(from left) Susan and Robert Fratkin of Washington DC with their friend, Abbe Shaw from Santa Barbara County, US, examining commemorative Queen Victoria pot lids.
Though IACF Newark markets itself firmly as a trade fair, it ensures the public has access too, in particular die-hard collectors who similar to trade buyers, know the dealers they want to visit.
Robert Fratkin and his wife Susan, from Washington DC, are serious collectors of Queen Victoria memorabilia – “we’re thinking of putting bunk beds in our main bedroom to make room for a fifth cabinet of objects,” says Susan – and visit UK fairs, whatever the weather.