Andrew Jenkins

Andrew Jenkins of Avon Antiques, Bradford-on-Avon, established 1963.

A conversation between Andrew Jenkins and project lead, Mark Westgarth.

Andrew began his career in antiques working for the dealer David Tron, in the Kings Road, London in 1962, where he was 'tested' regularly on the history of the objects that Tron sold - and also supplemented his learning with visits to the furniture galleries at the Victoria & Albert Museum.  Andrew opened his own antique dealing business in Bradford-on-Avon in 1963 and remained there for almost 50 years.

In this fascinating interview, Andrew tells us about the structure of the antique trade in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as his dealings with the San Francisco antique dealer Williams Sonoma in the late 1960s - who later went on to found the famous 'kitchen ware' business throughout North America. We also hear about Andrew's role in the establishment of the West of England Antiques Fair, held in the Assembly Rooms, Bath from 1976.

Photograph of Andrew and Vibeke Jenkins,courtesy of Andrew Jenkins