Spring Beaulieu started off with a promise of good weather and an unexpected hangover. I had to drive about 800 miles in the 4 days preceding the event and had planned to stop by and see Alan, Vanessa and the Petroliana collection on the Thursday night accompanied by the ever patient Victorian Father. I also had to unload 2 vans of stock, fill one van with stock for the stall. Unfortunately, I had also agreed to rent out my old house that week and had the carpet cleaners coming round at 2pm on that Thursday which entailed loading and emptying and further two removals vans that morning. In short, by the time I had picked up father (being the customary 2 hours late) we just had enough time to get to Guildford before the rush and I was pretty wiped out.
Arriving in glorious sunshine at the Guildford residence my hangover was just kicking in, but the joviality of Theo, Alan and the two giant puppies soon put us in good spirits. The dealing started straight away with us rummaging through a pile of glass signs Alan had stashed behind the sofa of his mobile collectors home. Before we knew it all three of us had bought at least one sign off Alan and at least £100 soon changed hands. With the promise of more, Alan led us keen collectors into his workshop with the lure of more quality items at yesterday’s prices. What confronted us was probably the worst pair of glass signs father and I had ever seen. Even with a price tag of £10 it was £40 too much. Alan took umbrage at our lack of enthusiasm and the bet was made that nobody in their right mind would buy one of these signs for £10 off the stall, not even Eric.
We then took out our bags and some signs we had brought for Alan. Soon we had an ale in hand as we drooled our way through the collection oohing and ahhing at latest finds and old friends alike. We saved some drool for the 4.5 litre low chassis Invicta and what salivation was left soon used up by Vanessa’s scrumptious beef wellington.
The Friday morning of the event started off with a 6am start and another hangover. We soon cheered up though as we overtook Theo and Alan in their Mobile tat palace, self assured that would be before them in the queue and have a few minutes head start in the race to spend all our money on old crud. The first thing we saw on netry was Alan's fabulous cart soon to be on load to the museum.
Father and I parked up, bumped fists and went on the prowl. Almost immediately we came running back to the pitch to dump some signs. Dad had bought a fantastic condition large Dragonfly motor oils enamel and I responded with a mint Raleigh cycles shield sign and a bunch of stock motoring post mounts. Suddenly across the field we saw a stall just putting out a load of signs, oil bottles and cans. Heading straight for it across the open field, I feel the presence of another buyer hot on my heels. As we get level, I realise its Victorian Father and we both arrive at the stall of fresh gear simultaneously. Immediately he buys some small items whereas I buy a load of tin signs, small tins and a pyramid oil can. In total I spent about £300 with the guy and he gave me £5 discount on the whole lot. Barely able to carry all the items, it was slow going to the back of the van and with all the weight it was easy for Alan to catch me up and unburden me of the pyramid topped can. It was also hard to get a good profit on it though as I had not had time to peel the price tag off. Anyways with £30 towards the petrol cost we were both happy.
The van soon filled with nice signs, showcards and tins whilst the stall area filled with heavy enamels and car spares. The next good hit for me was hoard of early tyre showcards from a museum. Again I spend about £800 and got £20 knocked off, but it was all fresh stock and the sellers knew it would sell over the weekend. About an hour later Alan relieved me of half the showcards, but I was determined to keep the large John Bull one with the 1920’s lady leaning against the bonnet of a period car. Alan kindly didn’t pursue this as he may well have seen the one coming up in the Chippenham sale next month.
Walking past the Petroliana burger van of bargains I see a Castrol oil drum leaning up against it with a super enamel sign on the front. I think they have found it in the field so get jealous and move to the next stall as quickly as possible. I then picked up a rare Rudge Whitworth Cycles Enamel that made me feel better.
Next stop was Barrie Pook’s stall. Rumours were rife that he had lots of enamels to be put out and, judging by how low his van was riding, I was sure it was true. I visited his stall on numerous occasions but the unpacking always seemed to fall short of the wedge of enamelled scrap on the floor of the van. Eventually though, Ian Denison gave me the nudge and both of us stood there helping Barrie unload. Pretty soon I was holding back a huge pile of signs I was interested in and Ian was doing the same. Nothing was priced so we could tell it was going to be a hard deal. About 10 minutes later Sarah and Gary were in on the act, helping Ian prop up his ever increasing pile of signs. There were people breathing down my neck too, such as Jez from Kendal and Mike Berry.
Eventually when we could see the bottom of the van, I asked Ian if he wanted to find out from Barrie how he intended to price the items in his pile. Ian kindly said I could go first. Soon I had a near mint Jones Sewing machines and a perfect Thelson’s Oils enamel in my purchase pile. Barrie then ignored Ian and started chatting to an old friend about a £10 item.
Soon after I am spent out and the cheque book is getting thinner by the second. Victorian Father (or VF for short) has a few choice buys and we meet up to decide what to do about the rest of the Weekend. I want to do a runner but he says he can stay at an old friend Susanﾒs house. Pretty soon we have a beer in hand and the Petroliana Paella pan is on the boil. This time round, Alan has remembered the pan and no dog bowl is needed or indeed an enamel sign to form a lid (although one was useful as a serving tray).
It is comfort all round in the tin can caravan with Alan switching on the central heating. I then found out that Theo had bought the Castrol drum before Beaulieu and Justin had dropped it off for him. I felt a warm glow of knowing I had swagged out the day and perused Alan’s purchase of an incredible album of period photos of old garages. Soon we were joined by Newark Gary laughing our way into a bottle of port and a plate full of stinky cheese.
Saturday started with a stiff back after a cold night and another hangover. I had remembered to brush my teeth the night before but failed to get into my sleeping bag properly. After a bit of money juggling I had now got another grand to spend so was back on the hunt. Pretty much the first stall I came to had a giant tin sign for Dunlop Tyres with the wheel rolling through the mud. Alan bought it 20 minutes later on the promise that I could spruce it up a bit.
Jez and Steve’s stall provided much amusement and plenty of fairly priced tins and signs. I then heard from Ian that Barrie Pook was willing to negotiate on some of his enamels so back we went with a list of reduced items. Again, I put aside a pile of signs and asked Ian if he thought Barrie would take a cheque. At which point, Ian burst out laughing, left his signs and got in a position to film me on his phone asking Barrie the question. Gathering onlookers with every few minutes, soon a crowd had gathered and was about 5 strong by the time I got anyone’s attention. Barrie just said ‘owe me’.
Very much relieved, I went to the next stall but 3. There seemed to be a fresh collection of tins coming out. Then, who should appear but the overlord himself – Alan! It was hard being polite as we scooped up some tins and asked prices on lots of stuff. I had filled a box and was about to go when Alan professionally asked the question ‘have you got any more?’ To which, the lady responded, ‘yes there are two more boxes under the table and pulled back the cloth to reveal two sealed boxes marked ‘Tins’. Alan looked at me, I looked at Alan, we both looked at the nice Lady, then Alan looked at me wondering if I was still there. Sadly for him, I was, and we grabbed a box each, deftly breaking the seals and we delved into the old dried newspaper inside, convinced we would get some bargains. Alan produced the first tin and it was a modern spray can with nozzle. Laughing I then produced almost exactly the same can but in rustier condition. Alan found some more junk then I produced a mint Filtrate oil can. I could feel a pair of eyes burn into my back as I magically produced another in exactly the same condition. When the competition was over, we both got a nice can each for £10 and I didn’t even mark it up!
VF had arrived mid morning with a spring in his step despite knocking back a bottle of wine in pleasant company the night before. We ruthlessly made fun of him and checked for love bites. Despite the friendly banter I was dismayed to find that Alan had sold his horrible glass lamp sign, but was also happy to know that we could leave about lunchtime, so quickly bought some real tat off Eric and fled the event. We both spent all of our money and then some, but had a great time doing it. On the Sunday I was preparing for the container run with all the fresh stuff to be dropped off down South the next day. It was great to catch up with everyone and a big thanks goes out to Dad, Alan, Vanessa, Theo and the rest of peeps we met, harried, made laugh, offended, gave money to, took money off and generally enjoyed all the jolly japes with.
