Antique Treasure Trove For Auction
The Age
Saturday June 21, 2003
One of the first buyers to walk through the doors of The Antique Centre in Hawthorn when it opened for business in 1991 was a young law student dressed in ragged jeans looking for a 21st birthday present.
``We knew he didn't have much money so we found him something affordable and happily sent him on his way," explained one of the owners, John Frewen.
``That young man has been coming back ever since for birthday, Christmas, engagement and christening presents and is now a highly successful barrister."
That seems to be the overwhelming story of The Antique Centre, owned jointly by John, his wife Louise, and their partner Heather Vickery. Over the years they have built an enviable clientele and reputation for offering customers a wide range of antiques and collectables, provided with a friendly face and a big smile.
``Most of our customers (business people from around the area) have stayed with us and are more than happy to pop in to buy presents for family and friends," Mr Frewen said.
``Over the years, we've come to know the wives and so we've been able to work out what is appropriate and what isn't - which means few presents have ever been returned."
From noon today and tomorrow, all that will change when auctioneers and valuers E.J. Ainger offer the entire the contents of The Antique Centre for sale.
The former bank building, at 348 Burwood Road, Hawthorn (Glenferrie Road corner), will be crammed with more than 1000 items of antique furniture and collectables which auctioneer John Ainger has described as a good buying opportunity for antique dealers and collectors. ``The popularity the centre has enjoyed until now should ensure a huge turnout of buyers," Mr Ainger said.
Both the Frewens and Heather Vickery have more than 25 years in the antique business. While running a military antiques business in Malvern called the Gunners Knot, the Frewens used to promote collectors' fairs around Melbourne through the Australian Collectors Expo, and Mrs Vickery owned Prince Regent Antiques, one of the businesses that formed part of the former Regent Hotel complex in Exhibition Street.
``Following the 1988 Ansett pilot strike, I moved from the city to an antique centre where I met John and Louise," Mrs Vickery explained. ``It was then we decided to pool our expertise on antiques and establish a business together.
``The new business offered a broad range of antiques including furniture, porcelain, silver and antique jewellery. We noticed that many antique shops tended to ignore their customers, so we introduced a policy of always trying to be helpful and take advice whenever appropriate.
``This policy paid handsome dividends because The Antique Centre's clientele was huge, with most sorry to see it close _ and many former customers turned up bearing impromptu bunches of roses. It's just time for us to move on. We're not getting any younger and it's time to play with the grandchildren," John Frewen said.
Despite their decision, all three confessed they would miss the life, even reflecting on the years they spent visiting restored Victorian and Edwardian homes in the area, advising customers on the appropriate antique furnishings to decorate them with. Mr Frewen said they only ever had two customers who returned gifts they had bought. ``One was a man who bought this totally inappropriate enormous brooch for his tiny blond wife who returned it the next day," he said.
``The other was a fellow who, despite advice to the contrary, bought this rather elaborate silver writing box and then came back two days later absolutely furious because his wife hated it.
``He was so incensed he vowed never to buy her another present and, instead of taking a refund, bought something for himself."
Today's auction will feature antique furniture including an 1875 burr and figured walnut davenport and a burr walnut whatnot.
Among the porcelain from major English and European factories are a Royal Dux figural vase and Royal Worcester pieces. The auction also will include English and coloured glassware and crystal, Sheffield plate and sterling silver, antique gold, silver and art jewellery, paintings and limited edition prints and antique clocks. Viewing is from 9.30am. For further information telephone 9819 4366.
• From 6.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday, Charles Leski Auctions will offer almost $1 million worth of sporting memorabilia and stamps at 13 Cato Street, Hawthorn.
A highlight of the auction will be the bidding for the baggy blue cap of English captain and Bradman nemesis Douglas Jardine, from the infamous bodyline series.
Viewing is from 10am-6pm tomorrow until Wednesday. Call 9884 9999 for further information.
© 2003 The Age
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