of Seventeenth Century piqué canes with ivory and silver handles in addition to my normal array of walking sticks, canes and umbrellas ranging from the sophisticated to the humourous. Please click on the button to request your tickets and they will be sent to you. I look forward to seeing you all in a few weeks.

EVENTS DIARY

Your Company Is Requested ...

The BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair
(25-31 March 2009, London)
To request tickets click here

The Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair
(21-26 April 2009, London)
To request tickets click here

Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair
(4 to 14 June 2009, London)
To request tickets click here

The Autumn Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair
(29 September to 4 October 2009, London)
To request tickets click here

The Winter Fine Art & Antiques Fair
(16-22 November 2009, London)
To request tickets click here

You can buy these canes at the BADA fair

"Georgian Malacca cane with gold handle"	"Cane with Imari Ware handle in coronet setting"	"Cane with frog handle and silver collar stamped "Brigg"	"Tortoiseshell cane with gold handle and collar"

Piqué Work Canes

A favourite of cane connoisseurs, the piqué work cane displays a beauty of design and mellow patination rarely encountered. The majority date from the period 1680 to 1720, and many are dated and marked with the owner's initials in silver on the handles. The malacca shafts are surmounted with large ivory handles and often have an eyelet for a silken cord. They were made by Huguenot craftsmen who set up workshops in England after fleeing France to escape persecution from Louis XIV after the Edict of Nantes which stripped them of their civil liberties.

Style Hero!

The Saturday Times Magazine recently featured Alex James from the mega Britpop band Blur as their STYLE HERO. I was pleased to note that alongside his gold pocket watch and shooting jacket, he also sported a fine cane from Holland and Holland. Methinks he should come along and visit my stand at the BADA antique fair and enjoy a selection of the finest canes in Europe. Style hero... I think he would be a style god by the time I had kitted him out!

As I always say to my clients: "A cane for every occasion, and a cane for impossible occasions."

BBC and the Holy Grail of Canes

Whilst idly scanning online results of a cane auction at my desk overlooking the lower slopes of Bath last week, I was greeted by the happy tones of my mobile phone playing La Cucaracha. To my surprise I was greeted by a producer from the BBC, a lady with a mission. She was, she said, on a quest for the "Holy Grail of Walking Sticks"!

An ambulist's da Vinci code? Was an exciting adventure opening before me? Would it involve fast cars, beautiful women and thrilling adventures in romantic locations? It was even better than that: she required a remarkably fine and interesting cane to feature on an antiques television programme and had been pointed in my direction. The filming was to take place in Antiquarius Antiques Centre in Kings Road, Chelsea. After due consideration on my part, a minion scurried from the BBC, collected the " Holy Grail of Walking Sticks " and delivered it to antiques media darling, Tim Wonnacott, and filming duly took place.

I will keep you all informed of the time and name of the TV programme. After all the excitement I am now filled with a sense of ennui. Ordinary life seems so uneventful - I fear that even watching my lurcher chasing squirrels in the park no longer thrills me as it used to. Ah well, back to the seven per cent solution...

New venue for Antique Canes.

I am showcasing a selection of my canes at Long Street Antiques, Tetbury. Situated near Cirencester, Tetbury is a market town snuggled in the Cotswolds and is not only full of historical interest but is also a thriving destination for antique seekers. Its main street boasts twenty-two antique shops and their stock ranges from early country oak to 1960's chic, with the full range in between.

You will find Long Street Antiques next door to Prince Charles' Highgrove shop in the town centre, where the owners, Raymond and Samantha, will cater for all your needs in the realm of antiques. Their large and carefully selected stock includes fine silver, furniture, paintings and, of course, antique walking canes.

For more details click here.


Geoffrey Breeze Antique Canes Office 262, 3 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2FJ Tel: (+44) 077 404 35844 Email: info@antiquecanes.co.uk Web: www.antiquecanes.co.uk	Registered in England 6774154 Registered Office 52 Hickmans Close, Godstone, Surrey, RH9 8EB Director G E Breeze