FRANK WILLIAMS 1913 -- 1995
Frank Williams' house and shop occupied an imposing position half-way up Burford High Street. This was his emporium for 45 years. Many people still remember the very large front door of the premises, which had once been a garage, the first in Burford with a petrol pump.
How Frank came to live in Burford is a fascinating story. During the War he served mainly in the Middle East, on one occasion being positioned on top of the Great Pyramid with a Radio Signal Unit. It was while he was in Egypt that he heard that the property in Burford, although requisitioned by the Army, was coming up for sale. By circuitous communication devices he got the message back to his bank manager to buy it. He knew Burford well, since, in the 1930s he had his first shop in nearby Broadway. When he did open in November 1946, he already had a stock hidden away. His Army training days in Yorkshire had given him the chance to wander down the Manningham Lane in Bradford, where he was able to buy tea-sets by the score and cornucopiae by the hundred. And, of course, there were the Oriental rugs that had appeared, as if by magic, during his sojourn in the Middle East.
At that time there were only two other dealers in Burford, and there was no one in Stow-on-the-Wold. People came to see Frank from far and wide, and the early sales ledgers read like Who's Who. They were people who enjoyed antiques for their intrinsic beauty, not their estimated worth. Although latterly he sometimes felt the aspect of fun had gone, he never lost an interest in dealing.
There were many parties, occasions to be remembered by all for laughter, good company and good food, and in such beautiful surroundings. In the summertime, parties in the garden were a favourite. There would be candles and nightlights secreted in the depths of the foliage and the evenings always seemed to be warm. For twenty-five years I was lucky to be part of Frank's success. We worked very hard. The shop, like The Windmill, could claim 'We never close', and, when it finally did, so did an era which spanned one of the most interesting periods of dealing and involved this most genial and knowledgeable of dealers.
So many people, the world over, can look at their precious purchases and recall treasured memories.
Thank you, Frank Williams, from us all.
Peter Harris
FIRST SESSION AT 12 NOON
SILVER AND PLATE
A pair of large novelty peppermills
Details
A pair of large novelty peppermills
modelled as barrels, each enhanced with simulated staves and hoops, London, modern -- 4¼in. (11cm.) (2)
modelled as barrels, each enhanced with simulated staves and hoops, London, modern -- 4¼in. (11cm.) (2)