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Philip Andrade

Philip Andrade, of Philip Andrade Antiques, Devon, established in 1972 &  Reg & Muriel Andrade Antiques, established c.1929. 

A conversation between Philip Andrade and project lead Mark Westgarth, which is the thirteenth in our 'BADA Voices' extension to the oral history project.

Philip Andrade began his life in the antique trade working for his father Reginald Andrade at the age of 12 or 13, before officially starting in his father's business in 1958, aged 20 years of age. The Andrade family have an illustrious history in the antique trade; Phillip's grandfather, Henry de Costa Andrade, began an antique dealing business in Plymouth in c.1900; Cyril de Costa Andrade, a very high profile dealer in London during the first half of the 20th century, was a 2nd cousin, once removed, and Philip's uncle was the well-known London dealer James de Costa Andrade. Members of the family were amongst the first members of BADA in 1918.

In this hugely engaging interview Philip reflects on his life in the antiques business and the significance of the West Country in the development of the trade. Philip was joined in the business by his wife Margaret in 1962 (they married in 1960); Margaret was, incidentally, the daughter of another well-known antiques dealer, Arthur (Jack) West. Our interview with Philip continues our oral history archives and makes a very significant contribution towards our understanding of the antique business in the regions during the second half of the 20th century.

Photograph - Philip Andrade with 'Bailey'. photograph Antique Dealers Research Project, University of Leeds, 2018.