I’m having a table at the Birmingham Arms Fair

[Matsunoki]

I really miss the fun and excitement of exhibitions so I’ve decided to take a table at the forthcoming Birmingham Arms Fair on 16th June. 
Please, if any of you do attend then come and say hello, I’d love to meet and put faces to names.

I plan to take a cross section of swords from my collection….tanto, wakizashi, katana, Tachi etc -  from Koto to Shinsakuto. Many in original koshirae, some in shirasaya. Some quite nice things.

I’ll put a card on my table saying Colin/Matsunoki . Wake me up if I’ve dozed off please.

Hope to see some of you.

Best

Colin

[Brian]

Wishing you good luck with the sales. I'm sure you'll do great. Take pics for us!

 

Brian

[Bugyotsuji]

Will be there, at least in spirit. 

[Matsunoki]

37 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Will be there, at least in spirit. 

Darn it Piers, I got really excited reading the first three words.

[Samurai Art]

I'll say hello.

See you there.

[kissakai]

I look forward to seeing you there

 

[Matsunoki]

Just got the Fair info through, I’m table No.81, middle hall up against a wall.

Looking forward…..🙂

Colin.

[Alex A]

Out of curiosity Colin, its not that expensive is it to get a table at Birmingham?

[Matsunoki]

1 minute ago, Alex A said:

Out of curiosity Colin, its not that expensive is it to get a table at Birmingham?

I was amazed. We used to exhibit at the NEC and that used to cost over £1500 many  years ago so when this only cost £90 I thought they’d made a mistake! I’m staying at a nearby hotel for two nights and that cost four times that😳

[Brendan campbell]

Table 81 , not bad at least the same post code as the main room, if needed Colin , I can look after you stock 😜 as your in a hotel. (Only kidding) I have today picked up , an old friend of yours , now mine .It has a brand new polish from the gentleman who did the Kanetomo . It’s turned out , I think fantastic. As  I said I will bring it for you to look at the fair .The venue is great for me as I’m only 20 miles away . I’m only this time collecting good named Gendaito, you can trust them to polish good . Looking forward to meeting you .Brendan 

 

[Samurai Art]

I have always had a fondness for the Birmingham Arms Fair. It's where I started as a dealer. I had a table that I extended to members of the esteemed Token Society, allowing them to display their items for free. If they sold anything, I requested a small contribution for the table. After the Northern Token closed its table, I took it over with two members (as I was permitted to be a member back then), and we shared the rent to maintain a social gathering point for token and other collectors. It was an excellent way to raise awareness of the society and encourage new memberships to be taken. As my stock items increased in quality and price, I eventually outgrew the fair with gallery space now in New Bond Street Mayfair, yes I've become a snob. However, I still visit each time it’s held, meeting up with the gang and hoping to discover a hidden gem in the form of a dirty teppo.

We once had several dealers in Japanese swords, and I hope this trend continues to grow with new participants.

See you there.

[Matsunoki]

Just to be clear, I’m not a dealer, just selling some of the interesting things from my own collection. I’m not looking for huge profits (in some cases no profit whatsoever!🙂) Have a look at Lanes Armoury beforehand…..my things will then look very cheap🙂🙂🙂🙂

 

[Bugyotsuji]

A friend once explained that the Lanes used to bump up their prices in anticipation of the Russians, who in those days would always expect and demand steep discounts.

[Matsunoki]

4 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

in anticipation of the Russians

Well Piers, the Russians have gone away but I can’t see their prices have reduced much!🙂

[Winchester]

I’d like to go to this show in the next couple years; since joining the forum, I have heard many good things about it.

 

Is it realistic to buy something and mail it back to the US from the show?

 

Kind regards,

 

Brian

 

[Matsunoki]

4 minutes ago, Winchester said:

Is it realistic to buy something and mail it back to the US from the show?

Brian, sadly we are having horrendous trouble with shipping swords here in the UK. It’s chaos and our major carriers have recently banned all bladed weapons. No-one is quite sure what’s happening, but right now it seems impossible. Maybe some further clarification will emerge.

Its crazy!

Best. Colin.

[Tcat]

11 hours ago, Winchester said:

Is it realistic to buy something and mail it back to the US from the show?

Hand carry with a golf bag is the best current option if youre flying back.