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The Year of the Dealer at Preston Park Museum

Discover more about the important role antique dealers have played in shaping museum and gallery collections.

Harbourside Antiques, based in Hartlepool in the 1960s and 1970s, sold Preston Park Museum this 18th century boy's suit in 1970 for £10. The suit is on display in The Hall at Preston Park Museum

Discover the hidden stories behind our museum objects 

At Preston Park Museum, we're excited to be part of The Year of the Dealer — a special project with the University of Leeds and partner museums including The Bowes Museum, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Temple Newsam and the V&A Museum.

This project explores the important role antique dealers have played in shaping museum and gallery collections. Why do we call objects 'antiques' when they are outside the museum but rename them 'decorative art' once they are inside the museum's walls? Why are there no 'antiques' in the museum? These questions are at the heart of a series of new digital film trails, created as part of the Year of the Dealer project. 

Funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council—one of the UK's leading research funding bodies—it forms part of a wider ongoing study led by the University of Leeds. This research delves into the history of antique dealing in Britain during the 19th and 20th centuries, uncovering how objects moved from private hands into public collections.

Explore the stories

Through a series of short digital films, you can discover the stories behind 10 objects from our collection. Each one reveals something surprising — from unusual journeys and changing tastes, to the colourful characters who handled them along the way. 

You'll hear about:

  • the dealers who helped shape museum collections
  • how antiques were bought and sold in the past
  • the people behind the objects, from local sellers to well-known London dealers
  • the important role that women have played in the history of antique dealing

Built on remarkable collections 

Preston Park Museum's collections have grown over time thanks to generous donations and loans. Some of our earliest collections include:

  • the Spence Collection (1925), featuring antique firearms, weapons, powder flasks, snuff boxes and other decorative items 
  • the Clephan Collection (1930s), bequeathed by Edwin Clephan's daughters 
  • the Ions Collection, a significan collection of glassware and ceramics

Together, these helped form the museum when it opened in 1953 — and the collection has continued to grow ever since, telling the story of Stockton-on-Tees and the people who live here.

Plan your visit or watch online 

You can explore all ten films from Preston Park Museum online, along with stories from the other museums taking part in the project.

If you're visiting us in person, you may be able to spot some of the featured objects.

Harry Armstrong was an antique dealer local to Preston Park. He sold this pair of 18th century pistols to Col. Spence in 1912 for £10; he had bought them from the famous London antique dealer Frank Partridge. The Pistols are currently in store.
Law, Foulsham & Cole were established in 1905, led by Charles Alfred Law, who would become one of the founding members of the British Antique Dealers Association in 1918. They sold this 18th century snuff box to Col. Spence in 1918 for £7 & 10 shillings.
Harbourside Antiques, based in Hartlepool in the 1960s and 1970s, sold Preston Park Museum this 18th century boy's suit in 1970 for £10. The suit is on display in The Hall at Preston Park Museum
Fenton & Sons were established in 1880, they had shops in New Oxford Street and Cranbourne Street in London, and specialised in antique arms and armour. They sold this late 16th century half-suit of armour to Col. Spence in 1914 for £28 & 15 shillings.
Caedmon Antiques was based in Whitby and owned by Adrian Gabrielle Walker. This small antique child's Noah's Ark toy was sold to Preston Park Museum in 1969, together with a toy dog cat, a doll's pram, a jigsaw, a pack of cards and a model of wax fruit.
The Spanish Art Gallery was established in London in the 1890s by Lionel Harris. He imported antiques and paintings from spain and sold this 16th century sword to Col. Spence in 1919 for £30. The sword is in store at Preston Park Museum.
S.J Phillips was established in London by Solomon Joel Phillips in 1868. In the 20th century the firm had many famous clients, including Royalty, film stars and major museums. It sold this early 19th century powder flask to Col. Spence in 1918 for £16.
Piercebridge Antiques, based near Darlington in the 1960s to 1970s, supplied many items to Preston Park Museum as it expanded its local social history collection, including this 19th‑century pottery money box bought in 1975 for £45.
Liberty & Co., founded in 1874 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty, opened its iconic Regent Street store in 1924. By 1910s antiques were fashionable, and the store sold this 16th-century sword to Col. Spence in 1919 for £36 & 15 shillings.
This lace collar, donated in 1986, highlights the role of women in the antique trade, including early dealer and lace specialist Jane Clark.

 

 

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